March 24, 2026
Public Comment on Sarasota County School Board Proposal: Rule Number 5.301 – “Student Disruptions and Demonstrations”
Good morning.
My name is Andrea Buscemi, and I’m a parent with children in Sarasota County public schools and a military veteran.
I’m here to oppose the proposed policy (agenda item 5.301) restricting “political activity” and “demonstrations” at school events. The Supreme Court has already settled this in Tinker v. Des Moines in 1969 — students do not shed their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse gate. These activities are constitutionally protected, and this board does not have the authority to take them away.
I also want to name what’s happening more broadly. First, meetings were moved to Tuesday mornings at 10 a.m. — a time when most students, teachers, and working families cannot attend. Now this. These aren’t coincidences. They are a pattern of limiting who gets a seat at the table.
I served this country because I believe in what it stands for — including the First Amendment. Dissent isn’t a threat to democracy. It is democracy. Remember, this nation was literally founded on it.
Yesterday, I toured Florida State University with my high schooler. On campus, we stopped at the Marshall Plaza Protest Commemoration Plaque. It reads:
“Among other things, we have established that the university can tolerate dissent and preserve order and freedom. Peaceful dissent at a university is a kind of love. It means students care enough about the institution to make it better. It means they are, in fact, willing to commit themselves to making it better, more just, more humane. And the university, if it is worthy of its name, becomes this prodding.”
If we want students to be ready for top rated universities like FSU — and for life as engaged and active citizens — we need to prepare them for civil discourse, not silence them.
To the individuals on the board who proposed this policy: if you cannot tolerate the voices of the students and families you were elected to serve, then you are not fit to lead. Leadership requires listening — not silencing. I call on you to step down and make room for leaders who understand that.
To the entire board: I urge you to reject this proposal. Protecting student voices isn’t a disruption to your work. It is your work.
Thank you.
Andrea N. Buscemi 