Collier County parents call for investigation into school district supt.

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NAPLES, Fla.- Collier County parents are calling for an outside investigation saying the school district superintendent tried to conceal the Blue Zone Project.

“She was attempting to hide and conceal this blueprint document from her board, clients and the public,” said parent Doug Lewis.

Two parents are backing the call for an investigation. Both say this isn’t about the Blue Zone Project itself, but the way in which Dr. Kamela Patton handled it.

“We are a community of sunshine and there is a clear attempt to remove the district and remove the board,” said Lewis.

The initial beginnings of Blue Zone began to surface in January of 2015. There were blue prints which described how the project would work in the schools and throughout the entire county. Parents say Blue Zone told officials not to show the blueprints to the public until it was approved.

Steve Bracci says that is a Sunshine violation and has filed a lawsuit.

“The Blue Zone is telling our elected officials that this document they have been working on shall not be public record. It shall not be shared until they have approved it.”

The blueprint concerns began to surface in June 2015. The Blue Zone Project was listed on the Collier County school board meeting as an informational item.

Parents say Patton tried to vote on the issue which is not allowed but one board member blocked it.

“I’m not signing a document we have not seen and not read. It’s ridiculous,” said school board member Erika Donalds.

The blueprints were released in August 2015.

“It’s because of that we get this blueprint, because they have no other choice,” said Bracci.

Both parents are asking the State Department of Education and the State Attorney’s Office to investigate, saying Patton violated policy and the district’s professional conduct.

The school district refused to comment, citing pending litigation.

 

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