The search for Florida’s next Education Commissioner is going past its deadline. The state board of education is disappointed with the current batch of 16 applicants. This is the same position the board found itself in during its last search a year ago.
When former state education Commissioner Eric Smith resigned last year amid political pressure, the state board was disappointed with its choices for a replacement. It extended the deadline for applications and eventually found Gerard Robinson. But Robinson resigned from the post in August. Now 16 people have applied to be Florida’s next education commissioner.
“We’re not going to lower our standards here, and if we’re not satisfied with the results at that time, I think we have a right to push that date out further," said Board Chairman Gary Chartrand.
The current list of applicants for Education Commissioner includes former state Republican lawmaker Ana Rivas Logan of Miami, and Thomas Jandris, who was a finalist in the last search.
