Personal Message from Dr. Leslie Ricciardelli
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COLLIER COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD APPOINTS DR. LESLIE RICCIARDELLI AS INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT
During the December 13, 2022, Regular School Board Meeting, Dr. Leslie Ricciardelli was named Collier County Public Schools (CCPS) Interim Superintendent. Dr. Ricciardelli grew up in Naples from the age of 2 and has worked in education for just over 28 years. Most recently, Dr. Ricciardelli served as CCPS Deputy Superintendent where she was responsible for leading Financial Services, School Leadership, and District Operations, including Transportation, Nutrition Services, Safety and Security, Facilities and Maintenance, and other key areas of the school district.
Early in her career, Dr. Ricciardelli worked in three other Florida counties — Broward, Orange, and Seminole — where she served as a teacher for students with disabilities. Dr. Ricciardelli returned to Collier County and worked at Manatee Middle School as an inclusion teacher and Lely High School as an Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Specialist and Dean of Students. Leslie then worked at Palmetto Ridge High School for six years as Assistant Principal of Attendance and Discipline and returned to Lely High as Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction. Dr. Ricciardelli was later chosen to be principal at Golden Gate Middle School and returned, once again, to Lely High to serve as principal prior to taking a position in district leadership.
Dr. Ricciardelli earned her Bachelor’s (B.S.) Degree from Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida, and then pursued her Master’s and Doctoral degrees from Nova Southeastern University.
“I am extremely grateful to Dr. Patton for her years of service, for appointing me as the CCPS Deputy Superintendent, and I’m thankful to the School Board for believing in my ability to serve in the role of Interim Superintendent of this exceptional school district,” said Dr. Leslie Ricciardelli. “I want students, parents, staff, and community members to know I am committed to making sure our schools have all the resources and support needed as we, collectively, keep advancing student achievement.”
The letter of agreement for an interim superintendent will be in place from December 13, 2022, until the Board’s appointment of a new superintendent.
The district has created a webpage (collierschools.com/superintendentsearch) for all communication and updates during the Superintendent Search process. It will contain the timeline for the process, applicant information, and community input opportunities.
