UPDATE: Governor DeSantis Announces Acceptance of Brian Barefoot’s Resignation in Letter to Secretary of State.
DeSantis appoints Kevin McDonald to school board. Members, the district and candidates react.
This morning, Governor Ron DeSantis appointed district 5 school board candidate, Kevin McDonald to the seat left vacant by Brian Barefoot’s resignation on February 21st. Reached for comment, the newly appointed Mr. McDonald, who will be sworn in April 8th prior to the superintendent workshop, said, “I am honored to be selected and appointed by our great governor, Ron DeSantis, and I look forward to serving the parents, families and taxpayers of Indian River County.”
Earlier in the morning, Governor DeSantis wrote and delivered a letter to FL Secretary of State, Cord Byrd, sharing he accepted Mr. Barefoot’s resignation. “The resignation was effective February 21, 2024, when his letter of resignation was submitted to the proper authority,” wrote DeSantis. Mr. Barefoot formally resigned in a district-wide email addressed to Board Members, Administration and Employees of the School District of Indian River County (SDIRC). Since then, Mr. Barefoot attempted to rescind his resignation, even going so far as to suggest there was FL Supreme Court precedent. Gov. DeSantis addressed those claims by stating, “The Supreme Court has held that ‘a public officer’s resignation, stated to be effective immediately, is effective upon submission to the proper authority and that the governor’s acceptance is not necessary in order to create a vacancy in office.’”
The appointment of Mr. McDonald has ended a six-week process where many in media and in Mr. Barefoot’s camp, which includes his personally endorsed candidate David Dyer, were vying for DeSantis’s attention. From the outset of his resignation, Mr. Barefoot endorsed himself being replaced by Mr. Dyer. However that quickly changed at the time of McDonald’s entry into the race. The SDIRC consistently stated “they were waiting on guidance from the governor’s office.”
Today, that guidance was delivered to the District. “We are thrilled to welcome Mr. McDonald to the School Board. We are confident that his background in education, dedication to our students, and his commitment to excellence will greatly benefit our district. Please join us in welcoming Kevin to the team as we work together to ensure the success and well-being of all our students,” said superintendent, Dr. David Moore in a prepared statement. To that release, Mr. McDonald added, “I appreciate the support of Governor Ron DeSantis in appointing me to this role. I look forward to working with Dr. Moore and his team to continue the success of this school district.”
Reached for comment, board member Jacqueline Rosario was happy that the appointment had finally been made by the governor. “I’m thrilled to welcome Mr. McDonald to the School Board. I trust Gov. DeSantis’s process in vetting and appointing people to positions as important as School Board Member.” said Ms. Rosario. She added, “I am sure Kevin will be an asset to our board, especially considering his corporate business background and educational school board experience with the Geneva School in New York.”
The District is currently on course to add another magnet school in North County that would take a classical education approach. In their presentation, Dr. Moore’s executive team revealed they studied The Geneva School. Hearing of Mr. McDonald’s appointment, Dr. Gene Posca commented, “I am looking forward to working with Mr. McDonald. I am certain it will be a big improvement for the community of Indian River County.”
The other school board members, Dr. Peggy Jones and Teri Barenborg were asked by The Sunshine Journal for comment, but they have not replied. During the uncertainty of Barefoot’s resignation status, to get clarity, Mrs. Barenborg attempted to visit with the governor on behalf of Mr. Barefoot, but, she wasn't able to obtain a meeting.
The Sunshine Journal also reached out to hopeful candidates in the race. This appointment comes just before the Taxpayer’s Association’s school board forum. Mr. Dyer, who is running against Mr. McDonald in district 5, did not respond to a request for comment from The Sunshine Journal. In district 3, Dr. Jones is challenged by Rob MacCallum. He responded, “I appreciate Governor DeSantis making an appointment rather than leaving the seat vacated. I believe all of our districts should be represented.”
However, Mr. Barefoot told the TC Palm that the appointment should not have gone to a candidate, even though, in the February 22nd column, ‘My Take’ by Ray McNulty of 32963 / Vero News, he verbally endorsed the candidate, Mr. Dyer, to be appointed by the Governor. Just last week, Mr. Barefoot introduced Mr. Dyer at his first fundraiser. Mr. Dyer greeted potential donors and then proceeded to endorse Dr. Jones for school board. Dr. Jones is the other board member from Indian River County that was on the DeSantis replacement list. The list targeted 14 school board member elections statewide because they failed to vote for the protection of parental rights and against woke ideologies.