Polk County School Board Member, Billy Townsend, has to go, as he has shown himself to no longer be the capable public servant he was elected to be. He has promoted deceitful and unkind rhetoric, and has sown discord between Superintendent Byrd and her staff. 

It is also been alleged that he's behind blogs that sow said discord - which would be a direct conflict with his duties as a School Board Member. The County has supported Superintendent Byrd since the beginning of her tenure. Educators, like Superintendent Byrd, do their best to protect students and teachers, and help them thrive. Billy Townsend, by harping on test scores on the state level, discredits the hard work of our Polk County students, and makes it difficult to create an environment in which our students and teachers can succeed.

We feel that Billy has acted like a bully, and attacked people's personal opinions the moment they diverge with his own. Hate has no place on the School Board. Positive thinking powers leadership for our students.

We ask Governor DeSantis to please recall Polk County School Board Member Billy Townsend, from his elected office. Polk County has a long and storied history of being a great place to raise a family and prepare tomorrow's leaders: the citizens ask you to remove Billy.