Latest news with #AlachuaCountySchoolBoard
Yahoo
28-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Alachua County School Board Chair Rockwell faces criticism for comments about late Hulk Hogan
Alachua County School Board Chair Sarah Rockwell is facing criticism from Republican leaders over comments made on social media about the death on July 24 of WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan. U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack, R-Gainesville, reposted on X a post from Libs of TikTok on July 27 that quoted Rockwell's reaction to Hogan's death that read: "Oh did Hulk die? I didn't even know. Good. One less MAGA in the world." Additionally, Rockwell wrote in follow-up comments that Hogan worked with Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and her husband, Vince, WWE's co-founder, to union bust professional wrestling. "He's never been a good guy," Rockwell wrote. "I feel absolutely nothing about his death." In response, Cammack wrote on X that as the district's federal representative, she looks forward to meeting with Rockwell and the school board to discuss the district's funding. Tim Marden, the mayor of Newberry and the chair of the local Republican Party, told The Sun in a text on July 28 that Rockwell should resign and that her comments about Hogan add to a long list of troubling issues coming from the school board. "It's all just too much at this point, we can't trust her to do the right thing, it's that simple," Marden said. Calls to Rockwell and the school district seeking comment have not yet been returned. Rockwell later apologized in a separate Facebook post and wrote that she deeply regrets her comments. "I want to make it very clear that I never have and never will wish harm on anyone regardless of whether we share political views," Rockwell wrote. "While I strongly disagree with some of the comments Hulk Hogan made, that is no excuse for my comment. "... I will continue to do the hard work of putting our children and schools first. I hope I can earn back your trust." This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Alachua County official under fire for comments about late Hulk Hogan Solve the daily Crossword
Time of India
27-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Who is Sarah Rockwell? Florida school board member under fire for celebrating Hulk Hogan's demise; issues apology for 'cruel and flippant' comment
Sarah Rockwell, Alachua County School Board Member (File photo) Alachua County School Board member Sarah Rockwell has come under fire for a controversial Facebook post reacting to the reported death of wrestling legend Hulk Hogan . Rockwell's comment- 'Oh did Hulk die? I didn't even know. Good. One less MAGA in the world.'- quickly drew backlash online, with critics questioning her judgment and fitness for public office. Amid mounting criticism, Rockwell released a statement acknowledging she made a 'cruel and flippant comment,' adding, 'I never have and never will wish harm on anyone regardless of whether we share political views.' She further addressed residents, saying, 'I also sincerely apologize for the way my comment has eroded confidence in my ability to represent all students, families, and staff in Alachua County.' Who is Sarah Rockwell? Sarah Rockwell is an elected member of the Alachua County School Board in Florida, a role that involves helping set policy, overseeing budgeting, and representing public education interests in the district. She was elected to advocate for local students, families, and staff- a responsibility some say her recent comment has undermined. Others have defended her right to free speech, even as public pressure continues to mount. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Flexible Program BITS Pilani Digital Apply Now Undo Dr Rockwell holds bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in Special Education from the University of Florida, with academic focuses on early childhood special education, reading disabilities, and autism, according to her website made for campaigning. She has over 20 years of experience in public education, including teaching roles in Miami-Dade, Levy, and Marion Counties, and has worked as an educational diagnostician at UF's Multidisciplinary Diagnostic and Training Program. She has also served as a teaching assistant and adjunct instructor at the University of Florida and as an advising specialist at Santa Fe College. Beyond her academic and professional roles, Rockwell is involved in several community and education-focused organisations, including the First United Methodist Church of Gainesville Preschool Board, Education Equity Advocates of Alachua County, and local PTAs. She is a mother of two children with disabilities who were previously enrolled in Alachua County Public Schools and are now homeschooled due to medical risk factors.
