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.
Highway 95A Resurfacing Begins; New Traffic Pattern Recommended For Jim Allen Elementary Area
September 20, 2022
Work started Monday to resurface Highway 95A from Molino to Cantonment, and a new suggested traffic pattern will be introduced this week in an attempt to alleviate problems near Jim Allen Elementary School.
Highway 95A Resurfacing
Highway 95A is being milled and resurfaced by contractor Roads, Inc. from Highway 29 in Molino to the intersection with Highway 29 and Morris Avenue in Cantonment. The 9.16 mile, $2.1 million project will also include the shoulders and turn lanes.
“I’m so excited for the beginning of the much needed resurfacing of over 9 miles of Highway 95A from Molino all the way south to the heart of Cantonment,” Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said Monday.
Lane closures are planned from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m.
According to Escambia County, paving near Jim Allen Elementary on the southern end of the project is planned for Saturday, October 2 in order to not interfere with school traffic.
Weather permitting, the resurfacing should be completed by October 7. About two weeks later, final thermoplastic striping will be installed over the temporary paint striping.
Improving Jim Allen Elementary Traffic
Officials are hoping that a new suggested traffic pattern will alleviate big traffic problems near drop-off and dismissal times at Jim Allen Elementary School on Highway 95A.
As NorthEscambia.com reported in late August, vehicles line the side of the roadway waiting to turn into the school during car rider times, and vehicles travel on the shoulder to get around a backed up turn lane.
“We will have signage installed attempting to direct through, non-local, traffic away from the area in front of Jim Allen Elementary during the student drop-off times in the morning and student pick-up times in the afternoon. We are hoping all non-local traffic will utilize Neal Road and Highway 29 to make their way between Molino and Cantonment during these high congestion times in front of the school for the increased safety of all involved,” Barry said.
The signs asking drivers to use Neal Road, and avoid Jim Allen Elementary during peak times, are expected to be installed by the end of this week.
Pictured top: In late August, an Escambia School bus became stuck when attempting to pass traffic on the shoulder of Highway 95A near Jim Allen Elementary School. Pictured below: A dump truck passes traffic near the school. Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Emergency Dispatcher Lunsford Retires After 35 Years
September 20, 2022
Escambia County emergency dispatcher Doug Lunsford retired Monday after 35 years of service to Escambia County. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Updated: Missing Cat Found Deceased; Carjacking Did Not Happen
September 20, 2022
Update: We are told by the Friends of the Escambia County Animal Shelter that Slinky the cat has been found deceased, and there was never a carjacking as first reported by the group.
Monday night, the Friends group told us that foster kitty “Slinky” was believed to be inside a vehicle carjacked Sunday night at a convenience store at Nine Mile Road at Pine Forest Road.
Tuesday afternoon, Friends of the Escambia County Animal Shelter said the individual was not carjacked but appears to have suffered a medical emergency. Friends President Kim Rainer said the vehicle was located Tuesday across the intersection in the Publix parking lot with Slinky deceased inside.
“Slinky came in as a stray in late July. She was shy and a little fearful, so the shelter put her with an experienced foster to help her come out of her shell,” Rainer told NorthEscambia.com.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday afternoon that it did not appear that they responded to a carjacking in the area on Sunday and are not investigating. An Escambia County spokesperson was researching the incident. Check back for further updates.
Pictured: Foster kitty “Slinky”. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Gets 127.5 Months After Pleading In Child Porn Case
September 20, 2022
A Cantonment man took a plea deal in a child porn case and was sentenced to prison prior to jury selection Monday.
Patrick Taylor Wynn, 31, pleaded no contest and found found guilty of 10 counts of possession of child pornography. He was sentenced by Judge Coleman Robinson to 127.5 months in state prison with credit for just over two years served in the county jail awaiting trial since his July 2020 arrest.
As part of the plea arrangement, 10 additional child porn charges against Wynn were dropped, as were charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Ian Lopez, Wynn’s roommate, was also charged in the case and received just over 10.5 years in prison in a plea deal last December.
In 2020, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office receive a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding 5,208 upload files of apparent child pornography. The user account information, including the username “John Appleseed”, user id, email and IP address were provided.
The IP address was traced to an address in the 4000 block of Pebble Creek Drive, where the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant .
A resident of the home described Wynn and Lopez as partners that had recently moved to 3061 Wiggins Lane in Cantonment.
Wynn told deputies that he viewed adult pornography, but when questioned further he requested an attorney, according to an arrest report.
Deputies found a thumb drive in a master bathroom connected to Lopez’s room that contained at least 20 images of obvious child pornography, the report states. A SD card containing at least 20 child porn videos, a thumb drive with 20 more child porn videos, and portable hard drive with three child pron videos were located in Wynn’s bedroom, the arrest report states.
The videos pertained to male children between about five and 15-years old engaged in sexual activity, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Also in Wynn’s bedroom, the ECSO reported they found a pipe and crystal methamphetamine.
