Lee County School Board elections are right around the corner and the District 2 seat is up for grabs. Incumbent Melisa Giovannelli is running for re-election against new candidate Carol Frantz.
Melisa Giovannelli is a 61-year-old Republican who is a fifth generation born and raised Lee County native. She's spent the last 25 years building a business in local real estate.
Giovannelli has been on the Lee School Board since 2016. She was also part of the Vineyard Christian Fellowship of Fort Myers for more than 30 years and is now active at Next Level Church.
The incumbent regularly spends time with nonprofits like the Boy Scouts of America, Edison Festival of Light, Learning for Life, Young Life, Uncommon Friends Founation, and Blankets & Blessings.
About the District 2 School Board position
- The Lee County School Board operates, controls, and supervises all public schools within the district. School Board members represent all Lee County schools.
- A Lee County School Board member makes around $40,000 per year.
- School Board members serve four-year terms before needing to be re-elected
How much has Giovannelli raised so far?
Giovannelli has raised $21,000 toward her campaign so far.
"Some of that is self-funded," Giovannelli said. "My commitment to the community that supports me."
Who is Giovannelli running against in the election?
Giovannelli is up against candidate Carol Frantz. Whoever wins the primary election on Aug. 20 will hold the District 2 seat on the Lee County School Board.
Here are incumbent Giovannelli's answers to our questions:
Note to readers: Some of these answers have been edited for length.
The Lee County School District is expecting significant student growth and may need to build 10 new schools. How would you address the challenges of managing the growth illustrated in the District's new 10-year plan while ensuring all students receive a quality education?
This is an ongoing issue and can change as the need changes. We need to identify exactly where the growth is and make sure we are addressing the properties that can accommodate the growth sooner than later.
We have property that has the infrastructure in place and property that we would have to add infrastructure. We need to identify those properties and areas, add the additional costs for the infrastructure verses property that has the infrastructure, which would save time and money to build sooner rather than later.
The plan must be well thought out to make sure that we can expediate the construction process, because the need is now and thoroughly thought through before spending money. We must be prioritizing our budget in this plan.
How would you address concerns about teacher retention and recruitment in Lee County, especially considering that neighboring counties offer higher salaries?
Help the new Superintendent identify that all staff is in the right seat of the bus per se.
Recommend to the new Superintendent to recruit out west where teachers are living in very cold rural areas like Alaska, Montana and South and North Dakota.
Also, recruit in heavily Hispanic areas like, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and offer opportunity for a better way of life. Offer them a type of sign on “Sunshine” bonus for a 5-year commitment.
Lobby to eliminate the one-year contracts for new teachers. There needs to be a stability contract. Teachers must be valued and respected as the professionals that they are. Prioritize salaries in the budget each year. This discussion needs to happen every year during the budgeting process.
Do you believe that the Lee County School District is doing enough to ensure the safety and security of students and staff on school grounds? What changes, if any, would you advocate for in terms of school safety policies and procedures?
We finally have metal detectors, which I advocated for since 2017 before the Parkland tragedy, as well as the Guardian Program that was passed in 2023. I championed that program when the Governor passed the law. I finally got that support this past year.
We cannot put a price on student and staff safety. We must be proactive rather than reactive.
Student behavior in the classroom must be addressed. Those behaviors take away learning from the students that do behave.
We need to make sure that threat management is being performed properly as well as looking at mental health and identifying those students that might be a threat and make sure they are receiving the resources needed.
What is your stance on the recent controversy surrounding the “Hate Has No Home Here” banner displayed in a Lee County classroom? How would you approach similar situations involving potentially controversial materials or displays in schools?
I will always follow the law, which can be fluid until there is a final court ruling setting precedence. Schools should not be political. Children are not a political party. Everyone must use sound judgment.
This was brought before the superintendent and the board attorney, and they handled the particular situation. The superintendent handles the day-to-day business of the district and is not a School Board member’s role.
How would you address the concerns of parents and community members who have expressed dissatisfaction with certain books or materials available in school libraries? What role do you believe parents should play in shaping curriculum and library collections?
Parents’ rights should never be circumvented. They do not shape curriculum or library collections.
All books should be age appropriate. If a book is challenged there is a process which is followed, and I support that process. There is a committee that reads the book and decides if it has literary value and makes the determination if the book should be in the library.
To date, there has only been one book removed after a challenge. There is a Media Access Form that parents designate which level of access they want their student to have in the library; Access to all books including the challenged books. Access to books except challenged books. If the parent does not select one of the three options, then it defaults to the limited access and age appropriate.
The Lee County School District recently revised its “Safe Space” designation stickers, removing the rainbow flag and language specifically mentioning LGBTQ+ inclusivity. What is your opinion on this change, and how important do you believe it is for schools to be welcoming and inclusive environments for all students?
This changed in late 2020, it was not recently. All students must feel safe as if they do not feel safe, they are not learning. All means all and we should not be catering to one group to overlook another group.
Safe place for one safe place for all. All Students should feel safe and learn in a safe environment. Bullying is what should be addressed. There should be no tolerance for bullying, which is the policy of the school district.
What are your thoughts on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the classroom? How should the school district approach AI to enhance education while addressing concerns about plagiarism and academic integrity?
This should be embraced with a policy in place for plagiarism. It is the way of the future, and we must engage and educate students in AI and help them with boundaries as well as the understanding of this new tool that is changing the world.
Given the new state bill allowing school districts to opt into a program with volunteer chaplains, what are your views on the role of religion in schools? How should the district handle the inclusion of religious activities while ensuring they respect the diverse beliefs of all students and comply with legal requirements?
This is not going to be implemented in Lee County. It was decided that there will be no policy and therefore will not be offered.
If parents want their child to receive religious advice they need to be in charge of that guidance and not the Lee County School system. We are in the education business not religion business.
There are too many religions and that decision should be up to the parent to decide who or what religion they want their child learning about or getting that religious guidance and education.
What are the top priorities for your district, and what new initiatives will you focus on to improve the local education system?
- Student focus driven, with increase student achievement and graduation rate.
- Increase teacher retention & pay
- Safety and security (emphasis on student behavior)
- Transparency and accountability
- Fiscally responsible with accountability
What do you want voters to know about you, and why should they vote for you instead of your opponent?
I stood alone in adversarial situations on the school board. I am one of seven and at times it is difficult to make the changes if you do not have most of the board. I am not afraid to speak up when it is necessary and will do so when needed.
I am in a unique position as an elected official and a member of the Public Policy committee with the Board of Realtors I can lobby Tallahassee several times a year for private property rights, water quality and public education for our community.
I have good relationship with our local elected officials in Lee County. I will listen and advocate for all students, parents, and staff. I will continue to always be the voice for my constituents.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Who's running for Lee County School Board? Meet District 2 incumbent Melisa Giovannelli
Most Popular
Comments / 0