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Saturday, August 13, 2011

It Pays to Be Connected to Florida’s Ed Reform Cabal | Scathing Purple Musings

It Pays to Be Connected to Florida’s Ed Reform Cabal | Scathing Purple Musings

It Pays to Be Connected to Florida’s Ed Reform Cabal

AP’s Gary Fineout reports:

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida doesn’t have one, or even two education commissioners earning a paycheck right now. Try three.

This month, newly hired Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson began his $275,000-a-year job in Tallahassee. Robinson, who now is one of the highest-paid people in state government, was lured away from Virginia after Commissioner Eric Smith resigned under pressure from the administration of Gov. Rick Scott.

But Smith – whose last official day was in June – will keep drawing a state paycheck until Sept. 20. Smith, who was also earning $275,000 a year as commissioner, had 548 hours of unused