Dr. Sarah Rockwell, chair of the Alachua County School Board, opened the July 31 meeting by apologizing for a social media post that drew widespread attention. “I made a highly inappropriate comment on my personal Facebook page that I deeply regret,” Rockwell said, adding that she posted an apology on her professional page and again at the meeting.

The apology and the board’s response dominated public comment and much of the early board discussion. Rockwell said she accepted responsibility and noted the personal cost: “Since this incident, my family and my friends and I have been subjected to death threats and harassment from people across the country and here. This includes the release of my home address.” She said she would not revisit the issue after the meeting and asked the board to return its focus to district work.

The dispute prompted sharply different reactions from colleagues and speakers. Board member Janine Plavic (identified in public remarks as appointed by the governor) said Rockwell’s comment had “sparked serious concern about the tone and judgment expected from public education leaders” and argued that the chair should step down. Several other board members, including Vice Chair (identified in discussion as) Thomas Vu and Dr. Leonetta McNeely, publicly accepted Rockwell’s apology. Dr. McNeely told the meeting Rockwell had “led us admirably” and said one mistake should not define a record of service.

More than 30 members of the public signed up to speak during the meeting’s extended general comment period. Public speakers included teachers, parents, retirees and union representatives. Many speakers backed Rockwell, citing her record of service and her apology; others criticized the post and urged higher standards for public officials. Carmen Ward, representing the educators’ union, told the board employees need to be prioritized amid budget and insurance debates and said Rockwell had advocated publicly for staff questions such as whether raises were budgeted.

Board members and staff repeatedly distinguished between the chair’s acknowledgement of wrongdoing and the threats and harassment leveled against her and her family. Several speakers, including former teachers and community leaders, urged the board to model accountability combined with restraint, while others called for Rockwell’s resignation or for outside action by the governor.

No board motion to remove or to force Rockwell from leadership was made during the meeting. The board shifted to other business after extended public comment and votes on unrelated agenda items.

The episode points to a larger tension the board faces between public scrutiny of officials’ personal social media posts and the board’s work on education policy. Several speakers urged the board to refocus on classroom issues, budget shortfalls and student services while acknowledging strong feelings from the community.

The meeting record shows extensive public input on the matter; board members asked staff to continue the district’s agenda, including budget and policy work, and to respond where appropriate to threats against staff or family members.

Looking ahead, the board did not adopt any formal disciplinary action regarding Rockwell at the July 31 session. The controversy and the volume of public comment make the matter likely to reappear at future meetings or in communications with the governor’s office and other state officials.