FORMER SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT WILL NOT RECEIVE LEGAL FEES

An Oklaoosa County Circuit Court Judge has ruled that former Okaloosa County School Superintendent Mary Beth Jackson is not entitled to the $283,000 in legal fees she incurred fighting her suspension. Judge William Stone granted the School Board’s motion to dismiss Jackson’s claim. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis suspended Jackson last January 11 for negligence and incompetence in office. Jackson initially appealed her case to the Florida Supreme Court, which denied it. Her attorneys argued the School Board should reimburse her because the governor had reinstated her. However, the Governor said the reinstatement was done in expectation of Jackson’s imminent resignation.