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The state board of education voted to confirm a familiar name as its next education commissioner: Henry Mack, an U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor with the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration.
Mack, who was recommended by Gov. Ron DeSantis last week, was a former senior as senior chancellor for Florida colleges, where he led career and workforce education. Mack said he has also taught philosophy, education policy, religion and religious studies at state universities, most recently at the University of Miami.
In a news release, DeSantis said Mack shared his “commitment to parental rights, school choice, eliminating radical ideologies from the classroom, and preparing every student for success in the workforce and in life.”
Mack was named weeks after former senior chancellor Paul Burns was named to the interim role upon the departure of past education commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas.
“I approach this responsibility with the utmost respect for the work that you’ve already accomplished and the work that Gov. DeSantis has led under his visionary and bold leadership,” Mack said. “...As the education state, Florida has already proven itself for what’s possible.”
Mack received an outpouring of support from educators who spoke at the state board meeting Wednesday morning in Orlando.
St. Petersburg College President Tonjua Williams said she’s worked closely with Mack for over a decade and called him “the leader of opportunity” whose leads with creativity and compassion.
“He will challenge you to say ‘is that really the best that we can do for that student?’ or the best we can do for that system, or that initiative?” she said. “He’s allowed us to go back and look at things differently and say no, we’re going to try something different”
Williams said Mack is someone who believes in education.
“He has really been working with the state colleges and technical colleges to ensure that we close the gap between employees and education, because no college student goes to school to be broke,” she said.
Kamela Patton, superintendent of Alachua County Public Schools worked with Mack as superintendent of Collier County.
“I saw someone who came prepared every conversation, listened very carefully, asked thoughtful questions and understood the best solutions comes through collaboration,” Patton said.
She said what impressed her most was Mack’s ability to build relationships with elected officials and educators alike — a sticky point under past education commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas whose tenure saw rocky relations with district leaders.
“He has a remarkable ability to bring people together, earn their trust and get them centered and united around one common purpose,” Patton said. “Henry understands the reality of leading a school district. He respects educators.”
Burns, the outgoing interim, called Mack an “excellent” choice and “fierce advocate for how education fuels Florida’s economy,” and one who understands the department.
“This is a homecoming,” he told Mack. “Welcome home.”
Kamoutsas also wrote a letter of support for Mack and said “his leadership has strengthened partnerships among education, industry and government to ensure workforce development is aligned with the evolving needs of the American economy.”
Russell Hughes, superintendent of the Walton County Public School said he spoke on behalf of the Florida Association of District School Superintendents, said superintendents across the state spoke of Mack as a collaborator and good listener.
“I truly believe that Dr. Mack will strengthen the governor’s legacy with respect to education as he ends his term as governor,” he said.
Mack said he hopes to build on his track record of breaking down silos between education and labor.
“I pledge to you to build relentlessly on this foundation... so that Florida does not just lead the nation, but redefines what it means to be excellent, redefines what it means to have a parent-centered approach, redefines what it means to have a competency and skill-based and student-centered approach, so that we can all realize and opportunity-rich education system,” he said.
Terms of Mack’s employment are still being finalized and will be presented to the board later.
This is a developing story and may be updated.
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