State Board of Education Welcomes Interim Commissioner of Education Dr. Paul O. Burns

June 30, 2026

FDOE Press Office 850-245-0413 [email protected]

State Board of Education Welcomes Interim Commissioner of Education Dr. Paul O. Burns

Tallahassee, Fla., Tuesday, June 30, 2026 - Today, the State Board of Education appointed Senior Chancellor Dr. Paul O. Burns as Interim Commissioner of Education. His appointment was unanimous following his 8 years of service at the Department of Education, where he has worked closely with the members of the State Board enacting the nation-leading education agenda of the DeSantis Administration.

Dr. Burns joined the Department of Education in 2018 as Deputy Chancellor for Educator Quality, after nearly 20 years of experience in the classroom and as a school administrator. He became the Chancellor of Public Schools, supporting the teaching and learning of more than 2.8 million students in approximately 3,700 Florida public schools in January 2023.

In August 2024, Dr. Burns was elevated to the role of Senior Chancellor, expanding his responsibilities to include overseeing the Division of Early Learning, the Division of Accountability, Research and Measurement, the Office of School Choice, and the Office of Safe Schools. Throughout his time at the Department, Dr. Burns has been at the forefront of enacting and implementing the Governor's historic and nationally recognized education agenda by putting students first.

"I am humbled to serve as Interim Commissioner of Education," said Dr. Burns. "I am grateful to the Board for the trust placed in me to continue the mission of prioritizing student achievement and school safety."

"For the past eight years, Dr. Burns has played a central role in implementing and advancing Florida's education agenda," said Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas. "The Board made a strong and thoughtful decision in selecting him as Interim Commissioner. He knows this Department, understands what it takes to deliver results, and I am confident he will continue building on the progress we've made."

"Dr. Burns has been a steady and trusted leader within the Department with a proven record of advancing policies that keep students first," said Ryan Petty, Chair of the State Board of Education. "His experience and commitment to Florida's education priorities make him exceptionally well-suited to serve as Interim Commissioner. The Board is confident in his ability to continue driving strong results for Florida's students and families."

Dr. Burns earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Arkansas, a master's degree from Lindenwood University and his doctorate from St. Louis University. He will continue to serve as Senior Chancellor at the Department as well as Interim Commissioner.

During his time at the Department, Dr. Burns was deeply involved in the creation of Florida's B.E.S.T. (Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking) Standards, replacing Common Core in Florida's classrooms. He also helped develop and implement the FAST (Florida Assessment of Student Thinking) progress monitoring assessments that are aligned to those standards. Dr. Burns has worked diligently over the last 8 years on improving teacher preparation programs to ensure that every teacher is fully prepared to enter the classroom and make a difference for students. Alongside Department leadership, he has fought tirelessly for parental rights and protecting children, never losing focus through some public and contentious fights.