CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – The Florida Commissioner of Education sharply criticized a Clay County School Board member Wednesday after he did not show up at a State Board of Education meeting to address controversial remarks he made about the African American community back in December.
During the meeting, Florida Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas slammed School Board Member Robert Alvero not only for the comments he made online, but also because he was absent from the meeting, which he was ordered to attend.
“I’d like to address something directly to you, Mr. Alvero. You said something really dumb. Something that was hurtful to a lot of people in your community. Something that has given this board the reason to wanna assess your fitness to leave the students of Clay County. Ducking the consequences of your action by refusing to stand through account before this board, only furthers your lack of leadership,” Kamoutsas said.
Kamoutsas went on to say Alvero’s actions are “setting a poor example of how adults in positions of authority should handle accountability,” and added that he hopes this incident is a lesson for school members across Florida.
“You must learn from these errors and judgment and proceed with caution when making public comments or posting on social media,” he said.
Press play above to watch Kamoutsas’ full remarks
Wednesday’s remarks came after Alvero made comments online that have been labeled “discriminatory” against the African American community and “unprofessional.”
“I have had 80% more negative experience with the African-American community in this country than with white people. That being said, it doesn’t mean I haven’t had good experiences with African-American people,” he said in the video. “I have met a lot of great African-American people and, and I’m still friends with them. Because they’re good, decent people, but that’s the 20% of the people I have met, the African-Americans. The other 80%, they’re being nasty, they’re being rude, they’re being problematic. You know, always trying to fight, always disrespecting. So why would I want to be around people like that?” Alvero said in the video.
The video — originally streamed live on Facebook — was later deleted, but not before catching Kamoutsas’ attention.
The commissioner expressed concerns in a letter about Alvero’s ability to fairly represent all students, families, and employees in the district, which is why he ordered Alvero to explain his actions at a State Board of Education meeting scheduled for Wednesday.
Alvero has also been temporarily reassigned from his duties as an off-duty firefighter with Jacksonville Fire and Rescue while the department reviews the video.
RELATED | Clay County School Board addresses member’s inflammatory social media comments amid public outcry
JFRD told News4JAX in a partial statement:
“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.”
The Clay County NAACP, State Senator Jennifer Bradley, and School Board Chair Erin Skipper have all urged Alvero to resign.
Alvero hasn’t responded directly to the claims, but his attorney says critics are taking the comments out of context and calls the backlash “fake outrage.”
On Jan. 8, News4JAX asked Alvero’s attorney Anthony Sabatini if Alvero was planning to be at the meeting set for Jan. 21.
“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 responded.