Sarasota Schools COO Resigns; Won't Face Termination Vote

SARASOTA, FL — Embattled Sarasota County schools Chief Operating Officer Jeff Maultsby will not undergo termination proceedings because he submitted his letter of resignation on Monday, the same day that schools chief Todd Bowden announced termination proceedings against Maultsby, according to district officials.

Maultsby was facing allegations of inappropriate texts and conduct "unbefitting" a district employee, district officials said. The complaint against Maultsby was filed by district employee Cheraina Bonner. It led to an investigation by Vicki Sproat of Sproat Workplace Investigations.

"Since Mr. Maultsby has resigned, and his resignation has been accepted, his 15-day response and appeal period is not in effect," a district spokesperson told Patch Wednesday. "The resignation will appear as part of the personnel report within the agenda of the regularly scheduled school board meeting on Nov. 5 at 6:30 p.m."

The county school board still plans to hold the special meeting earlier that day starting at noon to discuss the third-party investigator's report submitted by Sproat, according to the spokesperson.

Jody Dumas, executive director of facilities, planning and construction with the district has been filling Maultsby's role as interim chief operating officer and assistant superintendent since June. See also Sarasota Schools Chief Wants COO Fired Over 'Unbefitting' Conduct

"Mr. Dumas is still the acting COO/assistant superintendent and will continue to fulfill that role until the superintendent and HR either formally extend him the position or make an alternative hire," the spokesperson explained. "Regardless, the new COO/assistant superintendent must be approved by the school board when that selection is ultimately made."

Maultsby made no mention of the allegations against him in his resignation letter, which was dated Sunday but delivered sometime on Monday. He said the resignation was to take effect Monday.

"Thank you for the opportunity. I wish you and the district continued success," Maultsby penned in the letter to Bowden.

Bowden announced Monday that he planned to initiate termination proceedings against Maultsby following the completion of Sproat's report. It was not immediately clear when on Monday Maultsby's resignation letter was received.

“After reviewing the entirety of the text messages exchanged between Mr. Maultsby and Ms. Bonner, and the transcripts and exhibits from each interview conducted by Ms. Sproat, it is clear Mr. Maultsby behaved inappropriately, and his actions are unbefitting of a school district employee," Bowden said in Monday's statement. "As such, I have recommended his termination to the school board for review and approval on Nov. 19."

The superintendent did not immediately comment on Bonner's complaint filed against him and human resources executive Al Harayda over their handling of the initial complaint. Bowden said he planned to address that complaint at the special board meeting on Nov. 5.

"I will share in advance; however, that I disagree with the report findings and several conclusions made by Ms. Sproat," the superintendent said. "I look forward to delivering a full response to school board members next week."

Maultsby would have had 15 days to respond and appeal the decision. Bowden planned to formally notify the board of his intent to terminate Maultsby at the special meeting and request that Maultsby be suspended without pay.

The initial complaint was filed verbally by Bonner against Maultsby, who has held his position since last year.

Maultsby previously served as director of business and economic development with Sarasota County and was the county’s primary liaison, contract manager and administrative agent with the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County, Visit Sarasota County, the Arts and Cultural Alliance and the Sarasota County Fair Association.

Before joining Sarasota County Government, Maultsby was the director of field operations with the Cincinnati Reds where he was responsible for marketing, sales and business development for the Class A Affiliate Florida State League Sarasota Reds, Extended Spring Training, Gulf Coast and Florida Instructional Leagues. He also worked for the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers.

His areas of responsibility with Sarasota County Schools included facilities, construction, food and nutrition services, transportation, public safety, human resources, communications and community relations as well as long-range planning.