The Hendry County School District is set to enhance its educational programs with cutting-edge technology following a recent meeting where officials announced the acquisition of advanced drone and tractor equipment for Lavelle and Clouston high schools. This initiative aims to prepare students for the evolving workforce by integrating modern agricultural technology into their curriculum.

During the meeting, it was revealed that the district will purchase drones capable of performing tasks such as pesticide application and analytics, alongside unmanned tractors that students will operate via tablets. This equipment is expected to arrive within the next three years, allowing students to gain hands-on experience with tools that are becoming standard in the agricultural industry. The district's goal is to ensure that students are not only learning current practices but are also ahead of industry trends.

In addition to the equipment, the grant funding will also support upgrades to the district's facilities and Wi-Fi infrastructure, ensuring that students have access to state-of-the-art resources. This comprehensive approach is designed to enhance the learning environment and better prepare students for future careers.

The meeting also featured a citizen comment from Julia DeBloy, a local resident and board member of Florida Southwestern State College, who expressed concerns over the potential termination of the FSW Collegiate Academy at Clewiston High School. DeBloy highlighted the program's success in providing students with valuable educational opportunities and questioned the benefits of replacing it with a new program from Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU). She emphasized the importance of maintaining successful programs that serve the community's needs.

As the district moves forward with these initiatives, the focus remains on providing students with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing job market. The integration of advanced technology into the curriculum is a significant step toward achieving that goal, and the community is encouraged to engage with these new educational tools as they become available.