Florida's Education Commissioner, Anastasios Kamoutsas, made an unscheduled appearance at the Alachua County School Board meeting on October 7, 2025. He publicly criticized the board's conduct, accusing it of fostering a "toxic culture" and neglecting its duties, before personally summoning Vice Chair Tina Certain to a state-level meeting.
Key Takeaways
- Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas accused the Alachua County School Board of intimidation, violating parental rights, and dereliction of duty.
- Board Vice Chair Tina Certain was singled out for her conduct and a controversial social media post, and she was publicly invited to a November State Board of Education meeting.
- Certain defended her actions, stating the social media comment was made in a personal capacity and protected by her First Amendment rights.
- The confrontation underscores escalating tensions between state education officials and the local Alachua County school board.
State Commissioner Delivers Public Rebuke
During the October 7 meeting of the Alachua County School Board, Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas approached the podium to deliver a stern message. The unexpected address followed a performance by the Buchholz Brass Quintet.
"I wish I was here under better circumstances, but unfortunately, if I’m being frank, I’m outraged," Kamoutsas began. "I’m outraged by the toxic culture, the pattern of intimidation, and the dereliction of duty that this Board has repeatedly demonstrated."
The commissioner alleged that the board has ignored state laws and violated the constitutional rights of parents. He claimed that parents who voiced concerns at meetings were forcibly removed, which he described as a violation of their rights.
"Meanwhile, Board members behave as if the law doesn’t apply to themselves," Kamoutsas stated. "This is unacceptable in any public institution, but it is especially egregious in our schools, where accountability, transparency, and professionalism are non-negotiable."
Focus on Vice Chair Tina Certain's Conduct
Kamoutsas directed much of his criticism toward Vice Chair Tina Certain. He noted that after he and the State Board of Education put the Alachua board on notice in August, Certain's behavior did not change. He referenced the September 2 meeting, where Certain, serving as acting Chair, allegedly questioned the legitimacy of the state board's findings.
According to the commissioner, a Department of Education employee, Dusty Sims, reported that Certain "could not maintain professionalism or decorum at the meeting."
District Performance Metrics
Commissioner Kamoutsas pointed to the school district's academic performance as a reason for the board to refocus its priorities. He stated that the district currently holds a "B" grade and that nearly 10% of its schools are rated as "D" schools.
The commissioner also brought up a recent Facebook comment made by Certain, in which she referred to political commentator Charlie Kirk as an "uneducated white boy." Kamoutsas questioned the impact of such language on students and school district employees.
"Think — how do your words impact students? How do they impact the employees and the staff and the teachers in the Alachua County School District?" he asked. "You have repeatedly brought negative attention to this school district because of your selfish acts."
A Pattern of Unacceptable Behavior Alleged
The commissioner asserted that these incidents were part of a larger pattern. He pointed to several past events that occurred while Certain was a board member, including the district's refusal to comply with state laws regarding COVID-19 and an incident where a student was given a satirical award for "Most Likely to Be a Dictator."
"If the Alachua County School Board members are willing to act in this manner while under the active scrutiny of the State Board of Education and FDOE staff, what happens when we’re not watching?" Kamoutsas questioned. He accused the board of focusing on personal matters instead of student achievement.
State Monitoring and Accountability
The Florida Department of Education (FDOE) and the State Board of Education have the authority to monitor local school districts for compliance with state laws and regulations. This can include observing meetings, reviewing policies, and summoning local officials to state-level hearings to address concerns over governance and performance.
Kamoutsas concluded his remarks with a direct invitation to the Vice Chair and a promise of continued oversight.
"I’m determined to change the culture of intimidation and neglect of duty here in Alachua County," he said. "Vice Chair Certain, I will see you at our November State Board of Education meeting, where you will be asked some very difficult questions and have to explain why it is that you believe you’re fit to serve the residents of Alachua County."
Board Members Respond to Commissioner's Accusations
Following the commissioner's departure, board members addressed the situation. Member Janine Plavac raised a question for the board's attorney, David Delaney, regarding the use of social media disclaimers.
Plavac referenced a recent board workshop on the First Amendment where members were advised to add a disclaimer to personal social media pages stating, "the views expressed here are strictly my own." She asked if such a disclaimer would have made Certain's comment "less subject to scrutiny."
Delaney described the practice as a "recommended best practice" that gives public officials more control over their personal accounts, but he stopped short of promising it would prevent scrutiny.
Vice Chair Certain Defends Her First Amendment Rights
When it was her turn to speak, Tina Certain addressed the controversy directly. She clarified that the comment was made on her personal Facebook page, which is separate from the page she uses for official school board business.
"I made it in my personal capacity, on a Sunday afternoon, with my personal device that I spent my own money on," Certain explained. "I leaned into it and made it because I do have a First Amendment right, recognizing that I did not give that up after the training that we had."
Certain maintained that her comment represented her personal feelings and did not speak for the rest of the board. "Those were Tina Certain’s views, and they were taken out of context," she said. "And I don’t feel like I have to justify that." She emphasized that when she speaks publicly, she makes it clear whether she is representing herself or the board.
