FORT MYERS, Fla. — Randy Scott, a former member of the Lee County School Board Finance Advisory Committee, sent a letter to Superintendent Gregory Adkins asking for his resignation.
“I think Dr. Adkins has lost the confidence of the employees in this district. I think that he takes away the ability of individuals to do their job because he distances himself from creating an environment that allows them to thrive,” Scott said.
Last Thursday, Adkins and several school board members traveled to Tallahassee for a review by state officials about an audit conducted in September 2018. There were 15 findings found in the audit, including problems ranging from mishandling of taxpayer money to not having proper policies in place for employees.
“I just don’t know how hard to be on these folks when I just don’t know. This all sound very salacious, and I see the news reports and they weren’t terribly contrite when they were talking in the media about it back home, but I don’t know how big of a problem they have down there,” said Senator Tom Lee (R-20), a member of the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee.
Debbie Jordan, a newly elected school board member, says most of her constituents talk favorably of Dr. Adkins and that she does not want Adkins to resign.
“I can only go by what I know. If someone can show me other, then maybe my mind would be changed but at this point in time there’s no reason for me to think that there should be a change,” Jordan said.
Other board members did not respond or refused to comment.
Gwynetta Gittens, the School Board Chair, said in a statement “One of the main things we’re working on is transparency and the public should make it’s own educated decision.”
We tried to reach out to both Lee County Schools and Superintendent Adkins. The offices were closed for the weekend so no one was available for comment.
The next Lee County School Board meeting is on Tuesday, February 26, at 6:00 p.m.
