BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Telegraph Editor
STARKE — Bradford County commissioners reaffirmed their request to the University of Florida for a slate of 4-H agent candidates to choose from at their Feb. 16 meeting.
The university had previously offered the job to Bradford County educator Edrick Hamilton, overstepping the commission’s statutory authority.
The university and county partner in the agricultural extension program, and while the university vets and recommends agents for the local extension position, the commission retains the authority to approve those recommendations or not.
In January, the board passed a resolution exercising its right to request three candidates to choose from. This was after the university offered the position in Hamilton in November and he accepted in December. He was notified at the end of January that the hiring process had been put on hold.
Hamilton had already given notice that he would be leaving his position as behavioral resource teacher at Southside Elementary School, just one of the places he has made his mark as an educator, mentor and volunteer.
Earlier this month, he explained the difficulty the abrupt loss of this opportunity had placed upon his family, and he was supported by those who spoke on his behalf. The demonstration of support continued last week, including several children he had taught and mentored.
Robin Frazer, a 27-year veteran of the school district, also spoke up for Hamilton and the impact he has had on the community as a vet technician, ESE paraprofessional, teacher, coach and the founder of a mentoring program and summer STEM camp. He even built morale and relationships among Southside staff by arranging social outings.
“He is a team player and a team builder,” Frazer said. “Edrick has poured his heart and soul into Bradford County.”
Iana Patterson of the Bradford County Faith Community Center agreed.
“Mr. Hamilton possesses a drive and passion for teaching, helping and mentoring children that is unsurpassed. I have witnessed him reach children that others would have given up on. Mr. Hamilton is truly an asset and a great addition to any team or program. He is well respected among his peers, his superiors and, most importantly, the children that he has faithfully served,” she said.
This time, however, the support was not unanimous among the speakers. While taking nothing away from his accomplishments, some shared their doubt about his qualifications and their reservations about how the hiring was handled.
Critics included 4-H Advisory Board President Kyle Jerrels, who said he and other board members attended candidate interviews. Those candidates that UF and Bradford Extension Director Samara Purvis advanced to the county interviews were not the best or most experienced candidates, he said, so they asked to interview others.
“4-H is such a unique and awesome extracurricular activity for kids in agriculture, and offers more than that. But it’s hard for someone to handle this position without any experience growing up in 4-H or being a 4-H agent or program assistant in a county that is as active as we are here in Bradford County,” Jerrels said. Even experienced people struggle, he said, and find out that it involves more than working with youth.
Jerrels said they discovered other candidates who had been heavily involved and experienced with 4-H who should have been interviewed and who could enhance the 4-H program. He said they were told that their extensive agriculture backgrounds would have placed them in conflict with the extension’s horticulture and livestock agents.
Kelly Durrance, a parent and volunteer involved with 4-H, said the hiring process should be reopened, mentioning Bailey Gnann and Summer Sanders as candidates who were not granted interviews. Gnann was raised in Bradford County as a member of 4-H and FFA. She has served as a 4-H agent in Flagler County and now in Clay County. Sanders also grew up as a member of both programs, holds a degree in agriculture education and is the 4-H agent in Lee County.
This is experience Hamilton lacks, she said.
“It is also my understanding that the majority of the advisory board voted no to all three interviews, which should require more interviews to be performed,” she said. “Many parents feel there are better qualified applicants that would be more beneficial to our children and the 4-H program.”
She said she and other parents and their children would leave the program if there aren’t further interviews and if Gnann and Sanders aren’t given an opportunity.
Drew Wainwright went further, saying Bradford County should open an investigation into the hiring process, and both Durrance and Wainwright called upon the commission to replace Purvis as the local extension director.
Commissioner Carolyn Spooner wanted the commission to move forward with hiring Hamilton, but she was outvoted 4-1. They could accept the university’s and extension director’s recommendation and comply with state law, she said. The resolution requesting three candidates from whom to select the new agent could apply to future hires.
Regardless of the number of applicants or their varying qualifications, Hamilton made it through the screening process and his demonstrated leadership ability placed him on top, Spooner said.
The university and county also have a memorandum of understanding, however, that the university will recruit, screen and recommend candidates to the county, but it will be up to the commission who is hired.
Commissioner Chris Dougherty said the resolution was sent to let the university know it had violated the hiring process. He agreed Hamilton sounds like he would be a good fit and encouraged him to reapply.
