Escambia School Board To Discuss Terminating Superintendent Tim Smith’s Contract
September 20, 2022
Update: Click here for an update on the outcome of the meeting.
The Escambia County School Board is set to discuss terminating the contract of Superintendent Tim Smith at a meeting today.
The termination discussion has been added to the board’s agenda for a 5:30 p.m. meeting.
In November 2018, Escambia County citizens voted to move from an elected to an appointed superintendent, and Smith took office in November 2020.
Smith and the district have come under fire in recent days over a “Rights and Responsibilities” handbook quiz question.
The question given to middle and high school students discussed the exchange of nude photos, revenge porn and ultimately the suicide of a student.
In the question narrative titled “Selfie Suzie” (click image to enlarge), Suzie was a 17-year old high school senior talked into sending her 18-year old boyfriend three nude photos. The couple broke up, and the boyfriend sent Suzie’s nude photos to the football team, basketball team, soccer team, track team and other students.
Suzie was harrassed, degraded and called a slut, the scenario continues. Suzie enrolled in the community college to get her diploma, but there were high school students there that harassed her.
“Two weeks later, she was so miserable and depressed that she took her own life,” the fictional quiz narrative states.
In a statement released Monday, Smith said:
“The test was intended to reinforce our focus on ensuring a safe and orderly learning environment for all of our students.
“After the issue was brought to my attention and listening directly to the concerns of parents who brought this issue forward, I‘ve made the decision to order the test be discontinued from future use.
“Our school district has over 5800 employees. By necessity, independent decisions must be made by employees at various levels of the organization. I believe our employees care deeply about the well-being and education of our students. That said, when unsatisfactory decisions are made, it is my responsibility to gather the facts and take corrective measures to prevent re-occurrences of the problem.
“In order to become the school system we envision, we must build a culture of continuous improvement, learn from our missteps and always find ways to do things better. This situation revealed a need for us to review and evaluate approval processes that were used in this instance, and to make changes to ensure any materials distributed to our students are age appropriate. I am asking our executive leadership team to evaluate the decision-making protocols used in this case and to make recommendations for improvement.”
Smith said he asked for the report to be on his desk by October 28 so that he could present recommendations to the school board in November.
According to Smith’s contract, the board can terminate him without cause at any time with a majority vote. If that happens, he will get 20 weeks severance pay and benefits and waives any right to object to his termination. If the board should find a reason to terminate Smith for cause, he would only receive earned pay and benefits. If terminated with cause, he would be entitled to request a hearing.
Smith was hired at a base salary of $160,000.
Comments
64 Responses to “Escambia School Board To Discuss Terminating Superintendent Tim Smith’s Contract”
All Schools should have Math, Science, English, History, Art, Music, Sports, etc… All taught without political undertones or Teachers personal beliefs. The rest of life’s lessons should be taught at home!!!! PERIOD
Just disgusted. For you ‘parents’ that think this is not necessary to teach kids in elementary and middle school, you should get more involved. Kids have phones, they are learning EVERYTHING from other kids. This guy is TRYING to teach them what You Should Be Teaching. Talk to your kids, really talk and listen- they know way more than you think. And someone has to teach them NOT to take inappropriate pictures of themselves in their phones. Kids did this back in 2009 and weren’t allowed to walk at graduation. Not sure, guess the “Good ole boys” kept it a secret. But you all need to get your head out of the clouds and get a reality check.
How in the world do you blame this man??? And this crap about Jesus and Christians, it’s just crap you tell yourself, because if you really believed you would never talk about this man this way. It’s DISGUSTING
From what I gathered after reading the superintendent’s written response, it doesn’t sound like he was the one who initiated this learning tool in question. Someone else did. He just gathered facts, after parents brought it to his attention, and then made a Decision thereafter. Whoever, down the chain, decided to utilize this video to address this REAL problem, I don’t believe had bad or “indoctrinating” intentions. Since transmitting nude photos (of minors), harassment and bullying is a crime IMO, why not have an officer from the sheriff’s department come to the schools and do a in-depth presentation on this subject- from a law enforcement point of view. A mental health counselor could join the presentation and provide strategies and recourse for students who may be experiencing these issues. Parental exposure to this presentation probably would be a good idea as well. To bury your head in the sand and not discuss the topic would be a real tragedy. All efforts should be exhausted in order to help prevent adolescent Suicide.
When I was in elementary school, these subjects were taught by parents (or grandparents if they were raising the child). The school didn’t get involved in family matters. We were taught about safety and the school STILL didn’t get involved. I don’t know what even made the schools start thinking they had that right. Deadbeat parents existed then too. We were called “streetwise” if we knew more than our fair share. Today kids are “internet wise”. If you want to know something, “google it”. Schools have no place or right to think they need to raise our children then or now. Period.
My problem with Dr. Smith has nothing to do with his video or a question on a test. Those can be scratched off as mistakes. My issue with Tim Smith is his lack of leadership within the county and the terrible choices he is promoting as school based leaders, Principals and Assistant Principals. He is promoting unqualified people with no backbone or leadership qualities. This is ruining morale within the district. If you don’t believe me then go look at how many resignations or early retirements there are on each months board minutes. You are losing people within the district left and right. You have young talent that is leaving in droves to go to neighboring districts and states and a school board and superintendent who does not care at all. If there is anybody in District 5 who has education experience and cares at all for the kids, then please run against the cadaver that is Bill Slayton. Bill only cares about his paycheck and status. Morale is the lowest I have ever seen amongst teachers and school administrators. Your district is going down the drain and the water is getting faster. Its not just a Tim Smith issue, this is a hall center issue a Pace building issue and a school board issue. Before I get any nay sayers, go ahead and ask yourself why did Tate high school lose half of their teachers this past summer ? Why did Molino Park’s principal retire early less than a month ago ? The people saying go back to elected, Ill remind you that you elected Jim Paul less than 20 years ago. Worry about who you put on the school board. District 3 just elected a real educator who cares to their school board spot. Yall keep electing our counties version of Joe Biden….Bill Slayton.
looks like mr smith is just trying to give warning to pitfalls that could lay ahead.
This test was given to 3rd grade and up, not just middle and high school students.
This question asked on a resume anywhere you would apply for employment?
NOOO..it is all about indoctrination and grooming.
Not a flipping thing in any way,shape fashion, or form concerning efucation.
In my 73 years I have seen failure.
This is a pathetic loser.
If not..why did butthead retract the quiz..because he thought he could get away with it.
And Romeo &Juliette….pleeease.
I see nothing wrong with the decisions of Dr. Smith or his administration. I laugh at those saying bring back Malcolm. Please explain what you feel he was doing that was so wonderful for our children. Other than keeping Escambia county schools in the trenches, nothing. It was time for a new perspective; however, because he is not following the agenda of those who think they run the community (you know who you are) there’s a problem and you want him fired. Escambia county is truly a disappointment in 2022 resembling 1950 with outdated ideals and practices. My child a 2020 graduate was introduced to porn in the 5th grade at what is still considered one of the so-called best elementary schools in the district. Sex and suicide are real-life situations that need to be discussed openly with our children.
Oh and by the way, isn’t Romeo and Juliet still required reading? if memory serves me correctly it contains suicide.
Dr. Smith while I may not agree with all your decisions keep doing what you can to make things better for your employees and our children.
This is trash education today.
I graduated in 1965 from Tate and back then men were men and woman were women.
Period!
We had no B.S. distractions such as all this trash trying to be passed off as educational value.
IT IS PATHETIC.
I dont know how I made it in this world with only Math English, science, and my chosen Ag, and horticulture classes.
Jack asses today jump up and try to stifle parents..even go as far as calling parents who resist the hidden agenda as terrorist and contact the government to take notice on parents.
Smith is a loser as all who try and play mom and dad under the guise of normalcy.
He has outstayed his wrlcome also by trying to explain it away.
Good bye and good riddence.
Time for a new hire.
I guess yall have forgot that ECSD is ranked close to LAST in education, even with everyone’s beloved Malcolm as superintendent. Maybe take your political opinions out of this for a second, and take a look at the education system. The change Mr. Smith is trying to make, the resources he is trying to teach ARE DESPERATELY NEEDED IN THIS COUNTY. Wake up people this is a real life situation happening every day in schools, yes it is appropriate and yes it needs to be taught. Stop hating on this man just because he is not from here jesus christ.
