Florida. State Dept. of Education.

The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction was created by the 1868 Constitution. In the 1885 Constitution, the Superintendent became an elected official. The Superintendent headed the Dept. of Public Instruction (1869-1938) and the State Dept. of Education (1939-1968). Under the 1968 Constitution, the name was changed to Commissioner of Education and the position became one of the elected Cabinet posts. The Commissioner heads the Dept. of Education and serves as chief state school officer.

Thomas David Bailey was born on October 31, 1897 in Lugoff, South Carolina. He received an A.B. degree from Wofford College at Spartenburg, South Carolina in 1919, and a master's degree in education from the University of Florida in 1939. Mr. Bailey was principal of various high schools and served on many educational committees in Florida during the 20 year period prior to his election as State Superintendent of Public Instruction in 1948. He served in this position from January, 1949 to September, 1965.