Anastasios Kamoutsas continues hammering teachers union over student walkouts

Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas is continuing to attack the Florida Education Association (FEA), accusing the teachers union of supporting student political walkouts, then leaving students on their own when they get in trouble.

FEA leaders have previously denied encouraging young people to walk out of school during protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“Florida’s classrooms are for learning, not political activism,” Kamoutsas said in a press release. “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.”

Meanwhile, the FEA strongly refuted the state’s claims earlier this week that it was supporting students walking out on class.

“Unfortunately, some individuals have circulated inaccurate and misleading claims about the work of Florida educators,” said FEA President Andrew Spar in a video press conference. 

“Let me be clear and restate my prior public comments. The Florida Education Association has never encouraged or organized, and would never encourage or organize, students to walk out or miss class.”

FEA did not immediately respond to Kamoutsas’ latest statement.

Kamoutsas has routinely criticized unions, including the FEA.

Kamoutsas is also continuing to lobby for HB 995 and SB 1296, which Spar called “anti-worker anti-freedom bills.”

Both bills contain the provision that a union trying to get certified or recertified would need at least 30% of members to give their support in writing 12 months before filing the petition, as well as other changes.

“Florida’s teachers’ unions are in urgent need of reform,” said Ryan Petty, Chair of the State Board of Education. “These measures are designed to hold unions accountable and ensure that representation in our schools actually reflects the educators it serves.”

HB 995 has one final committee stop before going to the full House floor. SB 1296 was advanced in its first committee stop 6-3 and is moving through the Senate.