Three people out of a crowded field of more than 60 applicants have been chosen to interview for the state’s open position of Florida Education Commissioner, including the recently-ousted education leader of Indiana.
After losing his re-election bid, Indiana’s Tony Bennett quickly applied for the open job of Florida Education Commissioner. He was considered a shoe-in for a finalist slot and is the heavy favorite for the position. Bennett is a supporter of many of the education reforms pioneered by former Florida Governor Jeb Bush. Bennett is also one of Bush’s Chief’s For Change” a distinction that puts him in line with former state education commissioners Gerard Robinson and Eric Smith.
Also on the state board of Education’s finalist list is Charles Hokanson, a past president of the Alliance for School Choice and education consultant who worked in former President George H.W. Bush’s Department of Education.
The Board is also considering Randy Dunn, President of Murray State University in Kentucky and former Illinois Superintendent of Education. Officials will interview the candidates at its December 11 meeting and could name its choice for state education commissioner on the 12th.
