Guest Commentary | Memo to the community: A year of fulfilled commitments
On Nov. 19, 2024, I had the honor of being sworn in as Lee County’s first elected Superintendent of Schools in 50 years. That day was more than a personal milestone.
It marked a turning point for our community. For the first time in decades, the people of Lee County had a direct voice in choosing who would lead their school district.
You placed your trust in me, and I have worked every day to honor that trust through action, accountability, and results.
After more than 30 years serving as a teacher, principal, and district leader, I have always believed that Lee County has a sound school system. This year, we began the work of becoming a great one. We focused on strengthening our foundation, modernizing outdated systems, and putting students, families, and teachers back at the center of every decision we make.
Our shared vision of a world-class school system is taking shape across six key priorities that guided our work from day one.
1. Safe and Secure Schools
Nothing matters more than safety. This year, we built on previous security investments, including the OPENGATE weapons detection system, by expanding training, upgrading critical equipment, and securing an additional $2.9 million in state safety funding. We also addressed long-standing transportation challenges through the Safe Start Initiative, which restructured routes, improved operations, and strengthened driver recruitment and training. These steps led to safer, more reliable arrivals for thousands of students across Lee County.
2. Student Achievement and Learning Time
We set out to restore focus in the classroom and give students more time to learn. The new “bell-to-bell” policy limiting personal device use during the school day is helping reduce distractions, while the addition of 30 minutes to the high school schedule has created 42 extra hours of instruction each year
These changes, along with improved transportation efficiency that brought on-time arrival rates to 95% in the morning last week are helping ensure that every student starts the day ready to learn.
3. Career and Technical Education Expansion
Preparing students for tomorrow’s workforce remains a top priority. This year, we expanded career and technical pathways with new programs in Applied Robotics, Solar Technology, and Environmental Water and Reclamation, all aligned with local job markets. Agriculture, marine, and veterinary assisting programs now reach 10 high schools, and we launched Xello, a K-12 platform that helps students plan their futures through career exploration and goal-setting. These programs reflect our belief that success has many paths and every student deserves the opportunity to find theirs.
4. Teacher Recruitment and Retention
Strong schools start with strong teachers. Through Project Believe, we reduced teacher vacancies from 575 in April to just 37 by the first day of school, a tremendous milestone. As of today, there are 19 teacher vacancies. We also launched the Teacher Incentive Initiative, offering up to $9,000 in bonuses to educators serving at-risk schools. This has helped place experienced, high-performing teachers where they are needed most, giving students greater stability and support in the classroom.
5. Fiscal Responsibility and Efficient Operations
We took a hard look at every dollar spent. Every administrative department implemented a 5 percent budget reduction, and we reorganized several district functions to reduce duplication and streamline operations. These efforts produced more than $20 million in operational savings. Those funds have been redirected into the highest teacher pay raises in the state of Florida, in addition to other classroom priorities.
Fiscal responsibility is more than good accounting. It is a promise to taxpayers that their investment is used wisely and transparently.
6. Parent Partnership and Engagement
Parents are our greatest partners in student success. This year, we launched a Parent Task Force to strengthen collaboration with district leadership and held a series of community town halls across Lee County. Families now have more opportunities than ever to share feedback and engage directly with school and district leaders. We also simplified the student assignment process and created easy-to-follow video guides to make online enrollment more accessible for parents. These changes reflect our commitment to service, communication, and partnership.
Looking Ahead
This has been a year of rebuilding trust and real progress. Together, we have made our schools safer, our classrooms stronger, and our district more accountable to the people we serve. We are also planning for the future, investing in new schools, modernizing aging facilities, and creating the foundation for long-term success.
Our goal remains the same: to make Lee County a model for excellence in public education.
Thank you for your continued support, encouragement, and partnership. Together, we are proving that when we set high expectations and work with purpose, great things happen for our students.
Dr. Denise Carlin is the Superintendent of Schools for the School District of Lee County.