DeSantis names school board members on ‘target’ list, including M-DCPS member

MIAMI (WSVN) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has formulated a so-called “target list” containing the names of school board members across the state he wants to challenge in their upcoming election, and one of the names on that list appears on the Miami County School Board- Dade.

Louise Santos, who represents District 9 in the Miami-Dade County Public School District, told 7News on Wednesday.

“Families are tired of political divisions. Families want to know that their children are safe at school,” she said.

Santos reacted as DeSantis released a list of more than a dozen statewide school board members he plans to target in 2024.

“School board racing is not about governors. Board racing is about students, parents and our schools,” Santos said. “Every day when I wake up, I represent these families.”

DeSantis said those on the “target list” of 14 are not protecting parental rights and have failed to protect students from what he calls “awakened” ideologies.

The announcement comes as DeSantis continues to bring politics to what is currently nonpartisan racing.

On Tuesday, the governor met with Republican officials. Tina Deskovich, co-founder of Moms for Liberty, tweeted meeting picture.

“We’re really working hard to make sure we have a K-12 school system that parents can have confidence in,” DeSantis said, “that, you know, you send your kid to a school in Florida and they get an education, not indoctrination.”

A few weeks ago, Maria Blanco was sworn in after DeSantis nominated her for a vacant seat.

“It has always been clear to me that collaboration between home and school is most effective,” Blanco said.

Blanco marks the second gubernatorial appointment in months at Miami-Dade County schools.

Dan Espino filled a vacancy in the fifth district.

DeSantis-backed candidates Roberto Alonso and Monica Colucci then won their elections in November.

In Broward County, Daniel Foganholy returned to the Broward County Public School Board.

He replaces Rodney Velez, who was elected by Broward voters but found ineligible due to a previous felony conviction.

His right to vote was restored, but the governor’s office said that Vélez could not hold public office.

A Hollywood man is suing the governor.

“I still believe the best is yet to come,” Foganholy said.

Foganholy joins two other conservatives on the board: DeSantis-nominated Tory Alston and Brenda Pham.

As for Santos, she doesn’t seem bothered as the governor looks to her seat.

“I am very proud of the results we have achieved and I look forward to serving my community,” she said.

The governor and his administration are also changing the rules in Tallahassee, requiring any group that reserves a venue for an event held at the state capitol building to “be consistent with the mission of the state.”

Critics are concerned that the governor is trying to censor events he doesn’t like or approve of.

Copyright 2023 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.