Tutors and trade groups press Lee County board for more after‑school support and career training funds
Summary
Two public commenters urged the board to expand after‑school tutoring and transportation and highlighted trade‑education partnerships. A volunteer tutor raised concerns about math instruction materials; the Florida Concrete Products Association described fundraising and trade‑education programs.
At the Jan. 13 Lee County School Board meeting, two public commenters urged the district to do more to help students access after‑school tutoring and career‑technical opportunities.
Carol Robinson, a volunteer tutor who said she works with fourth‑grade students, told the board she ran out of time at an earlier meeting and returned to press two issues: lack of after‑school transportation that prevents students from staying for extra help, and insufficient classroom manipulatives and teacher training on their use. "I had to bring my own and buy my own," she said, describing how she assembled multiple sets of manipulatives to teach multi‑digit addition and subtraction. Robinson asked the board to "figure out how to add more volunteers and paid tutors" so students who are behind can catch up.
Bridal Valdez, chairperson of the Florida Concrete Products Association, introduced the associationand said its trade‑education events have raised more than $95,000 over several signature events and that the most recent October 2025 event looked to bring in about $25,000. Valdez described the association's partnerships with local teachers and schools to provide tools, competitions and certification pathways for students interested in masonry and other trades.
Board members thanked the speakers and noted the district's interest in volunteer and industry partnerships. No immediate policy changes were made; the speakers' requests were forwarded to staff through regular channels.
