Tony Bennett Officially Resigns

Commissioner of Education Tony Bennett officially resigned from his position on Thursday after reports this week broke that he changed the grade of a charter school in Indiana as a result of political influence.

Bennett called the reports from the media "malicious" and "unfounded" and said they were politically motivated. He also said he believed there should be no distractions to Gov. Rick Scott, Florida's teachers and students, which is why he decided to resign.

"I don't think the children of Florida, the State Board of Education or our governor deserve me constantly having to deal with this while commissioner,"said Bennett at a press conference in Tallahassee.

Bennett made a strong recommendation to the State Board that Pam Stewart step in as interim commissioner after his resignation.