The Pensacola State College District Board of Trustees meets tomorrow. The agenda has significantly amended minutes for the minutes of its Sept. 16 workshop concerning the discussion of ending WSRE’s affiliation with PBS and Trustee Zack Smith’s comments about DEI and Achieve Escambia.
These topics attracted considerable criticism from the community.
- Inweekly: Foundation Rallies to Save WSRE
- Rick’s Blog: Zack Smith Wipes Away Achieve Escambia
Action: WSRE Transition Plan – Approved
a. Termination of PBS Affiliation
Added: Dr. Meadows discussed the ongoing funding challenges facing WSRE. Dr. Meadows recommended that WSRE end its affiliation with PBS.
Deleted: Dr. Meadows introduced a plan to transition from the current PBS affiliation to a new public network called ECHO-TV.
Replaced with: For information purposes only, Dr. Meadows explained that the College is in the very early stages of exploring potentially partnering a new public network called ECHO-TV (Education, Community,Health, and Opportunity).
Added: A general discussion ensued about the continued amount of support the College would need to provide WSRE under the various pathways forward. There was also some discussion among the Trustees and staff about whether these amounts included or excluded overhead costs.
See the page: PBS Discussion
DEI
Smith’s comments regarding Dr. Meadows enforcement on DEI restrictions have been modified:
Mr. Smith acknowledged Dr. Meadows’ contributions to the College and the community but expressed concern there are certain areas of the college where Dr. Meadows has not been providing adequate oversight.
For instance, there have been certain actions required by the Board according to Statute or college procedure that had not been completed until someone else brought these oversights to Dr. Meadows’ attention. He expressed particular concern that in terms of making sure that the college is complying with the state’s requirements to ensure the college is not expending funds on any prohibited DEI expenditures, though his concerns are not limited to this area.
Achieve Escambia
Smith wanted to make it clear he supports children achieving.
Changes: Mr. Smith also referred to Achieve Escambia, an organization with which the College has collaborated in the past. Mr. Smith noted Achieve Escambia had office space on PSC’s campus and that Dr. Meadows, as a board member of Achieve Escambia, utilized college time and resources to promote its mission.
Mr. Smith clarified that there is widespread support, including from himself, of providing opportunities for all children to achieve their full educational potential. But he noted concern and provided specific examples of where Achieve Escambia pledged to promote DEI principles.
Mr. Smith raised concerns about these goals and the fact that college resources may have been used to support them. Mr. Smith expressed appreciation that these were removed after Dr. Meadows contacted Ms. Gilliam at United Way.
Ruthie Noel, new Executive Director of Corporate Training and Continuing Education
Mr. Smith made clear that he supports and respects PSC employees advocating for, and expressing their own views on their own time. But while acting or speaking on behalf of PSC, college employees must adhere to college policies and procedures and other applicable laws. Mr. Smith expressed concerns that this particular hire had in the past expressed a commitment to using her positions, wherever they may be, to push her organizations to adopt and implement DEI-type policies.
Read DEI
