WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
- Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier accused teacher Liz Ballard of targeting an eighth grade student over views he described as conservative.
- Uthmeier alleged Ballard called the student a misogynist, disparaged his father and spread the label around the school.
- Uthmeier said Ballard should be fired and lose her educator certificate if the allegations are substantiated.
- Sarasota County Schools said it would review the facts, protect student privacy and take appropriate action based on its findings.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier alleged that a Pine View School history teacher harassed and tried to “cancel” an eighth-grade student because of views Uthmeier described as conservative, as reported by Fox News.
He also said the teacher branded the student a “misogynist” and spread that label around the school.
Uthmeier detailed the accusations in a letter to Sarasota County Schools’ Superintendent Terry Connor and the school board.
The letter identified the teacher as Liz Ballard and alleged that she singled out the student on multiple occasions because of his political views.
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According to the letter, Ballard often introduced political topics during class even after the student told her that his parents “expressly forbid” him from participating in those discussions.
Uthmeier said that parental instruction was ignored as the political conversations continued.
The attorney general alleged that Ballard used the student as the “conservative perspective in the classroom,” putting him in the position of addressing political subjects in front of classmates.
The student was in eighth grade when the alleged incidents occurred.
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Uthmeier also said Ballard made disparaging remarks about the student’s father and “openly questioned the suitability and influence of the student’s father.”
He accused her of spreading the “misogynist” characterization throughout the school and damaging the child’s reputation.
The letter further stated that multiple parents had previously initiated HR investigations involving Ballard.
Uthmeier said that if the new allegations are true, her conduct violated Florida law, school board policy, and basic ethical principles governing educators.
“Ms. Ballard singled out this student and, in defiance of his parents’ express instructions, pressured him to defend political positions on demand in front of his classmates,” Uthmeier wrote in the letter.
“She made disparaging remarks about his father. And by facilitating the spread of a damaging label throughout the school, she engaged in the reputational destruction of a child.”
“Ms. Ballard’s deliberate bullying and harassment of this eighth-grade student violated Florida law, School Board policy, and at least six ethical principles,” Uthmeier continued.
The attorney general said Ballard should be dismissed from her position with the school district if the allegations are substantiated.
He also said her educator certificate should be revoked, preventing her from teaching again in Florida.
“If true, she should be fired and never teach in Florida again,” Uthmeier said.
I sent a letter to Sarasota Schools after a Pine View teacher allegedly labeled an 8th grader a “misogynist” based on his political affiliation, ignored his parents’ wishes, and disparaged the child’s father.
If true, she should be fired and never teach in Florida again. pic.twitter.com/2yRnlA6k7i
— Attorney General James Uthmeier (@AGJamesUthmeier) September 21, 2026
His letter gave Connor and the school board an Oct. 1 deadline to update his office about actions the district had taken or planned to take in response.
Connor confirmed that Sarasota County Schools received the attorney general’s letter concerning allegations against the teacher.
He said the district would respond to Uthmeier’s office and would take the stated concerns seriously.
“We take the concerns seriously and will respond to the Attorney General’s Office,” Connor said in a statement to FOX 13. “Every student deserves a classroom where they feel safe, respected, and free to learn.”
“No student should face harassment, humiliation, or retaliation because of their beliefs or their family’s views. Respect for students and parents is fundamental to the trust our community places in our schools.”
“The allegations in the letter warrant careful attention. We will examine the relevant facts and records, ensure a fair process for all involved, and take appropriate action based on the findings and requirements.”
“To protect student privacy and the process’s integrity, we will limit public discussion of individual details. This does not reduce our commitment to accountability.”
“Our focus remains on our students’ well-being, the professionalism of our classrooms, and the confidence families place in Sarasota County Schools,” Connor added.
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