New Collier School Board chair outlines recent wins — but warns state mandates could erode local control

Stephanie Lucarelli has stepped into her role as chair of Collier County Public Schools’ Board of Education, entering her third term fully aware of the challenges ahead. Under her leadership, the district has focused on tightening the budget and making sure taxpayer dollars go directly into classrooms. As a result, the district is working toward becoming debt-free, a move that could ease fiscal pressure on local taxpayers.

The board under Lucarelli has also placed emphasis on supporting English-language learners, helping non-English speaking students advance academically — a priority that many in the community have welcomed.

A key milestone during her tenure was the hiring of Leslie Ricciardelli as superintendent — a decision the board views as instrumental in positioning the district for future success.

Despite recent successes, the chair warns that state-level policies are placing increasing strain on the district. She points to unfunded mandates, restrictive accountability measures, and legislation that could weaken local oversight of public schools.

In particular, she flagged the effects of the Schools of Hope legislation, which allows charter schools to “co-locate” inside public-school buildings. Under this policy, charter operators could use public space — along with utilities, maintenance, nutrition, safety services, and transportation — at no cost, shifting the burden onto the public school system and local taxpayers.

The concern: co-located charters could drain resources, complicate operations, and undercut the district’s ability to control who uses its facilities and how public funds are allocated.

For parents, teachers, and community members invested in public education, the contrast couldn’t be sharper: promising gains on one hand, uncertain threats on the other. The district’s push for fiscal responsibility, improved support for ELL students, and stable leadership under Ricciardelli offer hope for quality public education.

At the same time, state policies may start to erode that foundation — especially if charters are allowed to share space and resources without contributing proportionately. For Naples-area residents funding Collier schools through taxes, the risk is that their dollars may subsidize charter operations that don’t carry the same accountability or transparency requirements.