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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The Florida State Board of Education tapped Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis as the state’s next board of education.
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The board voted unanimously on Wednesday to appoint the governor’s vice-chief of staff, Anastasios Camoutes. The job opened after former Republican state legislator Manny Diaz was appointed interim president of the University of West Florida. Kamoutsas’ appointment is subject to Diaz being nominated as UWF’s permanent president.
“Student safety and achievement will be my number one priority,” Camoutes said. “My parents will remain empowered, and teachers, you have my words that I stand for you.”
Before moving to the governor’s office, Kamoutsas previously served as general counsel and chief staff in the state’s education department.
“Stasi Kamoutsas has brought about important issues such as parental rights, school choice and the fight against radical ideology in education,” Desantis said in a statement. “I am confident he will continue to serve our well as our state’s next board of education.”
Kamoutsas is expected to support the implementation of Desantis’ conservative educational agenda. From banning public funding for diversity, equity and inclusive efforts to limit how schools teach about race and history, and dramatically expanding the state’s school voucher system that provides public funding for scholarships to private and religious schools.
Among those who praised Camusus at Wednesday’s meeting was former Education Commissioner Richard Kolcolan. He oversaw what critics call a “hostile takeover” of New College in Florida. He is one of the slates of former Republican state lawmakers who currently direct state universities and universities.
“All key decisions don’t care if it was the exclusion of DEIs, critical racial theory, opening schools, changing students, changing higher education. “And not just as a participant. He was in the room as a leader.”
Kate Payne is a legion of the Associated Press/America Statehouse News Initiative report. Report for America is a non-profit, national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on infiltrated issues.
