(PENSACOLA) --- Voter suppression in the Escambia County Superintendent of Schools election is a concern.
The contentious matter was the primary concern at the April 1 Escambia County Commissioners Meeting. The county's appointed school superintendent position dates back to my days at WEAR, when I interviewed Dr. Tim Smith, who is now long gone.
Leave it to OpGov.News to report the exact tone of the meeting and the matter. It picked up "the most significant discussion revolved around the placement of a school superintendent referendum on the August 2026 primary ballot," which raised concerns among the public and Commissioner Lumon May.
That's where I come in to give you the public's exact words, beginning with retired teacher Lily Eubanks, the first to take to the podium during public comment on the agenda item.
(Photo: Lily Eubanks, teacher of 30 years, told commissioners the superintendent post should not be put on the ballot)
"As a retired teacher with over 30 years of experience, I'm upset that the school board wants to do away with the best educational practice of having an appointed school superintendent," Eubanks said.
She reminded the commissioners, "It was just in 2018 that the citizens of Escambia County voted to join 99% of the nation and have a hired superintendent who had educational training to run a large school district, instead of someone more interested in politics than in best practices for schools."
"During those less than eight years of trying the new system, superintendents had to deal with COVID and post-COVID issues," Eubanks said. "And with years of book banning, this was hardly a fair trial."
The timing of the move is disconcerting to Eubanks.
"In addition to trying to switch back to including politics in our school system, the school board wants the referendum put on the August primary ballot instead of the general ballot in November," Eubanks said, pointing out that midterm primaries have a low turnout compared to the general election.
"Especially in closed primaries like states like Florida, many voters don't bother to vote in primaries because they don't believe there is anything for them to vote on," Eubanks said.
I will let the AI platform point out Craig Jones's issue with the matter.
(Photo: Craig Jones charges that placing the school superintendent post on the primary ballot is voter suppression)
"Speaking on behalf of his wife, Linda Fussell, Mr. Jones argued vehemently against placing the school superintendent referendum on the August primary ballot," according to the platform.
Craig cited research and local statistics from Escambia County's 2024 elections to point out "primary elections exclude a significant portion of voters, particularly independent voters and minority groups," according to the platform.
His exact words echo the same, again proving AI's accuracy.
"According to Opal research, in 2025, parents and younger voters, those with the most at stake, are nearly twice as likely to participate in the general election as primary," Jones said, ending with a question. "Why not wait three months to get their vote?"
Resident Derek Scott confirmed the same.
(Photo: Derek Scott had no problem pointing out primaries only bring skewed, white partisan voters, a blatant move by the school board in posting in August)
"If you place it on the 2026 primary ballot, you are knowingly limiting participation," Scott said. "Primary elections here are consistently drawing a smaller, less representative electorate in Florida and across this country."
Scott charges "primary voters skew older, with a disproportionate share being ages 65 and above, and are more likely to be white and partisan, particularly Republicans in closed primaries."
That's not speculation, according to Scott, "that's just fact."
In an attempt to set facts straight, Commissioner Ashlee Hoffberger called the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections, Robert Bender, to the podium to answer questions.
However, Bender's fact proved the public's concern, noting that only 24% of voters turned out in the last primary, which led right to May, who confirmed they are waiting for the Attorney General to see if they can delay the vote to November.
(Photo: Escambia County Board of Elections' Robert Bender answering official's questions on superintendent election)
According to County Attorney Allison Rogers, the board had to make a decision that evening.
"That's convenient," May said, adding that it is Rogers legal opinion but not a statutory fact. "There is nothing illegal or unethical about not following the recommendation of the school board, correct?"
Bottom line, May called the move purposeful.
(Photo: Commissioner Lumon May charging a superintendent election in August speaks to voter suppression)
"Unfortunately, it seems to be politically motivated to put it in the primary when we have the least amount of votes and voters who probably have the opinion of where this should go," May said.
While Commissioner Steve Barry said, "I don't disagree with anything that any of the speakers said," he leaned toward caution.
Barry also admitted to keeping a promise.
"I told them a year ago when they approached me that I would respect the actions of their board as a whole," Barry said.
(Photo: Commissioner Steve Barry erring on the side of caution regarding the election of a superintendent in the primary)
Commissioner Mike Kohler agreed with Barry, saying the "school board has a right as an elected body," to decide whether a superintendent should be posted or elected. Kohler also noted that they could be sued, which only added to the confusion and contention, prompting a line of May questions.
"Why would the school board send it here? Why would the legislator say send it here if we have no authority?" May posed. "You're saying we have a responsibility with no authority? That's not democracy."
The matter ended with all voting yes, except for May.
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