CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – A controversial social media post about “the African American community” by a member of the Clay County School Board captured the attention of the Florida Commissioner of Education on Monday, and he’s calling for the board member to explain himself at a State Board of Education meeting next month.
Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas said Board member Robert Alvero showed “unprofessional conduct” when he used “discriminatory” language to describe the African American community.
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Clay County School Board Member Robert Alvero posted discriminatory comments on social media. I am requiring him to appear before the State Board of Education at their meeting in January to explain this conduct.
— Anastasios Kamoutsas (@StasiKamoutsas) December 22, 2025
School Board Members have a responsibility to represent all… pic.twitter.com/ThskAxH1Ll
“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. 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. I can only imagine their deep disappointment during this holiday season on learning of your views,” Kamoutsas wrote in a letter addressed to Alvero.
In a Facebook Live video, first reported by Clay News & Views, Alvero said, “I have had 80% more negative experience with the African American community in this country than with white people.”
“With that being said,” he continued. “Doesn’t mean I haven’t had good experiences with African American people. I have met a lot of great African American people, and I still friends with them because they’re good, decent people. But that’s the 20% of the people I have met. They’re African Americans. The other 80%, they’re being nasty. They’re being rude. They’re being problematic. Always trying to fight. Always disrespecting. So why would I want to be around people like that?”
Alvero joined the board in November 2024 and represents the Oakleaf area. African Americans make up 25% of the district.
Some people spoke out against the board member’s remarks, including Clay County School Board chair Erin Skipper.
She said the board was aware of Alvero’s comments, which did not “reflect the values” of the school district, and would address them during a board meeting in early January.
According to Clay News, Alvero expressed deep regret for his comments and said it “did not represent what he was trying to say.”
“I made comments that were wrong and offensive. That wasn’t my intention. They do not reflect my values or how I treat people. I regret them and apologize. I am taking the time to reflect,” Alvero said to Clay News.
Kamoutsas said he is directing Alvero to attend the State Board of Education meeting on Jan. 21 to explain his conduct.
“I can only pray that the children of Clay County have been protected from your discriminatory content,” Kamoutsas wrote.
Kamoutsas said local state senator Jennifer Bradley, who represents Clay County and surrounding counties, brought the post to his attention.