The race for a seat on the board is about ideological control of Collier County public schools.
A conservative Republican backed by businessman Alfie Oakes and the Collier Party board is challenging a board member running for re-election.
This is a change from some previous school board elections. Collier voter Elaine MacIntosh remembers many boring elections without political conflict and drama. That is over now.
“Let’s just get back to what’s really important for our kids and stop letting the adult situation get in the way,” MacIntosh said. “This is crazy.”
Call it what you will, but in the race between school board member Stephanie Lucarelli and challenger Pamela Cunningham in the 2nd District, adult political ideology is at the center.
Cunningham says she wants to put an end to what she calls progressive education.
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“The greatest advantage you can give students is a basic education,” Cunningham said. “We need to get back to putting pen and paper in their hands, teaching them cursive, teaching them math even if they don’t want to do it. Teaching them civics and standing up for the American flag.”
Stephanie Lucarelli explained why she is running for re-election.
“My main reason for running again is to keep Collier schools great,” Lucarelli said. “We’ve done a phenomenal job. I know that because four of my kids have come through our system.”
The Collier County Republican Party Executive Board endorses Cunningham, as does State Committee Chairman Alfie Oakes.
If Cunningham wins, the members supported by Oakes would have a majority – three to two votes – on the board.
“I’ve been asked: Am I going to take my marching orders from one person? I don’t think that’s how conservatives operate,” Cunningham said. “We abide by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and do what’s best for the people in our community.”
Lucarelli said she is a Republican but does not believe her opponent will form her own opinion.
“They listen to people from outside and don’t make their own decisions, and that’s what you don’t want,” Lucarelli said. “If you don’t vote for me, you’re going to have someone who’s focused on ideology and politics, not education, come to the fore. So that’s very concerning.”
Cunningham said she wants to limit spending in the district because the budget has grown far more and faster than the number of students. She said she wants to limit spending on new buildings and put every available dollar into classrooms.
Lucarelli said that until Aubrey Rogers High School opened a year ago, the district had not built a new high school since 2004. She pointed out that under current leadership, the district is on track to be debt-free by 2026. That means Collier taxpayers will save $120 million in debt service on other new schools.
School board elections are nonpartisan and countywide, so any voter in Collier can cast a ballot for school board in the August 20 primary. The winner of the primary will receive the school board seat. There will be no further contest for the seat in November.
Mike Walcher is a reporter for WGCU News and also a lecturer in the journalism program at FGCU. He can be reached at mwalcher.fgcu.edu.
