The Palm Beach Post is reporting that T. Willard Fair, chairman of the state Board of Education, has resigned over Gov. Rick Scott? handling of the resignation of education commissioner Eric Smith, who announced he was stepping down on Monday.
Fair? term had already expired in December, but has remained on the board until Scott replaces him.
In a letter to board members sent yesterday, Fair, appointed to the board by Gov. Jeb Bush, criticized the manner in which Scott handled Smith? resignation. Fair essentially accuses Scott of usurping the board? authority by forcing Smith to resign. The governor-appointed board is charged with hiring and firing commissioners. Fair said that Scott has not met with Smith since the governor took office in January.
Fair wrote that he is ?larmed by the Governor? dismissive treatment of this Board, which after all, hired Eric Smith, but which was not consulted, regarding the Governor? desire to divest the State of his services.?
The board is holding an emergency meeting tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. ?elating to discussion and action the announced departures of the Commissioner of Education and Chair of the State Board of Education,?the Department of Education advised in a press release today. Continue reading this story from the Palm Beach Post here.
Fair’s resignation letter is here.
