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Lee County’s economy is heavily dependent on a few industries, primarily real estate and construction, tourism and health care. In addition, the Lee County School District is one of the largest local employers. With over 10,000 employees, 80,000 students and an annual budget in excess of $1.5 billion, the school district has a decided impact on the local economy.

With that in mind, and because our schools run on your tax money without which we wouldn’t be able to provide the education which is essential to maintain our community, the question arises as to what this huge public agency can do to help stimulate the local economy and help keep our citizens employed in these difficult economic times.

It has become very clear that Lee County can anticipate a sluggish economy for the next two to three years. Accordingly, it makes consummate sense for our school officials to look for ways to help speed up the economic recovery process. I am proposing the following ideas to be considered and studied by the School Board together with members of the business community with a view toward encouraging job growth and improving the financial health of our schools and our community.

n A moratorium on all school impact fees for the next two years to stimulate the construction industry which is essential to an improved economy.

n The School Board and superintendent should work toward genuine cost reductions in transportation through increased emphasis on neighborhood schools, and in overall operating costs to include possible consolidation of underutilized schools and privatizing of some business functions.

n Place money in the hands of our 10,000 employees by providing a basic pay increase that will support our local retail and home industries.

n Do away with all discretionary travel by school personnel, such as the recent trips to Las Vegas, and explore ways to hold education conferences locally to not only keep our tax dollars in Lee County, but also to assist our tourism industry.

n When work is to be contracted out, include a requirement in our agreements that the contractor not outsource the work out of the United States and to the greatest extent possible hire qualified local professionals.

n Support Amendment 5 on the November ballot to reduce property taxes and place money back in the hands of working taxpayers.

Our local unemployment rate is over 7 percent, property taxes remain high, property insurance continues to skyrocket and home values continue to suffer. The only way for our schools to prosper and improve is for the business community to grow and generate new jobs. We must get the hammers swinging again in Lee County! Hopefully, with the right commitment, the school district can help make that happen.