At the latest State Board of Education meeting, Florida’s education leaders faced criticism from the Florida Education Association (FEA) for what the union described as politicizing public education and blaming educators for ongoing challenges in the state’s schools.
The FEA accused Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas of spreading misinformation about an Alachua County School Board meeting and using political motivations to intimidate educators in Brevard County and elsewhere. According to the FEA, these actions shift focus away from longstanding issues such as underfunding and policy decisions that have affected public schools across Florida.
“Rather than taking an honest look at the chronic underfunding and harmful policies that have hampered public education in Florida for decades, the Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas has once again chosen politics over students and vilified the very educators who keep our neighborhood public schools strong,” said a statement from the FEA.
During the meeting, Commissioner Kamoutsas reportedly criticized community members in Alachua County who voiced their opinions during a school board session. The commissioner stated that the “culture” there “needs to change,” suggesting state intervention if it does not. The FEA called this “a clear and direct threat to educators and entire communities who dare to disagree with the Governor’s agenda.” The organization also argued that recent efforts by state officials undermine local control of schools.
The union pointed out several persistent problems: budget shortfalls worsened by delayed federal funding, deteriorating classroom conditions including mold and broken air conditioning, low teacher pay—Florida ranks last nationally for average teacher salary—and thousands of students starting school without certified teachers. These issues, according to the FEA, contribute to overcrowded classrooms and declining student performance on standardized tests.
“The truth cannot be ignored: districts are facing million-dollar budget shortfalls exacerbated by federal money that has not yet been delivered; classrooms are plagued with mold, lead, and broken ACs; Florida remains 50th in average teacher pay for the second year in a row; and thousands of students began this school year without a certified educator in their classroom. When our Governor turns a blind eye to the problems, our students pay the price in the form of overcrowded classrooms, declining SAT scores, and slipping performance on math and reading tests,” said an FEA spokesperson.
The Legislative Budget Request (LBR) was also criticized by FEA representatives. They noted that while $145 million is proposed for teacher pay increases, this would amount to less than $30 per paycheck before taxes per teacher—a figure they argue is insufficient given inflation rates. The union pledged continued monitoring of budget proposals affecting education funding.
As stated by members of the State Board of Education themselves: “student achievement isn’t a partisan ideal. Every child—not just a select few—deserves a rich and diverse education that allows them to see themselves in their learning and challenges them to think for themselves.”
The FEA concluded its remarks by urging policymakers to prioritize resources so all children can access quality educational opportunities.
