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Gov. Scott appoints two to Florida Board of Education, including parent of Parkland victim

The men would serve through 2022.
 
Published Jan. 4, 2019|Updated Jan. 5, 2019

Andrew Pollack, the father of slain Marjory Stoneman Douglas High student Meadow Pollack, is one of two appointees to the Florida Board of Education.

Gov. Rick Scott nominated Pollack to a four-year term replacing Jacksonville businessman Gary Chartrand, who was ineligible because of term limits.

Scott also reappointed former state Rep. Tom Grady of Naples to a second term on the board.

The positions are subject to confirmation by the state Senate, and could be recalled by incoming Gov. Ron DeSantis until that vote occurs.

The timing of the appointments, just days before Scott's term ends, allows the State Board to continue with a full membership into 2019. The board is scheduled to meet Jan. 16 in Pensacola.

During his time on the board, Grady has offered a consistent voice of support for the accountability system begun under former Gov. Jeb Bush. He is a close Scott ally.

Pollack has been a strong advocate for school safety improvements and reforms since his daughter was killed in the February shooting in Parkland. He served on the state school safety commission, which recently released its recommendations, until resigning to work on getting allies elected to the Broward School Board.