Also, Religion is not allowed in schools for good reason. Mainly, because like I would hope many of you remember from history class… AMERICA IS THE LAND OF THE FREE. Christianity is not the only religion practiced, get over it. Besides, when I was in school the bad kids were the pastor’s kids so the logic strict religious kids will help is straight trash. Practice whatever religion you want AT HOME, and leave it out the schools.
I applaud Dr. Smith and for the school district for including this scenario (News alert I had this scenario when I took the test in 2021 THIS IS NOTHING NEW). In this new age of technology there needs to be regulations. Whoever is against this, I believe y’all do not really understand what goes on behind your student’s phone screen and what they do at school. For instance, when I was in school a “nude” was going around and a guy was showing it to people. Also, the year prior a person’s nudes got sent to the majority of the school. Parents please wake up! Not having this scenario will just make things worse for the future while technology advances. Instead of getting mad at the school district/Dr. Smith may have talks and engage with your student/child about this topic. If we have assemblies about asking consent and programs that inform students about substance abuse and mental health then what is the difference between that and having this scenario.
I’ve noticed a couple trends with the people most upset by this: poor grammar and throwing around the buzzwords like WOKE and CRT, neither of which has a definition they can explain.
And people wonder why Florida is struggling to hire teachers…
We need to go back to voting for the superintendent.
Don’t look at this with the same political eyes as CRT and whatnot. Alot of students in the county don’t have the mentorship at home to learn of these issues that can be detrimental to youth. Revenge porn and suicide are issues that should be discussed with kids this age, and if you are doing it at home, good. But alot of kids aren’t being taught this. It’s sink or swim for alot of children
after the crt video disobey , hide , caught, lie scandal ; now this ; somebody is nervous and should be ; maybe some up above the superintendent? ; voters are tired of poor government services !
Escambia County has consistently ranked next to dead last in education with some of the poorest and lowest performing schools in he state, and all of you think we should go back to doing what we’ve been doing. Setting aside even this specific issue (which is a non-issue, and all of your reactions are ridiculous and nonsensical), if we had it your way, we would still be in the dark ages. Makes me wonder if maybe those of you opposed are exactly the kind of people this very question is talking about. Hmph.
What’s the big deal, Don’t take naked pictures, don’t kill yourself.
Tim did a good job of navigating COVID.
Kept schools open, kept a dashboard. Kept sports going and so on.
Give him a break.
Parents grow up.. your middle schoolers and even elementary age schoolers are interested in sex, help them navigate all that.
The electorate voted for appointed superintendent, don’t politicize this board, he signed a contract. See it through.
This is what happens when attention is not paid to education. Political correctness and woke is and will continue to be a plague on this nation unless or until parents and concerned citizens take back their communities. There were and are warning signs about this guy and parents/citizens have got to intervene and get it right. Education and preparation for success not indoctrination into socialism and being woke and broke!
Honestly, this county is a JOKE! No one had anything to say when the GOOD ‘OL BOY system was in place…Are you people hiding under a rock? The question/Scenario is something that is REAL LIFE! These kids are dealing with way more than you think they are. That is why they are depressed, sad, needing so much counseling and even committing suicide. What is the big deal? What are you really upset with Dr. Smith about? Are you mad because he is implementing a MUCH NEEDED change in this county? Are you mad because he has promoted numerous black administrators? Are you mad because you can no longer have your way? Like seriously, what are you people mad about? Get off of Dr. Smith! Do you think the question/scenario on the R&R Handbook is worse than the things YOUR children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews view on their phones, one social media and even hear/see at your own family reunions? You people are ridiculous. Let’s get to the real problem….!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
REGARDING THE QUESTION:
“what does this have to do with education in a public classroom!!!”
It turns out education works better without suicide and soap opera atmosphere. It detracts from the learning of other needed things.
The question provoked some to consider the possible consequences of unwise actions. Others think that considering dangers makes children be drawn to the dangers. They prefer their children remain ignorant of all but the most basic knowledge. Thus, they were offended. Since they were offended, they wish to be rid of the one who spurred their latest offense.
