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Osceola superintendent says board member is creating ‘hostile work environment’ in letter to state

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — The Osceola County school superintendent said school board member Jon Arguello is creating a “hostile work environment.”

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It’s the latest in the saga within the school board since the district sanctioned Arguello last month.

READ: Osceola County school board asks DeSantis to decide fate of member accused of intimidation

Arguello has made it clear that he wants to clean up what he calls corruption in Osceola County, and he’s not afraid to say it or write about it on social media.

However, it seems Superintendent Deborah Pace had enough of what she calls personal and professional attacks.

Pace sent a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis, Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran and Arguello, saying his attacks “are negatively impacting district culture by creating a hostile work environment for me and for members of my staff.”

READ: Another harassment complaint filed against Osceola County school board member

Arguello responded by posting the letter and a statement on his school board social media page, saying, “You don’t come back from chasing Taliban up and down mountains to get intimated by these bullying tactics aimed at silencing me. It’s an easy fix, start putting the community first and I’ll be happy to be quiet.”

The governor’s office is still investigating Arguello after the school district sent a letter.

It asked officials to investigate him for his comments to see if he should be removed.

READ: Second complaint made against Osceola County school board member accused of intimidation

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Shannon Butler

Shannon Butler, WFTV.com

Shannon joined the Eyewitness News team in 2013.

Adam Poulisse, WFTV.com

Adam Poulisse joined WFTV in November 2019.