Lee County board approves Fort Myers Beach interlocal, marketing renewal, HR changes, chief staff attorney hire and $17.8M materials adoption

The Lee County School Board approved a slate of district actions May 12 that the superintendent said are intended to support operations and student achievement even as the district implements budget reductions.

Interlocal with Fort Myers Beach: The board unanimously approved H2, authorizing the superintendent to execute an interlocal agreement with the Town of Fort Myers Beach intended to facilitate school re‑opening options there. Board members noted a three‑year reversionary clause in the agreement that returns the property to the district if a local charter cannot operate.

Marketing services renewal (H1): The board approved an authorization to renew ITN N237483JA with Priority Marketing of Southwest Florida, Inc., for the first renewal period (06/06/2026–06/05/2027) for up to $326,000. Superintendent Dr. Carlin said “up to $326,000” is a spending authority cap, not a guaranteed outlay and that some items are already funded by school budgets. Board members split 5–2 on the item after debate about in‑house capacity and whether the cap should be reduced.

Human resources job descriptions (M3): The board adopted a package of updated and sunsetted job descriptions as part of phase‑2 job architecture work—including adoptions, revisions and sunsets intended to align roles and titles with current responsibilities. Several board members said the timing was poor during a hiring freeze and amid staff nonrenewals; the motion passed 5–2.

Chief staff attorney hire (M5): The board approved an employment contract for Kevin William Penley, Esquire, as chief staff attorney from 05/13/2026 through 06/30/2028 at $339,601.26. Supporters said the district’s in‑house legal team had been understaffed and outsourcing had increased costs; opponents argued the hire’s timing contradicted a hiring freeze and sent a poor public message. The motion passed 6–1.

Teacher incentive resolution (Resolution 2026‑0512): The board adopted a resolution establishing salary incentives to attract and retain teachers in schools identified as low‑performing or high‑risk and in critical subject areas. The superintendent said amounts range (depending on risk level and subject) and emphasized the program’s role in stabilizing staffing for multi‑year placements in challenging schools; the measure passed 6–1.

Instructional materials adoption (public hearing item): The board adopted its annual instructional materials plan for 2026–27 (a five‑year adoption for listed curricula) including K–5 and 6–12 ELA materials, intensive reading options and a 9–12 personal financial literacy adoption. The superintendent read an estimated cost for the adoption of $17,786,360.67, and the board approved the item 7–0. Dr. Nathan Shaker, chief academic officer, confirmed the adoption is a five‑year approval with shipping costs for materials covered in the year of adoption.

Votes at a glance: H2 (interlocal) — 7–0; H1 (marketing renewal) — 5–2; M3 (HR job descriptions) — 5–2; M5 (chief staff attorney contract) — 6–1; Resolution 2026‑0512 (teacher incentives) — 6–1; Student progression plan & instructional materials — 7–0.

Board members who opposed some items said the timing felt inconsistent with a hiring freeze and recent teacher nonrenewals; supporters said some actions address essential operational capacity (legal counsel, required curricula, interlocal for community school needs) and that spending approvals are caps or conditional, not actual immediate expenditures.

The meeting closed after additional routine motions and board member remarks; the board will continue budget work and implementation steps ahead of the 2026–27 school year.