Fort Myers Beach Elementary School Principal Dr. Traci Kohler on the first day of classes at Fort Myers Beach Elementary School in 2022. Photo by Nathan Mayberg
Fort Myers Beach Elementary School Principal Traci Kohler has announced her retirement, days after Fort Myers Beach Elementary School students were forced to begin attending classes at San Carlos Park Elementary School due to flooding that infiltrated Fort Myers Beach Elementary School.
Kohler took over the leadership of Fort Myers Beach Elementary School two years ago to succeed Karen Manzi after her retirement. Hurricane Ian devastated the school months afterwards and shuttered the building, resulting in many of the students moving out of the district and the remaining students attending classes at San Carlos Park Elementary School.
Last year, after grassroots organizing by local parents to save the school, the district repaired the historic school at a cost of $6 million to reopen it – while also demolishing other damaged structures on the property. Plans to rebuild other parts of the school have hinged on whether the school’s population grows.
Kohler, who has 29 years of experience as an educator, sent this note to Fort Myers Beach Elementary School familes:
Good Afternoon, FMBE Families,
Sherri Skipper (left), K-2 literacy coach for Fort Myers Beach Elementary School, with Fort Myers Beach Elementary School Principal Traci Kohler (right) at the reopening of Fort Myers Beach Elementary School in 2023. Photo by Nathan Mayberg
I wanted to let you know that today I informed the school district that I will be retiring on November 6, 2024. It was been the greatest gift and pleasure to serve the students and families of Fort Myers Beach. Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of your lives.
Best regards,
Dr. Kohler
In an additional statement provided by the district to the Fort Myers Beach Observer and Beach Bulletin, Dr. Kohler said “It has been a pleasure and an honor to serve the students and families of the School District of Lee County.”
Lee County School District Superintendent Dr. Ken Savage said “The School District is deeply appreciative of Dr. Kohler’s service to the students of Lee County. Appointed principal of Fort Myers Beach Elementary only four months before Hurricane Ian her leadership and innovation kept her students, staff and school community together through in incredibly difficult time. We wish her the best in her retirement.”
Fort Myers Beach Elementary School Principal Dr. Traci Kohler (left) and secretary Mary Borman accept a check from Fort Myer’s Beach Lion’s Club Treasurer Bernard McGarvey for Renee’s Closet at the Fort Myers Beach Elementary School. File photo
Savage said in response to questions that the district is working to address flooding damage from Hurricane Milton.
“Our top priority is to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the students and staff at Fort Myers Beach Elementary School,” Savage said. “We are working as quickly as possible to stabilize the damage caused by Hurricane Milton and will update the school community with meaningful information when we know more about the remediation and repairs necessary. We have been through this before and will work together through the process again.”
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- Fort Myers Beach Elementary School Principal Dr. Traci Kohler on the first day of classes at Fort Myers Beach Elementary School in 2022. Photo by Nathan Mayberg
Fort Myers Beach Elementary School Principal Traci Kohler joins students for lunch at picnic tables outside the school at the reopening of the school last year. Photo by Nathan Mayberg