Collier County schools face $42M deficit as Aug. 11 start approaches

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. (WINK) — Collier County Public Schools is facing a major budget deficit as the new school year approaches.

In 2025, the district had to dip into its reserves to cover a budget shortfall of about $9 million. For the 2025-2026 school year, the district projected a shortfall of more than $42 million.

The district said state funding has not kept up with rising operational costs. That includes increased salaries, rising health insurance and retirement contributions, and the cost of operating a growing district with new schools.

The district said it's been using reserve funds to help balance the budget, but that is not a long-term solution. The district said the issue is simple: the cost of running Collier County schools is going up faster than the money coming in.

• MORE INFO: Collier County Public Schools Frequently Asked Questions

Superintendent Leslie Ricciardelli is holding a school-year kickoff where teachers, principals, and staff will hear her vision and priorities for the new school year. The kickoff comes after another successful year for the district, with CCPS earning an "A" rating from the Florida Department of Education for the ninth consecutive year.

The event is about celebrating those accomplishments, looking ahead to new goals and building excitement before students return to the classroom. School starts on Aug. 11.