TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The State Board of Education is targeting a teachers’ union after recent school walkouts were reported at several schools in Florida.
In a release, education officials said that the union — the Florida Education Association — engaged in “politically motivated activity” that “prioritized activism over learning.”
“State Board members expressed serious concern that FEA publicly promoted student protests during valuable instructional hours and then stayed silent while students faced disciplinary actions that could affect their permanent records,” the release reads.
In recent weeks, some high schools in Florida have seen students walking out of classrooms to protest against activity by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
[BELOW: Florida school districts warn of consequences as ICE protest walkouts spread]
“Florida’s classrooms are for learning, not political activism,” said Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas. “When the state’s teachers’ union encourages students to walk out of class to protest, it not only contradicts their claimed support for educators but also sends a harmful message about the role and purpose of public schools.”
Under @GovRonDeSantis, Florida does not and will not allow school officials to encourage students to “walk-out” or protest.
If a parent has any evidence of this happening, they can contact our office and we will immediately take action.
You can reach us at: 850-245-0438 or… https://t.co/TeeooMfARm
— Anastasios Kamoutsas (@StasiKamoutsas) February 18, 2026
Education officials said that the FEA held a news conference earlier this month, where a speaker reportedly characterized the protests as “rather reasonable. It’s rational. And in moments like this, it is required.”
But according to Central Florida Public Media, FEA President Andrew Spar explained that the union does not support these walkouts.
[BELOW: Brevard County schools highlight differences between ICE protest and prior school walkout]
Regardless, SBOE members publicly praised new legislation (SB 1296), which aims to make the following changes regarding public unions:
Ending Memberships: Establishes a 30-day period by which a union must revoke an employee’s membership and cease collection of dues if requested
Compensation Info: Expands the information required on a membership authorization to include wages and fringe benefits paid to a union’s five highest-compensated officers/employees
Deadline Extension: Extends the deadline for a union to fix problems in its registration renewal application from 10 days to 30 days before the commission must dismiss the application
Recertification Petition: If a union meets the required registration or renewal requirements, it must petition for recertification within 30 days for any of its bargaining units for which less than 60% of members in a given bargaining unit have submitted membership authorization forms and paid membership dues
Failure to Comply: If a union fails to comply with these requirements, its certification must be revoked, and the union is barred from seeking certification for that bargaining unit for 12 months (this doesn’t apply to public safety units)
“Senate Bill 1296… will give teachers a genuine choice in whether unions represent them or not,” said Vice Chair MaryLynn Magar of the SBOE. “Once signed into law, this legislation will allow our school leaders and teachers to stay focused on what matters most: serving our students.”
If approved, SB 1296 is set to take effect on July 1.
Meanwhile, the Florida Department of Education recently issued guidance to school districts clarifying expectations related to student protests, safety, and instructional time.
“While students may peacefully express their views, districts are expected to prevent disruptions to classroom instruction and maintain safe learning environments,” the release concludes.
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