A termination of agreement letter from political consultant Jon Gray has provided insight into his decision to separate from his long-held relationship with Baldwin County Public Schools.
Gray, the owner of Strategy, Inc., had worked with the school system since 2017 until he resigned last month following public outcry over an external consultant's influence and control. 1819 News sent a public records request for the letter of resignation.
In the letter emailed on April 22, Gray said the "personal attacks and threats" were too much.
"There is a personal toll that comes from this job unlike any other I have ever been engaged with," Gray wrote. "I am passionate about what the school system has provided the people of Baldwin County, but there comes a point upon which I need to realize how others in my life are impacted by the attacks and public comments of those who hate the system, and in turn me, you and others."
The Baldwin County Board of Education met on April 22 and went into executive session. Gray's email was sent at 9:53 p.m., after the executive session.
Superintendent Eddie Tyler confirmed the resignation on April 24. Tyler told 1819 News the resignation was due to new opportunities for Strategy, Inc. He stood behind Gray and said allegations that the school system was attempting to deceive the public could be "slanderous and libel."
"Strategy began discussions with us a year ago, noting that the time commitment did not align with the compensation we could provide," Tyler said in a statement on April 24. "This week, they informed us that they had new business engagements requiring them to move on."
In the termination letter, Gray acknowledged he had been toying with the idea of resigning for over a year. He highlighted his accomplishments, "the permanency of the penny tax, the pay-as-you-go program, the televising of board meetings, revision of the communications program, redistricting of the eastern shore, 9th grade academies, two very successful school splits, four – three mil tax districts (which no one thought we could do), Baldwin Preparatory Academy, many new laws and policies, navigating COVID, the future behavioral and Pre-K academies."
Gray said he would leave with fond memories.
"As I sit making this list, I am awe-struck thinking about the ideas I put on the table with you guys and how far we came from the ashes," Gray said.
"The road has not always been easy but I have always said I'm paid to do a job and I take pride in my work, however that must end this month," he continued. "I have several new engagements coming online that I have spoken with you about, and I am choosing to make some choices about priorities in my work."
"I have turned away opportunities over the years to keep a focus on our work together, but I am choosing to go a different way now," he added. "In that light, I ask that you accept the termination to our agreement effective with the end of this month."
The letter was emailed to Tyler, BOE attorney Sarah Young, chief school financial officer John Wilson and BOE member Cecil Christenberry.
According to BOE minutes from 2019, Strategy, Inc. was paid $9,500 monthly. It is unclear if that amount increased over the years because Tyler told 1819 News the company was paid out of the superintendent's discretionary fund and did not have to be approved by the BOE.
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