CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – The Clay County School Board addressed a controversial social media post made by a board member in December.
During their meeting on Thursday evening, board members discussed Robert Alvero’s social media comments about the “African American community.”
The video, which has since been removed, has drawn widespread criticism and calls for his resignation.
“I have had 80% more negative experience with the African American community in this country than with white people,” Alvero said in the video.
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 later this month.
Dozens of public commenters shared their concerns about Alvero’s comments Thursday night.
“We feel like right now is that we don’t have quality leadership on our school board, because there’s a member of our school board who looks down on a particular percentage of Black people,” said Jamile Davis. “So what we’re asking for, we’re not asking. We are actually demanding that School Board Member Alvero resigns and be replaced.”
“I understand that he apologized but I feel the apology came not so much because he was sorry for what he said but because he got caught. I feel he needs to resign,” said Theresa Arellano.
Protesters gathered ahead of Thursday’s meeting. They held signs that said “Racism will not be tolerated in Clay County” and chanted “No justice. No peace.” The protest was followed by a news conference where multiple leaders continued to echo the call for Alvero to resign.
News4JAX spoke with Reverend Jeffery Dove, Pastor at Saint James AME Church in Orange Park where a similar news conference was held last week. Reverend Dove says he was appalled by the video from Alvero because Alvero has been to his church.
“I think what’s dangerous is that he quotes a lot of scripture,” Reverend Dove explained. “And I think that’s dangerous when you hide behind scripture to validate your hatred and to go hire an attorney, I think he said it. I think he’s said these words, do unto others, you have others doing to you. And so we’re asking him to step down. It’s only right.”
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.
News4Jax contacted Alvero’s attorney Anthony Sabatini asking for a comment about the many people that called for him to resign tonight. We also asked if he plans to be at the state board of education meeting on January 21. He sent us this response:
“No one cares. Cancel culture died November 5, 2024.He’ll be at the beach that day (In reference to the January 21 meeting),” Sabatini said.
Board Chair Erin Skipper said at this point the situation is in the hands of the Governor, the state education commissioner, and Mr. Alvero.
The only way he can leave his seat is through resignation or Governor DeSantis removing him. We contacted the Governor’s office back in December to see if he was aware of the situation and what he planned to do. We have yet to hear back at this time.