Alachua County School Board Chair Sarah Rockwell is facing mounting criticism for recent comments she made on social media regarding the passing of pro wrestler Hulk Hogan.
“Oh did Hulk die? I didn’t even know. Good. One less MAGA in the world,” Rockwell wrote in a since-deleted comment on her personal Facebook account.
In a follow-up comment referencing Hogan, who died on July 24, Rockwell wrote: “[H]e worked with the McMahons to union bust professional wrestling. [H]e’s never been a good guy. I feel absolutely nothing about his death.”
After her comments went viral on social media, Rockwell issued an apology on her school board Facebook account.
In the post, Rockwell wrote that she made a “cruel and flippant comment” and “that I never have and never will wish harm on anyone regardless of whether we share political views.”
“While I strongly disagree with some of the comments Hulk Hogan made, that is no excuse for my comment,” she wrote.
In the post, Rockwell also addressed Alachua County residents specifically.
“I want to assure all of you that the best interests of our children and our public schools are at the center of everything I do as a board member,” she wrote. “I hope I have shown that by my record of advocacy for children, families, and staff members throughout Alachua [C]ounty.”
On Monday, the Alachua County Republican Party posted on Facebook, calling for Rockwell to resign from her school board position.
“Celebrating someone’s death is reprehensible, regardless of political party,” the post said.
“While her apology may have been sincere, the scar will remain.”
Mainstreet reached out to Alachua County Public Schools (ACPS) Tuesday afternoon, but Jackie Johnson, a spokesperson for the district, was not available for comment.
The school board is scheduled to hold a regular business meeting at 5 p.m. Thursday in the District Office Boardroom (620 E. University Ave., Gainesville). This will be followed by a public hearing at 5:30 p.m. to adopt the tentative 2025-26 millage and budget.
Below is Rockwell’s apology statement she posted on social media:
“A few days ago, I made a cruel and flippant comment from my personal Facebook account on a friend’s post regarding the death of Hulk Hogan. I deeply regret making that comment and have since removed it. I want to make it very clear that I never have and never will wish harm on anyone regardless of whether we share political views. While I strongly disagree with some of the comments Hulk Hogan made, that is no excuse for my comment.
I also sincerely apologize for the way my comment has eroded confidence in my ability to represent all students, families, and staff in Alachua County. I want to assure all of you that the best interests of our children and our public schools are at the center of everything I do as a board member. I hope I have shown that by my record of advocacy for children, families, and staff members throughout Alachua county.
Again, I apologize for the hurt and distrust I have caused with my insensitive comment. I will continue to do the hard work of putting our children and schools first. I hope that I can earn back your trust.”
Sarah Rockwell, Alachua County School Board
Nick Anschultz is a Report for America corps member and writes about education for Mainstreet Daily News.
I saw Republican spokesmodel Tim Marden on TV calling for her to resign, so the governor could appoint a MAGA Republican to replace her, as it is the only way to get one on office in Alachua County.
NO.
She made one statement on her private web page, covered by the first amendment. You can call for her resignation the day after MAGA in Chief Donald J. Trump stops saying extremely nasty things about every person who does not worship his mighty MAGA posterior. Until then Marden, you have no say in what appropriate public comment is.
Want a R on the school board? Run one with a decent platform. One problem: you do not have any.
She should resign. Regardless of party, Resign and run an election to replace her. She can’t take that kind of comment back. She should not represent our students.
RESIGN!!!!!!