Florida Attorney General Calls for Firing of Teacher Accused of Harassing Student Over Conservative Views

A Florida teacher has been accused of trying to “cancel” an eighth-grade student because of the child’s conservative views.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who is running for re-election, called for Liz Ballard, a Pine View School history teacher, to be fired and her educator certificate revoked if the allegations against her were found to be true.

Uthmeier wrote in a letter to Ballard’s district, Sarasota County Schools, Monday that his Office of Parental Rights was informed that Ballard “allegedly harassed, disparaged, and deliberately tried to ‘cancel’ an eighth-grade student for his conservative views.”

The student allegedly told Ballard that his parents forbid him to take part in political discussions that frequently happened in her classroom. But Ballard “ignored the parents’ wishes and continued to engage this student as the conservative perspective in the classroom,” read the letter, which the attorney general shared on X.

Ballard is also accused of calling the student a “misogynist” and spreading the label around the school. She also allegedly publicly questioned the “suitability and influence” of the child’s father.

Sarasota County is predominantly Republican. There are more than 164,000 registered Republicans, more than 81,000 registered Democrats and more than 73,000 with no party affiliation in the county, according to the Florida Division of Elections.

Utehmeier said if the allegations against Ballard are corroborated and if there is no reason to question their reliability, the teacher’s “conduct violated Florida law, School Board policy, and basic ethical principles for educators.”

The attorney general asked Sarasota County Schools Superintendent Terry Connor and the school district’s board to tell his office by October 1 what actions they have taken or will take to address the situation.

Superintendent Connor confirmed that the district received Uthmeier’s letter in a statement shared with The Independent.

“We take the concerns seriously and will respond to the Attorney General's Office,” Connor said.

“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,” the statement continued. “Respect for students and parents is fundamental to the trust our community places in our schools.”

Speaking on the allegations, Connor said the district will “examine the relevant facts and records, ensure a fair process for all involved, and take appropriate action based on the findings and requirements.”

The district did not address Ballard’s current employment status.