School board members across Florida have learned they can't hide behind their positions while attacking conservative values.
Florida's Education Commissioner has been cracking down hard on leftist board members who celebrate the deaths of MAGA icons or disparage patriots.
But a Clay County School Board member praised a white nationalist while serving 7,000 Black students.
School Board Member Makes Shocking Video About African Americans
Robert Alvero joined the Clay County School Board just over a year ago representing the Oakleaf area.
The district serves more than 39,000 students, with African Americans making up nearly 18% of the student population.
Last week, Alvero posted a Facebook Live video that detonated like a bomb across Florida politics.
"I have had 80% more negative experience with the African American community in this country than with white people," Alvero said while sitting in his car wearing sunglasses.
"The other 80%, they've been nasty, they've been rude, they've been problematic — always trying to fight, always disrespecting," he continued.
Then came the part that had Republicans demanding his immediate resignation.
"I understand where Nick Fuentes is coming from also about what he says, everybody has a little bit racism on them, I agree," Alvero stated.
https://twitter.com/StasiKamoutsas/status/2003166378656997486?s=20
Nick Fuentes is a 27-year-old white nationalist who has questioned the Holocaust, promotes the "great replacement" conspiracy theory, and leads the so-called "Groyper" movement.
Fuentes has openly stated that "Jews are running society, women need to shut up, Blacks need to be imprisoned for the most part."
He founded the America First Political Action Conference as a white nationalist alternative to CPAC.
Even President Trump has distanced himself from Fuentes after briefly meeting with him, and mainstream conservatives universally condemn his extremist views.
Yet here was a school board member — entrusted with overseeing the education of thousands of Black students — saying he understood where this Holocaust denier was coming from.
Education Commissioner Summons Board Member To Tallahassee
Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas, a DeSantis appointee who's made his name cracking down on leftist school boards, didn't waste time.
Kamoutsas sent a blistering letter to Alvero on Monday demanding he appear before the State Board of Education on January 21.
"It is unclear to me how an individual entrusted with the oversight of educating over 39,000 students in Clay County could speak in such a way," Kamoutsas wrote.
"This is even more concerning considering almost 7,000 (17.8%) of Clay County's students are African American, and the district is filled with many hardworking African American teachers, school leaders, bus drivers, cafeteria staff, and other employees."
Kamoutsas called Alvero's conduct "unprofessional" and "discriminatory."
"I can only pray that the children of Clay County have been protected from your discriminatory content," the commissioner added.
State Senator Jennifer Bradley brought the video to Kamoutsas' attention and immediately called for Alvero's resignation.
"I listened to these comments by Clay County School Board member, Mr. Alvero, with the heaviest heart," Bradley said. "They are beyond the pale and unfitting of his position of public trust with our children."
House Speaker-designate Sam Garrison joined the chorus demanding Alvero step down.
The Clay County Republican Executive Committee issued a statement calling for Alvero to resign "immediately due to extremely disappointing and hurtful remarks."
School Board Chair Erin Skipper said Alvero's comments "do not reflect the values of our district and are unacceptable."
She expressed hope he would consider resigning and noted the board plans to address the issue at its January 8 meeting.
Even Alvero's other employer took action — Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department reassigned him to administrative duties pending a thorough investigation.
"Bias of any kind has no place in our department or the delivery of public safety services," a JFRD spokesperson said.
Alvero is also a member of the Florida State Guard, which is now reviewing whether he faces disciplinary action.
Cuban Immigrant Says Comments Were Misunderstood
Alvero attempted damage control with an apology video over the weekend.
He claimed his goal was to "disavow stereotypes" and share his experiences as a Cuban immigrant who arrived in the United States in 2008.
"I was saying that during my time there, I faced many negative interactions, including being called names and even physically assaulted, but I also met many good, decent people," Alvero said.
"I made comments that were wrong and offensive. That wasn't my intention," he added.
Pastor Jeffrey Dove of St. James African American Methodist Episcopal Church in Orange Park wasn't buying it.
"I think the words that he spoke about the Black community is disrespectful," Dove said. "We're living in a very hostile political environment, and this just fuel to the fire."
Dove described Alvero's apology as "watered down" but said he's hoping Alvero considers meeting with him one-on-one.
"I want him to have enough gall to look me in my face and call me that, but more so as a Christian, I believe I need to pray with the brother," Dove explained.
Alvero won his seat in November 2024 with 55% of the vote.
He worked as a firefighter and served in the Florida State Guard before joining the school board.
In his apology, Alvero insisted: "As a Christian, I love everyone regardless of race."
He explained his comments stemmed from personal negative experiences but emphasized that "character is not defined by race."
Commissioner Has Been Cleaning House Across Florida
Kamoutsas has built a reputation for holding school board members accountable since taking office in July 2025.
The former deputy chief of staff to Governor Ron DeSantis made clear on his first day that he would be "knocking on doors" of superintendents who violate parental rights.
He previously summoned Alachua County School Board Vice Chair Tina Certain to appear before the state board after she called Charlie Kirk an "uneducated white boy" following his assassination in September.
Kamoutsas also went after Alachua County School Board Chair Sarah Rockwell for celebrating the death of Hulk Hogan by posting "Good. One less MAGA in the world."
The commissioner has made it clear that school board members will be held to professional standards — regardless of their political views.
"School Board Members have a responsibility to represent all students and families and uphold the professionalism due of an elected official," Kamoutsas wrote in his letter to Alvero.
Whether Alvero resigns before the January 8 school board meeting or the January 21 state board appearance remains to be seen.
But one thing is certain — praising white nationalists while serving Black students is a career-ending move in Ron DeSantis' Florida.
¹ A.G. Gancarski, "Clay School Board member Robert Alvero under fire after saying most Black people are 'nasty' and 'rude'," Florida Politics, December 22, 2025.
² Jake Stofan, "Calls for resignation after Clay School Board Member makes racist remarks in since-deleted video," Action News Jax, December 22, 2025.
³ Ibid.
⁴ "Nick Fuentes," Southern Poverty Law Center, June 3, 2025.
⁵ Ibid.
⁶ "Florida education commissioner calls out Clay County School Board member for 'discriminatory social media post'," News4JAX, December 22, 2025.
⁷ Ibid.
⁸ Gancarski, Florida Politics.
⁹ Stofan, Action News Jax.
¹⁰ Ibid.
¹¹ Ibid.
¹² "Florida education commissioner calls out Clay County School Board member," News4JAX.
¹³ Gancarski, Florida Politics.
