VA Secretary of Education Applies for FL Position

Virginia Education Secretary Gerard Robinson, who took that job just last year, has applied to be Florida's next education commissioner after being courted by officials there. He is one of nine new applicants announced Wednesday.

The State Board of Education, meanwhile, appointed former Commissioner John Winn to his old job on an interim basis until the panel names a permanent replacement for outgoing Commissioner Eric Smith, who resigned under pressure from Gov. Rick Scott.

Robinson is the only current top state education official among the applicants.

Another new applicant, Bret Schundler, was fired as New Jersey's education commissioner last year by Gov. Chris Christie. Stacia Smith also is a finalist for appointment as Ohio's education superintendent. She currently is superintendent of the Clark County Educational Service Center in West Liberty, Ohio, and a former associate school superintendent for Dayton, Ohio.

Tom Gallagher, Florida's second-to-last elected education commissioner, has also applied. Winn has not.

Florida officials approached Robinson about the job, said Tucker Martin, a spokesman for Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell.

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