Dr. Kamala Patton, in her eighth year as superintendent of Collier County public schools, will be the guest speaker at the next meeting of the Collier County Democratic Club.

Mark your calendar for Monday, February 18. The club’s social gathering begins at 6 p.m. and the business meeting, where Dr. Patton will speak, starts at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at the offices of the Collier County Education Association, 6710 Lone Oak Blvd in Naples.

Dr. Patton is expected to discuss how the new school board is functioning and other issues impacting the school district.

Dr. Patton has received a number of accolades and awards during her tenure as superintendent.. Most recently, she received the 2018 Lavan Dukes District Data Leader of the Year Award, the 2018 National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Distinguished Leader Award, the 2018 Florida Music Association (FMEA) Superintendent of the Year Award, and received the prestigious honor of being the 2017 Star Superintendent Award from the Consortium of Florida Education Foundation. Additionally, she was named one of Naples Illustrated 20 Leading Ladies of Naples along with being named a 2017 Gulfshore Life Magazine Men and Women of the Year honoree, as well as being recognized as a Woman of Distinction in History for Diversity, and an eSchool Learning National Tech-Savvy Superintendent Award Winner.

Collier County Democratic Club has been a chartered member of the Florida Democratic Party since 1988. The purpose of the club is to provide educational forums, support qualified candidates for public office, and to provide Democrats a platform to address social issues and make change in policies that affect us and our community.

And to have fun.