Without verification, the Florida Attorney General alleges Pine View teacher bullied a conservative student.
By Noah Bookstein
Original Air Date: September 22 2026
Host: A letter from Florida’s Attorney General is forcing Sarasota County Schools to answer allegations against a teacher at Pine View School for the Gifted—allegations the Attorney General himself says are still unverified. Noah Bookstein reports.
Noah Bookstein: Attorney General James Uthmeier’s letter, dated September 21, accuses outspoken Pine View history teacher Liz Ballard of harassing a student over his conservative political views. The letter, built on accusations Uthmeier’s office did not corroborate, demands Ballard’s firing and license revocation by October 1.
James Uthmeier. Photo: The Workmans by way of myfloridalegal.com
The letter comes from Uthmeier’s Office of Parental Rights, launched last year as the first office of its kind in the country. It gives parents a direct channel to the attorney general’s office when they believe a school or government entity has overridden their authority over their child’s upbringing.
Ballard was not available to comment for this story, but Jason Means, president of the Sarasota Classified Teachers Association, says he first learned about the letter the same way many residents did.
Jason Means: Frankly, I’m very disturbed that it appeared on social media rather than something that was forwarded to us by the district or whomever. Instead like most of the people in this community, I saw it on—somebody sent it to me from a Facebook link. And I’m like, “Okay, that’s not really a very professional way to handle someone’s livelihood and their profession.” Unfounded information about an employee that is then put out all over the Internet is really not the way due process works. Everybody deserves due process, no matter what role you play in any organization—any business. Any time you’re accused of something, there has to be a due process, and this sure doesn’t feel like it to me.
NB: Means also questions why the state’s top prosecutor would single out a local classroom.
JM: Frankly, rather surprised that the state’s attorney general decided that something related to Sarasota County Schools and an employee of Sarasota County Schools is concerning. It seems to me like he’s got bigger fish to fry than to be worrying about one instructor at one school in Sarasota County. He’s kind-of majoring in minors, if you ask me.
NB: Means said the teachers’ union has not been in contact with the attorney general’s office or the superintendent on this matter.
Photo: Emily Le Coz, Suncoast Searchlight
The letter cites Florida’s anti-bullying law that protects students from bullying and harassment by other students and school employees. The law defines bullying as “systematically and chronically inflicting physical hurt or psychological distress.” The statute also defines bullying as including “reporting an act of bullying or harassment that is not made in good faith,” which is considered retaliation.
JM: The world has evolved and changed in the time of my life as an educator—and thankfully so. We’re much more cognizant about bullying, in any way, shape or form. His email being leaked onto social media—is that bullying? I don’t know. Maybe that’s the anti-bullying message. This is something that has not been investigated, and there’s no proof that any of what’s in his letter is true, so it seems to me like maybe that qualifies as bullying.
NB: District policies are in place for employees, and school board member Tom Edwards says complaints about this teacher have been handled through the normal process in the past.
Tom Edwards
Tom Edwards: These investigations for this particular teacher have been going on since 2024. Sometimes I raise the question: “Is this a witch hunt?” But each of the investigations have been followed through with the superintendent and his team, and appropriate action has been taken one way or the other, so I have followed it. It seems like things are following the book.
NB: Edward says this kind of conflict does damage well beyond one classroom because it gives families a reason to leave the school system.
TE: A question I’m getting asked all the time by families at Pine View is, “Why does this continue to happen?” It creates chaos around public education. People then question if that’s the right choice. Should they be homeschooling? Should they be going to a different location? And this chaos has been going on with my fellow board members and with the state with culture wars for years and years. I think it’s on its last gasp because, at least in Sarasota, we rejected school board members who behave that way.
NB: That concern comes as public schools in the county and statewide face falling enrollment, tighter budgets and competition from the state’s expanding voucher program.
The letter also arrives during an election year. Uthmeier was appointed attorney general in 2025 and is on the ballot this November in a tight race against Democrat José Javier Rodríguez.
In a statement posted to Facebook, Superintendent Terry Connor said the district takes the concern seriously and will respond to the attorney general. It says no student should face harassment or humiliation because of their beliefs. Connor also said the district will examine the facts, ensure a fair process for everyone involved and limit public discussion of the details to protect student privacy.
Liz Barker
In a statement to WSLR News, school board member Liz Barker said she hopes the public does not jump to conclusions before the investigation is complete.
Reporting for WSLR News, Noah Bookstein.
WSLR News aims to keep the local community informed with our 1/2 hour local news show, quarterly newspaper and social media feeds. The local news broadcast airs on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6pm.