Scott's Transition Team: Rhee, Bakke, Kirtley, Hage, etc

The ever-perky princess of education deform appeared on the Colbert Report last night, and, unfortunately, Stephen continued to disappoint when it comes to skewering corporate school propagandists.  The interview - neither enlightening nor entertaining - was a great way for Rhee to generate some positive PR in the wake of her ousting from the DC schools.

But Michelle is undoubtedly keeping herself busy.  And it looks like she'll be focusing on Florida now that Gov.-elect Rick Scott has appointed her to his education transition team.  Here's the rest of the list, courtesy of the Orlando Sentinel:

Michelle Rhee – Former Chancellor, Washington, DC Schools

Patricia Levesque – Executive Director, Foundation For Florida’s Future

MaryEllen Elia – Superintendent, Hillsborough County Schools

Ed Moore – President, Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida

J. David Armstrong, Jr. – President, Broward College and Former Chancellor of Community Colleges of Florida

John Kirtley – Chairman, Step Up For Students

Liza McFadden – President, Volunteer USA Foundation

Frank T. Brogan – Chancellor, State University System of Florida

Dr. Fred Lippman – Chancellor, Health Professions Division – Nova Southeastern University

Dennis W. Bakke – President and CEO, Imagine Schools

Dr. Judy Genshaft – President, University of South Florida

Julio Fuentes – President, Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Carlos Curbelo – Miami Dade School Board and State Director for Sen. LeMieux

Mindy Cunningham – Principal, J Strategies

Gary R. Chartrand – Executive Chairman, Acosta Sales & Marketing Company and Board of Directors, KIPP Schools Jacksonville, Florida

Dr. Don Pemberton – Director, Lastinger Center For Learning University of Florida

Mindy Lafevers-Hodge – World History Instructor, Florida Virtual Schools

Jonathan K. Hage – President and CEO, Charter Schools USA

Yes, that's right: Scott appointed Dennis Bakke, CEO of the Imagine Schools, to his transition team.  Maybe he can get Imagine to answer some of the state's lingering questions about his company's nonprofit status, or clarify the confusion about whether or not Imagine is an education service provider (ESP).  Imagine currently operates 17 charters in Florida.

Scott also saved a spot for another for-profit CEO, Charter Schools USA's Jonathan Hage, and the executive director of Jeb's foundation, Patricia Levesque.  Another appointee, John Kirtley, a venture capitalist who also chairs the Florida School Choice Fund, generally donates to Republican candidates, but he made an exception for the folks at Democrats for Education Reform.  Kirtly is also on the board of the Alliance for School Choice.

Keep in mind that Scott's team has reportedly considered Rhee for the state's education commissioner position.