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REVEALING FACTS » DISPELLING MYTHS » EXPLAINING FIGURES
Click on each fact to expand for more information.
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» The first CCPS tax-neutral referendum in Collier County passed in 2008
- The referendum has been overwhelmingly approved by Collier County voters three times previously (2008, 2012, 2020) and will be included on this year’s November 5th General Election ballot. Registered voters have until October 24th to request a vote-by-mail ballot.
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» The tax-neutral referendum on the November ballot equates to shifting $261 million to operating funding over four years
- The tax-neutral referendum on the November ballot would allow CCPS to shift $261 million from capital to operating over a four-year period. Operating dollars provide compensation to teachers, support staff, and bus drivers; pay for utilities; and fund arts and athletic programs for students.
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» Public schools are funded by local, state, and federal tax dollars, with two types of funding buckets: Capital and Operating
- Capital dollars pay for expenses like facilities, building maintenance, and debt payments. Operating dollars provide compensation to teachers, support staff, and bus drivers; pay for utilities; and fund arts and athletic programs for students. One “bucket” cannot be used to pay expenses from the other “bucket.” A referendum, however, provides for flexibility through a public vote. This November, CCPS is proposing a tax-neutral referendum, allowing us the flexibility to shift taxes from capital to operating. (It will be the last item on the November ballot.) Because the proposed referendum is tax-neutral, there is absolutely no financial impact to taxpayers. For more information, please visit www.collierschools.com/referendum.
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» Once approved, you do not need to apply for Parental Choice each year
- Parental Choice approvals are good until the child moves to a new level, such as elementary to middle or middle to high. For more information on Parental Choice, please visit www.collierschools.com/parentalchoice.
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» After-school activities are offered at all CCPS elementary schools, in Naples and Immokalee
- Naples-area elementary schools offer after-school programs by either an internal or external vendor. The vendors operate under an RFQ (Request for Qualification) contract agreement with the district. Each of the elementary schools in Immokalee has an after-school program that is free of charge to students; close to 50% take part.
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» Superintendent Dr. Leslie Ricciardelli attended Lake Park Elementary, Gulfview Middle, and graduated from Naples High School.
- Dr. Ricciardelli was raised in Naples from the age of two and attended neighborhood public schools: Lake Park Elementary, Gulfview Middle, and Naples High School. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree (1991) in Secondary Education from Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida. She then earned a Master of Science degree (2000) in Educational Leadership and a Doctor of Education degree (2009) in Organizational Leadership with a Specialization in Higher Education from Nova Southeastern University. She has devoted her life’s work to strengthening the quality of education in Collier County and has held a variety of instructional and administrative roles during a career spanning almost three decades. Earlier in her career, Dr. Ricciardelli worked in three other Florida counties — Broward, Orange, and Seminole — where she served as an ESE classroom assistant, then as a teacher for students with severe emotional disabilities. When she returned to Collier County, she served in a variety of capacities in the middle and high school levels: inclusion teacher, ESE specialist, assistant principal, and principal. She has served in various District-level roles including Executive Director for Teaching and Learning, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching & Learning, School Leadership and Performance Officer, and Deputy Superintendent. Following a national search, the School Board appointed Dr. Ricciardelli as superintendent in May 2023.
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» A new CCPS elementary school will open in Ave Maria in August 2026.
- CCPS is building a new elementary school in the Town of Ave Maria. The site is 46 acres on Anthem Parkway next to North Park. It will be open for school operations in August 2026.
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» A new CCPS elementary school will open in North Naples in August 2025.
- A new elementary school will be built on Immokalee Road at Moulder Drive - Bear Creek Elementary. The site is 22 acres and is approximately three miles east of Collier Boulevard. The land was acquired by the School Board in 2006. For additional information, please visit: https://www.collierschools.com/bearcreek.
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» Artificial turf is the playing surface on all our high school stadium athletic fields.
