The Southern Poverty Law Center has filed a new lawsuit against the school board of Orange County, Florida, on behalf of the Association to Preserve the Eatonville Community, Inc. (PEC) to protect the Robert Hungerford Preparatory High School property.
The lawsuit alleges that the Orange County School Board is selling that historic land after secret negotiations in violation of Florida’s Government in the Sunshine Law.
During a meeting on January 13, 2026, the school board voted unanimously to approve the sale of the Hungerford property in Eatonville to Dr. Phillips Inc./The Dr. P. Phillips Foundation Inc. The board had already entered into a memorandum of understanding that detailed the key terms of the sale of the Hungerford property to Dr. Phillips, which it approved on Sept. 30, 2025.
According to the lawsuit, the agreement to sell the land was already decided through closed-door meetings prior to any public discussions or formal votes.
