Hurricane Irma Aftermath: Lee County Students Get New Return Date

FORT MYERS, FL — The School District of Lee County was hoping to reopen Monday, but officials decided to close schools for students next week.

The district projected Thursday afternoon that students will return Monday, Sept. 25, though employees are to return to work "on a rolling basis."

"We understand that some of you are still dealing with the effects of Hurricane Irma on a personal level," the district said on its website. "Some of you have yet to return from evacuating. If you have hardships, questions or concerns about your report date, please contact your supervisor." (For more information on Lee County schools and other Fort Myers stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

All school-based administrators, building supervisors, custodians and sites workers, chiefs, executive directors, staff attorney, board attorney, directors, assistant directors, and administrative coordinators and maintenance staff were scheduled to return Friday.

Essential personnel are to report Monday. These workers will be contacted by their directors, the district said. All district staff, bus operators and bus attendants are scheduled to return Sept. 22.

The district previously said many schools were being used as shelters and many students' families and employees need time to return home after evacuating Irma.

The storm wasn't as destructive as expected, the district said, but some places sustained damage and need repairs.

Watch: Hurricane Irma's Destructive Journey By The Numbers

At this time students projected back to school is Monday, September 25th. #LoveLeeSchools
— Lee County Schools (@LeeSchools) September 14, 2017

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