US EditionControversial Remarks by Clay County School Board Member to Be Addressed at State Board of Education Meeting
Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas criticized Alvero for harmful racial remarks and skipping a state board meeting; about 80% of Alvero's comments targeted the African American community.
- On Jan. 21, 2026, Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas summoned Robert Alvero, Clay County School Board member, to appear at the State Board of Education meeting, Tallahassee, but Alvero did not attend.
- Alvero's deleted Facebook Live video said 80% of his experiences with African Americans were negative and prompted widespread outrage, drawing dozens of Clay County residents and protestors demanding his resignation.
- Kamoutsas said, `For me, this unfortunate incident is a reminder, but the legislature needs to look at this board’s authority with regard to school board members` and that `Students must remain the priority`; Alvero's absence undermined Florida Statute 1008.32.
- Alvero retained attorney Anthony Sabatini, who argues disciplinary actions violate First Amendment rights and warned legal action would follow; formal consequences for Alvero remain unclear.
- Under Florida law only the governor can remove an elected school board member, and last month Republican state Sen. Jennifer Bradley and House Speaker-designate Sam Garrison called on Alvero to resign.
10 Articles
10 Articles
Florida Education Commissioner Seeks Expanded Power Over 'Political' Local School Board Members
Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas wants the Legislature to grant the state more authority over locally elected school board members following racist social media remarks by Clay County’s Robert Alvero regarding the African American community. Critics and legal counsel say such oversight constitutes First Amendment retaliation. The debate highlights a growing tension between state-appointed boards and locally elected officials. …
After Clay County incident, education commissioner wants more ‘authority’ over school board members
Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas gives the commissioner's update during a Jan. 21, 2026, Board of Education meeting at Tallahassee State College. (Photo by Jay Waagmeester/Florida Phoenix)Florida’s education commissioner is not happy with the conduct of some locally elected school board members, and he wants to do something about it. Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas made clear Wednesday during a Board of Education meeting in Tallahas…
Controversial remarks by Clay County School Board member to be addressed at State Board of Education meeting
The fallout surrounding a Clay County School Board member is expected to be addressed by the State Board of Education on Wednesday. This comes after School Board Member Robert Alvero made comments online that have been labeled “discriminatory” against the African-American community and “unprofessional” by the state’s top education official.
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