Ford Dalusma, a political newcomer, hopes to win a seat on the Collier County School Board.
A product of the county’s public schools, he promises to do his “absolute best” for its students if he’s elected. He pledges to ensure an “excellent education” that not only stands out in the state, but in the country.
His top priorities are vocational training and certificate expansion, proactive school safety and affordable teacher housing.
Dalusma faces one opponent in District 5: Tim Moshier, who is running for re-election.
Collier County school board members are elected countywide for four-year terms but must live in their specific district. The race will be decided in the primary election on Aug. 18.
Two of the three Collier County school board races have been decided by default, with only one candidate qualifying for each of the seats in District 1 and District 3.
What to know about Collier County School Board Candidate Ford Dalusma
As part of The News-Press & Naples Daily News’ ongoing election coverage, The Naples Daily News asked Dalusma questions about himself and about school issues. Here are his answers:
Q. Why are you running for School Board?
A. I am running for the School Board because I am a proud graduate of Collier County Public Schools, and I am deeply invested in the future of our community. This district gave me the foundation to build my life and career, and I want nothing less than the absolute best for our current students and for my own future children. My goal is to ensure that our school system provides an excellent education that is not just competitive within the state of Florida, but stands out as a top-tier pillar of academic excellence across the entire country.
Q. What is your background and what makes you suited for the job?
A. My background is uniquely suited for this role because I bring both professional and operational expertise and a personal understanding of our schools. Professionally, I work in manufacturing and logistics for a major medical device manufacturer, and I hold a certification in Construction Management from Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU). This experience gives me a strong grasp of budgeting, lean efficiency, facility oversight, and complex logistics — all of which are vital for managing a large district. Personally, I have seen both sides of our school system: I experienced it firsthand as a former student; I have a close family member who worked as a local teacher for three years, and I actively volunteer as a mentor for children with special needs. This dual perspective allows me to approach district governance with the eye of an auditor and the heart of a community advocate.
Dalusma’s top priorities for Collier County Public Schools
Q. What are your top three priorities, and how specifically would you take action on them?
A. Vocational Training and Certificate Expansion
I want to see a 25% increase in the number of students graduating with vocational training certificates. We will achieve this by aggressively enrolling more students in these programs, expanding our partnerships with local industries, and actively informing families about how essential and lucrative these careers are to our local economy.
A. Proactive School Safety
I will champion enhanced school safety by implementing a simple, two-minute “index card” check-in system during homeroom or downtime. This low-tech, stigma-free method allows students to anonymously or non-anonymously flag bullying, safety threats, or classroom tensions, giving teachers and administrators actionable data to intervene before problems escalate.
A. Affordable Teacher Housing
We must ensure our educators can afford to live in the communities where they teach. I will advocate for utilizing district-owned land and property resources to develop cost-effective housing options, helping us retain top-tier teaching talent despite the rising local cost of living.
Where Dalusma stands on the issues of teacher pay, safety, parent rights, other issues
Q. What is your stance on the following issues, and how will you specifically tackle them?
1. Teacher Pay and Cost of Living
A. Our educators are the backbone of our schools, but skyrocketing living costs are driving talent away. To tackle this without draining the classroom, I support an innovative approach: utilizing the school district’s existing land and property assets to either sell or build upon. By transforming underutilized district property into cost-effective housing options, we can provide a tangible, affordable benefit to our teachers and improve retention.
2. District Budget and Deficits
A. Taxpayers and families deserve total financial transparency. I will push for a clear, line-by-line budget account easily accessible online so the community can see exactly where every single dollar is going. Furthermore, I will work to aggressively cut the administrative overhead that clogs our school system, ensuring that public funds are redirected out of central bureaucracy and straight into our classrooms.
3. Expanded Availability of School Vouchers
A. I am not an advocate of school vouchers. I firmly believe that public tax dollars should go toward supporting traditional public schools, not for-profit charter schools. Private and for-profit entities do not hold the same standard of accountability to the local community or to the taxpayers whose dollars they receive, and my priority will always be protecting and strengthening our public system.
4. School Security and Safety
A. True safety requires giving students a voice without fear of social backlash. Because there is often a negative stigma associated with a student visiting a counselor’s office to report trouble, we must establish alternative channels. My proposed index card system gives students a confidential lever to warn adults about bullying or tension, ensuring teachers know exactly who or what is disrupting the learning environment.
5. Parental Rights
A. I fully believe that parents have fundamental rights regarding their children’s upbringing and must always be kept informed about what is happening in our schools. At the same time, I respect the professionalism of our educators. Teachers must have the authority and control to manage their classrooms effectively so they can focus on what they do best: teaching.
6. Curriculum and Academic Achievement
A. The school board does not directly mandate or create curriculum; our role is to act as an overseer and set the operational tone for the district. However, if elected, I will be an unyielding, passionate advocate for high academic achievement. I will consistently use my platform to push for rigorous standards that challenge our students to compete at a national level.
Q. What else do you think can be done better in the district?
A. Our district is currently doing fine, but “fine” should never be the ceiling when it comes to our children’s future. We should always actively strive for greater heights. We can do better by implementing the targeted actions I’ve outlined, specifically by modernizing our safety protocols, optimizing our budget, and aligning our vocational programs with the local economy. Transitioning from a standard bureaucratic mindset to a data-driven, proactive approach will elevate our schools from good to truly excellent.
Q. Is there anything else you want to add?
A. There is an old saying: “When we know better, we do better.” Today, we have a wealth of information, data, and resources available to us, and we need to start using them more effectively. I want to bring a breath of fresh air to the school board by using real data and smart asset management to ensure our students receive a world-class education. I want our district to be more than just a local success story; I want it to be a pillar of educational excellence for the entire country.
Laura Layden is a senior business and government reporter. Reach her by email at laura.layden@naplesnews.com.
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This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Collier County School Board candidate Ford Dalusma shares his ideas, plans
Reporting by Laura Layden, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Naples Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Laura Layden, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News | USA TODAY Network
