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NewsVenice GondolierOctober 28, 2026Sarasota County

Florida Judge Recommends Dismissing Misconduct Case Against Teacher Over Social Media Post

Photo: Venice Gondolier

An administrative judge recommended that the Department of Education dismiss a misconduct case against a Clay County teacher whose Facebook post about the death of activist Charlie Kirk was shared publicly after being posted on a private account. The ruling concluded the agency failed to prove the post was made on a public account, which was the threshold allegation for disciplinary action.

EducationLegal ProceedingsSocial MediaEmployment
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Why It Matters

The decision affects whether the state can discipline educators for social media content posted on accounts where access is restricted by the user.

Key Facts

  • An administrative law judge recommended dismissing a Department of Education misconduct case against Clay County teacher Kelly Brock-Sanchez.
  • The case centered on a Facebook post made by the teacher on Sept. 10, 2025, regarding the killing of activist Charlie Kirk.
  • The judge found that the post was published on a private Facebook account under the name 'Kelly SteelMagnolia' rather than a public page.
  • The post went viral after one of the teacher's 300 Facebook friends shared it more widely without her authorization.
  • The Department of Education argued the post constituted grossly immoral conduct and caused parents to question the teacher's qualifications.
  • School principal reports indicated the school received over 800 emails, 300 Facebook posts, and numerous calls, including threatening messages, following the viral spread.
  • Some teachers at Ridgeview Elementary left school early due to threatening messages and phone calls.
  • DOAH rulings serve as recommendations to state and local agencies, which are not legally bound to follow them.
  • Other Florida educators who posted about Kirk's death and faced DOE disciplinary threats have also had their DOAH cases recommended for dismissal.

Who's Mentioned

PersonAnastasios Kamoutsas“Then-Education Commissioner who announced investigations into educators' posts”OrganizationDepartment of Education“State agency that moved to discipline the teacher”locationFlorida“State jurisdiction for the legal and educational proceedings”locationClay County“County where the teacher is employed”PersonSuzanne Van Wyk“Division of Administrative Hearings Judge who issued the ruling”OrganizationRidgeview Elementary School“School where Brock-Sanchez teaches”OrganizationDivision of Administrative Hearings“State tribunal that hears administrative disputes”PersonCharlie Kirk“Conservative activist whose assassination prompted the social media post”PersonKelly Brock-Sanchez“Clay County teacher facing a Department of Education misconduct case”locationUtah“Location where Charlie Kirk was killed”