Superintendent Rocky Hanna blasts Betsy DeVos visit as 'insulting'

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos reportedly will spend a second day in Tallahassee, with her Wednesday stop again bypassing traditional public schools.

DeVos is scheduled to attend a private roundtable event at Bethel Family Life Center, which houses Bethel Christian Academy, a voucher school run by the church.

visit Bethel Christian Academy, a voucher school run by Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, the church confirmed. Her public schedule does not include the stop. DeVos made two school stops Tuesday, at Holy Comforter Episcopal School and Florida State University School, a research school run by Florida State University. 

Her appearance in Tallahassee — and her decision not to visit a public school during her trip — prompted pointed criticism from Mayor Andrew Gillum and Superintendent Rocky Hanna. The two will be taking part in another event at the same time DeVos is at BCA.

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Hanna did not mince words Tuesday morning when asked for his thoughts on DeVos' visiting Tallahassee without making an effort to set foot on a Leon County Schools campus.

“It’s obvious that the secretary and our federal government have very little respect for our traditional public school system," Hanna said. "And it’s insulting that she’s going to visit the capital of the state of Florida, to visit a charter school, a private school and a voucher school."

Bethel Christian Academy serves students from preschool through sixth grade. Bethel Missionary Baptist pastor, the Rev. R.B. Holmes, is a vocal supporter of the state's voucher program. 

Hanna and state Sen. Bill Montford were invited to DeVos' appearance at BCA. Hanna declined, but Montford said Tuesday afternoon he will attend.

"I look forward to having a discussion with her," Montford said. "If you disagree with someone, my approach is lets sit down and talk about it."

Montford, a Democrat who represents Leon and other Big Bend counties, is the president of the Florida Association of District School Superintendents.

"I know the school districts very well throughout Florida, I know where the strengths and weaknesses are – including in charter schools," he said.

Hanna had a different take.

“We were initially invited to sit and listen as a backdrop … I’m going to pass," Hanna said. "I’m not going to be used as some sort of token from the public school system like we’re in support of her and the president’s agenda. How are you going to go visit a private Christian school, and not visit any public school?”

Evan Power, chairman of the Leon County Republican Party, criticized Hanna's comments. 

"It is sad that Rocky Hanna who ran on the platform that the superintendent’s office should be non-partisan decided to attack the secretary and the president," he said.  "What should be ‘insulting’ to the citizens of Tallahassee is that their elected official decided to lead partisan attacks rather than focusing on the needs of teachers and students." 

Gillum later in the day announced his own event to be held in a time slot conflicting with the secretary’s visit. The Faith Leaders Luncheon will bring together “a diverse cadre of interfaith leaders” and feature Hanna as its keynote speaker.

Though the luncheon’s announcement came in the midst of DeVos’ visit, it is in no way being held in response to her appearance, said Jamie Van Pelt, community relations coordinator for the Mayor’s Office.

Van Pelt told the Democrat the event was planned in December of 2016, and the mayor generally holds a Faith Leaders Luncheon every quarter.

Holmes didn't see a problem with the events happening at the same time.

“Anytime we can dialogue and talk about strategies to build better and stronger communities, that is commendable,” he said. “I don’t see that as a conflict or being divisive. This is a big community.”

Correction: The original version of this article contained incorrect information about the nature of DeVos' visit to Bethel. She attended a private roundtable event at Bethel Family Life Center, which houses Bethel Christian Academy, a voucher school run by the church.

Staff writer Byron Dobson contributed to this report.