FLORIDA, USA — The no-show of a county school board member at the State Board of Education meeting on Wednesday has escalated tensions with Florida’s Commissioner of Education.

“The most disappointing aspect of today is the example Mr. Alvero is setting for our youth,” commented Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas during the meeting.

Kamoutsas had called upon Robert Alvero, a member of the Clay County School Board, to attend the meeting to address his inflammatory comments about the African American community, which he made during a Facebook Live session.

In the now-deleted video, Alvero claimed, “I’ve had 80% more negative experiences with the African American community in this country than with white people.” He further asserted that only about 20% of Black individuals he has encountered are “good decent people,” while labeling the “other 80%” as “being nasty,” “rude,” and “problematic.”

The video prompted widespread calls for his resignation and drew dozens of protestors and concerned Clay County residents to recent public meetings to voice their concerns.

Although Alvero was not in attendance at Wednesday’s meeting, Kamoutsas addressed him directly.

“You said something really dumb, something that was hurtful to a lot of people in your community, something that has given this board reason to want to assess your fitness to lead the students of Clay County. Ducking the consequences of your actions by refusing to stand to account before this board only furthers your lack of leadership.”

After the video gained so much attention, Alvero hired attorney Anthony Sabatini to represent him. He argues that his comments are protected under the First Amendment.

“The state board of education should quit pushing political correctness—Florida does not need a state agency playing the role of ‘Thought Police,’” Sabatini said in a statement to First Coast News Wednesday.

The possibility of consequences for Alvero remains unclear. Under Florida law, only the governor has the authority to remove an elected school board member from office. Still, Kamoutsas said Alvero not appearing undermined Florida Statute 1008.32, which gives the board authority to investigate potential noncompliance with policy and law.

“For me, this unfortunate incident is a reminder, but the legislature needs to look at this board’s authority with regard to school board members,” Kamoutsas said. “Too many have sought to elevate themselves for political reasons, disregarding their duty to educate children. And this board is unfortunately limited in its ability to demand accountability.”

First Coast News has reached out to Kamoutsas for clarity on potential next steps regarding the controversy surrounding Alvero.