School Funding

Urged the Board to fully fund Lee County Schools' budget request, arguing the county spends only ~20% of local funds on schools while neighbors spend 30%+.

Said she'd support an even higher tax increase, arguing children deserve safe schools and retained educators.

A school nurse of 16 years who detailed how schools have taken on more responsibilities without more resources and urged funding increases for retention.

Spoke in favor of a tax increase for schools, calling a penny or two a huge payoff for the county's future.

Briefly urged adequate school funding as an investment in kids and the future workforce.

A parent, teacher, and union member urged the board to fund the school board's budget, noting surrounding counties spend over 30% of tax revenue on education while Lee hovers around 20%.

A public school teacher and Lee County NCAE president asked the board to stand in the gap for schools as state funding falls short.

A Southern Lee chemistry teacher said schools aren't asking for a mansion — just adequate funding, more per-pupil money, and higher supplements to stop losing teachers to other counties.

A teacher and parent said Lee County spends only about 19-20% of tax revenue on schools while neighbors spend over 30%, and asked the board to invest in people.