Sarasota Schools Chief To Step Down Amid Controversy

SARASOTA, FL — Sarasota County schools Superintendent Todd Bowden said Monday he will step down as schools chief next week stemming from an investigation into his handling of allegations involving inappropriate behavior by the district's former chief operating officer and assistant superintendent.

The complaint against Jeff Maultsby was filed by senior administrative assistant Cheraina Bonner. She filed a second complaint against the superintendent and human resources executive Al Harayda over their handling of her initial complaint.

Bonner complained she was sexually harassed by Maultsby, the former director of field operations with the Cincinnati Reds. She claimed she was the victim of sexual and racial discrimination as well as other "improprieties" in the handling of the complaint by district officials, according to a report reviewed by Patch.

“For three years I have had the privilege of serving Sarasota County schools as superintendent. I have witnessed excellence among our teachers, dedication between our principals, care from our staff and innovative approaches to learning by our administrators," Bowden said in a statement released Monday."

The superintendent said he plans to remain in the district with his wife and two children, who attend Sarasota County schools.

Maultsby resigned late last month on the same day Bowden announced termination proceedings against him over Bonner's complaint.

Maultsby was accused of blocking or denying her a promotion based on him needing her in his current position and sending inappropriate texts such as asking if Bonner missed him. Maultsby was also accused of making statements about his ability to make women "curl their toes" and allegedly made a comment that he did not want a female employee to work in in his division because she was too attractive and he could not control himself around her.

Under the terms of the separation agreement between the superintendent and the district, Bowden will be placed on paid administrative leave through Dec. 31 at his regular $207,000-a-year salary with benefits. The separation agreement must still be approved by the school board on Nov. 19.

"Because of their efforts, our students have excelled academically and are well-positioned to become caring and informed citizens of the world. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve so many, and I hope the next superintendent will further propel this outstanding school district to excel even more," Bowden added.

The superintendent will be paid another 20 weeks of salary and benefits in a lump sum from the district no later than Jan. 15, 2020. He will also be reimbursed another $65,523.11 in personal legal fees, including $28,900 spent on the Bonner complaint and in another matter.

In exchange, Bowden will not pursue any claims against the school district. The complaint against Maultsby and the subsequent complaint against the handling of the initial complaint led to an independent investigation by Vicki Sproat of Sproat Workplace Investigations. Sproat's findings were contained in a report received by district officials on Oct. 16.

The report concluded there was sufficient evidence that Maultsby harassed Bonner and threatened to retaliate against her for reporting her concerns. In one text, he allegedly told Bonner: "Snitches get stitches."

The report also concluded Bowden's actions played a "primary role" in the district's failure to address Bonner's claims in a prompt and adequate manner.

"The district does not have a process in place to ensure that administrators and supervisory personnel are trained on proper methods for investigating discrimination, harassment and retaliation complaints," the report found. "The district does not have a clearly communicated protocol for responding to threats against employees."

The report noted that Bowden had been the subject of sexual harassment claims both before and after his appointment as superintendent.

Bowden said earlier that he disagreed with the report findings and "several conclusions" made by Sproat.

The initial complaint was filed verbally against Maultsby, who was appointed in 2018.