The Lee County School Board gave a big update about the future of Fort Myers Beach Elementary School, which has been sitting empty since Hurricane Ian.
Fort Myers Beach community correspondent Austin Schargorodkski was in the workshop Tuesday when the board said the state has approved the demolition of the school.Watch to hear details from the meeting and the FMB Town Manager’s response:
State approves demolition of FMB Elementary, district weighs other options
After an analysis, board member, Doctor Ken Savage says the Department of Education believes knocking down the school is the most cost effective option. However, Savage says that doesn’t mean they have to.
“That is not currently what we are recommending because we are recommending we work without our partners with the Town of Fort Myers Beach on an amicable solution that will preserve the historical needs of that site to honor the community,” Savage said.
This comes after months of back and forth over the hurricane-damaged school. The district had previously pushed for demolition, saying it didn’t make sense to keep rebuilding after every major storm. But the town fought to save it, warning demolition could cost the island millions in FEMA recovery money…