Lee County schools cut 275 teachers amid $46M budget deficit
Wink News | By Hunter Walterman | May 20, 2026
FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK)—The Lee County School District said it will not renew contracts for 457 staff members, including 275 teachers, as it deals with a $46.7 million budget deficit.
Some parents, teachers and students have vocally opposed the cuts. Last week, the Lee County School Board meeting was interrupted as chants of “shame” echoed across the room.
The district announced “preliminary staffing totals” on Wednesday, but said the final number could change. Lee County schools said staff who were cut can apply for other positions with the district.
In 2011, state lawmakers passed a law eliminating tenure for teachers, placing them on annual contracts. Over the last few weeks, non-renewal notices have trickled out to staff across the district.
“It’s difficult to find somebody who hasn’t been impacted by this,” Kevin Daly, president of the Teachers Association of Lee County previously told WINK News.
Daly said the cuts included teachers, administrative staff and assistant principals. The district says lower enrollment, lower property values and rising costs are driving the deficit.
“Decisions were made with the classroom and the students in mind, first,” said Rob Spicker, director of communications for the school district.
Florida’s ten largest school districts reported drops in enrollment between the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school year, according to Florida Department of Education data.
Lee County said it lost 1,946 non-charter students and 369 charter students last year. State funding is allocated base on how many students a school serves.
Lee County schools encouraged staff who received a non-renewal notice to seek another job with the district. It already has 122 teacher vacancies next year, according to a news release.
Lee County schools said the “natural attrition” rate for teachers is the lowest in at least six years. Natural attrition includes retirements, resignations, performance, and certification-related departures, the district said.
As recently as 2023, 924 teachers left the district.
Some parents have vocally opposed the cuts, protesting outside school district headquarters.
Perhaps the strongest pushback has come from families at Edison Park Creative and Expressive Arts School in Fort Myers.
Parents raised concerns the school’s wide-ranging humanities program – including dance, theater, and violin lessons – could face cuts.
Spicker, the district spokesman, said athletics and arts programs will not be eliminated.
“We’ve continuously said the service delivery for some things may be different, but the programs themselves will continue,” Spicker said. “And that’s really the message that our parents should know.”
Some teachers have pushed back, including at last week’s school board meeting. Jason Larkin, a Lee County teacher, spoke during public comment.
“And you’re right, you’re not cutting the arts or athletics,” Larkin said. “Just the people who run them.”
