As I reported on May 19, Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed Anastasios “Stasi” Kamoutsas the new Florida Commissioner of Education.
Official Announcement
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced his recommendation of Anastasios Kamoutsas to serve as Florida’s next Commissioner of Education. The recommendation follows the appointment of Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr., to serve as Interim President of the University of West Florida.
“Stasi Kamoutsas has delivered on important issues like parental rights, school choice, and fighting back against radical ideologies in education,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “I am confident that he will continue to serve our state well as the next Commissioner of Education, and I thank Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. for his dedicated and productive service.”
“I’m honored to have the trust and support of Governor Ron DeSantis to be Florida’s Commissioner of Education,” said Anastasios Kamoutsas. “Under my tenure, the Florida Department of Education will remain committed to student safety and success, empowering parents, and supporting teachers. I look forward to working with the State Board of Education to ensure that Florida remains the education state.”
Kamoutsas has played an integral role in major education initiatives since 2019, when he joined the Florida Department of Education’s office of General Counsel. Kamoutsas went on to serve as General Counsel and then Chief of Staff at the Florida Department of Education before being chosen to serve as Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor Ron DeSantis. As Deputy Chief of Staff, Kamoutsas oversaw policy efforts for the Governor’s priority areas of education, law enforcement and emergency management.
Kamoutsas holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Florida International University and his Juris Doctor from Regent University School of Law.
Cancel UWF Presidential Search
While Rep. Michelle Salzman wants the University of West Florida to go through the motions of a presidential search, there really is no point.
- Manny Diaz didn’t give up his job as Education Commissioner to serve as UWF’s interim president for a few months. He and Gov. DeSantis fully expect Diaz to get the job.
Why waste the money to give the charade a political cover?
Ono Rejected
Santa Ono failed in his attempt to become the new University of Florida President after one of the most dramatic meetings of the Florida Board of Governors in history.
This throws the decision back to the UF Trustees for a second choice, presumably one without so much ideological baggage. Read the story on Florida Politics.
