Lee school board to install covered walkways

Lee County never installed covered walkways or entrance canopies to many of its 314 portables, and schools had to deal with soaked children, wet floors and, occasionally, mud dragged into the building. All portables are required to have a 5-foot-by-5-foot entranceway covering, according to Jim Moore, executive director for school support services. Additionally, the state requires covered walkways leading to portables that remain on campus for three years when there are no immediate plans to remove them.

The School Board just approved a massive $1.93 million contract with Architectural Metals of Southwest Florida to provide covered walkways and entrances at portables across the entire district. Moore said the project was spearheaded by new leadership under Superintendent James Browder.

"We have made a commitment to comply with the code," Moore said.

Lee County is no stranger to safety violations with its portables, either. In 2000, the state ordered Lee to temporarily close dozens of portables that did not have fire alarms connected to the main facility or ample communication lines. Safety inspectors also have cited the lack of wheelchair ramps, secondary emergency exits and inoperable sprinkler heads in their annual reports.

Three Oaks Elementary Principal Vivian Posey said teachers and assistants help children shuffle about 75 feet through the raindrops to the main building. Her school's six portable classrooms have doorway coverings and paved paths leading to the buildings but no pathway coverings. Having paved sidewalks ensures that children don't muddy up their shoes or other rooms.

"Our children are not going through any kind of dirt path to get there," Posey said.

Pinewoods Elementary also has paved sidewalks leading to its six student portables, but children still take routes through campus that are not paved. Florida's quick downpours spur creative thinking to keep students dry.

"During rainy season, it's awful," said Pinewoods Principal Elizabeth Kasko, adding that many younger children do not have umbrellas. "Our teachers will use trash bags, with holes cut out for their head."

Moore expects the covered walkways and awnings project to take several years because so many schools are affected. The "Cottages on the Green," about 100 portables placed behind North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts, are not part of the project scope because that complex will be dissolved when construction crews complete three new west attendance zone schools.