SIMON SQUANDERS TIME, MAKES POOR DECISIONS, AND INVITES LIABILITY

October 13, 2021

Superintendent Simon has invested crucial executive time and energy in writing newspaper op-eds, appearing on national media broadcasts, personally investigating private medical records, and doxxing a local physician. Considering the exceptional demands of running a large school district, these activities are inappropriate and time-wasting. Simon’s actions not only demonstrate poor executive decision making, but also expose the Alachua County Public Schools (ACPS) District to civil liability.

Example #1: On August 9, 2021, the day before school began, Simon penned an op-ed in the Washington Post boldly titled “Why our school district is defying Florida’s ban on mask mandates — even if it means we lose funding.” On the same day, Simon is reported to have visited multiple rural schools, to personally meet one-on-one with principals to make it crystal clear that they would enforce the unpopular two-week (at that time) mask mandate.  One would think the Superintendent has more urgent things to do on the day before school begins.

Example #2: In the days after school began, Simon personally telephoned one or more local physicians to investigate the Student Mask Opt-out Medical Exemption Forms they had signed. These calls intruded into students’ medical privacy and violated the confidentiality expected by parents who provided their children’s private medical information in medical-opt out forms. These actions also potentially violate federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) laws. 

Example #3: On August 19, 2021, Simon then specifically named a local pediatrician Dr. Ronald Emerick (who is also adjunct professor at the University of Florida) as suspicious in her statements to the Gainesville Sun.  The article quoted Simon,

“We are concerned, even for some of the explanations for the justification of why it should be an exemption, and so we are collecting this documentation and we will be submitting it to the medical board.”

The appearance of publicly attacking a physician, questioning their medical judgement, and threatening to report them to a medical board shows that Simon is a poor choice for any leadership role in our school district.

Example #4:  Simon’s focus on local doctors has created potential liability for the school district. Her comments to the media regarding Dr. Emerick bordered on defamatory. When she received a cease-and-desist letter, she responded with the assertion that she had been acting on behalf of the school district — thereby implicating the District in potential civil liability for her actions. Needless to say, a superintendent’s job is to prevent the school district from becoming potentially liable for lawsuits. 

"There is a big difference between Statesmen and Politicians" (August 2021)

Example #5: Since August, Simon has devoted significant on-the-job time to her personal politics, which seems to include an ongoing political dispute with the Governor of the State of Florida. Simon has taken time away from her work duties to make numerous podcasts and appearances on national news channels, including NPR, CNN and MSNBC. It appears she is more interested in her political ambitions than performing her duties as Superintendent, such as communicating with concerned ACPS parents. 

Example #6: On Sept. 23, 2021, as a bomb threat was unfolding at Newberry High School, Simon was busy recording and promoting a well-staged social media video with U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona ceremoniously accepting federal Project SAFE grant funds.  She should have cancelled the political theater video and focused on the needs of the students and families at Newberry High School.

These examples are just some of many that underscore Simon’s lack of judgement and diplomacy, which are required to successfully manage a school district. Simon gives the appearance of basking in the national spotlight, generating a resume for future political ambitions, engaging in personal retaliation against her perceived enemies, and investing significant amounts of time in questionable pursuits. This all sounds like a typical politician. Unfortunately, selflessness, fairness, understanding, transparency, consensus-building, and wisdom are critically important to be a true leader.  Ask one.

Take Action

The Alliance for Responsible Government encourages you to voice your opinions with the Board Members of Alachua County Public Schools.

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