Chatting up the locals at a Clearwater diner this morning – only about 12 people showed up – gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott got into a discussion with a teacher about education and the problems schools face today. John Frank with the St. Pete Times caught this exchange on tape, so we’ll let him explain:
Sean O’Flannery lamented Tallahassee’s control of schools and his support of the Senate Bill 6 effort designed to overhaul teacher tenure.
Scott agreed O’Flannery, saying he doesn’t statewide measures like the FCAT are adequate. Asked for his education plan, Scott told the teacher he would release one soon but cautioned what is going to work in Clearwater won’t work elsewhere.
“And also a school’s color,” Scott said. “If you have 70 percent African-American you’re not going to have the same issues.”
The teacher agreed.