I Asked My Florida Teachers Union for Basic Records. Then They Expelled Me.

RealClear Education ^ | June 16, 2026 | Kelley LaBedz

[E. Pluribus Unum]

For me, the path into the teaching profession – and my local teacher union – was not a typical one. Neither was my exit. When I started my journey into education, I never thought I’d be expelled from a union for asking for basic records to which I’m legally entitled.

Thankfully, the Florida Public Employees Relations Commission ruled I’d been wrongfully expelled. The union filed an appeal just before the deadline, but the Commission’s clear ruling confirmed what should have been obvious from the start: that my expulsion was unlawful.

As a licensed attorney, I had worked for a local county prosecutor’s office in Illinois and the state attorney general office in Ohio. When I moved to Martin County, Florida, I also moved into a new career as a teacher.

My background first appeared to be an asset for the local Florida Education Association (FEA)-affiliated union. I became active in the union and was elected to the executive board. But I would eventually find that an inquisitive, trained legal mind was not welcome in union leadership.

Almost immediately, I noticed allotments of funds that raised questions in my mind. Instead of answers, though, I encountered strong resistance.

When it comes to teachers’ unions, such questions are not merely academic. A former Martin County Education Association treasurer was arrested in 2016 for stealing more than $149,000. Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Justice sentenced the former president of a Chicago teachers’ union local to four years in prison for embezzlement and accepting bribes. Across the country, such incidents of union corruption continue to surface.

In late 2022, I discovered that union leadership was negotiating a new contract that would negatively affect certain longer-tenured teachers – a group to which union leadership did not belong. When I raised concerns, the...

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TOPICS: Education
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[E. Pluribus Unum]

Almost immediately, I noticed allotments of funds that raised questions in my mind.

Paging David Hoch and Nick Shirley.

[Scarlett156]

Public education is an idea that looks good (sort of) on paper - now we see, however, that no matter how much $$$ you throw at it, it’s never going to be better than it is right now.

Home-school your kids.

[Leaning Right]

The good news:
In 2018 the Supreme Court ruled that teachers and other public employees did not have to join a union.

The bad news:
Corrupt unions and corrupt school administrators sometimes work hand-in-hand to target nonunion teachers. Such teachers are sometimes fired for the weakest of reasons.

I’ve seen that happen.

[The Unknown Republican]

And Kelley probably still votes Democrat.

[spintreebob]

“asking for basic records”

How many taxpayers, how many state legislators, ask for basic records on how taxpayer money is spent in state agencies?
What are the efficient and inefficient, effective and ineffective usages of taxpayer money in the Department of Health, Department of Human Services, Department of xxxx?

Most state legislators sit on a committee responsible for funding one or more state agencies. And they only know the rosy summary they are fed by the bureaucrats. They rarely ask for details on the part of the agency that is the focus of the ignored whistleblower.

[Dr. Sivana]

Public education is an idea that looks good (sort of) on paper

Peter Drucker made the point that even a government organization might do its job well, if the job is well defined and there is only one over-arching goal. The teachers' unions have made it clear that the education for life competency and good citizenship is no longer the goal of the over-arching teacher organizations, so good teachers succeed despite the system. That was not always the case.

[HYPOCRACY]

Only womyn have ‘journeys’. Men have jobs.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

And Kelley probably still votes Democrat.

And has pink hair.

[Albion Wilde]

Hat tip: Today's Toons 6/19/26 by pookie18

[PeterPrinciple]

On March 12, 2026, the Commission ruled that the local union had committed unfair labor practices, not only by denying my lawful request for access to union documents but also for expelling me from the union. The Commission found that I “was not provided with even a scintilla of due process” regarding my expulsion.

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never give up