Alachua County School Board Chair Sarah Rockwell is under fire after a controversial Facebook comment she made following the death of professional wrestling icon Hulk Hogan. Hogan, a longtime entertainer and public figure, passed away at the age of 71.
In a comment posted to a friend’s Facebook thread, Rockwell wrote, “Good. One less MAGA in the world.” The remark quickly drew backlash from community members and political figures who criticized the school board chair for appearing to celebrate someone’s death based on political views.
Following the public outcry, Rockwell issued an apology and removed the comment. She also limited responses to the post on her personal Facebook page.
“I deeply regret making that comment and have since removed it,” Rockwell wrote. “While I strongly disagree with some of the comments Hulk Hogan made, that is no excuse for my comment. I also sincerely apologize for the way my comment has eroded confidence in my ability to represent all students, families, and staff in Alachua County.”
Despite the apology, the controversy continued to dominate discussion at the July 31 school board meeting, where several citizens voiced their frustration. One speaker, Jeremy Clepper, was nearly removed after becoming visibly angry during his remarks.
Critics have also accused Rockwell of downplaying the issue. During a later meeting, when asked if she would apologize directly to conservative parents, Rockwell reiterated that her original comment was made in a personal capacity and was protected speech.
“I’ve already made two public apologies for my comment, and I’m not going to speak to that again,” Rockwell said. “That is my personally protected speech that was not made in my public capacity.”
The Florida Department of Education has since weighed in, with Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas concluding that the Alachua County School Board violated the First Amendment by selectively silencing speech during board meetings. As a result, on August 20, the State Board of Education imposed sanctions requiring the board to undergo formal training. If the board fails to comply or commits similar violations during the 2025–26 school year, members’ salaries may be withheld.
During the August meeting, Rockwell declined to offer further apologies, stating, “My record speaks for itself.” She acknowledged the controversy and said voters would have the opportunity to evaluate her performance during the next election cycle.
The incident has drawn a wide range of responses. Some residents expressed support for the board, arguing no First Amendment violations occurred. Others, including Alachua County Republican Party Chair and Newberry Mayor Tim Marden, claimed the environment at board meetings has become hostile to conservative voices.
“This is just the tip of the iceberg,” Marden said. “I don’t believe sanctions are enough. I think you should go further and use any authority that you have.”
The fallout from Rockwell’s comment and the board’s handling of recent meetings continues to be a flashpoint in the community, raising broader concerns about political discourse, free speech, and public accountability.