Community leaders call for accountability over Clay County School Board member’s inflammatory social media comments

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – More community leaders in Clay County are calling for accountability after a controversial social media post about “the African American community” by a member of the School Board.

Board member Robert Alvero’s racially charged, inflammatory comments on a Facebook Live, which has since been taken down, have drawn widespread criticism and calls for his resignation.

The remarks even captured the attention of the Florida Commissioner of Education, who called for Alvero to explain himself at a State Board of Education meeting next month.

At 11 a.m. Wednesday, regional faith, education and civic leaders will join together for a news conference at Saint James AME Church at 535 McIntosh Ave. in Orange Park to address the “discriminatory public statements.”

In the 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 Clay County School Board in November 2024 and represents the Oakleaf area. African Americans make up 25% of the district.

Of the approximately 39,000 students in the district, 40% are comprised of minority, multiracial, and historically marginalized groups.

Community faith leader Bishop Marvin C. Zanders said Alvero’s comments “have fundamentally compromised the moral trust essential to public service and necessitated a formal call for the official’s immediate resignation.”

Zanders said the controversy goes beyond partisan politics, and together, the community leaders “will address the sociological and spiritual harm caused by such rhetoric, advocating for leadership rooted in dignity, respect, and fairness for all students.”

In a letter to Alvero, Kamoutsas said the board member showed “unprofessional conduct” when he used “discriminatory” language to describe the African American community.

“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.

Alvero, an off-duty firefighter with the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD), has also been temporarily reassigned to administrative duties while the video is being reviewed.

Despite the fact that Alvero has since apologized for his remarks in the deleted video, his attorney, Anthony Sabatini, told News4JAX the outcry about the situation was “fake outrage.”

“This fake outrage is complete and total nonsense. School Board Member Alvero never said a single racist thing. Pathetic & woke political actors have decontextualized his comments in order to create a fake controversy. Why? Because they are mad that they lost in the election against him last year.

“Education Commissioner Stasi is a good leader— but he was purposely misled by local politicians who sent decontextualized video clips to make Alervo appear “racist.” Sadly, jealous politicians will stop at nothing to defame the character of true public servants.”

Among those who have spoken out against the board member’s remarks are the Clay County NAACP, Sen. Jenn Bradley, the Clay County Democratic Executive Committee and Clay County School Board chair Erin Skipper.

Skipper 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.

Bradley sent this statement:

“Mr. Alvero’s comments were unacceptable and do not reflect the values of our community. After making discriminatory statements about the black community, Mr. Alvero went on to state that, like Nick Fuentes, he harbors racism,” she said. “He should not continue to hold a position of public trust, especially with our children. I’m thankful that the Education Commissioner took swift action by ordering Mr. Alvero to appear before the State Board of Education. My hope is that Mr. Alvero resigns.”

In a statement to News4JAX, a JFRD spokesperson wrote: “The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department has been made aware of recent social media comments by off-duty firefighter Robert Alvero. The views expressed by firefighter Alvero do not reflect the values, mission, or position of JFRD.

Our department is committed to serving all members of our community with professionalism, respect, and dignity, without exception. We hold our personnel to the highest standards of conduct.

JFRD serves a very diverse community, and we take our responsibility to provide equitable emergency services to every resident and visitor in Jacksonville seriously. Bias of any kind has no place in our department or the delivery of public safety services.

Firefighter Alvero has been temporarily reassigned to administrative duties while this matter is being reviewed. We will take appropriate action as warranted following a thorough investigation."

Clay County District Schools also issued a statement and addressed calls for his removal from the board: “Clay County District Schools is aware of recent social media content shared by School Board member Robert Alvero. We want to state unequivocally that these comments do not reflect the values, mission, or beliefs of our district. Our schools are built on a foundation of providing a safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environment, and the remarks in question stand in direct opposition to our commitment to excellence.

Regarding public inquiries and calls for removal, it is important to clarify the legal process governing school board membership. Neither the Superintendent nor the School Board as a body has the legal authority to remove an elected board member from office. Because school board members are constitutional officers, their term can only end early through a voluntary resignation or if the Governor acts to remove them from office, as outlined in Article IV, Section 7(a) of the Florida Constitution.

The School Board takes this matter seriously and is committed to addressing it publicly and transparently.

Clay County District Schools remains steadfast in our dedication to the success of every child we serve, and we will continue to ensure our schools remain places where all individuals are treated with dignity."

Alvero has not spoken out about a possible resignation.