David for better people
There’s nothing wrong with this scenario being presented to middle and high school students because these types of things happen more than you know and students should know how to respond in these situations. Most parents do not discuss these types of things with their children because they have their heads buried in the sand and believe that this would never happen to their child. And God forbid that something like this did happen, if would be those that are condemning this test that would be the ones shocked that it happened to their child. There’s a lot of bad things happening every day in this world and although it’s impossible to prepare our children for it all, we need to do our best at trying. We’re constantly presenting scenarios at home on what to do in different situations and appreciate help from the school if appropriate. You will never be able to please everyone. Good luck Dr. Smith.
2020 graduate, I applaud you as the sanest response on here. These parents will never admit their precious babies do these things though.
I’m glad that they finally put something in the handbook about that. This was a genuine issue when I was in middle and high school. When I was in high school, a group of guys ran a girl out of our school because they sent her nudes to the entire lunch room. They committed a crime and received no punishment. It’s about time that students are finally educated on the consequences of their actions. We can’t pretend like this doesn’t happen because it very obviously does. If you think that your teenager shouldn’t be exposed to this, check their phone. Open your 15 year old son’s TikTok and scroll down a few videos and tell me that he isn’t exposed to worse.
It’s about time. I DID NOT vote for the superintendent to be appointed. EVERY voter should want to know what kind of person “they are voting for.” When it comes to a School Superintendent, parents should be concerned about the values of the person running the school board. We should want someone to promote #1 a safe environment, #2 moral values and #3 encourage the eagerness to learn so that students can add something to the value of life and support of the family.
This is a Quint Studer appointee.
Along with the Children’s Trust (Quint Studer), which was voted in by folks who do not pay property taxes.
They take out more money for the trust than libraries. Go figure…
Molino Mom, You are 100 percent correct. At my child’s middle school, a week of valuable instruction time was wasted “going over” this test. On Friday of that week, the students took a 75 question test on their chrome books. The grade was recorded and posted in focus as an assignment. It is, at that point, curriculum.
Bring back Malcolm Thomas.
To address the current issue:
Did Smith write the test?
Is Smith required to see each test before its given?
Since I’m positive the answer to both questions is a resounding No, then let’s look at;
Who wrote the test?
Who is responsible for checking the test?
Place blame where blame belongs. In the classrooms, with this crazy left wing teachers the county has hired. With the WOKE administrators.
Our schools sh9uld support our community values.
All that said, yes I do get where the test writer was going with the question. The bullying in school and cyberbullying in and out of school I completely out of control. That’s why my Grands are now home schooled.
I definitely agree with “my two cents”. I just hope that question (appointed or elected) comes up again for the citizens to vote on. Personally, I like to do my research on candidates BEFORE I vote on anyone running for an elected office.
Everyone should have known this would come He’s not one of the good ole boys SAD BUT TRUE
I don’t understand. What are they even saying Tim Smith did wrong? This makes no sense.
@NachoMama
And at your not supporting Christian values and upholding the details of this other behavior, you can teach that at your house as well, sending nudes, condoning promoting suicidal thoughts. What’s good for one side is good for the other side!
And not in the schools!
Let’s stick to the basics!
All the parents judging Dr. Smith, do you check your kids phones daily to see the trash they are looking at and sending/spreading? Do you punish your child for vaping in class? Or do you cover up their bad behavior and make excuses for them? Some of you are worried about what your kids read at school, but I’m more shocked at the things I see written/done by your children.
Yes, Superintendent should be elected not appointed.
@Jason, every person should try to be happy where they are. If you are not happy, you have the right to move to other places in order to try to be happy. Simple enough? Don’t sit here whining and complaining about it and continuing your unhappiness. Do something about it and seek happiness elsewhere.
@Nachomamma, separation of church and state is probably a good principle, however not absolute.
This story is just one of the many things this guy has done wrong. So many more things he’s changed or implemented. Look at the job openings for the school system. They can’t get anyone to work there because of this. He moved awesome principles from good performing schools to failing schools. They basically got punished for doing a good job. The teachers have had a lot of extra work put on them and the list just goes on and on. Because of this I know personally of so many teachers who plan on leaving at the end of the year for something different or going to other counties. We’re going to loose a lot more if this guy stays.
This is a real situation that happens every day! If you believe your child has not seen or heard of stuff like this, then you probably don’t have a TV or cell phone.
The people that say teaching this at home, have you been to school to find out how many kids have no support at home?
