Jim Paul was a better superintendent than Malcolm Thomas

In his last full year in office (2007-08), School Superintendent Jim Paul had 20 ‘A’ schools. Of his 34 elementary schools, 19 were ‘A’ or…

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Malcolm Thomas in 2008: ‘Let’s put the pressure at the top’

In May 2009, Navy Point Elementary led the district in gains for fourth-grade writing and third-grade math and reading. It was an ‘A’ school. Superintendent…

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School district changes lockdown notification policy

Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas yesterday told WKRG that he has changed the school district’s notification policy regarding lockdowns. “We’ll let parents know we…

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Parents cry out for better communication in wake of school lockdowns

Parents took to Facebook to express their frustration with the lack of communication from School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas and the school district regarding the school…

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The tale of two Escambia schools, two guns

On Tuesday, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Ransom Middle School student for allegedly bringing a loaded gun to school. The student faces charges…

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Superintendent gets final say over ‘insubordinate’ black coach

In September 2014, Superintendent Malcolm Thomas fired Escambia High School head football coach Willie Spears despite the pleas and requests of his school board and…

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WEAR report on Escambia County School District tragedy leads to more questions

WEAR TV reporter David Gonzalez interviewed Superintendent Malcolm Thomas and Martha Hanna, his health services coordinator, regarding the death of Audi Anderson, a four-year-old Pre-K…

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Records show every public school in Escambia County does not have a nurse

I spoke with former School Board member Jeff Bergosh. He said the District uses a private company, Pediatric Services of America, that provides one health…

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Superintendent speaks to media about student’s death (update)

In an interview with the News Journal, Superintendent Malcolm Thomas finally commented on the death of Sherwood Elementary pre-K student, Audi Anderson, five days after…

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Bergosh calls for Feds to investigate Escambia County School District administration

Calling the charges filed on Monday against the owner of Newpoint Education Partners, Marcus May, and one of May’s vendors the “tip of the iceberg,”…

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Achieve Escambia: ask teachers what works

In my Outtakes column for Aug. 4, I recommend that Achieve Escambia survey the teachers of the Escambia County School District to find out what…

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Race to the Top funds failed to build system for academic excellence

Six years ago, Escambia Superintendent Malcolm Thomas and his district leadership team committed to create a new system to foster academic excellence. They even got…

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Rousing speeches not the answer for Escambia County School District

Yesterday, School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas encouraged his administrators, principals and teachers to aim higher. Using what he read from the book “Mindset: The New Psychology…

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Thomas and his goals

When he was first elected school superintendent in 2008, Malcolm Thomas created a page on the district’s website that listed his six “Focused Curriculum Goals.”…

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Education Crisis: Escambia County has some of the worst middle and high schools in Florida

On Friday, we reported that over 40 percent of Escambia County School District’s public elementary schools are on the state’s Bottom 300 list. Three of…

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A Cry for Independent Analysis: Oakcrest Elementary falls from A to F in six years

One criticism of Superintendent Malcolm Thomas has been that he and his leadership at the district level haven’t been able to maintain success at the…

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Spears to announce run for School Superintendent

Last week, Willie Spears said on “Pensacola Speaks” that he was considering moving back to Escambia County to make a run for political office. It…

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Spears considering run for Escambia School Superintendent

Two-term Escambia Superintendent of Schools Malcolm Thomas may have thought he had an easy path to becoming the district’s first three-term superintendent. Maybe not. Willie…

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Escambia Superintendent testifies on school construction bill

Escambia School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas testified yesterday before the House Appropriations Committee on HB 837 that would change how public school districts use taxpayer money…

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Inside hazing

In today’s daily newspaper, School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas described the incident involving West Florida High football players on a school bus as hazing. The father…

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