Escambia School Board To Consider Return To Elected Superintendent; Voters Would Make Final Decision
February 25, 2023
The question of whether the Escambia County school superintendent should be elected or appointed may be back headed back to the ballot.]
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.
Now, District 1 member Kevin Adams intends to present a resolution to the school board on March 21 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.
Adams made a campaign promise to present referendums to the board for a vote when citizens ask.
“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.,” he said. “And let them choose.”
Escambia County Commissioner Jeff Bergosh, who represents the same District 1 as Adams, said he would vote for placing the referendum on the ballot if it reaches the commission, but he does not necessarily support an elected superintendent.
“I believe the BCC will put this forward as we should,” Bergosh wrote on his blog. “Although I am not necessarily supportive of the Elected Superintendent model—I believe if the school board votes for it to be added to the ballot, the citizens have the right to once again vote on it.
Smith, the current appointed superintendent, told the school board this week 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 give a chance.”
He cited a declining graduation rate across the state and a labor shortage that have plagued the school district during his administration.
“This is not an easy school district. There are many, many challenges,” he said, citing hard work by schools toward the “herculean task” of trying to close the achievement gap.
“We’ve got the complaining down. We are really good as a community with the complaining; we’ve got it. But I don’t hear people talking about ‘what am I going to do’,” as he praised teachers and staff for their hard work.
“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.”
Former Middle School Art Teacher Facing Additional Charges In Student Sexual Assault Case
February 25, 2023
A now former Beulah Middle School art teacher is facing additional charges after his arrest in early February on child sex charges involving a student.
Winston Hezekiah Foster, 61, was originally charged with sexual assault, lewd or lascivious behavior on a victim age 12 to 16, and a sexual offense against a student by an authority figure. He was released on a $60,000 bond shortly after his February 2 arrest.
Foster was arrested Friday afternoon on two new counts of sexual battery on a victim age 16 or 17. He was released on a $40,000 bond 14 minutes after being booked into the Escambia County Jail. The new charges, according to the State Attorney’s Office, are related to the original case.
In December, the State Attorney’s Office received a complaint from the victim who alleged Foster, her former middle school art teacher, had a sexual relationship with her from October of 2017 when she was 15-years old until September 2019 when she was 17-years old. She said Foster was her art teacher for sixth, seventh and eighth grade while she attended Woodham Middle School.
She told investigators that it was not uncommon for art students to come visit Foster before school. She said Foster “started to be more forward with her and make comments that she thought were ‘weird’ for him to say,” according to an arrest warrant, before inviting her to do things outside of school. She said he invited her for sushi, and they went back to his house to eat. She said he kissed her, but that was it. In 2017, he allegedly took her to see a movie in about October 2017 before taking her to his house and having sex, the warrant obtained by NorthEscambia.com states.
“During the summer months, when Foster was off and his wife was at work, he would pick her up from her home and take her back to his house,” according to the warrant. The victim also alleged they had sex in a supply closet in his classroom at Woodham Middle School in 2017 and then at Beulah Middle School in 2018 and 2019. She also stated they had “virtual sex” through an app while Foster was in Houston visiting his very ill daughter.
According to district documents, Foster was an art teacher at Beulah Middle School and previously at Woodham Middle School.
According to Escambia County Public Schools, Foster was no longer an employee as of February 2.
Foster’s mugshot was not made available by the Escambia County Jail, which cited a Florida statute (F.S.S 119.071) that typically protects law enforcement and first responder mugshots and those of their families from public release. The jail did not cite the specific exemption claimed by Foster. Foster is pictured above from his arrest warrant (left) and after winning an art educator award while he was at Beulah Middle School.
Century Lodge Adopts Northview High Teacher
February 25, 2023
Century Lodge No. 213 F & AM selected Northview High School Language Arts Teacher Roy Brown at the Lodge’s Adopt a Teacher for 2023.
Brown was presented $100 from Century Lodge and received a certificate from the Grand Lodge of Florida.
Pictured: Century Lodge Secretary James Moretz (left) and Master Dwight Hopkins (center) make the presentation to Northview High teacher Roy Brown. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate, Niceville Baseball Suspended Due To Fog
February 25, 2023
Friday night’s Tate Aggie at Niceville baseball game was suspended in the bottom of the fourth inning due to fog
Tate was up 8-2.
There was no immediate word on when the game might be complete.
Pictured: Fog rolls in Friday night in Niceville. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jay Wins With 9th Inning Walk-off Over Northview
February 25, 2023
The Jay Royals defeated the Northview Chiefs on a walk-off in nine innings Friday night in Jay, 4-3.
Layna Lowery led off in the circle for the Royals going three innings, allowing four hits, no runs and striking out four. Jenna Toups earned the win allowing three hits and three runs with one strikeout in six innings.
Ella Nelson and Kassidy Nevels both went 2-4 to lead the Royals at the plate.
Emma Gilmore went a full eight and a third innings for Northview, giving up four runs on three hits and striking out four. Gilmore, Aubrey Struckey, Allison Flowers, Makayla Golson and Mary-Clayton Dawson each had one hit for the Chiefs.
The Chiefs will host Pace next Tuesday at 6 p.m., and the Royals will travel to Gulf Breeze at 6:30 Tuesday.
