New education commissioner directs superintendents to ensure parental rights on day one
On his first day on the job, Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas issued thorough instructions to superintendents on parental rights and directed them to ensure all employees understand those rights.
In a letter sent Monday, Kamoutsas instructed school district superintendents, charter school leaders, school principals and administrators to make sure all of their employees are fully aware of parental rights under Florida law.
“Florida does not merely recognize parental rights – we protect them, celebrate them, and continue to expand them,” Kamoutsas said.
As commissioner, he said he will always continue to “fight for and safeguard” parental rights.
He also directed them to immediately send a letter home to parents outlining those rights and also included resources for parents, such as the new, first-of-its-kind, Attorney General’s Office of Parental Rights which is available for parents to assist with complaints.
Along with the letter to be sent home outlining parental rights under state law, Kamoutsas also reminded school principals of their obligations under the Teachers’ Bill of Rights – a law that provides Florida teachers with a “clear set of rights” in their profession and classroom.
“School principals are reminded that these are not optional practices. They are requirements under the law, designed to uphold the authority of teachers in the classroom and to ensure a respectful, orderly learning environment for student academic achievement. Failure to comply with these provisions is a violation of Florida law,” he wrote.
Kamoutsas said he looks forward to working with schools to advance his top priorities of school safety and student achievement as the new academic year approaches.
Also on his first day in Tallahassee, he addressed Department of Education employees and recognized the “Going the Extra Mile” employee of the month.
“@EducationFL truly has some of the best individuals working hard for Florida’s children and I am proud to be leading this department,” he said.
The Florida State Board of Education previously voted to appoint Kamoutsas as the next commissioner of education during a meeting in June after previous Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. was appointed to be the Interim President of the University of West Florida.
Kamoutsas was recommended by Gov. Ron DeSantis. He has held several key roles, including general counsel and chief of staff for the Department of Education, before being appointed deputy chief of staff to the governor.