‘We’re gonna implement the law’: New education Commissioner supports ‘Stop WOKE Act’ he sponsored
Florida will soon have a new Commissioner of Education.
State Senator Manny Diaz was appointed today with unanimous support from the Florida Board of Education.
Diaz is the first person of Hispanic descent to be appointed to the position and has decades of experience in education working as a teacher, assistant principal, and chairing education committees in the Florida House and Senate.
STORY: Gov. Ron DeSantis taps State Sen. Manny Diaz for Florida Education Commissioner
There was no opposition during the Board of Education hearing Friday, but Diaz isn’t a stranger to controversy.
In his time in the House and Senate Diaz was usually tasked with carrying controversial education bills including legislation expanding charter schools and private school vouchers.
Most recently though, he sponsored the Governor’s ‘Stop WOKE Act’.
In the confirmation hearing, State Senator Manny Diaz received unanimous praise, with many who came to testify highlighting his support of parental rights in education.
“He’s a dad. He will respect parents’ rights,” said President of the Central Florida Urban League Glenton Gilzean Jr.
But it’s that topic that makes Diaz a polarizing choice to head the Florida Department of Education.
Diaz sponsored this year’s individual freedom bill, dubbed the ‘Stop WOKE Act’ by the Governor.
STORY: Race-related instruction bill signed by DeSantis, lawsuit filed by Jacksonville attorneys
It prohibits a laundry list of concepts associated with Critical Race Theory from being taught in the classroom and even corporate diversity training.
“Words like Critical Race Theory and woke evoke strong feelings from people for or against,” said Jacksonville attorney Jesse Wilkison.
Wilkison is leading a federal lawsuit challenging the law championed by Diaz.
The suit argues the law is unconstitutional because it’s overly vague and violates the free speech of students, teachers, and employers.
“This is about not having the executive and legislature dictate by fiat what can be taught in schools,” said Wilkison.
Wilkison said Diaz’s appointment signals the Governor’s plans to keep the battle over classroom curriculum front and center.
“Governor DeSantis is first and foremost concerned with fighting ideological battles over race relations rather than addressing the real problems that plague Florida schools,” said Wilkison.
STORY: Stop W.O.K.E. Act: Florida governor takes ‘stand against critical race theory’ with new legislation
Diaz, who will now be in charge of implementing the policy he carried through the legislature, told us he intends to ensure compliance.
“We’re gonna implement the law. We’re gonna follow the law. All of our schools are gonna follow the law and that the way, you know, it’s very clear the intent of the legislature and the Governor’s signature,” said Diaz.
Diaz won’t officially assume the role as commissioner until June 1.
Just 20 days later a federal judge in Tallahassee will consider a motion to block the implementation of the so-called ‘Stop WOKE Act’.
>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<
[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]
[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
