Elia's Firing Called Out as 'Catastrophic' on National Stage

The Hillsborough County School Board’s 4-3 decision last month to fire Superintendent MaryEllen Elia is gaining attention on the national stage, and not necessarily in a good way.

Washington Post writer Jay Mathews wrote a column about the ouster a few days ago, saying the decision was a “mistake” that is both “senseless and catastrophic.”

Since Elia serves at the head of the country’s eighth-largest school district and is currently under consideration for National Superintendent of the Year honors, a spotlight on the firing coming from outside of Florida isn’t entirely unexpected.

Elia has served in her current position for the better part of the last decade. She has, however, faced mounting criticism in recent years from school board members and residents alike, especially in the wake of several student deaths.

Despite the friction, Elia was named 2015 Florida Superintendent of the Year recently and was honored by the Hillsborough County Commission. Ending her contract early will reportedly cost the school district more than $1 million.

Mathews wonders if Elia’s firing is the blunder of the year.

What do you think? Did the board make the right choice or was it a big blunder? Share your thoughts by commenting below!

Check out the full Washington Post piece online.

See Also:

• Hillsborough School Board Decides Superintendent’s Fate