New state education secretary outlines literacy, teacher recruitment goals and pledges school visits

Secretary Oliver, newly confirmed to lead the state Department of Education, introduced himself to the Senate Education Committee and framed literacy and teacher investment as top priorities for his tenure. He told lawmakers he brings more than two decades of experience as a teacher, principal and superintendent and several years in senior roles at the Florida Department of Education.

Oliver said a central aim is increasing third-grade reading proficiency and broadening pathways for students, including career and technical education. “We want to get 90% of our third graders reading at or above grade level,” he said, and emphasized early learning access, multiple pathways to postsecondary success, and school safety among his priorities.

During a short question-and-answer period, Senator Kim Hammer asked how many years Oliver spent in the classroom before moving into administration; Oliver replied he taught just over five years and later became a principal and superintendent. Senator Linda Chesterfield asked for Oliver’s view of Lakeview v. Huckabee and the state’s responsibility for adequacy and equity in school funding. Oliver said he is familiar with lawsuits and funding implications and framed the issue as one of opportunity: ensuring students “regardless of their ZIP code” have access to high-quality schools.

Oliver committed to visiting campuses and promised to report back to the committee about what he sees. “You have my commitment to visiting campuses and schools,” he said. “Being present makes a difference… I will be visible and I will be present and I will have my boots on the ground and my eyes and ears open.”

The committee welcomed the secretary and agreed to continue working with him and department staff on the issues he outlined. No formal action was taken on any policy at this meeting; the secretary’s remarks set priorities the committee said it plans to follow up on in future sessions.