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Schools

Schools superintendent breached ethics policy

He was wrong to endorse a School Board candidate, an inquiry finds.

By DONNA WINCHESTER
Published November 21, 2006

Pinellas schools superintendent Clayton Wilcox violated district policy when he publicly declared his support for a School Board candidate prior to the Sept. 5 primary election, according to a report released Monday.

At an Aug. 22 awards ceremony in St. Petersburg, Wilcox asked audience members to "remember what a friend" board member Mary Brown had been to the city, the community and to children when they went to the polls. An investigation concluded his request "could reasonably be perceived as engaging in a political activity."

Despite the findings, the lawyer who conducted the investigation is recommending that no disciplinary action be taken. Tampa lawyer Thomas Gonzalez said Wilcox already has expressed regret for his actions.

Describing the superintendent's behavior as well-intentioned but not appropriate, Gonzalez wrote that he had "no doubt that the conduct will not occur again, because Dr. Wilcox has said it will not."

Former School Board candidate Jennifer S. Crockett, who lost to Brown in the general election, filed a complaint against Wilcox Nov. 6. She alleged that Wilcox was out of line in expressing support for Brown at the awards ceremony and again at a public forum on Aug. 30.

At the latter event, Wilcox told a group of mostly black St. Petersburg residents that "we cannot afford to let the day pass when we don't have an African-American on our School Board." Singling out Brown, who is black, he said, "she has suffered in my defense on a number of occasions."

Wilcox acknowledged on Sept. 12 that he had "violated the spirit" of his agreement with the board to not become involved in politics in making the remarks.

But in her complaint, Crockett alleged that Wilcox's public support of Brown nevertheless gave the incumbent an unfair advantage in the race. She also alleged Wilcox's statements would "clearly influence Brown's professional judgment for future recommendations" at the board table.

Wilcox said Monday he was surprised when he learned last week that a complaint had been filed against him.

"I really am sorry that I made the comment," Wilcox said. "But at the time, I thought it was the right thing to do. I didn't really think there would be consequences, or that as superintendent I can never take off the cloak of being a superintendent. I certainly had no intention to harm anyone."

Crockett, who also filed an ethics complaint against Wilcox with the Florida Department of Education, said she waited to seek redress until the day before the general election because she didn't want to distract attention from the race. She said she did not consider Wilcox's acknowledgement of his error to the board sufficient because he was "under pressure" at the time.

"I'm glad that the report says he violated policy," Crockett said late Monday. "But I think it's wrong that he's not being treated like any other employee in the school system."

School Board attorney Jim Robinson said this appears to be the first time a Pinellas school superintendent has been the subject of an ethics complaint. But such incidents - along with charges of ethics violations - are not without precedent.

An East Bronx, N.Y., public school principal was fined $10,000 earlier this month for endorsing a City Council candidate in a letter sent home to parents, despite admitting he had suffered a "lapse in judgment."

Robinson said he has told School Board members that in light of Wilcox's "prior apology and his recognition of the fairness of the report," he did not intend to bring the matter before the board for further action unless the board directs him otherwise.

Times staff writer Donna Winchester can be reached at winchester@sptimes.com or 893-8413.

[Last modified November 21, 2006, 05:46:08]