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About
Kelly Mason is a mother of two children, former teacher, and the founding board president of Mason Classical Academy where she served in an all-volunteer capacity from 2012-2025. Her efforts have been recognized by the Florida Department of Education, US News and World Report, and Eagle Forum.
Kelly has been committed to improving the quality of public education and advocating for the children of Collier County since moving to Naples in 2006. She has previous experience working with special needs children and taught US History, Economics, and Government at the high school level. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History from Baldwin Wallace College and a Master’s Degree in Social Studies Education from Nova Southeastern University.
In her spare time, she enjoys attending country concerts with her daughter, watching her son play baseball, competing in local 5K races, and is a group fitness instructor. Besides her passion for education, health and wellness, Kelly has also been an advocate and volunteer for animal rescues over the years. In fact, she has six rescue animals of her own.
Kelly served as the chair of the Collier County School Board for the last three years and is honored to represent the students and citizens of Collier County.
Accomplishments
- Spearheaded getting a school board attorney. The Board did not have their own counsel.
- Spearheaded the creation of new and improved mission and vision statements
- Created a work session to establish board priorities, which has guided our work: Academics, Culture and Climate, Fiscal Responsibility, Human Resources, and Student Conduct.
- Spearheaded an explicit phonics curriculum for our early elementary
- Worked closely with staff to bring about a new summer reading program: Collier Classics
- Brought back novel studies in language arts classes.
- Spearheaded board level audit committee
- Appropriately and respectfully placed the superintendent off the dais and brought back the intended structure of board-run board meetings
- Served as Board Chair for three years.
- While serving as Chair, I restructured board agendas to improve effectiveness and efficiency of meetings
- Strengthened student code of conduct and continue to make annual improvements.
- Minimized cell phone use in schools even before Governor mandate.
- Added parental approval for certain books in media centers without banning books
- Conduct annual visits with the schools in my district as well as other schools.
- Worked closely with staff on Bear Creek boundary modification, which the board ultimately voted for
- Voted for largest teacher pay raises for three consecutive years.
- Reduced capital millage
- Immediately worked with interim superintendent to get rid of wasteful programs that did not enhance academic achievement.
- Brought back the Board’s ability to communicate through District-wide newsletter. The Board members rotate each month.
- Built bridges and trust with constituents through fair, respectful, and common-sense leadership.