Florida Board Member Criticizes School Board’s Response to State Directives

Fort Walton Beach, Florida – A member of the Florida Board of Education criticized local School Board members Wednesday, calling their defiance of state directives a form of ‘clout chasing’. The remarks came during a meeting where Board members expressed frustration with the Alachua County School Board’s recent actions.

State Board member Daniel Foganholi singled out Alachua Board Vice Chair Tina Certain for a Facebook comment she made concerning the death of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. Certain expressed her disdain for Kirk’s glorification, stating on Facebook, ‘I didn’t watch any of that Drump rally! … To see the feds & state elevate him angers me.’

Foganholi said, ‘If it’s a mistake, and a true mistake, we show grace. It’s not a mistake. I am convinced that this is what we call clout chasing.’ He argued that some board members seek attention by making controversial statements, claiming they become ‘victims’ in the media.

The Florida Board of Education had previously voted in August to monitor the Alachua Board to ensure it does not suppress First Amendment rights. State board members expressed concern over what they perceive as provocative behavior aimed at eliciting reactions from the state.

MaryLynn Magar, another state board member, said the Alachua Board is ‘baiting’ the state, while Esther Byrd expressed frustration, stating, ‘This isn’t workable. It just can’t continue like this.’

Foganholi linked the current controversies to a broader trend of board members seeking higher office, referencing another Alachua School Board member who suggested running for governor if removed from her position.

U.S. Representative Kat Cammack criticized Certain’s comments, saying, ‘Instead of prioritizing our children, the @AlachuaSchool board members seem to be teaching a master class in hate.’

Certain rejected the call to resign, arguing that her comments, though poorly worded, reflect her views on Kirk’s rhetoric, which she described as ‘demeaning through racism.’

The state has also taken action regarding the Alachua County School Board’s failure to report school safety incident data, which has raised further concerns among state officials.

The Board Chairman, Ryan Petty, mentioned the importance of compliance with state laws regarding safety data, stating, ‘It’s one thing to run a sloppy and dysfunctional board meeting, but it’s quite another to violate state law.’