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Jeff Donaldson

for Collier County School Board

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For Jeff Donaldson, everything begins with faith. He and his wife Bethany have spent the past 30 years building a life rooted in Christian family values and service to others. They raised five children and are now enjoying the blessing of two grandchildren. Three of their children attended Collier County Public Schools, with their youngest a senior at Marco Island Academy serving as student government president. Jeff knows what it means to walk alongside parents, teachers, and students, and he understands both the opportunities and the challenges inside our schools. 

Learn more about Jeff

Jeff’s Priorities for Collier County Schools:

  • Guided by Faith and Values

    Jeff believes Collier schools need grounded leaders with conservative principles and a commitment to putting students first. Every decision he makes will be guided by his Christian values, beginning and ending with what is best for students and families.

  • Raising the Standards in Education

    Collier County Schools may be an A-rated district, but too many students are still falling behind in reading, math, and science. Jeff will set higher expectations and promote proven teaching methods that challenge students to reach their potential. He believes every child deserves the chance to build a strong academic foundation, and effective teachers should be supported and rewarded for helping students succeed.

  • Protecting Parental Rights

    Parents should never be treated like outsiders. They are the first teachers in a child’s life and vital partners in education. Jeff will ensure parents have full access to textbooks, curriculum, and classroom materials. He will work to make sure schools welcome parents, respect their role, and never keep families in the dark about students’ education. When parents and schools work together, students thrive.

  • School Safety

    No parent should ever worry about the safety of their child in school. Jeff will keep campuses secure through strong partnerships with law enforcement, dedicated school resource officers, and staff trained to respond quickly in emergencies. He supports commonsense measures such as updated security technology and clear safety protocols that give parents confidence. Protecting students will always be Jeff’s top priority, because nothing is more important than the well-being of our children. 

  • Fiscal Responsibility and Accountability

    With a $1.7 billion budget, Collier schools must use taxpayer money wisely and transparently. Jeff will dissect spending to ensure funds reach classrooms instead of getting lost in bloated bureaucracies. He will hold the administration accountable for wasteful spending and redirect resources to teachers, instructional materials, and programs that directly impact learning. Jeff believes taxpayers deserve a school system that treats every dollar as if it came from their own pocket, and students deserve to see those dollars at work in their classrooms.

  • Trade and Technical Education

    Jeff understands that not every student will choose a four-year college path. He will work to expand opportunities in trade and technical education so students who are not pursuing college can graduate ready to succeed in high-paying jobs that are in demand across Southwest Florida. Whether it is welding, healthcare, construction, technology, hospitality, or another field, students should have real options that prepare them for strong careers and successful futures.

  • Preparing for the Future

    Artificial Intelligence and other technologies are already reshaping the world around us. Jeff will ensure Collier schools set clear safeguards to protect students while teaching them how to use innovation effectively and responsibly. He believes students should be trained to think critically, solve problems, and use new tools in ways that make technology serve them, not the other way around. Technology should be a tool that helps children learn and grow, never a threat to their well-being.

A smiling man with short brown hair, wearing a blue button-up shirt with small white dots, sitting at a white desk. There are eyeglasses, a notebook, and a mug on the desk. In the background, there's a framed certificate, a desk lamp, and various office supplies.