WTW52: New College's Unqualified, Teacher-Hating President
May 1, 2024
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Richard Corcoran, the Interim President of New College, appointed by the DeSantis Board, dives into the heated controversies surrounding his leadership. He shares insights on his political past and critiques the lavish spending of Florida officials. The discussion takes a critical look at the relationship between teachers' unions and school choice advocacy, revealing corruption and favoritism in educational contracts. With a humorous touch, they unpack the implications of political maneuvers and the influence of local journalists in uncovering corruption.
Richard Corcoran's controversial appointment as interim president exemplifies the politicization of education in Florida, raising concerns about governance and accountability.
The shift towards charter schools under Corcoran highlights potential conflicts of interest and ethical issues within Florida's educational reforms.
Deep dives
The Rise of Richard Corcoran
Richard Corcoran's political career began when he moved to Florida and attended the University of Florida, eventually dropping out and later graduating from St. Leo College in 1989. After serving as Marco Rubio's chief of staff, he faced scrutiny for lavish spending by the Republican Party of Florida, which included an extravagant $8,000 meal at a high-end restaurant. His controversial reputation solidified as he became Florida's House Speaker, where he was noted for his combative style and strong opposition to the teachers' union, which he described in harsh terms. Corcoran's pro-charter school stance is also influenced by his wife, who founded a charter school linked to Hillsdale College, reflecting a broader agenda within Florida's education system.
Corruption Allegations and the Charter School System
Corcoran's push for school choice led to significant changes, including the creation of classical charter schools that receive preferential treatment and allow teachers not credentialed by traditional education routes. This focus on charter schools escalated concerns about the legitimacy and ethics of the bidding processes involved in Florida's educational reforms, especially after allegations surfaced regarding potential conflicts of interest with charter school contracts. Investigations hinted at a pattern of corruption, particularly one involving former colleagues of Corcoran crafting proposals to win state contracts for charter school management. The situation raises questions about the integrity of Florida's educational governance and the close ties between politics and education.
The New College of Florida Takeover
The takeover of New College of Florida by Ron DeSantis and his appointees marked a significant shift, with immediate changes following the removal of the previous president. Corcoran emerged at the center of this transition, appointed as the interim president shortly thereafter with an astonishing salary of $699,000, well above typical compensation for such a position. Text messages revealed a network of correspondence between board members and lobbyists, indicating actions taken to secure Corcoran’s role and circumvent standard hiring protocols, potentially violating public transparency laws. The controversy over this appointment and the associated financial arrangements has fueled public outcry and further scrutiny of the motivations behind the board’s decisions.
Broader Implications of Political Maneuvering
The unfolding events at New College highlight a broader trend of political maneuvering within Florida's education system, emphasizing the implications for governance and accountability in public institutions. Critics point to the involvement of private interests, including coordinated efforts among appointed trustees and influential alumni, raising concerns about the legitimacy of decisions impacting students and faculty. This situation exemplifies a troubling shift towards privatization and politicization of education, where personal connections and political affiliations seem to overshadow educational merit. As investigations continue, the ramifications of these actions could set a precedent affecting not only New College but educational policy across the state.
New College, Part 3: The Florida GOP's Attack on Public Schools is Really, Really Bad
We continue investigating the New College takeover by looking into the man who was appointed Interim President by the DeSantis Board of Trustees. Who is Richard Corcoran and how did he get this job? How many public school skeletons could this guy have in his closet?
For more on the Florida Department of Education-Jefferson County scandal:
