Escambia County’s Next School Superintendent Will Be Chosen By Voters

August 19, 2026

Escambia County voters will once again elect a school superintendent.

Voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot referendum on Tuesday:

“Shall the superintendent of schools of Escambia County, Florida, be elected by the majority of the qualified electors of Escambia County, Florida?”

  • Yes: 38,244 (71.28%) ✅
  • No: 15,411 (28.72%)

Escambia voters will elect a school superintendent during the November 2028 general election.

In November 2018, Escambia County citizens voted by a narrow margin to move from an elected to an appointed superintendent.

The Escambia County School Board voted 3-2 on February 18, 2025, to place a referendum on the general election ballot to send the question back to voters. The referendum was introduced by District 5 member Tom Harrell, with Harrell, Kevin Adams, and Paul Fesko voting in favor. Board members Carissa Bergosh and David Williams were opposed.

“I feel very strongly about this,” Harrell, who campaigned on a return to an elected superintendent, said at a February board meeting. “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: The polling place at the First Baptist Church of Bratt, where 87% voted for an elected school superintendent. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.


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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under TOP STORIES