‘I will not stand by silently’: Community sticks up for superintendent amid state threat

Tallahassee Democrat | By Ana Goñi-Lessan | May 10, 2023

Each piece of paper was a letter written in support of Hanna, who is under investigation by the state department of education for his “personal beliefs.”

A wicker basket of more than 300 folded pieces of paper brought tears to Superintendent Rocky Hanna’s eyes on Tuesday evening.

Each piece of paper was a letter written in support of Hanna, who is under investigation by the state department of education for allegedly infusing his “personal beliefs” into the management of Leon County Schools.

“Read them, enjoy them, and I’ll close by saying you are valued, you are supported, and the people who elected you have got your back,” said Sarah Sprayberry, a parent of two Tallahassee students, at a School Board meeting.

Dozens of community members, including parents, teachers and students, came to show their support for Hanna. More than 100 people signed in at the front office. While not everyone spoke, they all clapped after each comment at the lectern.

“We don’t live in an autocracy or a dictatorship, and I will not stand by silently and allow the attacks that have happened to you,” said Dorothy Inman Johnson, a former mayor of Tallahassee. “I am happy to be here, Rocky, to say you have the support of this community. The voters of Leon County elected you, not the governor, and the voters of Leon County will insist that our votes are heard.”

Hanna, who has been a vocal critic of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and his administration, was notified by the Florida Department of Education in April that there is probable cause to “justify sanctions” against his Florida educator certificate. Among other things, the complaint points to the superintendent’s 2021 mask mandate that defied the governor’s executive order and a letter to teachers encouraging them to “you do you” as the Florida Legislature cracks down on speech in the classroom, particularly on matters of race and sexuality.

Penalties include a reprimand, fine, probation, restriction of practice, suspension of no more than five years, revocation of no more than 10 years or a permanent revocation of his teaching license, according to a letter written and signed by Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz Jr.

Leon County Schools Superintendent Rocky Hanna bows his head and he cries after Sarah Sprayberry presents him with a basked filled out with more than 300 letters, cards and emails that were compiled to by parents, educators and students to show their support of Hanna during a LCS School Board meeting Tuesday, May 9, 2023. Alicia Devine/Tallahassee Democrat

Seventy-three people wrote in emails for public comment for Tuesday’s meeting. Other emails were also printed and placed in the brown wicker basket, stuffed in between letters written on bright green pieces of paper or flowery stationary.

In dark blue permanent marker, one letter read “Ms. Gawanter’s 1st Grade Superstars Class Says Thanks.”

“In my six years on the board, I’ve never heard such eloquence and so many tears in appreciation of our superintendent,” said school board member Rosanne Wood.

More than 300 handwritten letters, emails and cards were given to Leon County Schools Superintendent Rocky Hanna as a show of support from parents, educators and students ring a LCS School Board meeting Tuesday, May 9, 2023. Alicia Devine/Tallahassee Democrat

The day after the Democrat published the story about the DOE investigation, local elected officials, including County Commissioners Rick Minor and David O’Keefe and City Commissioner Jack Porter issued statements in support of Hanna.

On Tuesday, City Commissioner Curtis Richardson, who attended the meeting for his daughter who was recognized for her service as this year’s LCS student school board member, clapped in support of Hanna while sitting in the audience.

Rep. Allison Tant, D-Tallahassee, also stopped by and spoke at the lectern in support of the superintendent.

“You have someone pulling for you in the Capitol every day, and that’s me,” Tant said.

At the end of the meeting, school board member Darryl Jones said some words of encouragement to Hanna, with members Wood, Marcus Nicolas and Laurie Cox nodding in agreement.

More than 300 handwritten letters, emails and cards were given to Leon County Schools Superintendent Rocky Hanna as a show of support from parents, educators and students ring a LCS School Board meeting Tuesday, May 9, 2023. Alicia Devine/Tallahassee Democrat

“We stand shoulder to shoulder with you, and we thank you for being an uncompromised, unapologetic and a most authentic voice for our Leon County schools,” he said.

Hanna said Tuesday evening’s meeting was his 137th as superintendent since he was elected in 2016.

“Many times this seat is very lonely, and I feel that I’m by myself. Tonight, I don’t feel that way,” Hanna said.

He reiterated that he has “never broken the law.”

“I do not defy laws, I do not encourage others to defy laws,” he said. “I simply try to do what’s best for our teachers, our children and our public schools, and I will never make apologies for that. If it ends up costing me my teaching certificate or, heaven forbid, even worse, then I’m more than willing to accept that.”