05/28/2026
As we close out another school year, I want to take a moment to thank the teachers and staff who show up for our children every day.
Even while busting their behinds to serve students and keep our schools running, hundreds of dedicated educators and staff members were forced to worry about whether they would still have a place in our school district next year.
A reported 457 positions were non-renewed, including 275 teaching positions (numbers are fluid), as the district works through a significant budget shortfall. Behind every number is a dedicated educator or employee whose future was suddenly placed in question.
The impact goes far beyond the employees affected. Larger class sizes, program cuts, loss of institutional knowledge, increased workloads for remaining staff, and lower morale ultimately affect the students we serve. This is not how we value our stakeholders AND the overall community.
To every teacher and school employee: Thank you. Thank you for the early mornings, late nights, personal sacrifices, and unwavering commitment to our children. You are not “waste.” You are one of the most valuable investments we can make in our future. YOU ARE SEEN.
As a candidate for Lee County School Board District 5, I will continue advocating for transparency, accountability, and decisions that put students and classrooms first.
❤️🍎 Thank a Teacher. Thank a School Employee. They make a difference every single day.
Carline Saintilus
Candidate, Lee County School Board District 5
