03 May, 2023
"During the 2022 election cycle, the CCREC invested an unprecedented amount of political capital in an effort to bring about major changes to our Collier County School Board. We were successful in electing new leadership. We felt confident that with a new school board would come a new superintendent. To say that I am disappointed in tonight's vote would be a tremendous understatement. Regardless of my feelings, our duly elected school board has opted to offer a permanent contract to Dr. Ricciardelli and we must honor their decision. Rest assured, now more than ever, we will hold both our elected and appointed officials’ feet to the fire. We will continue to fight tirelessly to bring awareness to the issues affecting our parents and students. Most importantly, we will serve as a constant reminder to our public school leadership that wokeness, progressive indoctrination, and far-left ideology have no place in our Collier County Schools. Kathi and I are praying for Dr. Ricciardelli’s success. Her success will mean the success of our nearly 50,000 students who call Collier County home.”