School board updated on island schools
Remediation continues to be done at two barrier island schools within the School District of Lee County — The Sanibel School and Fort Myers Beach Elementary School.
Operational Planning & Projects Director Frederick Ross provided an update regarding the Hurricane Milton recovery at the school board meeting on Nov. 6. He said the biggest obstacle of Milton was power.
“We suffered power outages at 32% of facilities,” Ross said, adding that they were still accessing power at the schools as late as Oct. 14, the night before students returned to campuses.
He said the majority of the damage was minor, except for at the two island schools, and that the damages were ceiling leaks, ceiling tiles down, debris and signage, in general.
Ross addressed what took place at the Sanibel school and Fort Myers Beach Elementary.
“The Sanibel School took on about 8 to 10 inches of water in the lower part of the campus,” he said.
The goal was to remediate and prevent ongoing damage or growth, so the carpet was ripped out and dry wall removed. The water intruded buildings 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9 and 11.
Fort Myers Beach had a 3-foot storm surge, but with the elementary school elevated a little, water intruded about 6 inches above the floor.
The same playbook was taken: remediation — tearing out hardwood floors, drywall and subflooring. Ross said with the electrical room at the ground level, electrical repairs also need to be done.
“We are looking to elevate as part of the repairs that are ongoing,” he said of the room.
With water coming up from underneath, the crawl space also needs to be cleaned out, as there is sediment and debris. There was also damage to the sunshade and canopy.
“Fort Myers Beach is going to be the biggest impact and most work for repair work,” Ross said.
To reach MEGHAN BRADBURY / news@breezenewspapers.com, please email