Letter to the Editor: Defining Moment for Manatee County School Board

The questionable performance and functionality of the Manatee School Board is a hot topic. Hot enough for Board Chair Bob Gause to write a letter in an attempt to perpetuate an illusion that the concern is more perception than reality. His letter comes in the wake of a recent school district survey of employees and community members that basically gave the school board a 15 percent approval rating.

I certainly have an opinion on the topic that I will keep to myself. However, if one seeks a particular moment during this current board’s tenure to formulate an opinion, then look at the board’s decision on January 27, 2015. I recommended the termination of a former school administrator for his failure to report suspected child abuse. The administrator was criminally convicted of such charge and through civil proceeding was also recommended to be terminated by an Administrative Law Judge.

This current school board, led by Bob Gause and Dave Miner, argued against the recommendations of the Administrative Law Judge and the Superintendent. The board did not terminate this employee. This action raises serious concerns as to the motives of Gause and Miner and who they are representing. Especially given a conversation I had with Gause a few weeks prior to January 27, when he told me I "would be a hero to a lot of people if I removed the termination from the board agenda.“

This was a situation where the board needed to take appropriate action, in support of the Superintendent, to protect the safety and security of our students. Now, one can argue that the meetings are taking less time or everyone seems to be getting along better. However, a true test in performance and functionality is the actions taken by an individual and organizational leadership that supports its stated core values. Please take a moment to read this board’s stated values on the district website. I believe you will see the safety and security of students as one of them.

Rick Mills

Former Superintendent of Manatee Schools, 2013-15