Within a day after losing his re-election bid as Indiana's State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Bennett was urged by proponents of education reform in Florida to apply for the state's vacant education commissioner spot. After much soul-searching, Bennett filed an application for the spot late Friday, the deadline for submitting applications. Florida's State Board of Education is scheduled to interview finalists from among the approximately 50 people who applied for the spot on December 11 and are expected to make their decision quickly.
Bennett's loss to Democrat Glenda Ritz could turn out to be a blessing in disguise if he is chosen for the Florida position. It pays nearly three times what his current salary is, and he's not required to run for office in order to hold the position. According to news reports, Florida's last commissioner of education earned $275,000 a year. Bennett's annual salary as Indiana's Superintendent of Public Instruction is only $79,400. Florida's Board of Education members are appointed by the state's Republican governor, Rick Scott. An education reform group backed by former Gov. Jeb Bush is pushing for Bennett's appointment.
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