Former School Board Member Sued Florida Governor
Diyonne McGraw has challenged her 2021 removal from the Alachua County School Board in federal court.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Administration
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Former Alachua County School Board member Diyonne McGraw has filed a federal lawsuit against Governor Ron DeSantis. The suit alleges the governor violated her constitutional right to due process during her 2021 removal from office.
Why it matters
The case centers on the process of gubernatorial appointments to local school boards, a matter of public governance and representative integrity for Florida families. The outcome may clarify the legal standards for removals of elected school district officials.
The lawsuit follows a 2021 incident in which McGraw was removed from her seat over claims she lived outside her district, a move followed by her 2022 re-election loss. Governor Ron DeSantis subsequently appointed Mildred Russell to fill the position.
The players
Diyonne McGraw
A former member of the Alachua County School Board who is challenging her 2021 removal.
Ron DeSantis
The Governor of Florida who directed the 2021 removal of McGraw from the school board.
Mildred Russell
An appointee selected by the governor to replace McGraw on the Alachua County School Board.
The details
McGraw filed the action in federal district court, citing a violation of her constitutional right to due process. The challenge stems from the administrative actions taken by the governor in 2021 to vacate her seat, which ultimately led to the appointment of a replacement. This case re-examines the mechanisms by which school board members are removed from office in the state.
Timeline
Diyonne McGraw was removed from the school board in 2021.
McGraw lost a re-election bid in 2022.
The lawsuit was filed on October 6, 2026.
The Home Front
This case highlights the ongoing tension between state-level executive authority and the local autonomy of Florida school boards. It marks a significant legal effort to define the boundaries of governor-led removals of elected educational representatives.
Families interested in the stability of their local school board representation should monitor official court dockets for future procedural updates. As this is an ongoing federal matter, any inquiries regarding the legal merits of the case should be directed to a qualified attorney.
The takeaway
This lawsuit emphasizes the importance of understanding the oversight mechanisms that influence local school board membership. Keep this development on your radar if you monitor how board vacancies in your county are filled by state officials.
Further reading
For more on how local governance affects your district, visit the Florida administration section.
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