LEE COUNTY, Fla., - School will wait another week in Lee County as clean up efforts continue.
The Lee County School District announced they will be postponing the return date for students to Monday September 25th. They initially planned to be open Monday the 18th.
“That gives FPL, LCEC time to get power to the schools. It gives us time to repair schools. It gives our staff and employees time to get back into the area,” said Superintendent Dr. Gregory Adkins Thursday.
Adkins made the decision after assessing the damage left by Hurricane Irma.
Pictures released by the Lee County School District show the extent of the damage at area schools, including trees and debris blocking the entrance into Three Oaks Elementary, water flooding the parking lot at Gulf Middle, and damage to classrooms at Lehigh Senior High.
Portables were also found overturned at the Buckingham Bus Compound.
Dr. Adkins says most schools suffered at least minor damage. A few saw major damage.
“We have three schools that we have a major structural issue we’re going to have to address,” Adkins said.
The schools with major structural damage include Lehigh Senior High School, Riverdale High School and Mirror Lakes Elementary. The total cost of the damage is still unknown.
Adkins says 30 Lee County Schools still don’t have power and restoration will take time.
He also assured that all schools will be sanitary and safe by the 25th.
“We have had a private contractor that goes out and literally scrubs those things from floor to ceiling and they ensure air quality of those facilities prior to opening,” Adkins said.
In the coming days, the District will be discussing the possibility of implementing make up days for the days missed. That information will be announced at a later date.