- High school athletic fields are used for a variety of student competitions, including: football, lacrosse, soccer, track and field, and band. CCPS invested in artificial turf for all eight comprehensive high schools (Aubrey Rogers, Barron Collier, Gulf Coast, Golden Gate, Immokalee, Lely, Naples, and Palmetto Ridge). Some of the benefits of artificial turf athletic fields include:
- Lower maintenance costs. While the initial cost is high, the upkeep is much less expensive than grass.
- Pesticide-free. Unlike natural grass, artificial turf doesn't require treatment with pesticides and fertilizers.
- Increased playability. Artificial turf fields are much more durable than grass; because playability is much higher, they allow broader access and can be played on all the time.
- Fewer injuries. Durability and an even playing surface mean fewer injuries.
- Saves water. An average grass playing field uses about 50,000 gallons of water per week during the growing season.
- High school athletic fields are used for a variety of student competitions, including: football, lacrosse, soccer, track and field, and band. CCPS invested in artificial turf for all eight comprehensive high schools (Aubrey Rogers, Barron Collier, Gulf Coast, Golden Gate, Immokalee, Lely, Naples, and Palmetto Ridge). Some of the benefits of artificial turf athletic fields include:
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» School districts are required to obtain parental consent for any deviation – nickname or preferred name – from the use of a child’s legal name in school.
- Per Florida Administrative Code 6A-1.0955, a Name Deviation Consent Form must be completed should you wish the school and its staff to refer to your child by their nickname or preferred name, for example Joseph instead of Kevin or Peggy instead of Margaret.
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» Districts must require signed parent or guardian permission forms before a student is allowed to participate in school-sponsored events, activities, and supplemental programs.
- Per Florida Administrative Code 6A-10.089, parent permission is now required for students to attend clubs, book fairs, drama, and music performances during school, guest speaker events, before/after school educational support, and movies. This State rule extends to participation in Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (L.E.A.D.), Junior Deputies, and Safety Patrol.
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» All first-year CCPS teachers are assigned a school-based mentor.
- Mentors meet regularly with mentees and provide valuable professional learning opportunities for our newest teachers.
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» Pathways to Enhanced Health provides free bloodwork, preventative screenings, and wellness consultations for employees.
- Pathways to Enhanced Health is a wellness program integrated within the CCPS health plan. The Pathways program provides free bloodwork, preventative screenings, and wellness consultations with onsite coaches, allowing employees (and their family members) to qualify for a $400 annual deductible.
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» Missing two days a month (18 days a year) means a student misses 10% of the school year.
- Missing two days a month, or 10% of the school year, can have serious impacts on education, including reading delays and an increased risk of dropping out of high school. Students who arrive to school on time, stay all day, and attend every day have the best chance for academic success. Every minute in the classroom counts.
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» CCPS offers a wide range of financial wellness resources for its employees and their families.
- CCPS offers a wide range of financial wellness resources for its employees and their families. CCPS also partners with financial institutions to educate employees and their families on budgeting, investing, debt management, student loan forgiveness, first-time home buyers, and supplemental retirement.
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HAVE YOU HEARD? Collier County Public Schools has a variety of innovative opportunities for students. We invite you to view the videos below to learn more about some of these programming options.
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DISPELLING MYTHS 
FLYER DOWNLOAD
Click the link or image above to download the 2-page flyer including Dispelling Myths and the CCPS Points of Pride Fact Sheet.
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EXPLAINING FIGURES 
FLYER DOWNLOAD
Click the link or image above to download the 1-page flyer Explaining Figures regarding the 2023-2024 Proposed Budget.
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DISTRICT FAST FACTS
50,000
STUDENTS63
SCHOOLS115th
LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT IN U.S.5,294,133
MEALS SERVED YEARLY6,200,000
MILES TRAVELED YEARLY BY SCHOOL BUSES107
LANGUAGES & DIALECTS SPOKEN BY STUDENTS54%
STUDENTS FROM NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING HOMES64%
STUDENTS RECEIVE FREE & REDUCED LUNCH54,000
DISTRICT COMPUTERS7,000
DISTRICT EMPLOYEES
