The School Board of Lee County was somewhat divided on a sponsored bill that might come before the public this November to vote on regarding changing the School District of Lee County’s appointed superintendent to an elected post.

Republican Jenna Persons-Mulicka has sponsored HB 497 bill, would provide for an elected superintendent of schools in a partisan election with a term of four years. If approved by voters, this would take place in 2024. It was filed on Nov. 4, 2021.

The Florida House of Representatives bill stated that on June 11, 1974 the Lee County school board adopted a resolution, which changed the superintendent from an elected position to one that the board would appoint during the general election of Nov. 5, 1974.

During a special meeting earlier this week, Board member Chris Patricca said she has researched the issue and there are compelling reasons not to go in such a direction.

Through research, she said that there are approximately 13,567 school districts in the United States, with 99 percent of those having an appointed superintendent. There are only approximately 142 elected superintendents in the entire country, Patricca said.

“Florida and Alabama are the only two states that allow for an elected superintendent,” she wrote in a letter. “In Alabama, only counties with fewer than 2,500 students have an elected superintendent. Of the 120 largest school districts in the nation, only one has an elected superintendent.”

Patricca said there are 13 school districts in Florida that have a grade of C, the lowest grade, adding that the one thing those districts have in common is an elected superintendent. She said the two requirements for an elected superintendent is they have to be free from a felony conviction and live in Lee County.

“When you look at good business practices, we don’t ask CEOs to run for office,” she said. “We do not want a politician running our school district. Campaigning is a full-time job. Do we want our superintendents to be focused on anything other than student achievement?”

Patricca told the board that she would like to make a motion at their action meeting to amend their legislative platform to include a board position against the notion of the process of an elected superintendent.

“I would suggest we turn this memo into a letter for our local delegation,” Patricca said, adding that she would also like to see a speaker circuit take place to really get out and educate the public.

Legislators have said that no one from the school board has voiced its opinion about the bill.

Both board members Gwyn Gittens and Melisa Giovannelli voted against amending the legislative platform to include the district’s position against an elected superintendent.

Gittens said she was very concerned, as their legislative agenda has to do with children.

“I think for us to hit the campaign trail on a partisan, very divisive issue, is not the best thing for us to do right now,” she said, adding that they should table the issue until they hear from the politicians. “The voters are going to make the decision whether this goes through, or it doesn’t go through. I am not prepared at this time to rush through this and make a hard vote decision and sign my name to a letter and take it all over the place.”

Giovannelli said she could not support it because it would put a greater division and wedge with local delegation and legislators. She said no other district is dealing with a bill for an elected superintendent, which should cause the district to ask why.

“We have not listened to our constituents. This letter will only drive that wedge far greater than what we can come out from. That is my concern. We as a board have not listened to the community and that is how we got here,” Giovannelli said. “I’m more favorable on how we can work together and not be divisive on this situation.”

The remaining board members were in favor of Patricca’s ask, which resulted in a drafted letter to come before the board on Tuesday.

“It does behoove us to make sure people have the facts,” Board Chair Debbie Jordan said. “When this was brought to me by Persons-Mulicka, she told me this was something she was going to do. I did not hear a reason why she was going to put this forward. However, this does become a popularity contest. I know when you look at the stats and facts there is no accountability. We can’t direct because they have the power to do whatever they want to do. Where does that leave us as a district? Where is the accountability?”

She said the district should be educating the public, by going out there and telling the story, the district’s story.

“I definitely will continue to speak on it because it is imperative to speak on it for the district and our students,” Jordan said.

Board member Mary Fischer agreed that the board needs to make a stand on the issue.

“It is our job as a board to educate our public and take a stand against this because we have invested in the community too much. Having an elected superintendent might disrupt our progress that we have made to this point. I do support taking a stand as a board,” she said.

Board member Betsy Vaughn said she sees the bill as a total undermining of public schools and what public schools have.

“It’s a slap in the face and disrespect for the educators. They are flat out politicians that have never been in the classroom and think they can do a better job than someone who has devoted their life to education,” she said.

Board member Cathleen O’Daniel Morgan said the long-term impact of an elected superintendent on students and staff in the district will be significant, as she believes it will transform the educational opportunities children will have. She believes the district needs to take a position on the issue.

“Being passive about this is exactly the scenario the other side is looking for. I feel we have to engage and respond to this at this time,” she said.