Anointed, Not Appointed: Stasi Steps In as Florida’s Education Chief
no search, Few questions, and no discussion—just faith, loyalty, and a firm grip on the narrative.
On Wednesday, June 4, 2025, Florida’s State Board of Education (FLBOE) met for the first time since two major developments:
- Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. was named Interim President of the University of West Florida (UWF), and
- Florida dropped to #2 in Education in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report (USNWR) State Rankings (released May 6).
Before the meeting, I had a few questions:
- Would the Board conduct a legitimate search for a new Commissioner—or simply appoint DeSantis’ “chosen one,” Anastasios Kamoutsas (known as “Stasi”)?
- Would anyone dare say out loud that Florida is no longer #1?
- Would anyone acknowledge Florida’s slide in the PreK–12 rankings?
- Would there be any public discussion about how recent budget cuts to accelerated programs might impact future rankings?
The answers, in order:
- No, They appointed Stasi without a search.
- No.
- No.
- No.
In a room full of education policy professionals, not one mention was made of Florida’s drop in the rankings. Instead, Florida was declared the “Number One” state for education no fewer than seven times—despite that title now officially belonging to New Jersey.
Stasi’s appointment as Commissioner of Education is pending Diaz’s confirmation at UWF. Like Diaz, Stasi is a Hialeah native. He earned a degree from Florida International University, followed by a law degree from Regent University, a private Christian school founded by Pat Robertson. Regent emphasizes a “discipleship-based, Christian-integrated approach” to legal education and aims to equip students to “fulfill God’s calling.”
Stasi currently serves as Deputy Chief of Staff in the Executive Office of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who endorsed his appointment. Stasi has been involved in many of DeSantis’ key initiatives and was described by Florida Politics as “one of the most feared staffers.” Before joining the Governor’s Office, Kamoutsas served as Chief of Staff at the Florida Department of Education, where he was also the agency’s top lawyer. It rumored that Kamoutsas coordinated the ambush leading to the departure of the previous UWF President that lead to Diaz’s interim appointment.
A Who’s Who of Florida Ed reformers came out in support Stasi’s appointment, including:
- Former Lt. Governor and now President Delegate of Florida International University, Jeanette Nuñez praised Stasi for battling with her to expand parental choice and eliminate DEI.
- Former Florida House speaker and now New College of Florida president Richard Corcoran, credited him with involvement in “every single major decision,” including banning critical race theory and masking mandates.
- Former Broward School Board member and now President of Broward College, Torey Alson, noted that he (and current FLBOE member and former appointed Broward school board member, Daniel Foganholi) had worked together with Stasi, finding him to be “a strong resource and a thoughtful partner.”
- Former House Education Committee Chair and founder of True North Classical Charter Schools, Mike Bileca, described Stasi as someone with the courage to “keep the pedal on the gas” for education reform.
- Former Florida Congressman, now President of Northwest Florida State College, Mel Ponder, said Stasi’s experience “makes this an incredible opportunity, not to slow down and learn, but to hand off and accelerate.”
- José Oliva, another former state House speaker and now member of the Board of Governors, which oversees Florida’s public universities, called him “relentless.”
Many speakers referered to the importance of his faith, including Sara Velasquez, who met Stasi when he was just 14 years old and came to the church she and her husband were pastoring in North Miami, where Stasi committed his life to Christ.
Roberto J. Gonzales, a Miami Dade County Commissioner for district 11, strangly equated Manny Diaz to Moses – suggesting that Diaz had “liberated” Florida from DEI much in the same way Moses had liberated the Hebrews from slavery.
Monica Colucci, Moms for Liberty-backed Vice Chair of the Miami Dade School Board who also serves as the President of the Florida High School Athletic Association, praised Stasi for “protecting the integrity of women’s sports.”
In what may have been the most telling moment, former Commissioner Richard Corcoran declared:
“People always say, What’s the greatest threat to our country? Is it Putin? Is it Islamic jihadism? Is it China? The greatest threat is from within, and it’s being changed right here by the board and the leadership of the Commissioner. Stasi gets that, and he’s exhibited it, and he’s lived it.”
After a couple questions from Chair Gibson, allowing Stasi to highlight his work ethic, committment to School Choice, Workforce Education and keeping college tuition low, the board unanimously appointed him. So, as long as Diaz is approved as Interim President of UWF, Stasi will take over as Commissioner of Education later this month.
Of note: Unlike typical FLBOE meetings, public speakers endorsing Stasi were not limited to one minute or reminded to remain civil—a privilege rarely granted to everyday Floridians addressing the board.