State Board of Education admonishes teachers’ union for encouraging students to protest
Press release from the Florida Department of Education
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, the State Board of Education addressed recent politically motivated activity by the Florida Education Association (FEA) that prioritized activism over learning, underscoring the State Board’s commitment to protecting instructional time. State Board members expressed serious concern that FEA publicly promoted student protests during valuable instructional hours and then stayed silent while students faced disciplinary actions that could affect their permanent records. The State Board also praised proposed legislation that will offer practical solutions to increase union accountability.
“Florida’s classrooms are for learning, not political activism,” said Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas. “When the state’s teachers’ union encourages students to walk out of class to protest, it not only contradicts their claimed support for educators but also sends a harmful message about the role and purpose of public schools. Our focus must remain on students and their academic achievement.”
“Florida’s teachers’ unions are in urgent need of reform. I applaud Senator Martin and Representative Persons-Mulicka for leading the charge with Senate Bill 1296 and House Bill 995. These measures are designed to hold unions accountable and ensure that representation in our schools actually reflects the educators it serves,” said Ryan Petty, Chair of the State Board of Education.
“Senate Bill 1296 and House Bill 995 will give teachers a genuine choice in whether unions represent them or not,” said MaryLynn Magar, Vice Chair of the State Board of Education. “Once signed into law, this legislation will allow our school leaders and teachers to stay focused on what matters most: serving our students.”
“When I served on the School Board of Broward County, it was challenging to work with teachers’ unions. Too frequently, their focus shifted from supporting educators and students to advancing their own agendas, which slows efforts to improve our schools,” said Daniel Foganholi, Sr., State Board of Education Member. “It’s essential that changes for unions provide clear accountability, so they can prioritize what truly matters, helping teachers succeed and students thrive.”
The FEA held a press conference on February 5, 2026, where a speaker characterized the student protests against law enforcement as a “…response, while framed by some political politicians as radical, is rather reasonable. It’s rational. And in moments like this, it is required.” Union leaders can be seen in the background nodding in agreement. FEA’s President, Andrew Spar, was in attendance and chose to remain silent. President Spar only responded after the matter drew public attention and parents voiced strong objections.
The Florida Department of Education recently issued guidance to school districts clarifying expectations related to student protests, safety, and instructional time. While students may peacefully express their views, districts are expected to prevent disruptions to classroom instruction and maintain safe learning environments.
Commie teachers union leaders are globalists who crave foreign misery coming to their publik skools, to increase mutual dependency and job security. They know the smarter kids can go to other schools anyway.
👺💩👹🤡👿
The state board of education is all talk, no action. The board has repeatedly let us down in Alachua county.
Rockwell is running without a challenge. The Certain that hates whites is going to run our city. Is there a man or a woman who dares to oppose. The board of education should be able to stop Rockwell.
Exercise your personal school choice that the state provides us.
Walk away. Defund them. Your children will thank you later.
Union vs. Nonunion Employment: Key Differences
Wages and Compensation
Union workers earn 11.2% more on average than nonunion peers with similar education and experience, according to the Economic Policy Institute. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports union workers make 18% more in median weekly earnings ($1,216 vs. $1,029). In construction, union workers typically earn $30–$40/hour, compared to $20–$30/hour for nonunion workers. Union jobs also offer higher total compensation, including $8.24/hour in employer-provided retirement vs. $3.39/hour for nonunion workers.
Benefits and Job Security
Union workers have greater access to healthcare (94% vs. 68%) and paid sick days (91% vs. 73%). They receive standardized, guaranteed benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, and paid leave. Job security is stronger in union workplaces—workers are protected from arbitrary dismissal through contractual grievance procedures. Nonunion workers are typically at-will employees, meaning they can be fired for any reason without notice.
Allows workers to stand together against Bullies like our current Administration.
But unions also protect unqualified and problem employees. This restrict businesses and employers trying to rid themselves of trouble employees. This then makes a Business less about quality and more like a daycare for misfits. This occurs in all federal, state, city, and private businesses.