Latest news with #Kamoutsas
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
DeSantis aide Anastasios Kamoutsas elevated to Education Commissioner
The Turlington Building, which houses the Florida Department of Education, stands in the foreground, with the Tallahassee skyline, including the Capitol building, beyond. Photo taken from the FAMU campus on Dec. 31, 2024. (Photo by Jay Waagmeester/Florida Phoenix) Anastasios Kamoutsas, deputy chief of staff for Gov. Ron DeSantis, received unanimous approval from the Florida Board of Education Wednesday to serve as the state's next education commissioner. Florida's education commissioner plays a major role shaping education policy in a state that has drawn national attention for its contentious policies on library book removals, and diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. 'If given this opportunity, you can rest assured that I will take the baton and continue to run the race,' Kamoutsas told the Board of Education Wednesday morning. Education commissioner to leave post, become interim president at University of West Florida He started at the Department of Education in 2019, serving as general counsel and eventually as chief of staff, before joining the governor's office in 2023. DeSantis came out in full support of Kamoutsas Tuesday, saying 'Stasi Kamoutsas has delivered on important issues like parental rights, school choice, and fighting back against radical ideologies in education.' The job opened after Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. was named interim president of the University of West Florida. He will take that job in July, making Wednesday's meeting likely his last as commissioner. Kamoutsas' approval as commissioner is contingent on Diaz being named the official president of UWF after a search, board Chair Ben Gibson said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX 'A lot of times in these situations, we are taking somewhat of a leap of faith in having a commissioner come in, … Here we have an opportunity, members, I believe, to choose someone we don't have to guess, really, how they're going to perform,' Gibson said. 'And someone who's been in the trenches at every level of the department, has been involved in every major education decision that the state of Florida has made over the last six years.' During the public comment period, political figures lined up to praise Kamoutsas, including Florida International University President and former Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez, New College of Florida President and former Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran, former House Speaker Jose Oliva, and Broward County College President Torey Alston. 'If I had to use one world to describe him, I'd say he's relentless,' Oliva said, while others praised him for his work ethic and family values. 'What's been the gem that's been hiding in the background is coming public,' Diaz said, attesting to Kamoutsas' involvement in previous policies and actions by the department. 'He understands that history because he's been present for a good amount of it inside the department, inside the governor's office, but he's heard the battle stories from President Corcoran, from Speaker Oliva, from Chancellor [Ray] Rodrigues, from myself, so he understands the history and where we came from in this reform, and he's perfectly equipped and willing to continue it,' Diaz said. In addition to pledging to fight for parental involvement in the education system, Kamoutsas appealed to teachers, too. 'Teachers, you have my word that I stand in support of you. Whether that's maintaining discipline in your classrooms or working with the governor on continued pay increases, know that I have your back,' Kamoutsas said. The Washington Post reported in 2023 that Kamoutsas, who worked in the governor's office, was responsible for denying a pending promotion to a Florida Department of Law Enforcement attorney who advocated for the governor's travel records to be public. The attorney 'was not on our team,' the paper reported Kamoutsas as saying. The push to hide details of the governor's travel records came before DeSantis ran to be the GOP nominee for U.S. president. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Miami Herald
6 days ago
- General
- Miami Herald
Another DeSantis ally takes Florida's top public education job
Anastasios 'Stasi' Kamoutsas was named Florida's next commissioner of education on Monday during a meeting filled with political and religious overtones, continuing the trend of Gov. Ron DeSantis' allies being placed in leadership positions across the state's public education system. Kamoutsas, the governor's deputy chief of staff, was named the state's top education official by the Florida State Board of Education, which convened at Miami Dade College's Wolfson Campus. He is expected to succeed Manny Diaz Jr., a former Miami-Dade teacher and lawmaker who has been named interim president of the University of West Florida. Kamoutsas was recommended for the job by DeSantis, who previously made him his deputy chief of staff. Previously, he was the general counsel and chief of staff at the Florida Department of Education. As one of DeSantis' top aides, Kamoutsas has overseen policy efforts in education, law enforcement and emergency management. He is a Florida International University alum and holds a juris doctorate from Regent University School of Law Kamoutsas thanked the governor for the trust he bestowed on him to hold the position. The meeting was filled with educators, education administrators and students from across the state, and began with a prayer reminding everyone in the room of the responsibility they hold to ensure students in Florida are served. After the board passed a motion to appoint Kamoutsas, a line of conservative education leaders from across the state took to the podium to speak his praises. Most shook hands with and hugged Kamoutsas, who was seated in the front row with his wife and four daughters, who wore matching baby-pink dresses. Madeline Pumariega, the president of Miami Dade College, called Kamoutsas 'a man of faith and family.' Sarah Velasquez, a teacher, praised his commitment to 'his life in Christ.' Governor DeSantis' allies, including Monica Colluci, vice chair of the Miami-Dade School Board, Jeanette Nuñez, interim president at Florida International University, and Tory Alston, president at Broward College, all spoke favorably of Kamoutsas at the meeting. Roberto J. Gonzalez, a Miami-Dade commissioner in Kendall, said, 'Moses led the Israelites out of slavery. But right when they were about to get to the promised land, Moses had to step down.' Gonzalez compared Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to 'slavery,' and said that he cannot think of anyone better to 'lead Florida to the promised land.' Colluci, president of the Florida High School Athletic Association, where she has worked with Kamoutsas, said she was confident he would safeguard experiences for female students, alluding to an effort by the state to ensure transgender women cannot compete in women's athletics. Nuñez said she knows he will do a phenomenal job, including 'making sure we eliminate DEI.' All of the members on the State Board of Education supported him, including one member saying she was 'giddy' about him taking on the role. Diaz, who has served as commissioner of education since 2022, also expressed his confidence. Diaz is set to join the University of West Florida as president on July 14, pending confirmation by the state university system's Board of Governors. 'Thanks to his leadership, we have seen the Florida Board of Education rise to new heights,' said Chairman Ben Gibson, touting Florida's high rankings in education, including the state being tops in the nation for school choice and school freedom. Kamoutsas' appointment will be contingent upon Diaz being approved as president.