Pictured: Northview’s Emma Gilmore pitches against T.R. Miller Thursday night. NorthEscambia.com, photo, click to enlarge.
Ballot Set For Century Council Special Election March 28
February 25, 2023
Four candidates for town council have qualified to be on the March 28 special election ballot in Century — an election being held because no one ran for the seats in 2022.
Shelisa McCall and Evelyn Webber will vie for council Seat 3. McCall was appointed on an interim basis to the seat in January. McCall is president of the chamber of commerce, while Webber just recently moved to town.
Alicia Johnson and Eddie Hammond will face off for council Seat 4. Johnson was appointed on an interim basis to the seat in January. Both candidates are former town employees.
Because only two candidates qualified for each seat, a primary is not required. The special general election will be held on March 28. The vote by mail request deadline is March 18.
The seats were left vacant in January after no one sought election last year. Seat 3 councilman Leonard White resigned citing time constraints due to his job as correctional officer at the Century Correctional Institution. Seat 4 council member James Smith, Jr. did not seek reelection.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Jay Woman Struck By And Killed Walking Across Escambia County Roadway
February 24, 2023
A Jay woman was struck by a car and killed while trying to walk across an Escambia County roadway Thursday night.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the 54-year old woman was walking across Michigan Avenue at Memphis Avenue when she was struck by the front of a SUV. She was transported to a Sacred Heart Hospital where she died a short time later.
The 39-year old male driver of the SUV was not injured.
Charges Dropped Against Three Accused Of Ladarius Clardy Murder
February 24, 2023
Prosecutors have dropped the charges against three of five people charged in the murder of Ladarius Clardy.
The State Attorney’s Office said Thursday that charges were dropped against Timothy Donaill Knight, Terrell Taquez Parker and Kobie Lashun Jenkins, Jr.
“The lawful arrests were made based on probable cause after a comprehensive investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The legal standard for the Office of State Attorney to prosecute a crime requires a greater standard of proof beyond and to the exclusion of reasonable doubt. Currently, the evidence does not meet that standard,” the State Attorney’s Office said in a statement.
“The Office of the State Attorney and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office will continue to diligently investigate and gather information in this case. Upon developing sufficient admissible evidence, charges against Knight and Parker will be reinitiated,” the SAO continued.
Brothers Daquavion Keamos Snowden and Amos Dehontiquan Snowden, Jr., are still charged with Clardy’s murder with trial set for this summer.
Clardy, a former standout Pine Forest High School quarterback, was found shot dead in a vehicle crash about 1 a.m. on July 1, 2021. His vehicle was found with over 50 bullet holes in a ravine.
Woman Charged With Felony Theft, Possessing Device To Avoid Detection
February 24, 2023
A Flomaton woman is accused of theft and possessing a device to avoid detection.
Madonna Faith Barnhill was charged with felony petit theft with two or more prior convictions and felony possession of an anti-shoplifting device.
Barnhill was accused of placing $606.46 worth of merchandise inside an empty microwave box and walking past all points of sale at the Walmart on Pensacola Boulevard. The merchandise was recovered by Walmart’s loss prevention, and the incident was captured on camera, according to an arrest report.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, a Makita chainsaw in the box, a DeWalt circular saw and pressure washer in their boxes, multiple brand named purses and other miscellaneous items with Belk price tags were found in her vehicle. She was not charged in connection with these items, but they were seized and placed into evidence.
Deputies also recovered an item often used to foil shoplifting detection systems.
The ECSO seized the vehicle because it was used in the commission of an alleged felony.
According to the ECSO, Barnhall has three prior convictions for theft.
Mark Your Calendars: Food Distribution Set For March 11 In Gonzalez
February 24, 2023
A food distribution is set for Saturday, March 11 in Gonzalez.
The distribution will begin at 8 a.m. and continue while supplies last at the Gonzalez United Methodist church. Vehicles can begin lining up at 7:30 a.m., and organizers say there will be enough food for at least 300 families.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed getting out into the community and being able to help our friends in District 1 get what they need”, said Rep. Michelle Salzman. “Along with Farm Share and the Gonzalez United Methodist Church, these events have become an amazing asset to help us provide food once every quarter to this part of the county that needs it so much. Especially with prices rising as they have been, it’s comforting to know that we’ve helped ensure some food on their tables every few months.”
‘“And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you did it to me.’,” said Gonzalez United Methodist Church Pastor Andy Perry, quoting Matthew 25:40. “As a Church, we cannot live isolated from our community. Rather, what Jesus and even the season of Lent reminds us of is that we are to be truly engaged in caring for those who do not have the means that many others have. Being involved in this food distribution allows us to engage and connect with the people in North Escambia county in a very real and tangible way, as the hands and feet of Jesus to help our neighbor. This is truly an opportunity to fulfill the commandment: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’.”
The food distribution is intended to provide supplemental help for families who may be struggling through a hard time.
The distribution will be made possible by Farm Share, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Commissioner Steven Barry, Congressman Matt Gaetz, Kevin Stephens with ECUA District 5, International Paper, the Marine Corps League, Gonzalez United Methodist Church, Aaron Erskine, Thompson Trucking, and other community partners.
Pictured: A food distribution at the Gonzalez United Methodist Church last November. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
