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Florida Commissioner of Education Eric Smith is resigning. Smith was appointed to the position in 2007 by former Governor Charlie Crist. Smith butted heads with Crist last year when Crist vetoed the teacher merit pay legislation. A similar bill was approved by both chambers earlier this month. Smith helped secured 700-million federal dollars in the Race to the Top competition to help usher in the merit pay system. Smith said in a statement he’s stepping down to give Governor Rick Scott a change to appoint his own leader to the position.