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Superintendent spars with school board
By BARBARA BEHRENDT, Times Staff Writer INVERNESS -- Superintendent David Hickey, angry that School Board members last week got involved in an administrative appointment, blasted the board on Tuesday for meddling in his office's affairs. But two board members, angry themselves at Hickey, fired back. They snapped at him for telling them not to ask questions about how the district is being run. "I heard quite loud and clear your very strong reprimand, Mr. Hickey," said board member Patience Nave. "But I also had questions . . . it's our job to ask questions." Hickey said he would communicate with the board members on issues they deem important, but not in public. "I'll be glad to answer these questions to any board member," he said, "but not through the media." At the heart of the dispute is the recent appointment of a new assistant principal at Crystal River High School. Principal Stephen Myers recommended Earl Bramlett, the school's activities director and former head football coach for the job. But four of the five board members questioned the pick, suggesting Bramlett should not hold both the assistant principal's job and also keep the post -- and pay supplement -- of activities director. Board members Nave and Sandra "Sam" Himmel also wondered why Hickey, who campaigned in 2000 on the need to groom new principals, would back Bramlett, who is set to retire within the next three years. Bramlett pulled out of consideration, blasting board members for the ethics of their questions. He especially criticized any indication that his age was the reason for their reluctance to see him appointed. He is 63. On Tuesday, Hickey recommended Leigh Ann Bradshaw, 34, who is a teacher and curriculum specialist at Citrus High School, for the open position. The board approved the choice unanimously. Hickey said he would have recommended Bramlett to the board because Myers had recommended him. He reminded the board members that they had to work together for the good of the district and suggested that they review their legal roles. Personnel decisions are the superintendent's job, he said. "As a superintendent and board we must work as a team, but then we must be team players with our principals," Hickey said, reading from a written statement. He profusely thanked board Chairwoman Pat Deutschman, the only board member who did not question the Bramlett recommendation. He went on to say that some of the board members' statements indicated that Hickey had strayed from his philosophy and he told the board that some of the discussion focused on personal agendas or political motives. Later in the meeting, Himmel spoke about the respect she has for Bramlett, but the concern she had for anyone's ability to do both jobs. She suggested that if Myers believed Bramlett could do both, then it was time for the district to consider merging the jobs at all the high schools, eliminating the activities directors. "I don't think that's the issue at all," Hickey said. "The issue is do we trust our principals to bring a recommendation to the superintendent." Nave agreed with Himmel that, if the two jobs could be done simultaneously, perhaps the district should study the idea as part of an upcoming review of the staffing plan.
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