A preliminary digital forensics examination conducted on Wynn’s iPhone found an account matching the reported storage account containing 5,208 child pornography images, the ECSO said.
Sunny And Warm Weather Continues For The Week
September 20, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 72. North wind around 5 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 94. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 70. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 96. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 71. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph after midnight.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 92. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 67. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 88. East wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 67. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 89.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 84.
Smokey Bear, Florida Forest Service At Molino Library Story Time Wednesday
September 20, 2022
The Florida Forest Service and Smokey Bear will be at the Molino Library this Wednesday at 11 a.m. for Family Story Time.
Children will learn how to prevent wildfires and what it means to be a forest ranger.
The program will also be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Westside Library, and September 28 at the Pensacola Library.
Pictured: Smokey the Bear during a previous story time event earlier this month at the Tryon Library. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
10,000 Pound Food Giveaway This Afternoon In Cantonment
September 20, 2022
The Cantonment Improvement Committee will hold a drive-thru 10,000 pound food giveaway Tuesday afternoon at Carver Park on Webb Street.
The food distribution will begin at 3:30 p.m. and continue while supplies last for anyone in need of food. People should line up their vehicles, single file on Webb Street facing north; food will be loaded into vehicles. Identification is required.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Peggy Mathis McDonald
September 20, 2022
Mrs. Peggy Mathis McDonald, age 69, passed away, Sunday, September 18, 2022, at her home in Century, FL. She was lifelong resident of Century, FL. She retired from Vanity Fair Mills with many years of service. She was a member of Abundant Life Assembly of God Church.
She valued the time she has got to spend with her family, especially her two grandchildren, Kendall and Traegan. She enjoyed the great family outings, especially “Red Lobster”. She enjoyed going to church, going to the beach, the mountains, and shopping.
She is preceded in death by her parents, James Oliver Mathis, Sr; and Mary Helen Moore Mathis, husband, Charles Ware McDonald, and one brother, Jerry Wayne Mathis.
She is survived by her one son, Michael Allen McDonald, of Century, FL; two brothers, James O. “Dooley” (Vivian) Mathis, of Century, FL; Johnny Mathis, of Century, FL; four sisters, Mildred (Danny) Higdon, of Flomaton, AL; Evelyn (Bill) Cozart, of Jay, FL; Gayle (Chuck) Aldridge, of Century, FL; Kathy Mathis Simmons, of Jay, FL; two grandchildren, Kendall McDonald, Traegan McDonald, numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Funeral service will be held Thursday, September 22, 2022 at 2:00 PM at Abundant Life Assembly of God Church with Rev. Joey Johnson, and Rev. Bill Cozart officiating.
Burial will follow at Flomaton Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Thursday, September 22, 2022 from 1:00 PM until service time at 2:00 PM at Abundant Life Assembly of God Church.
Pallbearers will be Travis Johnson, Steve Stanton, Brian Conway, and Jon Jon Bondurant.
Honorary pallbearers will be Chuck Aldridge, and Joe Walston.
Miriam Ruth “Ruthie” McGhee
September 20, 2022
Ms. Miriam Ruth “Ruthie” McGhee, age 56, passed away, Thursday, September 15, 2022 in Atmore, AL. She was a resident of Poarch, AL. most of her life, and was a proud member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. She was a member of the Dyas Assembly of God Church.
She enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. She loved her heritage and always loved to travel. She was a”2022” contestant for the Elder Princess Contest. She obtained the qualifications to become a Tribal Artisan for her beadwork. Her passion was watching her family during NAYO and NASA and many other sporting events.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Alton Jackson and Julia Ann McGhee, grandmother, Lunie Mae McGhee, three aunts, Hattie Mae (Howard) McGhee, Marie (Otha) Martin, Frances (Billy) Robbins, and one uncle, John Arthur McGhee.
She is survived by her two sons, Heath (Heather) Wiggins, of Excel, AL; Nolan (Alex) Wiggins, of Gulf Shores, AL; one daughter, Taylor Wiggins, Poarch, AL; two brothers, Rodney McGhee, of Atmore, AL; Lathaniel (Pam) McGhee, of Pensacola, FL; two sisters, Juliette (Larry) Haikey, of Poarch, AL; Stephanie (Keith) Bryan, of Atmore, AL; two aunts, Ellen “Maxine” Johnson, of Poarch, AL; Bernice McGhee, of Poarch, AL; ten grandchildren, Aubree Wiggins, Parker Wiggins, Knox Wiggins, McCoy Wiggins, Karsyn Wiggins, Rush Wiggins, Brantley Wiggins, Charlie Wiggins, Jackson Newton, Molly Ann Newton, plus granddaughter Wiggins on the way, numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Graveside service will be Tuesday, September 20, 2022 at 2:30 PM at Judson Creek Indian Cemetery with Rev. Don Sanks officiating.
Burial will follow at Judson Creek Indian Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Nolan Wiggins, Rodney McGhee, Logan McGhee, Jeremy McGhee, Brannon Sanspree, and Chase Amerson.