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Public presses board on $92 million deficit, JUUL settlement spending and Buckingham students' future
Summary
Speakers at the June 9 meeting demanded clearer accounting for a reported $92 million deficit, questioned use of about $2.2 million in JUUL/settlement funds and sought written assurances that Buckingham Exceptional Student Center students will not be moved; board and counsel provided partial clarifications.
Multiple speakers used the public‑comment period to press the Lee County School Board for transparency around a reported $92 million budget shortfall, to ask how settlement funds have been spent, and to seek written assurances about plans for medically fragile students at Buckingham Exceptional Student Center.
India Palencia said the public and some board members have received differing explanations for the shortfall — including declining enrollment, expiring COVID funds, vouchers and a catch‑all called "legacy spending" — and urged the board to stop using vague buzzwords and provide detailed answers. Palencia said that without clarity, the public "is paying the price."
Kathleen Wyn, a district prevention specialist, asked specifically how the district is using approximately $2.2 million in "dual settlement funds," citing recent FDA shifts on flavored e‑cigarettes and arguing that prevention education and cessation resources should be prioritized over punitive measures such as vape detectors. She cited Florida statute 103.42 as the legal requirement to teach substance‑use prevention K–12 and asked whether the district remains in compliance without dedicated prevention specialists.
Axel Aras, representing Little Voices of Buckingham, asked for written confirmation that Buckingham Exceptional Student Center students will remain in place for the 2026–27 school year and said parents are still seeing removed capacity data from the district website and have not received written assurances about the proposed colocation with Royal Palm. Attorney Dodig later said no outside counsel has been retained on the Buckingham matter and that payments from JUUL and Altria have been received but not all funds have arrived.
Board members acknowledged the public's concerns and noted staff would follow up: some board members said budget and capital plans had been presented in workshops and asked the public to review those materials; Attorney Dodig offered to provide a written update on the JUUL settlement funds and related uses.
What happens next: Board staff indicated follow‑up items and written clarifications would be provided after the meeting, including a planned written update on settlement funds and confirmation checks regarding the Buckingham capacity data on the district website.
