The Monroe County School District is moving forward with plans for much-needed workforce housing, celebrating recent athletic successes, and continuing its environmental stewardship programs. These initiatives were discussed during a recent school board meeting and in interviews with board members.

Workforce Housing Project Advances

A significant step has been taken towards creating workforce housing for school district staff in Key West. U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez presented the district with a symbolic check for $3 million to support the design and construction needed to restore the historic Reynolds School. This funding is crucial for the district’s plan to develop housing on the Trumbo property.

“This $3 million investment is an important milestone in a project that has been years in the making,” stated school board member Sue Woltanski. “I am grateful to Congressman Gimenez and his team for their partnership, and we look forward to continuing our work together to deliver workforce housing for our dedicated staff.”

The restoration of the Reynolds School is a key component in establishing this housing initiative, which aims to support the district's employees.

Athletic Achievements and Participation

The school board recognized the Key West High School Lady Conchs softball team for winning a regional championship. The team, led by coach Jason Garcia, was lauded for inspiring the community and encouraging more female participation in sports.

Steve Vinson, assistant principal at Gerald Adams Elementary and the district's athletic director, reported that 1,429 students participated in 75 competitive athletic programs across the three high schools during the past year. Of these participants, 583 were female. These participation numbers have remained relatively stable between the 2024-25 school year and the previous one, with some students competing in multiple sports.

Weightlifting continues to be a popular sport for both male and female students. For the upcoming year, the district plans to introduce competitive pickleball and beach volleyball programs. A major hurdle for competitive athletics in the Keys remains the cost and logistical challenges associated with transportation.

Health and Safety in Athletics

The Florida Keys Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) plays a vital role in supporting the county’s athletic programs. The board approved a $187,000 contract for AHEC services. This year, all new high school athletes are required to undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) screening. AHEC provides these ECGs at no cost to student athletes, along with full sports physicals.

Out of 225 students who received ECG screenings, five were referred for further imaging and testing. AHEC also conducts random drug testing for the school district. In the past school year, 226 student athletes were tested randomly, resulting in six positive tests. Positive results lead to suspension from athletics and referral to treatment programs.

“AHEC has clinics in many of our schools, and now they have the dental bus that goes around and in some of the places they have a dental chair,” noted school board chairman John Dick. “They do a lot of great things for our kids and even for the staff.”

Environmental Stewardship Programs

The Monroe County School District is one of only two districts nationwide recognized as an Ocean Guardian district. This distinction was achieved through a partnership with the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and United Way of Collier and the Keys.

While many individual schools across the country are Ocean Guardian Schools, the district designation signifies a unified approach to environmental projects. Eight Keys schools are designated Ocean Guardian Schools, each undertaking separate environmental stewardship projects. The district-wide initiative focuses on projects that use native plants to filter rainwater before it reaches the ocean and bay.

Approximately 3,500 students across six schools have participated in these hands-on environmental projects, benefiting from significant community involvement. More information on the district's initiatives can be found in Keys Weekly.

Summer School and Safety Measures

Despite the lull in traffic on U.S. 1, 737 students are attending summer school in Monroe County. School board chairman John Dick emphasized the district's obligation to provide school resource officers whenever students are present. The board approved an annual budget of $3.6 million for officers from the Key West Police and Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. The state contributes approximately $1.1 million towards this cost under the Safe Schools legislation.

The district also highlighted the success of the Coral Shores High School automotive program. Teams from the school earned both first and second place in the “Top Tech Challenge” at the Universal Technical Institute in Miramar, competing against other high school teams. Further details about the district's activities are available through Keys Weekly.