Hindustan Times
26-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Who is Sarah Rockwell? Alachua Schools' board chair under fire for celebrating Hulk Hogan's death
Sarah Rockwell, the chair of the Alachua County School Board in Florida, is under fire for a comment she made on Hulk Hogan's passing on Thursday, July 24. In a comment on a Facebook post, Rockwell, on being informed by another user about Hogan's passing, reacted, saying: "Good. One less MAGA in the world." Sarah Rockwell (L. Source: Sarah Rockwell on Facebook) and Hulk Hogan (R, Source: AFP). (Facebook and AFP) Since the comments were made, they have been screenshotted and made viral on social media by those associated with Donald Trump's Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement. Hogan, who passed away from cardiac arrest at his home in Florida, was a staunch supporter of the MAGA movement. After his death, Trump paid tribute to 'Hulkster' and said was "MAGA all the way." However, Rockwell's comment about Hulk Hogan's death sparked backlash, especially within the MAGA camp. In another comment, she said that Hogan "has never been a good guy." 'He worked with the McMahons to union-bust professional wrestling. he's never been a good guy. I feel absolutely nothing about his death.' Who is Sarah Rockwell? Rockwell, the current chair of the Alachua County School Board in Florida, holds bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in Special Education from the University of Florida, with a focus on early childhood special education, reading disabilities, and autism. Also read: Hulk Hogan tribute: WWE, Triple H present beautiful video at SmackDown; fans in tears She ran a campaign for the Alachua County School Board District 3, and the official WordPress blog of the campaign, she revealed that she is the mother of two children with disability and knows about the "difficult decisions parents have had to make during the last two years, especially families that had additional challenges before the pandemic."
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Alachua County School Board votes to challenge Newberry charter school conversion
The Alachua County School Board on Wednesday voted unanimously to direct the superintendent and legal counsel to file an appeal with the State Board of Education concerning the conversion of Newberry Elementary School into a public charter school. That decision comes after the Florida Department of Education's Charter School Review Commission last month approved the application to convert Newberry Elementary School into a public charter school beginning with 2026-27 school year. School board member Tina Certain, who attended the Charter School Review Commission meeting in Orlando on Feb. 26, made the motion, which included exploring "all available legal actions" regarding the charter approval. "I really do hope you guys support the motion, we file the appeal, and I am ready for doing a whole lot more than that," Certain said. The Charter School Review Commission unanimously approved the Newberry Community School Board's application despite a controversial vote in April 2024 in which it was determined that exactly half of the parents at Newberry Elementary voted in favor of the charter conversion. A state rule that has since been amended called for a majority of teachers and parents at a school attempting a charter conversion to approve the measure. The state Board of Education in August, however, amended the rule to allow for only 50% of teachers and 50% of parents — instead of a majority — to approve a charter conversion for it to pass. "These people did not follow the rules in any step of the way," board member Thomas Vu said. "They lost the vote, it was never contested, and no one's ever ruled otherwise with any authority that has a say otherwise — even Florida's attorney general refused to comment and rule on this, if that tells you anything." Vu went on to vehemently question the notion that the charter conversion plan began as a grassroots campaign by concerned local parents. He noted its strong financial backing, its support by Newberry Mayor Jordan Marlowe, the use of city resources, and the help of "high-level political consultant" Joel Searby, who has since been charged with soliciting a teenage boy for sex. "Their whole campaign started with a lie," he said. In the event the appeal is dismissed or denied, district attorney David Delaney said staff is currently working on a contract that would allow Alachua County Public Schools to sponsor the charter school. Local news: Memorial wall will honor graduates of former all-Black Lincoln High School in Gainesville Wednesday's meeting also provided a platform for teachers to express their unease regarding the district's protocols for interactions with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) released in February. Nancy Dean, a veteran educator with 36 years of experience in Alachua County, shared her worries regarding the protocol. "Schools have always been safe places in which students could freely learn and be part of the community,' she said. 'When did teachers become wardens of the law? Our job is to teach and protect students, not to endanger them." Teacher Nickole Dean talked about the potential impact on student trust and holding the board accountable regarding teachers' salary increase. "We may be middle of the bar in the state of Florida, but in the community, we feel dead last,' she said. 'Teachers are posting in Facebook groups asking what jobs are out there because they're tired of feeling so insignificant. Not only are we feeling insignificant, we're feeling forced to hand over children." — Local News Editor Alan Festo contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Alachua County School Board to appeal Newberry charter conversion
