All Collier County voters can vote for two school board seats on August 20, 2024, with early voting from August 10-17th. Candidates can win outright in the primary if they are unopposed or if they receive a majority of votes cast in the primary. The decision will be made in the November 5, 2024 election if there is no winner.
Districts 2 and 4 seats will be decided between the primary and the November general elections. Voters may select one candidate in each district, regardless of what district they live in. The four-year terms are staggered, with a total term limit of 12 years. In addition to appointing the superintendent, the five-member board is responsible for making decisions that affect the daily operations of the public schools in the district. For more information on the role of a school board member, visit www.collierschools.com/Domain/101 or read What Does the CCPS School Board Do?
School board seats are decided in a nonpartisan race. Florida Statutes define a nonpartisan office as “an office for which a candidate is prohibited from campaigning or qualifying for election or retention in office based on party affiliation.” According to the Collier County Candidate's Handbook: Candidates for nonpartisan offices do not list a party affiliation in their disclaimer and are listed on the ballot in alphabetical order without reference to party affiliation. Previously, candidates for nonpartisan office were prohibited by Florida Statute 106.143(3) from referencing their party in their campaign advertising, except when referencing party-related experiences. On November 8, 2022, in Hetherington vs Madden, Federal Judge M. Casey Rodgers (Northern District of Florida) held the statute to be unconstitutional. At this writing, the ruling has not been appealed, nor has the statute addressed by the legislature. Therefore, at this time, candidates may use their political party as part of advertising but not in their disclaimer. For more information, check the Collier County Candidate's Handbook on Colliervotes.com.
Attending school board meetings open to the public is a great way to be involved with your child’s education. Upcoming meetings and agendas are posted on www.collierschools.com.
Vote-by-Mail Ballot Mailings: July 6 (UOCAVA)/July 11-August 10 | Ballot Request Deadline: 5 p.m. August 8
Early Voting: August 10-17, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Election Day: August 20, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Visit www.colliervotes.gov for more information.
Below are profiles of the candidates running for the Collier County school board. The candidates submitted the information for this guide by filling out a standard questionnaire and do not represent an endorsement by Neapolitan Family magazine. Submissions were edited only for space and clarity. All candidate websites can be found below.
You can meet several of the following candidates at our Back To School Expo on August 10, 2024, at the North Collier Regional Park Gym. The first day of early voting for all registered voters, regardless of assigned precinct, will be held at the same site.
DISTRICT 2
District 2 in Collier County includes Aubrey Rogers High, Barron Ccollier High, Naples Park Elementary, North Naples Middle, Osceola Elementary, Pelican Marsh Elementary, Pine Ridge Middle, and Veterans Memorial Elementary.
DARREN MILES
Stephanie Lucarelli
(Incumbent)
Background and Family
I moved to Naples in 2003 from NJ and have raised our 4 children here. We have one graduate from Barron Collier HS, one from Gulf Coast HS, and I will have 2 children at Aubrey Rogers this year.
Experience
Besides being a former Science teacher and board member since 2016, I have volunteered in our schools and the larger community for over 20 years. I know exactly where our schools have been and what we need to do to keep improving.
Platform and Goals
Commitment to Student Safety
- Ensuring safe schools by partnering with law enforcement to identify, prevent, and investigate potential threats
- All schools have at least one of our Nationally Recognized Youth Relations Bureau Deputies and many other layers of protection. Our larger schools have at least 2. Fighting for Academic Excellence
- Recent testing shows that Collier County students outperformed the State, again, in 20 of 21 assessed areas.
- Championed the expansion of phonics and common novels to increase literacy rates
- Focused on expanding technical training opportunities for all students
- Committed to increasing teacher salaries, as evidenced by historic raises this year Advocate for Fiscal Responsibility
- Set the District on track to be DEBT-FREE by 2026 - Residents will continue to see lower tax rates as they have since 2020 (we are 4th lowest in the State)
- Continuing to support efforts to reduce spending and increase accountability with workgroups and committees made up of various stakeholders
Please vote for Stephanie Lucarelli because Collier County needs a parent voice on the Board who also has an inside view of what's happening in our schools. I would be honored to have your support as I continue making our schools a place where all our children excel.
Pam Cunningham
(Challenger)
Background and Family
Background and Family (max 50 words) My husband and I moved here with our 2 oldest children 9 1/2 years ago. Upon our arrival, our youngest child and our Labrador Retriever joined our family. Our children attend a public charter school.
Experience
I am a medical doctor and have run several successful, small businesses. I have organized and run overnight science camps for underserved children and have also worked in the California public school system.
Platform and Goals
I Stand For:
- Excellence in education
- Parents' rights
- School choice
- Supporting our teachers
- Using tax dollars wisely by putting them back in the classroom where they belong
I Stand Against:
- Indoctrination
- Wasteful spending
- Continuing with a system that claims to be "A-rated" has led to 44% of our third-grade students not being able to read at grade level and only 45% of our eighth-grade students being able to pass their basic science tests! We must do better than this for our children so that they can have bright futures and a chance to live their American Dream!
I am endorsed by the Republican Party, the Christian Family Coalition, Patriot Parents, and the Hispanic Republican Club of Collier. Please remember to get out and vote for a brighter future for your children on August 20, 2024.
DISTRICT 4
District 4 in Collier County includes: Alternative Schools, Avalon Elementary, East Naples Middle, Gulfview Middle, Gulf Coast Charter Academy South, Lake Park Elementary, Lorenzo Walker Technical College, Lorenzo Walker Technical High School, Mason Classical Academy, Naples High, Optima Classical Academy, Poinciana Elementary, Sea Gate Elementary, and Shadowlawn Elementary.
Erick Carter
(Incumbent, seeking second term)
Background and Family
I have lived in Naples since 1992, and a graduate of LWTC. My wife and I (of 27 years) have been salon owners since 1998. Our son attended NHS is now an incoming Senior at FSC on a ROTC scholarship
Experience
Understand the complex budget of CCPS. I have continued as an owner/operator of our small business and real-estate investments. That gives me firsthand experience on budgeting, payroll, projected maintenance schedules, and so much more.
Platform and Goals
Debt-free by 2026 while paying cash for three new schools, saving taxpayers $120mill in interest. Established Spending reduction work groups, budget reduction committees, zero-base budgeting, and priority-base budgeting where applicable. More opportunities for JR/Srs to our Technical colleges. Continued to build on elementary gains and Expanded Pre-K opportunities.
Tom Henning
(Challenger)
Background and Family
Tom Henning is a deep-rooted resident of Naples, Florida, who has been heavily involved in the community for most of the 50-plus years he has lived here.
Experience
Elected as a Collier County Commissioner for four terms (2000-2016), Elected Fire Commissioner for two terms (1996-2000), and (2016-2020). Appointed to the Golden Gate Civic Advisory Board, and has served as President of the Golden Gate Civic Association.
Platform and Goals
In January the School Board was presented with a risk analysis that the incumbents failed to address (Physical harm to Students, Vendor Favoritism, Taxpayers money spent on non-public purposes). Budgets are intentionally manipulated or misreported; Budget rationale, status, and amendments are not communicated appropriately or timely; increased exposure to operational disruption; contractual and legal risk. When elected, I will motion to ask the external auditor to give a complete report to the Board. Teachers are overburdened due to the different learning abilities/disabilities of students. Last year, the incumbents raised the taxes to the highest level in history - I will roll back taxes and add more resources to the classroom.
*From the Collier County Candidate's Handbook on Colliervotes.com.
Read more: https://neafamily.com/what-does-the-ccps-school-board-do/