Alachua County Public Schools’ District 5 board member Kay Abbitt resigned Tuesday. Her resignation is effective immediately.
According to the press release, Abbitt resigned due to a conflict of interest as she also serves as the unpaid interim director of Boulware Springs Charter School, located in Gainesville. The previous director passed away in November.
Abbitt founded the charter school with her daughter in 2013 and served as its director until her election to the school board in 2022.
“I appreciate the opportunity that I have had to serve on the school board of Alachua County,” Abbitt wrote in the press release.
Abbitt did not respond to request for comment in time for publication. It’s unclear if she’ll be paid for the position following her resignation.
Under Florida statutes, the governor would fill any vacancy in a district or county office for the remainder of the seat’s term. Community members must wait until 2026 to elect a new District 5 board member. District 5 covers the southwest area of Alachua County, including Arredondo, Adam and Archer.
District 3 board member and Chair Sarah Rockwell said she’s unsure how long the seat will remain vacant. She said she hopes the board can continue to work together to build consensus until a new seat is filled.
“Kay Abbitt has been a pleasure to work with, and her experience and insight will be greatly missed on the board,” she said. “I wish her the very best.”
District 1 board member and Vice-Chair Tina Certain said she was made aware of Abbitt’s resignation Tuesday morning.
“I wasn’t expecting it at all,” she said. “I’m still processing this like everybody else.”
Superintendent Kamela Patton and the board will work together to provide onboarding to the new member once Gov. Ron DeSantis fills the position, Certain said.
“There are a number of key tasks and issues the board has to face in the coming year,” she said. “I think all of us are committed to working together to move forward.”
Contact Sara-James Ranta at sranta@alligator.org. Follow her on X @sarajamesranta.
Sara-James Ranta is a third-year journalism major, minoring in sociology of social justice and policy. Previously, she served as a general assignment reporter for The Alligator's university desk.
