Public commenter alleges vaccine harms and urges board to let voters decide superintendent selection

During the public‑forum portion of the Escambia County School Board workshop, speaker Larry Downs (time donated by Dan Clark) used his six‑minute allotment to criticize vaccines and public‑health leaders and to urge the board to let voters decide whether the superintendent should be elected.

Downs made several explicit accusations, including statements about Anthony Fauci and claims that routine childhood vaccines have not been evaluated for carcinogenic or fertility effects in animals, and he cited product‑label language in his remarks. Those assertions were delivered without supporting evidence presented at the workshop and were not countered by factual rebuttal during the meeting.

Downs also argued that voters were 'tricked' in earlier votes and urged the board to "trust the voters" and place the superintendent question on the ballot. Board members acknowledged his comments as part of public comment but did not take action in response to his claims at the workshop.

Public comments are included in the meeting record; the board did not adopt or endorse the speaker's claims.