During the public comment period of the February 5 Clay County School Board meeting, multiple speakers called on Robert Alvero to step down from his District 2 seat over what they described as racist comments.
The Cuban immigrant raised concerns from a Facebook Live video he posted, then removed, in which he stated, “I have had 80% more negative experience with the African American community in this country than with white people. That being said, it doesn’t mean I haven’t had good experiences with African American people. I have met a lot of great African American people, and I am still friends with them because they’re good, decent people, but that’s the 20% of the people I have met.”
During the February 5 school board meeting, Reverend Barry Wright urged Alvero to “do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly” and offered forgiveness while saying the board member could no longer be “celebrated.”
Jeffery Dove was more direct, telling Alvero he was “not forgiving you, and I’m not giving up” and saying he had driven to Tallahassee for a state board meeting that Alvero failed to attend.
Parent Aaron Frick said she remained concerned about “the heartbreak in our community and the loss of trust” and called for Alvero’s resignation.
Reverend Deidre Burke, a substitute teacher in the district, said she had noticed a change in student behavior since the remarks became public, with children expressing disappointment that someone in authority had spoken about African Americans in a derogatory way.
Bruce Friedman, another speaker, countered that only the governor has the authority to remove Alvero from his seat and urged the community to focus on other district business, including concerns about library books.
Alvero did not directly address the remarks during the meeting. In his board member comments, he suggested the board review its policy on political activities in light of a recent statement from the Florida education commissioner and thanked attendees for coming.
Meanwhile, Jacksonville Fire Rescue has placed Alvero, an off-duty firefighter, on administrative leave while the department reviews the video.
Teacher pay, retention concerns raised
In other public comments, Liz Crane, a veteran of more than 20 years of bargaining involvement, challenged the board’s characterization of its compensation contributions to teachers. She noted the district contributed $8.5 million for teacher raises in the 2006-07 contract year — when it had roughly 1,960 teachers — compared to $5.3 million in 2024-25, despite the district having grown to approximately 2,800 teachers. Crane argued that the board’s practice of including legally required employer costs such as Social Security and Medicare in its reported benefit figures amounted to “smoke and mirrors.”
Dr. Sharon Walsh, speaking on behalf of the Clay County Education Association, noted that the month’s agenda included 23 instructional resignations and called on the board to follow through on a plan presented at a January workshop to ask the community to renew a one-mill tax levy for competitive pay. Walsh also asked the audience to remember past CCEA president Ray Fischer, who had recently died.
Career and technical education showcased
Alice Paulk, a career and technical education supervisor, presented a detailed overview of the district’s career and technical education programs in recognition of February as National CTE Month. The district has 31 distinct CTE programs, more than 120 CTE teachers — over 40 of whom came directly from industry — and enrolls roughly 60% of all secondary students.
Paulk highlighted a sharp increase in student industry certifications, from about 1,900 last year to more than 3,200 this year. New programs in advanced manufacturing have launched at Oakleaf High School and Orange Park High School, and health science students from Clay High recently began clinical rotations at Baptist Clay Medical Center. The district also held a career fair the same day, busing more than 300 seniors to the Clay County Fairgrounds to meet with over 80 employers, military recruiters and college representatives.
Graduation rate lauded
Superintendent David Broskie reported that Clay County’s graduation rate stands at 97%, compared to 92% statewide and 87% nationally. The board unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included proclamations designating February as Black History Month and Career and Technical Education Month.
