A split Manatee County School Board recently voted to deviate from the recommendation of the district's discipline committee and a state administrative judge and not terminate a district employee with a long history of disciplinary issues after he was captured on video last year putting his hands on a student during an altercation in the lunchroom.
Verlin "Skip" Wilhoit is a program specialist with the School District of Manatee County. Wilhoit was supervising a cafeteria during lunch on Sept. 30 of last year when a student allegedly spat in another student’s food. The DOAH record states that when the student attempted to leave the area, Wilhoit followed, and the student threw his tray to the floor, at which point, Wilhoit pushed him back two steps. The student allegedly pushed Wilhoit’s upper chest in response. In attempting to restrain the student, Wilhoit turned him and tried to lift him, according to the DOAH report, placing his left arm around the student's neck, resulting in a seven-second "chokehold."
After the student’s mother emailed the school board to complain about the incident, the next day, Wilhoit was placed on paid administrative leave. Wilhoit disputed having put the student in a chokehold, arguing that he'd attempted to put his arms around the student's chest but that the height difference between the two caused his arms to slip upward. Then-superintendent Jason Wysong, following the advice of his discipline committee, moved to fire Wilhoit, who in turn appealed to the state. In May, a DOAH judge agreed with the district and recommended that it terminate Wilhoit.
That same month, the school board shocked the community in voting 3-2 to fire Wysong, who was two years into a successful run as superintendent, with board member Charlie Kennedy (a former teacher in the district and friend of Wilhoit's) mentioning the handling of Wilhoit's employment as one of the reasons he had lost confidence in Wysong. On Aug. 15, Kevin Chapman, who'd been named Interim Superintendent when the board sacked Wysong, recommended Wilhoit’s penalty be reduced from termination to a 20 day suspension without pay and a one-year performance contract contingent on no more disciplinary issues, with six hours of "human resources-approved" training and reassignment to a position that does not involve disciplining students.
The board voted 3-2 in favor of the recommendation, with Kennedy, Chad Choate, and Cindy Spray voting in favor and Richard Tatem and Heather Felton dissenting, reflecting the same split as when the board fired Wysong. Both Tatem and Felton cited both Wilhoit's record, which includes six previous disciplinary infractions while at the district, and his lack of remorse for the incident as primary factors.
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mforeman
“… board member Charlie Kennedy (a former teacher in the district and friend of Wilhoit's) mentioning the handling of Wilhoit's employment as one of the reasons he had lost confidence in Wysong.” And this is why I have lost confidence in Charlie Kennedy.
Friday, August 22, 2025 Report this
Libby23
I am beyond disappointed with Charlie Kennedy for whom I campaigned. I wish I would have been a better judge of character. I usually am but not in this case. He had me fooled!!
Friday, August 22, 2025 Report this
Dianna
Disappointed that our tax dollars are being wasted retaining this type of employee.
Friday, August 22, 2025 Report this
writerlynn9717
Charlie worked with Skip and Chad was a student and knew Skip, as well. What's wrong with this picture. Shouldn't they have recused themselves? Still the "good ole' boy Manatee school system." I will change my vote for the two board members when the time comes.
Sunday, August 24, 2025 Report this
AllForOne
Sorry, but I think Skip deserves an award for addressing a totally out of control bully. That boy's mother should be ashamed of herself for even thinking of complaining about the way her little "angel" was disciplined. There are way too many "mother hens" out there who are crippling our education system. Looking at the bigger picture, the school board made the right decision.
Sunday, August 24, 2025 Report this
GLEN GADFLY GIBELLINA
Cause we all know that the current board is smarter than a judge … what an education system
Bad behavior get rewarded
Tuesday, August 26, 2025 Report this