State Board of Education Waves Goodbye to Kathleen Shanahan, Lynn Abbott

The State Board of Education will say goodbye to member Kathleen Shanahan and agency clerk Lynn Abbott. Shanahan has served on the board for the maximum number of years allowed -- eight -- and Abbott is retiring.

Shanahan had served on the board since 2006 and was appointed by then-Gov. Jeb Bush. She served as chair in 2011 and 2012.

At the state board's meeting on Tuesday, Shanahan warned board members to remember who they were really there for -- the students of Florida.

Remember, you are here for all of the students, she said. You are not here for a segment of the students, or a different agenda. You are here to be an advocate for all of Floridas kids. Its as simple and clear as that.

Shanahan had become increasingly vocal at recent meetings, criticizing Gov. Rick Scott for not showing up to his own education summit and raising concerns over the board's decision to keep the safety net provision so that schools did not drop more than one letter grade.