Emails show public dismay about Karen Rose school board appointment

Published On: January 9, 2026 5:45 amLast Updated: January 8, 2026 7:07 pm

By:

Record-holding agency: Executive Office of the Governor
Date requested: Aug. 29
Outcome: Records obtained Dec. 5
Cost: $0

After Gov. Ron DeSantis announced in August that he had tapped ousted Sarasota County School Board Member Karen Rose to fill a mid-term vacancy on the board, we requested emails that mentioned Rose’s name sent to and from DeSantis’s office the week she was appointed. Four months later, the Governor’s office sent us 22 emails from Sarasota residents. Twenty-one expressed anger about DeSantis’ appointment of Rose, who had served one term on the board but lost her bid for re-election in 2024. One praised the move. Among the comments:

  • “Your recent appointment of Karen Rose to the Sarasota School Board is a slap in the face of voters who made the choice last August to remove Karen Rose from her position.”
  • “How dare you! We didn’t want Karen Rose in 2024. What part of her losing her board seat leads you to believe she is wanted in 2025?”
  • “You appointing Karen rose again to srq county school board is a terrible idea. I’ve followed you and believed in you for many of years. But this is absolutely terrible. So many more talented people in my area.”

See the full set of records here.