New Jersey's former education commissioner has applied to head the school system in Florida. Bret Schundler said he is one of nine candidates being considered by the Florida state Board of Education and Gov. Rick Scott. Schundler said he would be a perfect fit to run that state's education system and drive the same types of reforms he pushed...
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Bret Schundler pictured in this file photo announced that he is under consideration to head the education system in Florida.New Jersey's former education commissioner has applied to head the school system in Florida.
Bret Schundler said he is one of nine candidates being considered by the Florida state Board of Education and Gov. Rick Scott.
Schundler said he would be a perfect fit to run that state's education system and drive the same types of reforms he pushed for in New Jersey. The Associated Press has reported that Virginia Education Secretary Gerard Robinson is a front-runner for the post.
"This is a wonderful opportunity," Schundler said. "I would be very excited about working there, but I understand they may go in a different direction."
Schundler said he applied for the post after being approached by the executive search firm of Ray and Associates, based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
"I am someone who understands exactly what they're trying to do, someone who understands the initiatives, and someone who can implement their vision, one that I share with Florida," Schundler said.
Florida's former education commissioner, Eric Smith, resigned under pressure from Scott. Florida's interim education commissioner, John Winn, has not applied for the permanent post.
Since Gov. Chris Christie fired him after the state’s high-profile loss in a federal education reform competition, Schundler has been working on a project to renovate a charter school facility.
Christie accused Schundler of lying about the effort to amend a clerical application error that cost the state $400 million in the competition, known as Race to the Top.
Related coverage:
• Gov. Chris Christie doesn't tip his hand on reform agenda during MSNBC appearance
• Bob Braun: Christie, Schundler conflict is latest in politicization of N.J. education department
• N.J. Board of Education vows to continue reform after Race to the Top loss
• N.J. Democrats push ahead with hearing to 'dissect' Race to the Top error
