A motion for a temporary injunction to prevent the Collier County School Board from signing interim superintendent Dr. Leslie C. Ricciardelli to the full post has been denied.
Conservative political influencer and businessman Francis "Alfie" Oaks filed a temporary restraining order in May and later amended the motion with additional information.
The Collier board approved Ricciardelli for the post at their regular monthly meeting Tuesday night.
About the case
- Alfie Oakes files request for temporary injunction in school board superintendent selection
- Hearing held on Oakes motion
In denying the motion, the judge said "this Court finds that the Plaintiff (Oakes) cannot show a substantial likelihood of success on the merits, and therefore a temporary injunction would not be appropriate at this time."
An April 5 video of a board meeting, entered into evidence by both sides in the case, was a yardstick that Oakes used to say the board did not exercise its decision-making authority but instead ceded it to education consulting firm Hazard Young Attea & Associates of Schaumberg, Ill.
After viewing the video the judge said "this Court cannot see how in that meeting that school board did anything but exercise its decision-making authority during this process."
The judge also said that a review of the contract at issue showed that the board retained full authority to determine who they would choose for further consideration as superintendent.
Additionally, the judge said it appeared that the consulting firm did exactly what it was retained to do.
The judge's ruling also said that it was clear all members of the Collier County School Board were given all the background information on each of the 45 candidates to review in advance of an April 23 public meeting and had undertaken a review of all 45 candidates.
Oakes contended that that did not happen.
Attorney Steve Bracci, who represented Oakes for this case said the trial court’s ruling leaves more questions than answers.
"Fortunately, since it is a non-final ruling, that means the case continues and we will have ample opportunity for the trial court to clarify its ruling, particularly based on clearly established legal principle under Florida’s Sunshine Law, none of which the trial court cited in his order," Bracci said.
"The next step is up to the School Board," Jennifer Kunipec, with the Collier County Schools, said, and pointed to an agenda item for Ricciardelli on the School Board Agenda.
That next step took place at the board's meeting Tuesday night when a revised proposed employment agreement between the board and Ricciardelli, which listed an annual compensation of $305,000 for the position, was approved.
Ricciardelli released a statement Wednesday about her official appointment:
“I am humbled and honored to have been officially appointed the 20th Superintendent of Collier County Public Schools. First and foremost, I want to thank the School Board for their confidence, and I look forward to working together on our student-centered mission. I also want to thank my husband and daughter for their unwavering patience and support throughout this process. As I reflect on my nearly three decades as an educator this is the pinnacle of my career, but I am far from the summit. Together, we embark on a new chapter in the rich history of our district, celebrating its 100th year of excellence in education. This milestone reminds us of the enduring legacy we inherit and the immense privilege we have to shape the future of our students. Finally, I want to express my deepest gratitude to the staff, students and community members who were so highly engaged throughout the search and interview process. This shows the level of care and importance placed on education in Collier County.”
The Collier County School Board originally appointed Ricciardelli to be the next superintendent the night of May 3 after a multiple-month search. She had been acting as interim superintendent.
The Oakes request was heard the afternoon of June 8 before Collier County Circuit Court Judge Joseph G. Foster.
At that time Foster said he would make a decision "as soon as I can." His decision was rendered shortly before 4:30 Monday.
In the amended order, Oakes made numerous allegations against the board and the selection process including claims of Sunshine Law violations which the restraining order says "caused irreparable injury to the public at large, including the plaintiff (Oakes)."
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