Alachua County School Board (SBAC) Vice Chair Tina Certain is facing backlash from members of the Republican Party about a comment she made on social media regarding the late Charlie Kirk. 

Kirk, a conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed on Sept. 10 while speaking at an event on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.  

In the days after his death, prayer vigils were held throughout the country to honor and remember Kirk, including on college campuses such as the University of Florida.  

On Sunday, thousands of people filed into State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, for a memorial service honoring Kirk. 

In commenting on a Facebook post about Sunday’s memorial, Certain wrote: “I didn’t watch any of that Drump Rally! I went to see an elder bcs the weight of it all – how a 31yr old uneducated white boy has been glorified. He has a organization bcs a millionaire gave him money & connections to start it. To see the feds & state elevate him angers me. It is heavy but I know I can’t stay home. Gotta fight despite being tired of it all.” 

The Alachua County Republican Party shared a screenshot of Certain’s comment on its Facebook page Monday, with a text caption: “We’ll let this sit here. Alachua County Vice Chair School Board member.” 

U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack also shared a screenshot of Certain’s comment on her personal Facebook page Tuesday morning. Cammack accused Certain of “promoting division and hate” and called for her resignation. 

“Instead of prioritizing our children, the Alachua County School board members seem to be teaching a master class in hate,” Cammack wrote. “I wonder what the parents of the ‘white boys’ you are supposed to represent think of your deplorable comments – comments, I should add, that you made about the memorial service of a murdered husband and father, which you called a ‘Drump rally.’” 

On Tuesday afternoon, a Facebook user posted a screenshot of a response from Certain, who called Kirk’s assassination “tragic and horrific.” 

“While my personal Facebook comment was poorly worded it does not change the reality of his rhetoric,” Certain wrote. “Charlie Kirk repeatedly insulted and attacked educated women, specifically Black women. His rhetoric was intended to demean through racism.” 

Certain said she will “continue to stand” on her values of “rejecting violence, speaking truth, and serving my community with integrity.” 

She also said she has “no plans to resign.” 

“My commitment remains to the students, families, and educators I was elected to serve,” Certain wrote. 

Certain is the second school board member to face criticism from Republican leaders over the last several months.  

In July, SBAC Chair Sarah Rockwell came under fire for comments she made on social media about the death 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.  

After her comments went viral on social media, Rockwell issued an apology on her personal 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.” 

Rockwell issued another public apology at the next school board meeting on July 31, saying the mistake “was mine alone.” 

“… And I regret that it has distracted [us] from the important work we are doing in this district,” she said while giving remarks. “As a public official, I know that I am held to a higher standard, and I should have been more thoughtful. I’m not perfect, and I know that. And I know that I can – and I will – do better.” 

More than 30 public commentators spoke at the July 31 meeting, with many voicing their support for Rockwell. However, there were a few people – including a man by the name of Jeremy Clepper – who had different feelings. 

While speaking, Clepper said Rockwell should resign if she has “a shred of integrity.” He concluded his remarks by calling her a “disgusting vile, human being.” 

Certain, who was moderating the meeting at the time, called for Clepper to be removed from the meeting after his comments caused an uproar from the audience. However, SBAC Attorney David Delaney recommended that Clepper not be removed from the meeting room. 

Clepper ultimately left on his own accord with Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) deputies around him. 

One day after the meeting, Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas issued a letter to Rockwell, saying the school board violated state law. 

“After a parent expressed his protected opinion under the First Amendment, you sat idly while the police were directed to escort this parent out of the school board meeting for expressing a conservative viewpoint,” Kamoutsas wrote in the letter. “Not only did you allow a parent’s constitutional rights to be violated under your leadership, but the rest of the board stood by silently, failing to stop it. 

“Since the Alachua County School Board has publicly failed to ensure free expression of all viewpoints during public comment, I have found probable cause that a violation of state law has occurred.” 

During a regular meeting on Aug. 20, the State Board of Education agreed with Kamoutsas in finding probable cause that the school board violated a parent’s First Amendment rights, as well as Florida law, at the July 31 meeting. 

The state board unanimously approved a recommendation by Kamoutsas that required school board members to undergo training on free-speech policies and follow these guidelines for the rest of the 2025-26 school year, according to the order issued by the state board. 

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.