GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. — A member of the Clay County School Board is facing scrutiny and has been summoned to appear before the Florida State Board of Education due to recent comments made on social media.

Robert Alvero, who serves as the representative for District 2 on the Clay County School Board, sparked controversy with a video in which he shared his personal experiences and opinions about the African American community.

In the video, Alvero stated, “I have had 80% more negative experiences with the African American community in this country… than with white people.”

Although the video has since been removed, Alvero’s remarks about his interactions with individuals from the African American community have continued to provoke a strong response.

“Because they are good decent people, but that’s 20% of the people I have met that are African Americans. The other 80% have been nasty, they have been rude, they have been problematic, always trying to fight, always trying to disrespect,” Alvero said in the video. 

Alvero posted a video Saturday apologizing for his comments and clarifying why he made them.

“I want to clarify that these experiences are personal and didn’t mean to be generalized. Not everybody is the same…I recognize I could have expressed my thoughts more clearly and I sincerely apologize if I offended anyone,” Alvero said in the video.

Despite the apology, people are still calling for his resignation.

In a statement posted on social media, Clay County School Board Chair Erin Skipper wrote, ‘I am aware of the recent comments made by a fellow school board member, Mr. Alvero. The remarks do not reflect the values of our school district and are unacceptable. I sincerely hope this member does the right thing and considers resigning.”

She added that this issue will be discussed during the next school board meeting on Jan. 8, 2026.

The Republican Party of Clay County is also calling for him to resign. “The remarks that were made do not reflect what our community exemplifies,” Chair Rhonda Jett said in a statement.

Some parents share the same sentiment. Justine Galbraith’s, whose children attend schools in Alvero’s district, called his language offensive.

“I worry about it because you’re an elected official, you’re a school board member, and you have any kind of racial stereotype running through your mind, it raises some real concern about any bias in the decisions that you’re making that may affect students,” Galbraith explained.

The video also caught the attention of Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas. In a letter to Alvero, Kamoutsas called the video ‘unprofessional’ and ‘discriminatory.’ He added 17.8% of Clay County’s students are African American and they would be disappointed to learn of these views during the holiday season.

Kamoutsas is now directing Alvero to appear before the State Board of Education to address his comments on Jan. 21, 2026.

Alvero, who was elected to the school board in August 2024, has served as a firefighter with Jacksonville Fire and Rescue since 2018 according to his bio. A spokesperson with JFRD confirmed they are aware of the video and that Alvero has been temporarily reassigned to administrative duties while they review the matter. The spokesperson added in a statement that “bias of any kind has no place in our department or the delivery of public safety services.”

Since Alvero is a constitutional officer, his term can only end if he resigns or if the governor removes him. First Coast News reached out to Governor DeSantis’ office, but did not immediately hear back.

First Coast News also reached out to Alvero multiple times, but has not yet received a response.

Galbraith said she hopes Alvero will resign and public trust can be restored.

“We need people to know the people who are leading our schools see every student as deserving that quality education, the respect, equal access. That has to be the end of the line, at the end of the day with the school board,” Galbraith said.