News Summary
The Florida Republican Party is demanding the resignation of Leon County School Board member Darryl Jones following his controversial social media comments regarding the assassination of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk. The uproar stems from Jones’s characterization of Kirk as a ‘racist’ and other terms, prompting scrutiny on social media conduct among educators. As verbal confrontations rise, the Leon County School Board faces financial challenges while engaging in salary negotiations with teachers seeking better compensation.
Tallahassee, Florida – The Florida Republican Party is urging the resignation of Leon County School Board member Darryl Jones following his controversial social media comment about Charlie Kirk, a conservative influencer who was assassinated on September 10. Florida GOP chair Evan Power has called for accountability, citing Jones’s remarks as harmful rhetoric in light of the tragic event.
Kirk, 31, was shot during his American Comeback tour at a university in Utah, an incident that has elicited mixed reactions nationwide, including outrage and expressions of sympathy. After the assassination, Jones took to Facebook to characterize Kirk as a “racist, misogynist, homophobic Klansman,” which has stirred significant controversy amid ongoing scrutiny of social media comments made by state employees and educators.
This scrutiny follows a warning issued by the Florida Department of Education which cautioned teachers against making “despicable comments” regarding Kirk. In response to the aftermath of the assassination, there have been firings and investigations concerning the social media activity of educators across Florida, raising First Amendment concerns. Power’s demand for Jones’s resignation reflects a broader call for accountability among leaders associated with the Democratic Party for perceived insensitivity regarding the incident.
As of September 23, there have been no reported investigations or firings involving the Leon County School Board in relation to social media posts following Kirk’s death. Jones, who represents District 3 on the school board, also serves as the deputy director of the Office of Economic Vitality for Minority, Women, and Small Business Programs in Leon County.
Superintendent Rocky Hanna has not actively pursued the matter and has refrained from making public comments. In a statement, Leon County Democratic chair Ryan Ray emphasized the importance of rejecting political violence and promoting civil discourse within the community.
In addition to his comments on social media, Jones has expressed a commitment to advocating for Title I schools within Leon County, focusing on improving educational resources for low-income families. However, due to his elected position, the state Department of Education does not have the authority to discipline him; only the governor, with Senate approval, can initiate his removal.
The Leon County School Board is also navigating financial constraints, having approved a budget of $647 million for the current fiscal year, a decrease from $666 million last year due to the conclusion of federal COVID relief funding. Superintendent Hanna has warned that ongoing financial challenges could affect classroom performance in future academic years, highlighting that a balanced budget cannot be sustained indefinitely.
Furthermore, Leon County is currently engaged in salary negotiations with teachers, who are advocating for better compensation amid concerns that their pay ranks low compared to other districts in Florida. This has heightened tensions as educators seek fair recognition for their work.
In addition to these developments, Lively Technical College is pursuing a marketing rebranding effort to improve visibility and attract more students by establishing uniqueness in its offerings. Meanwhile, Lincoln High School senior Siri Davidi has garnered recognition for her academic achievements, including qualification for the 2025 Regional Junior Science and Humanities Symposium and holding presidency in multiple school clubs. Davidi’s performance has not gone unnoticed, as she has also been appointed to serve as a school board member in the upcoming term.
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Florida GOP Calls for School Board Member’s Resignation
Controversial Comments Spark Scrutiny in School Board
Florida Schools Investigate Inappropriate Social Media Comments
Additional Resources
- Tallahassee.com: Florida GOP Targets Leon School Board Member
- Google Search: Leon County School Board
- Tallahassee Reports: Leon County School Board Meeting Briefs
- Google Scholar: Florida Education Department
- WTXL: Leon County Schools to Lose Millions
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Florida Republican Party
- Florida Voice News: Florida GOP Condemns Leon County School Board Member
- Google News: Florida School Funding
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
