Florida education commissioner threatens school board over public comments

Florida education commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas continued to flex his authority on Friday, this time with threats to punish the Alachua County school board over public comments at its meetings.

A resident who spoke about chairperson Sarah Rockwell’s recent disparaging remarks about Hulk Hogan was approached by deputies after returning to his seat, but ultimately was allowed to remain at the meeting, according to several reports.

Kamoutsas sent a letter to the board, in which he accused members of violating the parent’s First Amendment rights. “Given the circus at the latest meeting, my recommendation is that the State Board of Education withhold the entire school board’s salaries until they follow the law and respect parental rights in Alachua,” he wrote on X, where he also shared the letter.