The Florida Board of Education has publicly criticized Alachua County School Board member Tina Certain following a controversial social media post. During a meeting on Wednesday, state officials described the incident as part of a larger pattern of misconduct from the district's leadership, prompting a formal review and a summons for Certain to appear at a future meeting.
Key Takeaways
- Alachua County School Board member Tina Certain is under fire for a social media post calling a conservative activist an "uneducated white boy."
- The Florida Board of Education labeled the incident a "crisis" and part of a repeated pattern of unprofessionalism from the district.
- State officials highlighted that Alachua County is the only one of Florida's 67 school districts to require multiple state interventions.
- Certain has been formally invited to the state board's November meeting to explain her comments and their potential influence on her official duties.
Details of the Controversial Post
The controversy began after Tina Certain, a member of the Alachua County School Board, made a public post on her personal Facebook account. In the post, she referred to conservative activist Charlie Kirk as a “31-year-old uneducated white boy” who has been “glorified.”
The comment quickly drew attention and criticism, leading to the issue being placed on the agenda for the Florida Board of Education's meeting. The language used, particularly the racial and educational references, became a central point of concern for state officials.
Certain's Initial Response
In an initial statement addressing the backlash earlier in the week, Certain acknowledged the phrasing of her comment. She stated, “My personal Facebook comment was poorly worded, but it doesn’t change the reality of his rhetoric.”
When later asked for an updated comment on the state board's actions, Certain informed local news outlet WCJB that she would be consulting with the district's attorney before providing a further statement. This indicates a more cautious approach as the situation escalates from public criticism to official state-level scrutiny.
State Board Declares a 'Crisis Level' Situation
During a tense meeting on Wednesday, members of the Florida Board of Education did not hold back in their assessment of the situation. The board’s chair, Ryan Petty, opened the discussion by framing the issue in severe terms.
“This has risen in my view to crisis level,” Ryan Petty said, setting a serious tone for the proceedings.
State officials argued that this incident was not an isolated event but rather the latest in a series of problems involving the leadership of Alachua County Public Schools. They expressed frustration over the district's repeated need for state oversight.
A Unique Case in Florida
According to Florida Department of Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas, Alachua County stands alone among the state's 67 school districts in its repeated need for corrective action from the state board. This history of intervention has led to heightened scrutiny of its leadership's conduct.
Concerns Over a 'Pattern of Misconduct'
The state board's criticism went beyond the single social media post, focusing on what members described as a persistent pattern of unprofessional behavior and governance failures within the Alachua County school district.
Anastasios Kamoutsas, a commissioner with the Florida Department of Education, emphasized the district's unique status. “There are 67 school districts in this state and while I’m certain they’re not perfect, there is only one that is failing repeatedly having been referred to this board multiple times for corrective action,” he stated.
Board members also raised questions about whether Certain's remarks reflect a bias that could impact her ability to serve all students and families in her district fairly.
Questioning Fitness for Office
The comments from state board members suggested a loss of confidence in Certain's judgment and professionalism. Layla Collins, a Board of Education member, expressed her concern about the lack of improvement.
“What I’m hearing is the pattern existed for a long time and it’s continuing and I find that to be very concerning,” Collins said. “And then with the recent post we discussed, I don’t even see a willingness to do better.”
Board Chair Ryan Petty was even more direct, questioning Certain's suitability for her role. “I quite frankly am of the opinion that somebody who would write that and post that on Facebook doesn’t belong on a state board, or of any district in the state,” Petty declared. “That’s irresponsible — I think we’ve had enough.”
Other Issues Facing the District
The state board's meeting also touched on other ongoing issues within Alachua County Public Schools, reinforcing their concerns about the district's overall management. These included:
- Delayed Safety Reports: The district was cited for a lack of professionalism due to delays in submitting its School Environmental Safety Incident Report (SESIR), a mandatory system for tracking disruptive incidents.
- Teacher Conduct Investigation: A Gainesville High School teacher is facing potential revocation of their teaching certificate after awarding a student a superlative for “Most Likely to Become a Dictator.”
Next Steps and Potential Consequences
The Florida Board of Education has taken formal steps to address its concerns. The board will officially invite Tina Certain to its upcoming meeting in November. During this meeting, she will be expected to provide an explanation for her post.
State officials specifically want her to address why she referenced race in her comment and to clarify whether these views influence her policy-making decisions as an elected school board member. The outcome of this meeting could have significant implications for her future.
Members of the board issued a stark warning, suggesting that if the perceived pattern of unprofessionalism continues, a “career change would not come as a surprise” for the individuals involved. The board confirmed it will continue to monitor the Alachua County district closely throughout the school year.
