Florida Parent Says Teacher Branded Son ‘Dictator’ as State Raps School Board

Florida parent Crystal Marull told education officials this week that her teenage son’s history teacher nominated him for a year-end certificate reading “Most Likely to Become a Dictator” after allowing classmates to label him a “Naziphile.” Marull said the episode at an Alachua County public school stemmed from the boy’s conservative views, his interest in World War II history and participation in the school’s ROTC program. The allegation surfaced as the Florida State Board of Education delivered an unrelated but sharply worded rebuke to the Alachua County School Board. Meeting in St. Augustine on 20 Aug., the state board unanimously found the district had violated the First Amendment by cutting off public commenters at earlier meetings. Education Commissioner Anastasios “Stasi” Kamoutsas ordered all five school-board members to complete free-speech training and warned their salaries could be withheld if further violations occur during the 2025-26 academic year. Combined with Marull’s complaint, the state ruling underscores mounting scrutiny of how Alachua County schools handle political expression and parental dissent. District officials have not publicly addressed the “dictator” certificate allegation; the state board said it will monitor the situation as part of its oversight.