I’m a conservative and I’m a Christian, but I also realize this is REAL LIFE situations. This is happening in our schools. ALL children need to be taught that #1 you dont send nudes to ANYONE! #2 You dont pick on people bc it’s wrong – That is what this statement is trying to teach. It’s not encouraging any child to do anything wrong. If you think this couldn’t be your child. THINK AGAIN!!! Talk to your children early on, dont hide these things from them. You may be saving their life if you teach them about the “BAD” things in the world. Teaching them only the good is setting them up for harm because this is a MEAN MEAN world we live in. This superintendent does not deserve to lose his job. Look at what they wanted to teach our kids just a few months ago…
This Guy should be run slap out of town for allowing this . He is a Liberal Groomer and there are Teacher and Principals Dropping like flies over his Liberal Lack of Values . The Principal of Molino Park Quit One week into school over him after 30+ Years in ECSB . You dont quit a 30+ year Job where you have reached the Highest Position available one week into a new year because you woke up on the Wrong side of the Bed …
TEM for GO WOKE GO BROKE ….
The people should elect the Superintendent of Schools and there should be term limits!
This scenario is real, it happens and happens all to frequently.
Wake up people this is the real world!!!!!! The kids see it and hear about it.
IT IS LIKE DRUGS, YOU CAN NOT HIDE FROM THEM
Must be against the law now to teach Reading Writing and Arithmetic.
Concerned citizen your Christian values are to be taught at home and places of worship NOT public schools. Separation of church and government.
He needs to go. This is NOT a scenario that needs to be discussed. It puts unnecessary, and unsafe, responsibilities on a child whose only responsibility is to notify a responsible adult. I feel like he is testing the waters so that greater steps can be taken toward all other “controversial” issues.
I’m my opinion what does this have to do with education in a public classroom!!! I’m going to upset some parents, but some of you need to do your job at home as a PARENT!!! The kids need to be learning math, reading, history and stuff at school if you choose to send them there!! Get more involved with you kids, build trust. Have them come to you instead of the school teacher.
I agree we should never have given up our right to elect the school superintendent. It appears from Mr. Smith’s response there is a bit of ‘passing the buck’ and not taking full responsibility. Also, when you start at a new school system shouldn’t the first thing you review be how things are reviewed and who has permission to add items to county exams?
Suicide and drugs are huge in this county. All adults play a role in guiding the youth of this county. Take the opportunity to get to know some of our youth and encourage them. We all want to say it’s the parents role and it is however, aunts, uncles, neighbors can all be that positive influence in a young persons life. If each adult would commit to investing positively into just one young person in this county what an amazing place this would be. Then, perhaps there wouldn’t be a question of nude photos resulting in suicide.
He was caught, and then apologized, for pushing something close to critical race theory. He now is caught, and apologizes, for this stupid stunt. Is he apologizing for doing it or getting caught. Hold you breath. The school board hired him. They won’t fire him.
Time for a change. We had Malcom for way to long. This superintendent has cost us several of our best administrators and school staff because his interest are more into running a business than educating our children. These children get more of the wrong kind of education on the cell phone and chrome books than in class .
We need our right to vote on a superintendent restored !
FIRE HIM TODAY!! He is terrible. Position should be elected. But just my opinion is hire someone local. Someone who understands OUR community and how we work and how we want our schools ran.
hopefully the school board will step up and do what’s right for the county and get rid of this guy. He’s been steadily bringing his cronies from south Florida up to positions in this district rather than promoting from within from people who have actual KNOWLEDGE of how the district should be run, along with a complete LACK of true leadership and trying to move this district forward. He has no positive input for teachers and his lack of incite shows in his inability to achieve more parental involvement in schools that have declining grades. His screwup trying to get rid of awards for valedictorian and salutatorians just affirmed that he’s in that “everyone gets a trophy” mindset that needs to go away……just like him.
And @ Jason, maybe since you don’t like escambia county so badly, you can take a hike with ol’ Timmy.
Let the “Good ol’ Boys appoint officials…. That’s the answer.
I was told this was actually taken for a grade at some schools. If that’s the case then it becomes curriculum. This is similar to the video last year the teachers in the district were so against and brought it to the boards attention. What about the books in circulation paper/electronic in middle and high that depicts graphic sexual acts. This has also been brought to his attention but no action taken. When will they start listening to complaints?
