The Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has formally reaffirmed its longstanding position in support of maintaining an appointed Superintendent of Schools in Escambia County. The Chamber first adopted this position in 2018 when the measure was placed before voters, and the Board of Directors remains united in that commitment as the issue returns to the ballot.
- In October 2018, then-chair Stephen Moorhead wrote in a viewpoint: “The opportunity to hire someone who has a proven track record of creating academic success is attractive to the business community. In endorsing the Escambia County School District Referendum, the Chamber’s Board of Directors acknowledges the school district faces challenges, which significantly impact the business community from the standpoint of attracting new industry, as well as, providing a qualified workforce for local businesses.”
Six years later, Board Chair Ildi Hosman writes, “The Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce has held a clear and consistent position on this issue since 2018, and our board of directors is united in reaffirming that stance today. “We believe that an appointed superintendent model best serves the students, families, and employers of Escambia County, and we encourage the business community and all eligible voters to consider the long-term implications of this decision for our region’s future.”
The question of whether the Escambia County School Superintendent should remain an appointed or return to an elected position will appear on the August 18th primary election ballot. All eligible registered voters in Escambia County will have the opportunity to cast their vote on this measure.
The Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce represents more than 1,000 member businesses and serves as a leading advocate for the economic growth, workforce development, and quality of life of the greater Pensacola region.
The 2026 Referendum
In 2018, a referendum establishing that the school board would appoint the superintendent passed 50.37% to 46.63%.
- The school board chose the wording for the 2026 referendum so that an affirmative answer (Yes) is a vote making the position elected, not appointed. The board also demanded that it be placed on the primary ballot, hoping that the smaller primary turnout will ensure a return to an elected superintendent.
How it appears on the ballot:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENDUM
Shall the Superintendent of Schools of Escambia County, Florida, be elected by the majority of the qualified electors of Escambia County, Florida? YES or NO