Parents demand change following recent assaults in Lee County schools

FORT MYERS, Fla. Tensions rose Tuesday night as parents voiced their frustrations at a Lee County school board meeting about assaults on school campuses.

Peyton Johns claims she was a victim of assault in September while attending Cape Coral High School after an argument about police with a male student in class.

“I didn’t agree with him and he decided he was going to not keep his hands to himself,” she said.

The student grabbed a water bottle and smacked Johns on the back of her head, leaving her with two black eyes and a concussion.

Johns’ case, as well as other reports of assault, was ignored by the school, she said.

Johns is now being homeschooled after her mother, Terri Johns, removed her from the school. Two incidents of sexual assault were also reported last month at Island Coast High School.

In light of these recent assaults, parents are demanding that more action be taken to protect students.

“It’s time for them to be held accountable for the situations like this,” Terri Johns said.

However, school board members assured parents that student safety is their highest priority.

But if the school board doesn’t keep their word, Terri Johns is prepared to file a lawsuit.

“If I need to band together the parents of the other victims and file a class action lawsuit, we will do it,” she said. “We are fed up with cover up.”