In a week marked by significant changes to Florida’s educational leadership, Governor Ron DeSantis has made a series of high-profile appointments to key school and college boards, reinforcing his influence over local education policy and governance. The moves, announced in late August 2025, include the return of a previously ousted Sarasota County School Board member, Karen Rose, and the selection of new and returning trustees to the board overseeing Polk State College. These appointments, coming at a time of heightened political attention to education, are set to shape the direction of public instruction, curriculum, and administration across the state.
On August 22, 2025, DeSantis took the unusual step of reappointing Karen Rose to the Sarasota County School Board, less than a year after voters removed her from office. Rose, a former principal and experienced administrator, had served on the board since 2020, winning her seat with the backing of the local Republican Party in what was officially a nonpartisan race. According to Florida Politics, her initial victory saw her defeat a Democrat-backed opponent, David Graham, after an earlier unsuccessful run against then-incumbent Shirley Brown, a former Democratic state legislator.
Rose’s tenure on the board was anything but quiet. For the first two years, she found herself in the political minority alongside Bridget Ziegler, who was then gaining national attention as a conservative advocate for school choice and education policy. That dynamic shifted dramatically in 2022, when a wave of DeSantis-endorsed candidates secured a conservative majority on the board. With the new majority in place, Rose played a pivotal role in the controversial ouster of School Superintendent Brennan Asplen—a move that drew both praise and criticism and underscored the board’s new direction.
The following year, Rose’s leadership was again tested when Ziegler became embroiled in a sex scandal along with her husband, Christian Ziegler. As School Board Chair, Rose publicly called for Ziegler’s resignation, stating, as reported by Florida Politics, that the board needed to maintain its integrity amid the controversy. Ziegler, however, refused to step down and remains on the board to this day.
Despite her active role and high profile, Rose failed to secure re-election in November 2024. Voters instead chose Liz Barker, who was backed by Democrats, signaling a rebuke of the conservative bloc that had dominated recent board decisions. The defeat of Rose and other DeSantis-endorsed candidates across the state was widely seen as a referendum on the Governor’s education agenda at the local level.
Yet, Rose’s absence from the board was short-lived. Earlier in August 2025, Tim Enos, who had held a seat on the Sarasota County School Board, resigned to return to his previous role as the school district’s police chief. The vacancy gave DeSantis an opportunity to restore a key ally to the board. In a late Friday announcement, the Governor’s office confirmed Rose’s appointment to fill the remainder of Enos’s term, which ends in 2026.
“Rose is a former Sarasota County School Board Member. Active in her community, she currently serves as a member of the State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota District Board of Trustees and previously served as a member of the Florida Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development,” read the official release from the Governor’s office. The statement also highlighted her academic credentials, noting that she holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Youngstown State University and a master’s degree in education from the University of South Florida.
Rose’s return does not alter the board’s political balance, which remains at a 3-2 conservative majority. However, it reunites her with both her prior political opponent, Liz Barker, and Tom Edwards, who had voiced criticism over Enos’s resignation. As the board prepares to tackle ongoing issues in curriculum, school safety, and administration, the dynamic between these members—some of whom have clashed publicly in the past—will be closely watched by parents, educators, and political observers alike.
While Sarasota’s drama played out, DeSantis was also moving to solidify leadership at another key institution: Polk State College. On August 23, 2025, the Governor announced four appointments to the Polk State College District Board of Trustees, a body responsible for the college’s strategic planning, fiscal oversight, and overall governance. The slate includes one new member and three returning trustees, all bringing a blend of professional expertise and community engagement to the table.
Steve Lester, the board’s newest addition, serves as Chief of Staff for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. According to the Tampa Free Press, Lester is an alumnus of the University of Florida—where he earned a bachelor’s degree in criminology—and holds a master’s degree in public administration from Troy University. He is also active in the Rotary Club of Winter Haven and the Polk State Alumni Board, though a correction clarified that he is not a Polk State graduate, but rather a dedicated University of Florida Gators fan.
Ann Barnhart, reappointed to the board, is the Vice President of Strategy at AdventHealth West Florida Division and also serves as Treasurer for the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce. Barnhart’s academic background includes both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in nursing from Southern Connecticut State University. Her dual focus on healthcare and community service has made her a respected voice in local leadership circles.
Cynthia Ross, another reappointee, owns the etiquette and event consulting firm Social Graces. A Polk State College alumna, she has previously served on the Polk Arts Alliance Advisory Council and currently holds the position of Vice Chair for the Florida College Association. Her experience bridges both the arts and higher education sectors, offering a unique perspective on the board.
The final reappointment, Ashley Troutman, is a Financial Advisor with Northwestern Mutual. Troutman earned his associate degree from Polk State College and a bachelor’s degree in business marketing from the University of South Florida. He is also deeply involved in the community, serving as Chairman of the Lighthouse Ministries Board of Directors.
These appointments are not yet set in stone—they are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate, a standard step for such high-level roles. But the Governor’s choices reflect a continued emphasis on professional experience, community involvement, and, in some cases, prior alignment with his policy priorities.
As both the Sarasota County School Board and the Polk State College District Board of Trustees prepare to enter new chapters, the impact of these appointments will reverberate through classrooms, administrative offices, and the broader community. The decisions made by these boards in the coming months—on issues ranging from curriculum to college operations—will help define the educational landscape of Florida for years to come.
With the Governor’s latest moves, the intersection of politics and education in Florida remains as dynamic and consequential as ever, setting the stage for continued debate and development in the state’s schools and colleges.
