Pine Island moms go to bat against School District Proximity Plan
After much consternation on the part of Pine Island parents over the Lee County School District’s decision to roll its busses from Pine Island only to Challenger and Mariner Middle schools, leaving Trafalgar Middle School out of the mix, it seems a new decision may have been reached.
Thanks to the willingness of Pine Island resident moms, like Lisa Soffe, who attended the Nov. 29 School District Advisory Board meeting, and Lori Liano and Christie Rao, who also attended the meeting after speaking at the Nov. 21 School Board briefing, regarding keeping children’s busses heading toward Trafalgar Middle School, the board will be doing exactly that.
The decision, which could become official after the School Board meeting scheduled for Dec. 5, is a relief to all Pine Island parents and students who have established relationships with teachers and other students of Trafalgar Middle School. This was something Liano wanted to make clear to the School Board in her public comments at the Nov. 21 School Board briefing.
“I have two children at Trafalgar Middle School. I’m urging you to consider that Trafalgar has always been the feeder school for Pine Island…they’ve formed friendships and relationships, they enjoy the teaching staff, the administration, they’re doing really well — now do I have to take them out of that school…or drive them — it’s really not feasible for every parent on Pine Island, considering most of us are fisherman or farmers and they can’t — they don’t the ability to drive them — to continue to Trafalgar, so I really would like you to please reconsider perhaps swapping Trafalgar for Challenger…I know most Pine Island children attend Trafalgar. So I’d appreciate if you’d take that into consideration,” Liano said.
Rao, who has a child at Pine Island Elementary School as well as a child at Trafalgar Middle School, told the School Board how concerned she was about the change, in that it was important enough for her to contest the decision by speaking to the board directly.
“Doctor Malloy mentioned community schools. I guess everyone should probably know that Pine Island Elementary is definitely a community school. What you might not realize is that Trafalgar Middle School is our community middle school for Pine Island…it’s quite different to expect a parent from Pine Island to drive on and off of an island to get their kids to school,” Rao said.
Soffe’s son, Aaron Thorpe, a Pine Island Elementary School graduate, is currently enrolled in the sixth grade at Trafalgar Middle School. Thorpe is in the Nautilus program, a gifted program only offered at two schools in the whole of Lee County. Soffe finds herself wondering what it might mean if her son cannot continue in his gifted program.
“The meeting (on Nov. 29) was an Advisory Board meeting, where we were able to ask questions and be heard. We were. It was no secret that many Pine Island residents and parents were logged in and they knew it…We were informed, Pine Island was forgotten. After an apology on their behalf, the board member then stated, due to a historical fact and actual mileage from Pine Island to Trafalgar, the relationship between Pine Island Elementary and Trafalgar would remain what they refer to as a ‘k-8’ situation. Pine Island Elementary students would automatically be at Trafalgar Middle regardless of capacity and provided transportation. This is what we fought for. We will not be forgotten,” Soffe said.
Although grappling a considerably demanding schedule, District 1 representative Sam Fisher took the time to personally reach out to Pine Island parents, and officially had this to say on the matter,
“Pending board approval, the School District of Lee County is actively working on a plan to maintain Trafalgar Middle School as a proximity option for Pine Island students. This will be discussed at the board briefing meeting scheduled for Dec. 5. As we discuss this item, it’s important as always to consider and acknowledge feedback from our community,” said Fisher.
Liano could not agree more, and expressed a desire to encourage everyone who is able to, to attend the Dec. 5 Board meeting, as she said becoming involved in this case made a huge difference to her and her family.
“I urge all parents to be involved in their children’s education. Being present at the School Board briefing on Nov. 21 to oppose the proximity plan change to Pine Islanders made a difference. I am proud that I set a positive example for my girls. I was pleased that Dr. Malloy and Mr. Fisher heard our concerns and both personally followed up with me. Use your voice to be heard,” Liano said.
To reach PAULETTE LeBLANC / pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com, please email