School Board Chair steps down from leadership

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School Board Chair steps down from leadership
Jessie Thompson

Volusia County School Board Member Jessie Thompson has stepped down from her position as chair. Board Member Jamie Haynes was selected as the new chair during an organizational meeting Jan. 14, and Board Member Ruben Colón was chosen as vice chair. Haynes had previously acted as vice chair.

Thompson was elected in 2022 and was elected chair Nov. 19, 2024.

BEACON PHOTO/CHASIDY RUTH
CHAIR NO LONGER — Volusia County School Board Member Jessie Thompson takes a quiet moment at a Jan. 14 meeting after she stepped down from her position as board chair.

Thompson came under fire early in her tenure as board chair in early December when a video of her speaking at a Moms for Liberty conference in August was posted online. Moms for Liberty is a conservative group that focuses on conservative values in schools. Moms for Liberty, which originally began in response to masking in school, has turned their focus to removing books in schools across the state of Florida. 

Thompson was seen in the video posted by Moms for Liberty referring to Deltona High School diplomas as “participation trophies,” and saying she wouldn’t trust some Deltona High School graduates to pump her gas for her. Thompson also made a reference to a “tan man,” an apparent allusion to fellow Board Member Ruben Colón. Colón is Hispanic. 

Thompson later apologized for the comments. The School Board unanimously decided to reconsider her appointment as chair. Colón was elected vice chair on a vote of 3-2, with Board Members Thompson and Krista Goodrich dissenting. Haynes was elected chair on a vote of 4-1. Board Member Donna Brosemer was the sole no vote.

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