en en en en en de fr en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en
All seven Collier County School Board candidates participated in the first forum of the election season Monday at Cambier Park’s Norris Center where they discussed charter school funding, school safety and teacher pay, among several other topics.
The event was sponsored by the League of Women Voters, Naples Press Club, Collier Citizens Council, Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce, Greater Naples Leadership, Collier County Presidents Council and Greater Naples Better Government Committee.
In District 3, candidates Victor Dotres, Jen Mitchell and Kathy Ryan are vying for the seat held by Erika Donalds.
Darlene Alvarez, Mary Ellen Cash and incumbent Roy Terry are running for District 5. Jory Westberry is the only candidate running for the seat held by Kelly Lichter in District 1.
Donalds and Lichter announced earlier this year they would not seek re-election.
Board candidates were asked how they felt about the school district sharing resources with charter schools.
In April 2018:Judge upholds education law challenged by Collier, Lee and other school boards
Dotres said Collier schools should find room in the budget to fund charter schools in need such as Marco Island Academy, which recently asked the district to provide millions of dollars for construction.
“It’s not like the charter schools are out to make money,” he said. “There is a need (for funding), especially in Marco Island.”
Cash said the matter was out of the School Board’s hands as the state regulates charter funding but agreed with Dotres that the district should support Marco Island Academy.
“All of our children deserve to be safe, and if you’ve ever been to that facility you know how unsafe it is,” she said.
In April 2018:Collier schools to increase security measures in wake of Parkland attack
Though she appreciates the county’s high-performing charter schools, Mitchell said they should be required to maintain the same level of fiscal transparency as public schools and called on state legislators to fund public education appropriately.
“Those that want to expand charter schools want to do it at the expense of our public schools,” she said. “I don’t think we have to continue with the ‘us versus them’ (mentality).”
Ryan noted that because state legislators are continuously changing the way public education is funded, it makes it difficult for the School Board to organize and plan the budget.
Terry agreed, adding that if state legislators are going to support charter schools, it’s their responsibility to fund their construction.
Had the School Board agreed to provide additional funding for Marco Island Academy, Westberry argued, other charter schools would likely do the same.
Alvarez said she was disappointed by the county’s newest charter school, Collier Charter Academy, because it was next to three other schools.
All candidates agreed that school staff should not be permitted to carry weapons on campus, but some disagreed on how schools should work to keep students safe.
In May 2018:Brent Batten: Data produces conflicting interpretations of safety in Collier schools
More:Brent Batten: Collier had deputies in schools long before today's security threats
The Collier school district announced a $500,000 plan in April to equip all schools with access control systems on the front doors, which would require visitors to present their photo identification to a camera before entering.
Dotres called the decision a waste of money that could have been spent on counselors, while the other candidates said they are in favor of hardening schools' security.
Mitchell, Ryan and Terry said they are confident the school district’s youth relations deputies are capable of protecting students.
While hardening schools is a great first step, Mitchell said, she would also like to increase access to alternative schools to ensure students who follow the rules are not disrupted by the few who do not.
Cash said in addition to secure front doors, she would like to see bulletproof windows, perimeter fencing and rules that require students wear uniforms and clear backpacks so an intruder would stick out.
Several candidates cited the teacher shortage and housing affordability as one of the greatest challenges facing the School Board.
“Slowly but surely we’re getting to the point where we don’t have enough teachers,” Terry said. “And it’s getting worse.”
Terry said the district is working on creating a teacher training academy in Immokalee.
Westberry said all high schools should have teacher academies and believes the district should raise salaries.
Mitchell said she was opposed to raising millage rates to fund teacher salary increases but is hopeful the district could find room in the budget to fund a pay raise.
School Board seats are nonpartisan and will be voted on countywide in August. Board members must live in their district.
Video:CCPS Superintendent Kamela Patton on school safety concerns
Video:Florida SouthWestern State College education graduate talks school safety
Careers Staff Directory Accessibility Site Map Legals Our Ethical Principles Terms of Service Privacy Policy Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy PolicyDo Not Sell My Info / Cookie Policy
Contact Us Support Local Business Advertise Your Business Advertising Terms and Conditions Licensing & Reprints Help Center Subscriber Guide My Account Give Feedback