KEEP FLORIDA LEARNING Last year, Governor Scott requested the formation of a committee to study, among other things, how school districts choose to adopt textbooks and other instructional materials and how the districts could best implement Florida’ s new academic standards and testing. The “Keep Florida Learning Committee” members were announced today. In addition to Education Secretary Pam Stewart, the following will make up the eleven-member panel:
- Christie Bassett, a Polk County teacher and Florida’s current teacher of the year
- State Representative Manny Díaz, R-Hialeah
- Margaret Fahringer, a principal in Miami-Dade County
- Doris Garcia, a teacher in Orange County
- Julia Hendricks, a parent in Pasco County
- Patty Hightower, a school board member in Escambia County
- Joe Pickens, former state lawmaker, president of St. Johns River State College
- Owen Roberts, superintendent of Alachua County schools
- State Senator Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland
- Laura Zorc, a parent in Indian River County active in Florida Parents Against Common Core
UNIVERSITY BOARDS OF TRUSTEES Governor Scott has made the following appointments and reappointments to colleges and universities. The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
Florida Gulf Coast College Kevin Price, with Gartner Inc., Estero; and Kenneth Smith, COO of Alico, Inc. and owner of Integrated Beef Consultants, Fort Myers.
Gulf Coast State College Katie Patronis, a realtor, Panama City; Ralph Roberson, a Certified public accountant, Port St. Joe; and Joe Tannehill, president of Merrick Industries, Panama City.
University of South Florida Byron Shinn, a certified public accountant and president of Shinn and Company LLC, Bradenton; and Jordan Zimmerman, founder and chairman of Zimmerman Advertising, Fort Lauderdale.
Florida Atlantic University Dr. Jeffrey Feingold, president and chief executive officer of MCNA Dental Plans and Dentaland Dental Centers, Delray Beach; and Robert Rubin, president of Rubin Wealth Advisors, Boca Raton.
University of West Florida Lewis Bear Jr., president of the Lewis Bear Company, Gulf Breeze.
Florida State University Brent Sembler, vice chairman of the Sembler Company, Pinellas Park.
Florida Polytechnic University Robert Stork, chief executive officer of Communications International Inc., Vero Beach.
University of Florida Rahul Patel, attorney and partner with King and Spalding, Atlanta; and Robert Stern, an attorney and partner with Trenam Kemker, Tampa.
North Florida Community College Sandra Haas, a retired attorney and former Suwannee County School Board member, McAlpin.
Hillsborough Community College District Steve Cona II, Associated Builders and Contractors CEO, Tampa; and Dipa Shah, attorney and managing partner of Shah Law, Brandon.
Broward College John Benz, senior vice president of Memorial Healthcare, Fort Lauderdale
Chipola College John Padgett, former Jackson County Commissioner, Marianna.
Florida Keys Community College Robert “Bob” Stoky II, president of Señor Frijoles, Inc., Key Largo.
Indian River State College Mark Feurer, president of Communications International, Inc., Vero Beach; Christa Luna, dealer operator of Gilbert Chevrolet, Okeechobee; Phoebe Raulerson, former superintendent of schools, Okeechobee County School Board, Okeechobee; and Brantley Schirard, president of Schirard Citrus, Inc., Fort Pierce.
Lake-Sumter State College Raymond “Scott” Blankenship, president of Blankenship Consulting, Clermont; Emily Lee, community facilitator for Kids Central Inc., Eustis; and Kelly Rice, owner of Century 21 Prime Property Resources Inc., Webster.
Seminole State College Wendy Brandon, chief executive officer of Central Florida Regional, Sanford; and Jeffrey “Jeff” Bauer, an insurance agent with Admin Insurance Group and a member of the Seminole County School Board, Casselberry.
South Florida State College Tamela “Tami” Cullens, human resource manager for Glisson Animal Supply Inc., Sebring; Kenneth “Ken” Lambert, owner of Summit 105 Group Marketing and Strategic Planning, Wauchula; and Kris Rider, book keeper for Michael A. Rider PA., Lake Placid
State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota Dr. Craig Trigueiro, a physician with Manatee County Rural Health Services, Lakewood Ranch.
St. Petersburg College Deveron Gibbons, vice president of public affairs and business development for AMSCOT, St. Petersburg.
Tallahassee Community College Frank Messersmith, a consultant for FSM Associates, Crawfordville.