School shooting victim’s dad named to Florida school board
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The father of a student slain in Florida's 2018 high school massacre is being appointed to the state Board of Education.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Tuesday that he has appointed Ryan Petty to the board that oversees education policy in the state. Petty’s 14-year-old daughter Alaina was one of 17 people killed in the Feb. 14, 2018, shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.
Petty already serves on the state commission investigating the shooting and has been an outspoken critic of policies that he believes allowed Nikolas Cruz, who is charged in the shootings, to attend the school in 2016 and 2017 despite a long history of emotional and behavioral problems. Petty ran for the Broward County school board in 2018, six months after the shooting, but lost to an incumbent.
He is a senior vice president for a wireless communications company. His appointment must be approved by the state Senate and is for a four-year term.
Copyright 2020 by Associated Press - All rights reserved.
Residents react after man shot, killed by police in their neighborhood ▶ 0:52
Residents react after man shot, killed by police in their neighborhood
Jacksonville gas prices top $4: Where to find cheapest fuel near you ▶ 1:07
Jacksonville gas prices top $4: Where to find cheapest fuel near you
Man armed with gun who kicked in doors of 4 homes shot, killed after confronting officers, JSO says ▶ 1:18
Man armed with gun who kicked in doors of 4 homes shot, killed after confronting officers, JSO says
Bolles Flag Football Moving On ▶ 1:04
Bolles Flag Football Moving On
Elementary schooler shares message for Brantley County community as students return to school ▶ 1:25
Elementary schooler shares message for Brantley County community as students return to school
Kingsland to reconsider data center rules; two planning and zoning items pulled from agenda ▶ 0:57
Kingsland to reconsider data center rules; two planning and zoning items pulled from agenda
Second week of trial begins for 4 men accused in the murder of Jacksonville rapper Julio Foolio ▶ 1:36
Second week of trial begins for 4 men accused in the murder of Jacksonville rapper Julio Foolio
10 years in the making JU Men's Lacrosse going Dancing🏆🐬🥍 ▶ 1:02
10 years in the making JU Men's Lacrosse going Dancing🏆🐬🥍
Donations can be dropped off at area Navy Federal Credit Union locations ▶ 1:39
Donations can be dropped off at area Navy Federal Credit Union locations
Your brain on bargains: Why you’re buying more at the grocery store than you planned ▶ 0:40
Your brain on bargains: Why you’re buying more at the grocery store than you planned
City Councilmember calls on Jacksonville to enter redistricting fray in wake of Supreme Court ruling ▶ 1:09
City Councilmember calls on Jacksonville to enter redistricting fray in wake of Supreme Court ruling
1 wounded, cars left damaged when afterparty erupts in gunfire, witness says ▶ 1:27
1 wounded, cars left damaged when afterparty erupts in gunfire, witness says
Jacksonville afterparty erupted into chaos before man was shot, witness says ▶ 1:14
Jacksonville afterparty erupted into chaos before man was shot, witness says
Brantley County ready to welcome displaced students back when they are ready to return ▶ 0:56
Brantley County ready to welcome displaced students back when they are ready to return
Varsity 4 Boys Basketball Player of the Year ▶ 0:47
Varsity 4 Boys Basketball Player of the Year
Varsity 4 Girls Basketball Player of the Year Kathleen Crawley ▶ 0:57
Varsity 4 Girls Basketball Player of the Year Kathleen Crawley
Neighbors describe heartbreak after ducklings run over, woman faces felony charges ▶ 0:57
Neighbors describe heartbreak after ducklings run over, woman faces felony charges
DCPS bus stop-arm camera warnings end as Blanding Blvd. identified as hotspot; $225 fines begin ▶ 0:51
DCPS bus stop-arm camera warnings end as Blanding Blvd. identified as hotspot; $225 fines begin
Wildfire now 45% contained as officials offer resources for recovery support ▶ 1:27
Wildfire now 45% contained as officials offer resources for recovery support
Everything you need to know about the 61st Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Fest ▶ 1:04
Everything you need to know about the 61st Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Fest
Alligator warning during mating season ▶ 0:31
Alligator warning during mating season
Woman describes killing man with hammer, testifies that he molested her for years as a child ▶ 2:15
Woman describes killing man with hammer, testifies that he molested her for years as a child
Donations pour in for Brantley County community ▶ 1:28
Donations pour in for Brantley County community
Varsity 4 Boys Soccer Player of the Year Robert Calazans ▶ 0:49
Varsity 4 Boys Soccer Player of the Year Robert Calazans
Paramedic’s home among the first to burn down in Brantley County wildfire, but he kept working ▶ 0:50
Paramedic’s home among the first to burn down in Brantley County wildfire, but he kept working
Previous photo Next photo