9 Investigates: Orange County teacher suspended over ad at school play

APOPKA, Fla. — An Orange County teacher was suspended in the process of trying to raise money for her school drama program.

District leaders found she violated policy by bringing politics into Apopka High School.

9 Investigates learned the complaint was filed by school board member Christine Moore.

Moore is also a political consultant and is paid to run incumbent Sam Ruth’s campaign.

Alice Nolan is running for Apopka City Council Seat 3, trying to unseat Ruth.

Nolan paid $100 to run an ad during the credits of a play at Apopka High School.

Moore filed a complaint with the district because the ad promotes political interests.

Channel 9 reporter Daralene Jones asked Moore if she had received a call about the ad from a parent. Moore said she didn't remember, she had received multiple calls, but Ruth did not call her.

9 Investigates obtained a copy of this investigative report showing Ruth was in the audience when the ad ran and called Moore to complain.

Moore said the complaint had nothing to do with her role as a political consultant.

“I think the issue is the teacher violated school board policy. It's not about me,” Moore said.

Nolan immediately pulled the ad and told district leaders she wasn’t “trying to be political.” She said she was trying to raise money for her kids and her program.

Nolan apologized and refunded the $100, which is about half the pay she lost serving out that one day suspension that resulted after the Moore’s complaint.

Officials went back eight years and couldn’t recall a case similar to this.

Cox Media Group