Florida's education system is still reeling from the Charlie Kirk assassination.
One school board member crossed a line that shocked even hardened political observers.
And Florida's education chief blew the lid off one school board member's ugly Charlie Kirk comments.
State official calls out board member for inflammatory rhetoric
Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas didn't mince words when he stood before the Leon County School Board on Tuesday night.
Kamoutsas tore into board member Darryl Jones for calling Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk a "racist, misogynist, homophobic Klansman."¹
Kirk was assassinated on September 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University, sending shockwaves through the conservative movement.
Jones chose that moment of national mourning to attack a man who dedicated his life to inspiring young conservatives on college campuses.
"Board member Darryl Jones has shown a disturbing willingness to engage in political theater to appease political fanatics and to encourage teachers in this county to do the same," Kamoutsas told the board.²
https://twitter.com/StasiKamoutsas/status/1983326613891887447
The Education Commissioner wasn't done.
He blasted Jones for using Kirk's murder as an opportunity to divide rather than unite the community.
"He chose to use the murder of an innocent man on a school campus to sow division rather than uniting and serving his community," Kamoutsas explained. "His actions erode trust and distract from the district's educational mission."³
State cracks down on teachers celebrating political assassination
Kamoutsas previously issued a memo warning Florida school districts that teachers could face serious consequences for making what he called "despicable comments" about Kirk's assassination.⁴
The warning came after reports surfaced of educators celebrating Kirk's death on social media.
Teachers who cross that line could lose their teaching certificates or face termination.
Following Tuesday's board meeting, Kamoutsas doubled down on his criticism of Jones, posting on X that the board member's actions "foster the lack of civility that was demonstrated at tonight's school board meeting."⁵
https://twitter.com/StasiKamoutsas/status/1982903886865412275
The next day, Kamoutsas expanded his criticism beyond Jones to take aim at the district's leadership failures.
Kamoutsas pointed out that St. Lucie County has nine fewer administrators than Leon County but serves about 20,000 more students.
That kind of top-heavy bureaucracy costs taxpayers money that should go toward teacher salaries instead.
"Leadership failures in this district extend beyond salary negotiations," Kamoutsas stated. "Several Leon County schools are operating at half capacity. Instead of consolidating and optimizing resources, district leaders choose to complain about costs rather than take decisive action."⁶
https://twitter.com/StasiKamoutsas/status/1983527761663717752
The Education Commissioner noted that despite nearly $6 billion in state education funding increases over the past six years, including $1.36 billion this year specifically earmarked for teacher pay, Leon County has delayed pay raises for its teachers.
District administrators found money to hire more bureaucrats but somehow couldn't find the funds to properly compensate the teachers actually working with students.
Kamoutsas is doing exactly what Florida's Education Commissioner should do – holding school boards accountable when they let political grandstanding take priority over educating students.
Jones showed zero respect for Kirk's memory, his grieving family, or the conservative students Kirk spent his career trying to help.
The board member's inflammatory rhetoric created exactly the kind of toxic environment that makes parents question whether radical leftist school board members care more about pushing their agenda than serving students.
¹ Anita Padilla, "Florida education chief condemns Leon County school board member over Charlie Kirk comments," Florida News, October 29, 2025.
² – ⁶ Ibid.
