Dr. Eric Smith, former Charlotte Mecklenburg Superintendent, has been named State School Chief for the state of Florida.  I served on the CMS School Board for six years while he was Superintendent. Dr. Smith initiated the countywide public school choice plan, but I never remember him being in favor of charter schools. The article states he is in favor of private school vouchers and charter schools, ?when they are viewed in the landscape of serving kids.? Not sure what exactly he means by that statement? It is only the status quo education monopoly that views these options as ?NOT? in the landscape of serving kids.