School District of Lee County plans upgrades with half-cent sales tax funds

Colonial Elementary is among the 87 Lee County school buildings that will have upgrades with the capital generated from the voter-approved half-cent sales tax.

The funds are much needed, according to its principle.

“We’re running very tight on space in this building,” Marsha Bur, Colonial Elementary principal, said.

It’s a trend the School District of Lee County hopes to combat. It plans to build two more middle and elementary schools on the south and east side.

The Lee County school district wants to put up those new buildings within the next five years.

“Where ever she goes,” Marlena Maucieri said, a parent, “I want it to have a lot of security and everything.”

Maucieri said she is happy to hear about the security upgrades that will be coming soon to the school her daughter, who is in first-grade, attends.

“Definitely good,” Maucieri said. “Security for the kids makes me happy.”

Colonial Elementary will now be able to acquire more cameras to strategically place around the school.

The School District of Lee County said all schools will be seeing those upgrades within the next three years.

“You can never go wrong with too much security,” Anthony Petrisch said, who is a great uncle of a student at the school.

Nearly half of the $750 million will be allocated towards maintaining all the school buildings.

“Roofs that need replaced, plumbing, electric, lighting, all of these things have to be attended to on a regular ongoing cycle,” Greg Adkins said, the Lee County schools superintendent. “This allows us to do that.”