Announcing the new Executive Director for the
FLDOE Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice

Please extend a warm welcome to Michael Kooi, the new Executive Director for the Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice. Mike is the former executive director with the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools. Prior to the Consortium and worked for the Florida House of Representatives as the policy chief.
  
Mike has been a longtime supporter of charter schools and choice programs. He has been instrumental in effecting legislative policy including revisions to the existing charter school statute, charter school capital outlay, and educational choice.
  
Mike has also served as the assistant general counsel with the Florida Department of Education and the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. He is a current board member and past president of the Tallahassee chapter of the Federalist Society, a national conservative lawyer’s association. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of CARE Tallahassee, Inc., a non-profit organization providing transition housing for rehabilitated ex-offenders.
  
Mike earned his bachelor’s degree from Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa, and received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Florida.

I would also like to thank Jean Miller for her dedicated service as Interim Director.