Immokalee band students kept on bus during lightning storm; school district investigating

As a booster and proud father of an Immokalee High School band member, Frank Rincon regularly attends high school football games with his family.

On Friday night, when his son was scheduled to perform at the game between Immokalee and Naples high schools, he stayed home because of the torrential rain and lightning.

When he texted a parent to ask how the game was going, Rincon learned his son and dozens of others were stuck on a hot bus for hours because of a lightning delay.

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According to Rincon, the students and volunteers were told they could not shelter on the Naples High School campus during the storm.

"I can't fathom one logical reason for these kids to be forced to sit on a hot bus until the weather clears," said Rincon, a pastor in Immokalee.

Rincon sent emails to Collier Superintendent Kamela Patton and school board members demanding better treatment and safety considerations for students.

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Collier County Public Schools spokesman Greg Turchetta said the football players were in the school. Band members, cheerleaders and chaperones were left on the bus. 

Turchetta called what happened a miscommunication and said Naples High administrators met Monday to discuss the incident and "make sure everyone knows their responsibilities."

"We don't want kids sitting on a bus in the middle of a lightning storm," Turchetta said. 

Collier County Public Schools has procedures to shelter students and visiting teams during inclement weather. Turchetta said schools are supposed to take students to a safe place, like the cafeteria, auditorium or gym.

It is not known why the Immokalee students were not allowed to enter the school.

Turchetta said both schools’ administrations are trying to unravel what happened. Turchetta said parents will be contacted with answers and information once it is available.

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