HC school board attacked for removing Davis

BONIFAY - A large crowd was on hand Tuesday night before the Holmes County School Board, with many on hand to strongly criticize the Board for transferring David Davis from principal of Ponce de Leon High School.

The Board moved the meeting to Holmes County High School auditorium due to the size of the crowd that filled about a third of the auditorium. Most of those who spoke were there to criticize the Board for its decision.

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THE ASSOCIATED PRESS HAS PICKED UP THE PONCE DE LEON STORY...SEE LINK

Davis was transferred to a teaching position last summer following a ruling by a federal judge against the Board on a case where the rights of free speech for a student supporting homosexual rights were allegedly violated. The lawsuit was brought on behalf of two PdL students by the American Civil Liberties Union.

Davis was not present at the meeting but members of his family were among those who spoke. His son, Joel Davis, criticized the Board for what he called "the injustice done to my father, who brought our children to higher levels than ever before.

"You crucified the very man who did this."

Several speakers accused the Board of using Davis as a scapegoat, including Joel Davis. "You needed a good, Christian man you could stab in the back," Joel Davis said.

Others said that reports that Davis tried to force his religion on students were untrue. Lyndia Spears, who told the Board that she had 25 years experience as an assistant U.S. attorney, said that Davis knew policy about expressing his religion on the job. "He was very careful," she said.

"Instead of standing behind him you abandoned Principal Davis and let the ACLU dictate your actions. The defense was inadequate from the beginning. A proper investigation would have led to support for Davis."

Ernest Land was also critical of the quality of legal representation the Board used at the trial. "The attorneys represented you so poorly you should sue them for malpractice," he said. Land was also said the situation was not about homosexuality. "It was about disruption of the educational process and the vandalism it caused," he said. "If you had presented the facts you would have won the case."

Others criticized the Board for selling Davis out, for having a "yellow streak," not letting God guide them, and other issues. The Board was also accused of mediating a decision with the ACLU and members were asked if removing Davis was part of a "court order."

Board Member Ricky Callahan said the Board went to trial because members did enforce school policy and did not mediate in the middle of the trial. "The trial judge ruled against us on all counts," Callahan noted.

Superintendent Steve Griffin noted that the only mediation was with the ACLU over legal fees, that the Board managed to reduce from over $700,000 to $325,000. Griffin also said there was no court order to remove Davis as principal. The Board also refused to give in on 34 points brought up by the ACLU, Griffin said.

Griffin said that he does not support the homosexual lifestyle, nor did he in any way agree with the judge's decision. "But, as a constitutional officer I must obey the judge and Florida regulations," Griffin said.

Griffin urged local churches to minister to young people, as "many do not have a Christian education," he said.

"We will continue to work hard on the educational side, and we ask you to work just as hard on the religious side."

More coverage in the Aug. 27 Holmes County Times-Advertiser and online later this week.

Free Fish Fry

A free fish fry for all political candidates with special speaker David Davis will be held August 22, at 6 p.m. at the Bonifay Ag Center.