School Board Chair, Teri Barenborg Doesn’t Get Meeting with DeSantis on Resignation of Brian Barefoot.
Barenborg went to Tallahassee on behalf of Barefoot to lobby the governor to reverse his resignation that he has speculated upon for nearly 18 months.
According to a morning report in the TCPalm, School Board Chair, Teri Barenborg went to Tallahassee on Friday in an attempt to get her ally on the board, Brian Barefoot, reinstated by Governor DeSantis. However, she could not get a hearing with anyone of significance in his office. A befuddled Barenborg said to the TC Palm’s Colleen Wixon, “It’s all up in the air. We don’t know what to do.”
The news report very clearly stated that Barenborg was “unable to speak with or meet with anyone” to get her request of his reinstatement heard. Barefoot’s resignation status is legally clear. The report also points to the fact that he is “ineligible to vote” because he has willingly relinquished his seat. It is not that Barefoot chooses to stay away as his reported comments suggest, rather, he is not allowed to participate. Reached for comment, school board member, Jackie Rosario said, “I hope Mrs. Barenborg went to the Governor’s Mansion as a private citizen. The Board did not formally endorse this trip to advocate on behalf of Mr. Barefoot.”
Barefoot very publicly announced his resignation in Thursday’s edition of Vero News / 32963. The column coincided with an official submission of his formal resignation on Wednesday February 21st. It was mentioned in the TCPalm report that Barenborg was concerned about some budgetary items and contracts that may become “voided” if there is a tie vote among the four remaining members. In the future, a scenario of gridlock is possible. This problem can be easily remedied by DeSantis appointing one of the two filed candidates, or, a person who has not formally declared. However, he may not appoint anyone.
For nearly two years, Barefoot has expressed his dissatisfaction with his time on the school board. During the 2022 campaign, he rallied support in an attempt to oust Jackie Rosario who was endorsed by DeSantis, and to defeat Moms for Liberty backed candidates. In a July 2022 interview granted to Vero News / 32963 during the campaign season, he stated, “I sit on several boards, and I get some satisfaction from it because I see the benefits of the time I invest. On this board? I get zero satisfaction.”
The sentiments of Barefoot were made clear. He was firm on his 2020 campaign promise to serve only one term. This singular term gave Indian River County taxpayers a personalized vantage point of Barefoot’s growing displeasure with elected service. Pictures from school board observers started showing up online of Barefoot napping on the dais. He was often not physically attending meetings. He even decided a political fundraiser was more significant than appearing at a business meeting. During the October 10, 2022 superintendent workshop, Barefoot was on video conference with the sound muted, visibly seen having a private phone conversation for personal business. Jackie Rosario had to inform chairman Barenborg that Barefoot was “not engaged in the discussion” because he was doing his own thing. Watch the exchange here.
For the past 4 years, Barenborg has allied with Barefoot on an array of issues. In August 2021, she moved to his side on mandatory mask policy. The DeSantis administration threatened removal of state funds if they did not comply with the new parental rights law passed that went into effect on July 1st of the same year. For 2022, Mrs. Barenborg was elected Board chair. That February, she steered the book controversy to a 4-1 vote to keep pornographic books on school library shelves. Rosario was the lone holdout. The process of that decision is still being adjudicated in civil appeals court. Ultimately, the Board would have to side with Rosario, reversing those votes in August and September of 2023. Moms for Liberty members and many citizens read the hardcore pornographic evidence in school library books causing national headlines.
For reelection in 2022, Barenborg’s campaign sent mailers endorsing the DeSantis Education Agenda even though her voting record did not reflect it. Her campaign lobbied for the Desantis endorsement. Despite her husband, Ed being a legislative aide for Erin Grall that worked on the passing of the parental rights, and her registration as a Republican, she did not get it. Yet, Barenborg achieved victory.
In 2023, when DeSantis targeted Barefoot and Dr. Peggy Jones for replacement through the electoral process, Barefoot vowed to “fight on,” following up that he “wasn’t WOKE” and wouldn’t go easily. Since then, he has looked for and has found his own replacement, David Dyer. There is speculation surrounding his retirement’s motive. Besides the legitimate personal reasons, some have opined that it was done to get Dyer the appointment, since at the time of his announcement, he was thought to be the only declared candidate.
However, Kevin McDonald entered the race, giving DeSantis a clear alternative to Barefoot’s choice. Suddenly, on Thursday the 22nd, Barefoot was attempting to rescind his resignation. Now, it is learned that Chairman of the Board, Teri Barenborg was en route to the capitol on Friday. However, her weekend mission in Tallahassee was unsuccessful. Rosario said, “She made a very long trip for nothing.”