East Lee’s assistant principal to head to Fort Myers school
Edward Mathews will start his first week of the new school year as principal of South Fort Myers High School in Fort Myers.
He had been an assistant principal at East Lee High School in Lehigh Acres.
Lee County Superintendent Dr. Gregory Adkins recommended Mathews for the position and he was given the job on June 28 by the Lee County School Board.
Mathews’ appointment comes following a sex scandal at South Fort Myers High, where several boys had sex with one girl in a boys’ bathroom after hours. Surveillance video from the hallway showed several boys entering and exiting the bathroom.
Adkins gave Mathews a vote of confidence when he told school board members that he believes Mathews is the right person for the job.
Former South Fort Myers High Principal Melissa Layner had asked for reassignment before the scandal occurred.
Adkins said Mathews was his choice because of the way he has seen him work with students in the district and that he was a well-known face “who can right the ship.”
Layner will become the new principal at the Bonita Springs Middle Center for the Arts.
One of the alleged problems at South Fort Myers High is that there is little adult supervision of the students after hours.
Adkins said the lack of supervision after hours is a districtwide problem that needs to be addressed.
Mathews has previously stated that South Fort Myers High students will see him every day.
He said he is going to interact with students and will instruct staff to do the same. Parents also must step up to help with problems.
A task force is being formed to discuss safety issues at the school.
Adkins reported that if parents are looking for a principal who will bring discipline, Mathews is “the right fit.”
Parents and students were given the opportunity on June 30 to meet with Mathews at the school.
East Lee’s assistant principal to head to Fort Myers school
Edward Mathews will start his first week of the new school year as principal of South Fort Myers High School in Fort Myers.
He had been an assistant principal at East Lee High School in Lehigh Acres.
Lee County Superintendent Dr. Gregory Adkins recommended Mathews for the position and he was given the job on June 28 by the Lee County School Board.
Mathews’ appointment comes following a sex scandal at South Fort Myers High, where several boys had sex with one girl in a boys’ bathroom after hours. Surveillance video from the hallway showed several boys entering and exiting the bathroom.
Adkins gave Mathews a vote of confidence when he told school board members that he believes Mathews is the right person for the job.
Former South Fort Myers High Principal Melissa Layner had asked for reassignment before the scandal occurred.
Adkins said Mathews was his choice because of the way he has seen him work with students in the district and that he was a well-known face “who can right the ship.”
Layner will become the new principal at the Bonita Springs Middle Center for the Arts.
One of the alleged problems at South Fort Myers High is that there is little adult supervision of the students after hours.
Adkins said the lack of supervision after hours is a districtwide problem that needs to be addressed.
Mathews has previously stated that South Fort Myers High students will see him every day.
He said he is going to interact with students and will instruct staff to do the same. Parents also must step up to help with problems.
A task force is being formed to discuss safety issues at the school.
Adkins reported that if parents are looking for a principal who will bring discipline, Mathews is “the right fit.”
Parents and students were given the opportunity on June 30 to meet with Mathews at the school.
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