I believe that this is at least the 2nd time Mr. Smith has had to walk back a decision attempted to be implemented regarding some type of agenda based information. The man is ruining our local school system. He does not have the confidence of many, if any teachers and support staff in our county. In District 5 alone (includes you too Bill Slayton), I can name 2 schools that have had principals put in place to push the leftist woke agenda. I would suggest that if any School Board wants to keep their position in the next elections, they should terminate Tim Smith immediately.
We the citizens also need to take back our right to vote for this position. I really believe people did not know what they were voting for when they gave up that Right. Maybe someone smarter than myself can figure out away to have the Amendment placed on the ballot to give the Right of decision of Superintendent back to We The People. Guaranteed this man would have never been voted in if we had the choice.
This is not Mr. Smith’s first misstep. How about that story of his earlier outlandish shenanigans. You remember back in June of his first year? Mr. Smith attempted to do away with valedictorians and salutatorians for graduating seniors (with some ill advised help from a few board members and the director of high schools). However, it fell flat and was removed from the board’s agenda before it could be brought up for discussion or a vote. He did manage to lower the standard by slipping through the removal of grade point average requirements for middle school students to move on to high school.
Since the voters by the slimiest of margin voted to give up their voice and allow the school board to select the superintendent, the only way to right the ship is to vote out of office every incumbent school board member who hired Mr. Smith. Do you think that this is not what is going on in board members who are up for re-election in November? Think again because they are fighting like mad for their board seats. They’ll surely sacrifice Smith at taxpayer expense just to be electable.
And the school board wants you to believe that this is the guy who would raise the bar in education. (Insert eye roll here) He’s only following orders from the board. Got it? Probably not.
So, how many of you parents have had a discussion like this with your middle or high school student? Suicide is the leading cause of death in this age group. I see nothing wrong with this question.
Tim, it was a big mistake coming to a backwards County like eSCAMbia County. Nothing you do will please these people. Some would call for your head if you said you liked Bear Bryant, lol.
I see absolutely nothing wrong with this. This scenario is real, it happens and happens all to frequently.
I see the whole thing as nothing more than a political ploy to get ride of the superintendent without paying his severance.
Yep. Never should’ve went to appointed superintendent.
Never appoint who you can elect.
Take it back.
The released statement above is a CYA letter by all terms of the definition. So let’s give him the benefit of the doubt and assume he didn’t know it went out in the form it did. It is his ultimate responsibility to personally READ everything presented to our students when administered in a quiz or testing format since this evidently sums up a child’s understanding. NOT. He is not doing his job if he didn’t know because he trusts the “independent decisions” of employees in the school district. Sounds like plenty of evidence to terminate his employment.
Now, after this clown is gone bring the “appointed or elected” superintendent back to a vote by the citizens and see what shakes out. I believe because of what we know now 2 years later you’re going to have a much different outcome than before. Those of us that are “awake” see right through matters such as this that’s happening in our school districts all over the country. It’s all about “dumbing down” and depopulation.
Maybe the books in the libraries that are so descriptive of sex acts between all genders, including rape, will be more scrutinized. Why is nobody listening to these complaints?
Bad hire from the beginning.
First of all, the voters are to blame for giving up the right to vote on the leader of our school system.
Second, the board should have known when they hired him, he leans to the left.
Put him on the road.
This is what happens when you allow a few to appoint a Superintendent. Let people of Escambia county choose. Put it back in the voters hands.
When will we understand as a community that our only hope to build the valuable lives of our children is with a solid belief in Jesus Christ and the Christian/Judeo values that our country was built upon. The government (school board) sure can’t and won’t do it. If we had Christian values as our standard, in the scenario given, Susie and her boyfriend wouldn’t have been in the situation to have nude pics and the whole rest of the story would be different. How can sane people not see that? Fathers and Mothers need to be Fathers and Mothers and let schools teach reading, writing and arithmetic..
Really? This is what we’re focusing our energy and time on? Who cares? Why is everyone making a big deal out of this? There are much more important things going on in our community.
Voting to give up our right to elect our Superintendent of Schools was one of the worst mistakes we have made.