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Escambia School Board To Consider Return To Elected Superintendent During Tuesday Meeting
March 20, 2023
The Escambia County School Board could vote Tuesday on whether or not to move forward with the potential return to an elected superintendent.
In 2018, Escambia County voters narrowly approved a ballot referendum for an appointed superintendent, with 50.36 voting yes and 49.64 percent voting now. This was the sixth time voters had considered the idea of an appointed superintendent in the county; all of the other attempts failed.
The term of then superintendent Malcolm Thomas ended in 2020, and Dr. Tim Smith was appointed as the new school district boss.
District 1 member Kevin Adams will present a resolution to the school board on Tuesday, that if approved, will officially request a referendum to switch superintendent back to an elected job. The Escambia County Commission would then have to pass a resolution asking the legislature to place the question on the ballot during the presidential preference primary on March 19, 2024.
“I think it is a good time for the citizens to look at where we are at and decide if we need to go back to an elected superintendent.,” Adams said at a previous meeting. “And let them choose.”
Smith, the current appointed superintendent, told the school board that he does not support a return to an elected superintendent.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea to go back to an elected superintendent,” Smith said. “I think it needs to be given a chance.”
“I just hope, somehow, some way, the easy out to kick the superintendent to the curb is not out answer. I think we are better than that,” Smith said. “It’s going to take time…It’s not easy work.”
The Escambia County School Board will consider the superintendent resolution during the regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. While not on the agenda, the board could discuss the issue during a workshop meeting on Monday at 1 p.m., but a vote could not be taken at that time.
Comments
10 Responses to “Escambia School Board To Consider Return To Elected Superintendent During Tuesday Meeting”
Dr. Smith inherited all these issues. Let’s be clear, no one complained about Malcolm Thomas and how many years did he serve?
We need to vote on superintendent. We also need to find out why All county offices are at the south end of Escambia County. Shouldn’t they all be in the middle of the county? State government is in Tallahassee not Miami.
The positon should be elected not appointed as it is essentially a political position at the end of the day and therefore should represent interests and culture of the county.
The failure of the school district however is due to horrendous parenting and/or lack of parenting that results in a large percentage of almost feral children in the school system. Resources, effort, peer pressure, religion, etc. should be applied to the parent(s) in order to get them to upgrade themselves so that they take proper care of their children.
Smith, the current appointed superintendent, told the school board that he does not support a return to an elected superintendent. “I don’t think it’s a good idea to go back to an elected superintendent,” Smith said. “I think it needs to be given a chance.”
Of course Smith would feel that way, he would lose his job. School Board members are voted on, so why shouldn’t the School Board Superintendent? Board members campaign for elections so that we know how they stand on issues. Why should the Superintendent be any different. We, the public want to know who and why we should vote for that candidate. We vote for almost every political candidate….so why not the Superintendent who has control over our kids and what they are taught?
All of those who are complaining about our school system are not educated enough to do the job. They think voting onsomeone is the right way to do it. This gives them a voice to choose their love one to do a job that requires someone who is educated. Our teachers cannot teach our kids because we have made them into Babysitters of these hard headed brats. It starts at home with the parents. They need to support the teachers that’s trying to teach their children and educate them. Not comb your hair, wash your face, respect adults, etc;. Appoint out leaders, we can always appoint someone else, elections has never helped school leadership, that’s politics. wake up people. It didn’t make a dummy out of you!!!!
Only a fool would believe that ANY superintendent can turn this tide around. Discipline and respect for authority has to be taught at home. Looking at America’s family structure we lost that battle a long time ago. Teachers are no longer supported in their efforts to uphold acceptable student behavior and cannot teach the necessary skills to lead a productive life.
There is never going to be an overwhelming percentage of citizens happy with the job they are doing regardless of whether they are elected or appointed. You might get lucky and get a great one every 50 years but the odds are against it. In addition, more and more people expect schools/government to raise their kids for them.
Never, ever give up your right to vote and choose. As of now the parents are powerless to do anything about an appointed Superintendent. You get what they choose, and if you don’t like it, well that’s just too bad. Vote yes on returning to elected Superintendents.
Funny how we in this county want to get rid of the “good ole boy” system, but as soon as somebody comes in that isn’t part of it; they are the problem. This man has done nothing but make the school system better for all the kids in the system. All the problems that have been brought up were here before Dr. Smith. The elected official would put us back to where we were.
Give the power back to the VOTER!