As a result of an investigation, Alachua County Public Schools (ACPS) found probable cause for disciplinary action against Gainesville High School (GHS) history teacher Lauren Watts for giving a student a “Most Likely to Become a Dictator” superlative during the 2022-23 school year.  

Watts was issued a written reprimand by ACPS, which Mainstreet obtained a copy of on Friday.  

The letter, dated Nov. 5, said Watts’ behavior “constitutes a serious violation” of school board policies No. 3210 (Standards of Ethical Conduct) and No. 3213 (Student Supervision and Welfare).  

“As an educator and role model, you are expected to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and respect for all students,” the letter said. “Your actions subjected a student to humiliation and ridicule, which is wholly unacceptable in an educational environment.” 

Following the investigation, Watts received a one-day suspension without pay and is also required to complete sensitivity training, according to the reprimand. After completing the training, Watts must submit a “written reflection” explaining how she will “demonstrate appropriate professional behavior and ensure respectful treatment of all students moving forward.” 

The incident involving Watts and the student during the 2022-23 school year was brought to light by a parent at the Aug. 20 State Board of Education meeting.  

During the public comment portion of that meeting, Dr. Crystal Marull said her older son’s history teacher – referring to Watts – “allowed students to label him a Naziphile, simply for his interest in World War II history and participation in ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps).”  

Holding up a certificate at the lectern, Marull said Watts later nominated her son “as the most likely to become a dictator,” adding Watts “had his classmates vote on it and try to force him to the front of the class to receive the certificate,” which he refused. 

Mainstreet confirmed with the district that Watts was placed on administrative leave after the incident was shared at the meeting.  

Additionally, on Aug. 21, one day after the state board meeting, Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas filed an administrative complaint against Watts.  

In the complaint, Kamoutsas, the petitioner, accused Watts of allowing students to “disparage” Marull’s son during the 2022-23 school year after his classmates suggested that he was a “Hitler sympathizer.” 

Kamoutsas suggested that the state’s Education Practices Commission (EPC) “impose an appropriate sanction against [Watts] educator’s certificate” pursuant to state statutes.  

“A teacher chose to designate a student as the ‘most likely to become a dictator.’ A parent brought this to my attention. I immediately took action to investigate the issue,” Kamoutsas wrote in an Aug. 21 post on X. “I found probable cause and will take every necessary action to ensure this teacher never teaches again.” 

Records show that Watts filed a motion to dismiss Kamoutsas’ administrative complaint with the state’s Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH) on Oct. 23. 

According to records, Watts’ motion to dismiss the complaint stemmed from the Florida Department of Education’s (FDOE) failure to provide her due process “by willful noncompliance with statutory requirements and the Department’s own stated policy and procedures.” 

On Nov. 17, Leon County Judge Yolonda Green granted a request by Kamoutsas to withdraw the complaint against Watts that was filed with the DOAH and refile it with the EPC. This would allow Watts to address the allegations made against her while the investigation continued.   

Regarding her current status, multiple media outlets report that Watts has already served her one-day suspension and that she remains on administrative leave. Mainstreet could not confirm whether Watts was still on administrative leave. 

Nick Anschultz is a Report for America corps member and writes about education for Mainstreet Daily News. This position is supported by local donations through the Community Catalyst for Local Journalism Fund at the Community Foundation of North Central Florida.