Gov.-elect Sarah Huckabee Sanders has made a “home run hire” by picking Jacob Oliva to “transform” Arkansas’s school system.
Oliva was a senior chancellor at the Florida Department of Education and will now serve as secretary of the Arkansas Department of Education.
Oliva played a key role in implementing the hugely successful education agenda of Florida’s Republican Governor Ron DeSantis.
Sanders said she’ll also ask the State Board of Education to appoint Oliva as the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Sarah said: “I am proud to announce that Jacob Oliva will be my nominee for Secretary of @ArkansasEd.
“He is a leader who has proven himself in the fight to empower parents and implement bold education reforms under Governor @RonDeSantisFL and we are ready to transform Arkansas education.”
I am proud to announce that Jacob Oliva will be my nominee for Secretary of @ArkansasEd.
He is a leader who has proven himself in the fight to empower parents and implement bold education reforms under Governor @RonDeSantisFL and we are ready to transform Arkansas education. pic.twitter.com/NA4bjsuLJA
— Sarah Huckabee Sanders (@SarahHuckabee) December 29, 2022
The Florida Department of Education said:
“For the last five years, Senior Chancellor Oliva has been a dedicated member of the Florida Department of Education’s leadership team, including serving as interim education commissioner, and his work has helped launch Florida as the Education State.”
State Senator Ben Gilmore said:
”Sarah Huckabee Sanders continues to deliver for Arkansas.
“Jacob Oliva is a home run hire for Arkansas, our schools, and most importantly our students & families.
Representative-Elect Brit McKenzie said:
“Sarah Huckabee Sanders has over-delivered once again.
“Nominating Jacob Oliva is a clear sign that Arkansas is primed for reform-minded policies that place Educational Freedom back at the forefront.
“Excited to work with Secretary Oliva this next General Assembly.”
Sanders picked Capt. Mike Hagar, a 26-year veteran of the State Police, as her nominee for secretary of public safety.
Sanders named Kristi Putnam as the state’s new Department of Human Services secretary and former Entergy Arkansas CEO Hugh McDonald as the Department of Commerce secretary.
.@SarahHuckabee continues to deliver for #Arkansas. Jacob Oliva is a home run hire for Arkansas, our schools, and most importantly our students & families. #arpx #arleg https://t.co/R1UaV6HxMh
— Senator Ben Gilmore (@lbengilmore) December 29, 2022
Wow! @SarahHuckabee has over-delivered once again. Nominating Jacob Oliva is a clear sign that Arkansas is primed for reform-minded policies that place Educational Freedom back at the forefront. Excited to work with Secretary Oliva this next General Assembly. #arpx #arleg https://t.co/GQ4ag97Llm
— Brit McKenzie (@BritMcKenzieAR) December 29, 2022
