The Lee County School Board approved a controversial new Bonita Springs High School.
The new school will be built near Imperial Parkway & Shangri La Road. Critics complained to the school board about the location, saying it will create too much traffic.
Dozens of people showed up to the meeting clad in red, indicating their support for the school to be built in the Bonita Grande section of town.
"Boy o boy, I have to tell you many in the community think this stinks," one man told board members.
Critics say the board never gave serious consideration to the Bonita Grande site prior to the vote. They say studies show traffic increasing along Imperial Parkway, even without a school.
There were also concerns about asbestos lingering at the site.
"We thoroughly vetted this particular property, and a lot of other properties in the Bonita area." said Superintendent Dr. Gregory Adkins of the Imperial site. "In fact, this is probably one of the most extensive processes this district has ever taken."
Adkins claims the Imperial location is cheaper, environmentally friendly and will serve more students.
However, that's not enough to convince some who accuse the board of not being transparent enough.
"We have a lawyer investigating the process they've gone through, and we think there are issues with some of the steps they've taken," said Bonita Springs resident Dan Troupe.
Construction on the school will begin in December, with anticipated completion by the 2018-19 school year.
The project will cost more than $70 million dollars. Construction is expected to begin in December.
