TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis hosted a news conference at a charter school in Pensacola on Monday.
DeSantis spoke alongside Florida Department of Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. at Warrington Preparatory Academy, which is described as a “tuition-free public charter school” for middle schoolers.
Speaking at a podium labeled “Florida is the education state,” DeSantis touted his education policy victories, including the Parental Rights in Education Act and legislation that allows parents to challenge books in schools that they feel is inappropriate.
DeSantis pointed to Warrington, a former embattled public school that was converted into a charter school, as a success story for public-to-charter school conversion. School officials said the conversion made a positive impact on students and staff.
However, it appears that not everyone feels the same. Former teachers told local outlet WEAR the transformation has done little to change the school’s culture.
Rep. Jennifer Canady (R-Lakeland) appeared at the news conference to tout DeSantis’ education policies. Canady is a former teacher and now directs the RISE Institute at a Christian school in Lakeland.
