By Carline Santilus | Candidate for Lee County School Board, District 5
Separating Facts – From Fiction
The data is clear: District 5 students are falling behind, and the gap between them and their peers continues to widen each year. It is time to close the achievement gap and create the opportunities every child deserves, regardless of zip code or background. Our kids cannot afford to wait any longer.
Additional Concern
Several schools in the Lehigh Acres area are 14–18 percentage points below the state average and remain among the lowest-performing schools in Lee County.
The Challenge
District 5 faces significant barriers that directly impact student success:
Chronic absenteeism: 30–38%
State average: 15–18%
Students qualifying for Free or Reduced Lunch: 63–67%
State average: 50–55%
These statistics highlight the need for targeted support, stronger community engagement, and strategic investments in student achievement.
My Plan to Close the Gap
Data-Driven Decisions
Identify student needs early and implement evidence-based solutions that improve outcomes.
High-Dosage Tutoring
Provide targeted tutoring support in:
Reading (Grades 3–5)
Math (Grades 6–8)
Third Grade
Reading Initiative
Implement early literacy interventions to ensure students are reading at grade level by the end of third grade.
Attendance
Improvement Campaign
Address chronic absenteeism through family engagement, early intervention, and community partnerships.
Teacher Support & Retention
Strengthen educator recruitment and retention through:
Competitive compensation
Mentorship opportunities
Professional development
School-by-School
Accountability
Clear goals (Increase the number of District 5 students reading at grade level by third grade.)
Measurable benchmarks (Increase Grade 3–5 ELA proficiency in District 5 from 43% to 55% within four years.)
Public reporting of progress (If families can’t understand the report, it isn’t real transparency.)
Why This Matters??
The achievement gaps reflected in this report are not isolated to a single classroom, school, teacher, or student. They point to broader systemic challenges that have persisted over time and are affecting student outcomes across multiple schools and grade levels.
When large numbers of students in the same communities consistently perform below district and state averages, it signals the need for a closer examination of how resources are allocated, how support services are delivered, how attendance barriers are addressed, and how academic interventions are implemented.
Every child deserves access to the same opportunities for success regardless of where they live. Closing these gaps will require more than identifying problems—it will require a coordinated commitment to accountability, early intervention, family engagement, teacher support, and data-driven decision-making.
The goal is not simply to improve test scores. The goal is to ensure that every student graduates prepared for college, career, military service, entrepreneurship, or whatever path they choose. Strong schools create stronger families, stronger communities, and a stronger future for Lee County.
District 5 students are capable of achieving at the highest levels. The question is whether we are willing to address the systemic barriers that have prevented too many of them from reaching their full potential.
About the Author
Carline Saintilus is a candidate for Lee County School Board, District 5. As a former educator, entrepreneur, business owner, wife, mother, and grandmother, she believes every student deserves access to a high-quality education regardless of their ZIP code.
Learn more, get involved, or share your thoughts:
Facebook: Carline Saintilus for Lee County School Board District 5
Instagram: @carline4sbd5
TikTok: @carline.saintilus
Strong Schools.
Strong Families.
Stronger Communities.
Political advertisement paid for and approved by Carline Saintilus, nonpartisan candidate for Lee County School Board, District 5.
