TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - The education community is reacting to news that Richard Corcoran will be Florida's new education commissioner.
The State Board of Education unanimously approved Corcoran on Monday, but the decision has some people concerned.
Corcoran is a well-known name in Florida politics.
Some thought he'd run for governor, but instead, the former House Speaker will lead the state's education department.
"Everyone has different modes of learning and different ways of succeeding, and who knows that best is parents -- and we need to empower the parents, empower the students, and give them opportunities to learn," said Corcoran.
Corcoran was hand-picked by Governor-Elect Ron DeSantis for the job, but the decision still splits some conservatives we talked to who are paying close attention to Florida's education system.
"No one else has done as much for school choice and the children of this state as he has," said Jennings DePriest, School Choice Advocate.
"He has no education experience. He says he spent some time in a classroom, but it certainly wasn't recently," said Beth Overholt, Public Education Advocate.
The big factor is where the state's focus should be.
"Richard Corcoran supports public charter schools. Public charter schools are the best option that we have to bring up these low-income communities where students are stuck in failing schools," said DePriest.
Corcoran faces critics from the Florida Education Association and teachers' unions, including in Leon County.
The overwhelming question is how he will address what some say is a lack of funding for public education.
Corcoran will succeed Pam Stewart, who will step down January 8, the same day Ron DeSantis takes office as governor.
