Southwest Florida school district targeting mid-October for reopening after Hurricane Ian

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Lee County, Florida schools remain closed in aftermath of Hurricane Ian

Dr. Christopher Bernier, Lee County Superintendent, gives an update on the status of schools reopening in the area following Hurricane Ian. 

LEE COUNTY, Fla. – School campuses in Lee County, Florida, where Hurricane Ian made landfall, will remain closed more than two weeks after the storm that left some students and staff with only the clothes on their backs. 

The school district in Southwest Florida educates more than 90,000 students from Kindergarten through 12th grade. It's also the Southwest Florida county where Hurricane Ian made landfall as a Category 4 storm with 150 mph winds and deadly storm surge. 

Lee County Schools Superintendent Christopher Bernier told FOX Weather earlier this week that the school district and emergency managers were working on a plan for when schools should reopen.

WHEN WILL POWER BE TURNED BACK ON? FULL RESTORATION FROM HURRICANE IAN COULD TAKE MONTHS

"This is an area that took a great impact from Ian," Bernier said. "I would say all of our buildings were impacted at some level, some more significantly than others."

On Friday, Bernier announced during a news conference that the goal is to have teachers and staff return on Oct. 13 and students on Oct. 17. 

The district has established three categories of impact: low, medium and high. 

Low meaning that to reopen, the building needs power, water and minimal repairs. More than half of the 119 schools in Lee County suffered minor damages. However, 14 school buildings are in high-impact areas where significant work is needed before they can reopen. 

There are many challenges ahead of the reopening, Bernier said. More than a week after Ian, most schools still do not have suitable drinking water and some are still without power.

A few schools may not ever reopen. Students and staff from those campuses will be welcomed at other schools.

HURRICANE IAN COVERED 3,500 SQUARE MILES WITH 10+ INCHES OF RAINFALL

Photos of Fort Myers Beach Elementary, The Sanibel School and Pine Island Elementary shared by Lee County Schools showed water lines up to the top of doors from storm surge, standing water and extensive structural damage.

Hurricane Ian storm surge water line inside the Fort Myers Beach Elementary School.  (Image: Lee County School District)

Since Ian, school district leaders have been checking in with students and school staff, some of whom lost everything in the storm. Bernier said he recently spoke to some students living in shelters after Hurricane Ian. 

"We’re working to find opportunities and places for those young people to stay together as a learning community and begin the process of their education, but those plans are still underway," Bernier said.

According to Bernier, students are being contacted by their school principals, who are working down class lists.

The district plans to send out a survey to help better understand their student’s needs after the storm.

Because internet and cellphone service outages are still an issue throughout Lee County, the school district will partner with the 2-1-1 United Way hotline to ensure all student families can complete the survey.

The Lee County School District is also working to ensure their students have food, working with community food distribution sites and hosting food pick-up at the district's central office. More of those events will be announced soon, Bernier said.