When it comes to ideas about using Tract K for a new Marco Island charter high school, opinions vary among Collier County school board hopefuls.
There's also a variety of opinions on whether the school district, which owns Tract K, should charge a market rate if it sells the 11.6-acre parcel for use as a charter school.
The election will be held Aug. 24,
The Sun Times polled all nine candidates on the ballot for three open spots on the Collier County school board.
Most of the candidates back the creation of the Marco school.
While some say Tract K could be a good location if some concerns are addressed, others say they need to investigate the issue more thoroughly before offering an opinion.
Two incumbents, Roy Terry and Pat Carroll, are seeking to retain their seats on the five-member board.
Former educators, school board members, businessmen and women, and a former police officer-pastor-professional wrestler are joining them in vying for the three positions.
The profiles that follow include the candidates' positions on three questions pertaining to the proposed charter school and Tract K:
Questions posed to candidates
1. Should a Charter High School be established on Marco Island?
2. Would Tract K be a suitable site for the school?
3. Should the Collier County school board require the City of Marco Island or the Marco Academy Board of Directors to pay anything more than a nominal fee for the land if it's used for a school?
All but candidate Reg Buxton responded to the Sun Times' request for information.
Roy Terry
Age: 68
Currently resides: Naples
1. I have no problem supporting a charter high school on Marco Island.
2. The site is smaller than what we would normally use for a high school. The eagles nest also reduces space required to use for a high school. The requirements for parking, traffic patterns, athletic fields and classroom buildings would make the campus tight and not allow any room for future expansion. I would have to look at plans for the site before making a final decision.
3. The school district is presently trying to sell the property. Whether it is sold or donated I would recommend that it end up in the hands of the Marco city government and let the people of Marco Island decide as to how it would be used.
Barbara Berry
Age: 69
Currently resides: North Naples
1. If a majority of the residents seek a charter high school on Marco Island, then certainly consideration should be given to that request.
2. In order to determine whether Tract K is a suitable site, I think three things have to be done. You're going to have to have an environmental study, a feasibility study and a traffic-impact study. These things are critical on that particular parcel of land.
If Tract K does become the proposed site, I'd like to see the building footprint, parking and ancillary facilities. If you're talking 600 students at that high school, you can figure some of those children will be driving cars, and will need parking for them, as well as for staffers.
3. I know there are some talks between the city of Marco Island and the school district. If I was on the board and this came to me, I'd like to sit down with our attorney or a land-use attorney because I want to look at the documents regarding how Tract K was given to Collier County Schools by the developer of Marco Island.
I want to see how the property would be dispersed if the school district doesn't want to build on it. I just think that's prudent. I am the liaison for all the taxpayers of Collier County in a transaction such as this because we will ultimately make the decision on whether to sell the property or gift the property, or whatever should be desired in dispersing this property.
Kathy Ryan
Age: 69
Hometown: Detroit
Currently resides: Naples
1. Would I vote to approve one? Yes. There's a number of things that a charter applicant has to demonstrate and assuming they demonstrate those, yes, I'd vote for it. There's no reason not to. The community has already demonstrated with the middle school that they're going to do a good job with whatever they come up with.
2. I'm not sure Tract K is big enough for a high school. I don't have enough information from all sides. I really would have to study the issue more thoroughly before I'd make a final commitment on what to do with Tract K.
3. I haven't heard the arguments on all sides and I really would want to hear all arguments before I make up my mind. I'm trying to gather information, but I'd really like to hear it in an open public hearing where all sides can give their input.
Pat Carroll
Hometown: Waverly, Ohio
Currently resides: Naples
1. The establishment of a Marco charter high school is a community-based decision. Citizens must do what is best for the community. My responsibility, as a school board member and as required by the state, is to review and approve charter applications.
2. Tract K was a developer contribution to Collier County Public Schools. As a result, the school district is responsible to use this land to benefit students in the public school system. My preference has been to hold this land for potential public school use, even if it is for 20 or 30 years, and allow an interim use of green space or park.
We do not know what the future holds for Marco Island. Once this vacant land is gone, options for future expansion of public schools on Marco will also be gone.
3. Because of the increased debate over the use of Tract K, I am considering selling it to the city of Marco. Any sale must reflect market value and must be according to state guidelines. In this way, the community can decide how the property is used and the public school system will receive the intended benefit of the original donation.
Rosanne L Winter
Age: 61
Hometown: Cleveland
Currently resides: Naples
1. I believe that charter schools help fill many gaps in the U.S. education system. I have met with Jane Watt and have reviewed much of the material that has been prepared relative to the seeking of a charter for the Marco Academy. I have no doubt that the quality of the proposed Marco Academy would be high. The fact that so many Marco Island citizens are collaborating on this endeavor tells me that there is a high level of dissatisfaction with the education being offered by the Collier County Public Schools. Jane Watt has indicated to me that development of the Marco Academy is not dependent on the use of Tract K, but that Tract K would be a preferred site.
2. On Tuesday, July 27, I obtained a copy of the 1989 settlement agreement and deed concerning Tract K on Marco Island, and later this week, I will meet with several Marco residents who do not want a school built on Tract K. I also note that Tract K is not mentioned in the Collier County Schools' 2011-2030 capital improvement plan, indicating that the school system sees no need to build a school on that site within the next 20 years. Because the possibility of a charter high school and the use of Tract K are such important issues to the citizens of Marco Island, I am taking great care to study the documentation, uncover available facts and talk with those concerned. Because I am not yet fully informed on all the relevant issues, I am unwilling to comment further at this time. One of the greatest shortcomings of the Collier County school board in recent years has been its willingness to make decisions even when it is not fully informed, and I am not going to be party to that kind of decision making.
My personal leadership style involves gathering as much information as possible from all parties who are stakeholders in a given issue, consulting fully with others engaged in the decision-making process, then, and only then, making my decision as to how to proceed on the issue.
Joe Whitehead
Currently resides: Naples
1. I like the concept of charter schools. They have a good track record of student performance. I would favor having one on Marco, but in order for it to work, it must have strong community support.
2. I don't know if Tract K is completely approvable as a school site. There are space, traffic, code enforcement and environmental issues involved. If it passes all of those tests, then I think it would be a good site. If it doesn't, then I would be open to looking at other sites.
3. It is owned by the school system currently. The compensation question will hinge upon whether or not the site can be used as suggested.
Mary Ellen Cash
Age: 55
Hometown: Weehawken, N.J.
Resides: Naples
1. It was my impression at the Jewish Federation Forum that citizens, especially the families with children, wanted it. I think it would increase property values and provide possibilities to develop a stellar marine-science program and ecological center.
I would love for my grandchildren to be part of the school, especially if the Cousteau Foundation is involved. What a marvelous opportunity to bring in other partners such as the FGCU Marine Science program and the University of Miami Marine Science program. Experiential learning is the most exciting way to learn. It is critical that our children learn about the environment and the importance of keeping it clean and safe for future generations to enjoy.
2. Tract K was the designated school site of the developer. If the community would like to see an alternate site, it would be essential for the school board to work with the community to make sure the planning is done in collaboration with the citizens of Marco.
3. I don't think so. The land was designated by the developer as a Marco Island school site. His intention was clear. What is important is that the community proceed in unity on project ideas.
Eric Cox
Currently resides: Naples
1. I believe charter schools are good. But I would have to investigate that particular spot and that particular decision before I could be competent on it.
2. I'd have to investigate before I would make a competent decision on whether to support it or not to support it. The tract is not very big, so you have to take all facets into consideration.
Cox did not answer question three.