6 days ago
- General
Top DeSantis aide named next Florida education commissioner
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The Florida Board of Education has tapped a top aide of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis to be the state's next education commissioner, a choice meant to influence K-12 and higher education policy in the state while bolstering a conservative legacy that could long outlast the governor's time in office. The board voted unanimously Wednesday to appoint Anastasios Kamoutsas, a deputy chief of staff to the governor. The job opened up after Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, a former Republican state lawmaker, was named interim president of the University of West Florida. Kamoutsas' appointment is contingent on Diaz being named the permanent president of UWF. 'Student safety and achievement will be my top priorities," Kamoutsas said. "Parents will continue to be empowered. And teachers, you have my word that I stand in support of you.' Kamoutsas previously served as general counsel and chief staff at the state's Education Department, before moving to the governor's office. 'Stasi Kamoutsas has delivered on important issues like parental rights, school choice, and fighting back against radical ideologies in education,' DeSantis said in a statement. 'I am confident that he will continue to serve our state well as the next Commissioner of Education.' Kamoutsas is expected to help carry out DeSantis' conservative education agenda, from banning public funds for diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, to restricting how schools teach about race and history, and dramatically expanding the state's school voucher system, which provides billions in public funds for scholarships to private and religious schools. Among those who lauded Kamoutsas at Wednesday's meeting was former Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran, who has overseen what critics describe as the 'hostile takeover' of New College of Florida. He's among the slate of Republican former state lawmakers who are now helming state colleges and universities. 'Every single major decision, I don't care if it was elimination of DEI, critical race theory, opening schools, demasking students, changing higher education, Stasi has been in that room, every single time,' Corcoran said. 'And not just as a participant. He's been in the room as a leader.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Top DeSantis aide named next Florida education commissioner
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The Florida Board of Education has tapped a top aide of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis to be the state's next education commissioner, a choice meant to influence K-12 and higher education policy in the state while bolstering a conservative legacy that could long outlast the governor's time in office. The board voted unanimously Wednesday to appoint Anastasios Kamoutsas, a deputy chief of staff to the governor. The job opened up after Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, a former Republican state lawmaker, was named interim president of the University of West Florida. Kamoutsas' appointment is contingent on Diaz being named the permanent president of UWF. 'Student safety and achievement will be my top priorities," Kamoutsas said. "Parents will continue to be empowered. And teachers, you have my word that I stand in support of you.' Kamoutsas previously served as general counsel and chief staff at the state's Education Department, before moving to the governor's office. 'Stasi Kamoutsas has delivered on important issues like parental rights, school choice, and fighting back against radical ideologies in education,' DeSantis said in a statement. 'I am confident that he will continue to serve our state well as the next Commissioner of Education.' Kamoutsas is expected to help carry out DeSantis' conservative education agenda, from banning public funds for diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, to restricting how schools teach about race and history, and dramatically expanding the state's school voucher system, which provides billions in public funds for scholarships to private and religious schools. Among those who lauded Kamoutsas at Wednesday's meeting was former Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran, who has overseen what critics describe as the 'hostile takeover' of New College of Florida. He's among the slate of Republican former state lawmakers who are now helming state colleges and universities. 'Every single major decision, I don't care if it was elimination of DEI, critical race theory, opening schools, demasking students, changing higher education, Stasi has been in that room, every single time,' Corcoran said. 'And not just as a participant. He's been in the room as a leader.' ___ Kate Payne is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
San Francisco Chronicle
6 days ago
- General
- San Francisco Chronicle
Top DeSantis aide named next Florida education commissioner
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The Florida Board of Education has tapped a top aide of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis to be the state's next education commissioner, a choice meant to influence K-12 and higher education policy in the state while bolstering a conservative legacy that could long outlast the governor's time in office. The board voted unanimously Wednesday to appoint Anastasios Kamoutsas, a deputy chief of staff to the governor. The job opened up after Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, a former Republican state lawmaker, was named interim president of the University of West Florida. Kamoutsas' appointment is contingent on Diaz being named the permanent president of UWF. 'Student safety and achievement will be my top priorities," Kamoutsas said. "Parents will continue to be empowered. And teachers, you have my word that I stand in support of you.' Kamoutsas previously served as general counsel and chief staff at the state's Education Department, before moving to the governor's office. 'Stasi Kamoutsas has delivered on important issues like parental rights, school choice, and fighting back against radical ideologies in education,' DeSantis said in a statement. 'I am confident that he will continue to serve our state well as the next Commissioner of Education.' Kamoutsas is expected to help carry out DeSantis' conservative education agenda, from banning public funds for diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, to restricting how schools teach about race and history, and dramatically expanding the state's school voucher system, which provides billions in public funds for scholarships to private and religious schools. Among those who lauded Kamoutsas at Wednesday's meeting was former Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran, who has overseen what critics describe as the 'hostile takeover' of New College of Florida. He's among the slate of Republican former state lawmakers who are now helming state colleges and universities. 'Every single major decision, I don't care if it was elimination of DEI, critical race theory, opening schools, demasking students, changing higher education, Stasi has been in that room, every single time,' Corcoran said. 'And not just as a participant. He's been in the room as a leader.'
