Leon County superintendent under investigation responds to state education agency
“I absolutely have no ‘history of defying the law’ nor have I ever suggested to anyone to violate the law or not teach the Florida Standards as established by the Board of Education,” Hanna stated.
Tallahassee Democrat | By Ana Goñi-Lessan | May 16, 2023
The Florida Department of Education gave the Leon County Schools superintendent four choices for how to proceed with potential discipline looming for allegedly infusing his “personal beliefs” into his administration.
With “no guarantees of convincing those in positions of power the true facts of this case,” Rocky Hanna is going with none of the above.
“The Florida Department of Education has given me four options to chose from, each one having challenges and political interference.” Hanna said in a statement on Facebook. “Therefore, in consultation with my private attorney, I have chosen to respond to the Commissioner of Education, asking him what he would propose to resolve this matter.”
In a letter to Superintendent Rocky Hanna in early April, Education Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr. writes there is probable cause to “justify sanctions against your Florida educator certificate.”
According to the state’s ultimatum, Hanna could either pursue a formal hearing with the Division of Administrative Hearings, an informal hearing, a settlement or surrender his teaching certification.
“I absolutely have no ‘history of defying the law’ nor have I ever suggested to anyone to violate the law or not teach the Florida Standards as established by the Board of Education,” Hanna stated.
DeSantis, who is expected to run for president, trumpets these issues as cornerstones of his governorship as he tours the country.
Hanna, who has been an outspoken critic of DeSantis, said he won’t let the DOE investigation distract from his work as superintendent for Leon County Schools and thanked the community for their support.
At last week’s school board meeting, dozens of Tallahassee residents, including parents, teachers and students, came to show their support for Hanna, delivering hand-written letters from constituents across the county.
“It has given me a renewed sense of strength, commitment and resolve,” he wrote in his statement.
