Superintendent McClung out

Even though Escambia County School Superintendent Michele McClung handed out an Alabama education State Accountability Report at Thursday's meeting announcing that Escambia County had an overall grade of 84 (B), up from last year's 77 (C), the school board Friday morning approved to buy out her contract as of Jan. 30, 2024 in a lump sum to be paid Jan. 31, 2024 and grant her request for special paid leave.

Board Member Kevin Hoomes made a motion to buy out McClung's contract, effective Jan. 31, 2024 for the balance of her salary due to the terms of her existing employment contract through June 30, 2024, to be paid in a lump sum on Jan. 31, 2024. He added that McClung would have no further duties or responsibilities under her contract and the board shall have no further obligations to McClung. He moved that her request for special paid leave be granted. Board member Cindy Jackson seconded the motion.

"It's almost as if we've won the national championship....and then we fired the coach," said Board Member Danny Benjamin. "Shame on us. That is what is happening. I hope you can sleep at night because I didn't because what's done is a major injustice. A person's contract should be extended because of job performance, not personal opinion. I'm saddened, I'm angry, I'm disappointed and all of the above. Our board is in disarray. We need team-building. Our children should mean more to us than what we're doing here today. This is a sad day."

The State Accountability Report indicated that in addition to a one-letter-grade advancement, 80 percent of the schools showed significant improvement, reinforcing the systemic commitment to academic achievement and elevating educational outcomes for all students. Forty percent of the school across the district gained more than 11 points, according to the report. Twenty percent of the schools jumped two letter grades. No school regressed a letter grade. Every school either maintained or increased its letter grade, showcasing the resilience and collaborative efforts across the entire district, the report noted.

"A lot of blame has been directed toward Mrs. McClung over the last few months by people sitting up here and in the audience," said Board Member Mike Edwards. "A lot of it's untrue and unnecessary and it was to cover up past corruption in this system by previous administrations. Mrs. McClung had nothing to do with it. She is absolutely guiltless. She had to expose these atrocities in our system and because of it, she has become a target for those here in front of you and some in the audience. It's atrocious and I am ashamed of this county and of this board of education for what they are doing. Just like Mr. Benjamin said, we are firing the coach and it's a shame."

When the vote was taken in a roll call by district, Benjamin voted no, but changed his vote to a yes when the roll got to Board Member Coleman Wallace, who asked exactly what he was being asked to vote on. It was clarified that the board was voting approval to buy out McClung's contract and approve the special paid leave. Wallace voted yes, as he felt she needed to be paid (although he was against firing her), which made the vote unanimous.

When the vote came to approve the agenda (the superintendent's contract) at that special meeting Friday, it was approved 4 to 3. The same board members who voted yes to pay off McClung's contract, Hoomes, Jackson, Loumeek White and Sherry Digmon, are the same board members who voted not to renew her contract in two past meetings. Board members Wallace, Edwards and Benjamin voted no to approve the agenda and yes to approve renewal of the contract in those two past meetings.

Hoomes made the motion to appoint Assistant Superintendent Michele Collier acting superintendent as of 10 a.m. that day, which was seconded by Digmon. The motion carried unanimously.

McClung made no statement at the meeting but later provided the following written statement:

"These past two and a half years have been a very powerful and rewarding experience as the Superintendent of Schools.

I want to recognize all employees for your efforts in helping our district grow astronomically. Our test scores are among the best in the state, with 80 percent of our schools making dramatic leaps. We've worked to increase salaries, filled needed vacancies, provided quality tools for the classroom, increased credentialing, provided onsite support, created a pre-K program, and recognized the best in our school system for outstanding service.

Your collective efforts have paid off in the most important way, on the report cards of our children. 80% of our schools improved in one year, with 50% of our schools improving between 7-14 points, and 40% improving between 11-14 points.

I've enjoyed being here in Escambia County and my prayers will be with the faculty, staff and students each day.

I'd like to congratulate Michele Collier who has been appointed Acting Superintendent, and I feel confident you will show her your support. Only by working together can we achieve greater goals. Remember, "we are one" regardless of who is leading the team. Never forget that we do what we do for the children, as we touch the future every day.

I'll be on special leave of absence to care for my mother through January and will retire in February after 33 years."