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Elected Or Appointed School Superintendent? It’s Headed Back To The Ballot
April 2, 2026
Should Escambia County have an elected or appointed superintendent? That question is headed back to the ballot for Escambia Voters to choose again.
The question will appear on the primary election ballot on August 18, 2026, as requested by the school board. The Escambia County School Board’s request for a countywide referendum ballot placement was approved 4-1 by the Escambia County Commission on Wednesday night. Procedure required the commission to approve the school board’s request.
Escambia County Commissioner Lumon May cast the dissenting vote. May’s opposition stemmed from the school board’s request for the primary ballot rather than the general election.
“That seems to be, you know, politically motivated to put it in the primary where we have the least amount of votes,” said May.
“I think that if there’s ever an opportunity to eliminate voter suppression, give every person an opportunity to vote, we should give it at the chance that allows for the most people to come out,” May said.
“Shall the superintendent of schools of Escambia County, Florida, be elected by the majority of the qualified electors of Escambia County, Florida?” will be the exact wording on the ballot — essentially will voters choose a school superintendent or will the office be appointed by the school board.
In November 2018, Escambia County citizens voted to move from an elected to an appointed superintendent.
“I feel very strongly about this,” District 5 School Board member Tom Harrell, who campaigned on a return to an elected superintendent, said when the school board approved the ballot request. “The county, I think, feels very strongly. There’s never anything wrong with letting the people decide. When you have a democracy, it’s all about people making decisions.”
“Deep down in my heart, having been here in this district for 60 years, that’s what the people of this district want,” Harrell added. “It’s the right time; it’s the right thing to do.”
Pictured: Current Escambia County School Superintendent Keith Leonard was appointed by the school board.
Comments
14 Responses to “Elected Or Appointed School Superintendent? It’s Headed Back To The Ballot”
NEVER GIVE UP YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE…
do tell: “I would like Lumon May to expound on his phrase, “That seems to be, you know, politically motivated to put it in the primary where we have the least amount of votes,””
In general, I do not take the side of the commissioners, but in this case, I agree with Lumon May. All he is saying is if this is voted on in the primary (in presumably August), less people will be involved in voting than the general election in November. Want proof? Go to Escambiavotes.gov. According to their 2024 voting data, these were the unofficial 2024 vote counts:
-Primary (August 2024): 48,385 votes
-General Election (November 2024): 164,515 votes
Four times as many people voted in the general election than in the primary. That’s all Lumon is saying. It’s not nefarious like you are making it out to be.
After teaching over 12,000 + students in Escambia County as a Civics/ American History/ English teacher, my # 1 message has been to study the candidates, their issues and platforms and be registered and VOTE EVERY ELECTION. Since then I have added another prerequisite…review the financial campaign contributions and expenditures of those candidates running for office..this tell tailing information is available from the county supervisor elections office under the prospective candidates name as MANDATED BY FLORIDA STATUTES. I always will support active involvement in government and NEVER GIVE UP YOUR VOTING RIGHTS.!
Vote them I or out . Some politicians are like pampers , they both need to be changed often .
SW just look at all the districts in large cities….. Newark NJ has millions of covid funds unaccounted for. $28,000 spent for each child and scores went down! Democrats only vote the party line….. NYC for example will be ruined in 4 years.
These people act like they are the ones who decides what is to be in the county !!! I believe in term limits and the people decide what happens !!! Not a group of good old boys and girls that have become complacent!!!!!
Remember–Studer was the behind the appointed super. His choice FAILED last time.
@Steve: Love to, but as a closed primary state many of us aren’t allowed to.
Look at all the large municipalities and their school systems that fail year after year. One thing is constant, it’s about politics and they are voted in because they have a “D” in front of their name. They should be appointed and immediately removed if and when the school system fails to educate but in turn indoctrinates young minds. A prime example is the liberal progressive push for gender neutral bathrooms and student dress codes!
I agree with SW and Steve. Citizens should vote every chance they get. The turnout is not near what it should be and voters who don’t do their part will get what the folks who do vote impose on them.
I would like Lumon May to expound on his phrase, “That seems to be, you know, politically motivated to put it in the primary where we have the least amount of votes,” Are you excluding yourself from the rest of the voters in the county for some reason, or just wanting some sort of “special treatment” for your “us” crowd? And what did the board-selected superintendent do that was so great vs. what the current superintendent has done? The people have a voice hear, it just seems like you have a problem with it. I think you need to explain. Do tell Lumon, do tell.
Vote—-vote—-vote!!! For elected!
Remember the mess we were in when this
Office was appointed last?
Let the people elect and not the county commissioners appoint……
Just saying
We should never, ever, give up the right, and opportunity, to vote to elect a public official!
The “ Tim Smith Rule “ – we can only blame ourselves . Vote !