TAMPA, Fla. (AP) _ Virginia's education secretary and New Jersey's former education commissioner are among five finalists to head Florida's school system.

The State Board of Education is interviewing them Monday in Tampa. They were chosen from among 26 applicants.

Virginia Education Secretary Gerard Robinson, who took that job just last year, was asked to apply by Florida officials.

Former New Jersey Commissioner Bret Schundler was recently fired by Gov. Chris Christie in a dispute over that state's failure to win a federal grant.

Another finalist is Stacia Smith, also a top candidate for education superintendent in Ohio. She now heads an education center in Ohio.

The other finalists are Florida Career and Adult Education Chancellor Loretta Costin and Thomas Jandris, vice president and dean of graduate programs at Concordia College in Chicago.