Crist Names Group to Focus Bid for Round 2 of Obama Money

Florida

Governor Charlie Crist said he would convene a working group to focus Florida's Race to the Top application and suggest improvements to make it successful in Round 2. He announced the members of the group Wednesdaywhich does not include anyone from Lee County.

Florida did not receive a share of the $4.35 billion Race to the Top fund, the centerpiece of President Barack Obama's education agenda. Florida — which asked for more than $1 billion — finished fourth behind Delaware, Tennessee and Georgia in the first round.

The committee members, a mix of SB 6 backers and opponents, are:
Andy Ford, president, Federal Education Association (FEA).
Alberto Carvalho, superintendent, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Working Group chair.
Karin Brown, president, Florida Parent Teacher Association.
Mark Wilson, president and CEO, Florida Chamber of Commerce.
Debra Dowds, executive director, Florida Developmental Disabilities Council.
Ronald Blocker, superintendent, Orange County Public Schools.
W.C. Gentry, Duval County School Board member.
Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association president Kim Black
Teacher of the year for Hillsborough County and Florida, Megan Allen.
Candace Lankford, Volusia County School Board member and president of Florida School Boards Association.