Virginia Education Secretary Gerard Robinson has applied to be Florida’s next education commissioner after being wooed by officials there. He’s one of nine applicants announced Wednesday, according to the Associated Press.
“Florida officials approached Secretary Robinson regarding this position,” said Tucker Martin, a spokesman for Gov. Bob McDonnell. “Given the secretary’s success here in Virginia, and his national reputation as a leader in education reform efforts, their interest in speaking to him about the opening is understandable.”
Florida Gov. Rick Scott, a Republican like McDonnell, pressured outgoing Commissioner Eric Smith to resign, and the Florida state Board of Education appointed former Commissioner John Winn on a temporary basis.
Robinson had served as president of the Black Alliance for Educational Opportunities and helped shape McDonnell’s education priorities, which include building more charter schools and implementing a pilot merit pay program for teachers.
