Florida Teacher Accused of Targeting Eighth-Grader Over Conservative Views, AG Calls for Her Firing
A Florida history teacher is facing calls for her dismissal after state Attorney General James Uthmeier accused her of harassing and disparaging an eighth-grade student because of his conservative political views. The allegations involve Liz Ballard, a teacher at Pine View School in Osprey, part of Sarasota County Schools.
Uthmeier outlined the accusations in a Sept. 21 letter to Sarasota County Schools Superintendent Terry Connor and the county school board. He said his Office of Parental Rights had been informed that Ballard allegedly singled out the student during political discussions and attempted to make him serve as the classroom’s “conservative perspective.”
According to Uthmeier’s letter, the student had told Ballard that his parents expressly prohibited him from participating in political discussions at school. The attorney general alleged that Ballard nevertheless continued calling on the student to defend political positions in front of classmates.
The allegations became more serious when Uthmeier accused Ballard of labeling the student a “misogynist.” He alleged that she repeated the characterization around the school and questioned the suitability and influence of the boy’s father.
Uthmeier said that, if substantiated, the conduct could violate Florida’s anti-bullying and harassment law, Sarasota County School Board policies and professional standards governing educators. He called for Ballard to be dismissed and for her Florida educator certificate to be revoked if the accusations are confirmed.
The attorney general also said Ballard had previously been the subject of multiple human resources investigations initiated by parents. Those earlier investigations and their outcomes have not been publicly detailed, and Uthmeier’s latest allegations have not yet been established as findings of fact by the school district.
Ballard has disputed the attorney general’s characterization of the situation. She said what she read in Uthmeier’s letter was “not accurate at all” compared with the underlying investigation. A teachers union representative said the investigation involving Ballard had been underway for several months.
Sarasota County Schools confirmed receiving Uthmeier’s letter and said it is examining the allegations. Superintendent Connor said students should be able to learn without facing harassment, humiliation or retaliation because of their beliefs or their families’ views, while also emphasizing that the district would review the facts and provide a fair process for everyone involved.
The district has not publicly announced disciplinary action against Ballard. Officials said they would limit discussion of individual details to protect the student’s privacy and the integrity of the review.
Uthmeier has given the superintendent and Sarasota County School Board until Oct. 1 to tell his office what actions they have taken or intend to take. For now, the accusations remain under review, with the attorney general calling for severe disciplinary action if they are corroborated and Ballard disputing his account of the investigation.