Lee County superintendent issues State of the Schools address

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Lee County School District Superintendent Dr. Greg Adkins touted improved SAT and ACT scores and but acknowledged declining graduation rates as he spoke Friday in his first State of the Schools address at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre in Fort Myers.

Adkins, less than nine months into the job, has faced no shortage of adversity in recent weeks as a bathroom sex scandal at South Fort Myers High School drew national attention. His address Friday referenced a safety and security task force the district will put into place for the 2016-17 school year.

“These have been a very difficult, difficult last few weeks for the school district,” Adkins said. “We’ve experienced heartbreaking tragedy this week alone which impacts of all us in the school community.”

The past days have brought headlines about the abduction of a San Carlos Park Elementary School student and the death of a Fort Myers High School student who was hit by a car while trying to board his school bus. Adkins nonetheless struck optimistic tones, touching on plans for four new schools in the next six years and the hiring of 500 teachers for next year.