Bush Passionate About School Issues, Advisers Say

Philadelphia

Texas Gov. George W. Bush is passionate, engaged, and knowledgeable when it comes to education issues, two of his advisers said in an interview with Education Week during the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia this week.

Margaret La Montagne, a senior adviser to Gov. Bush in Austin, and Sandy Kress, a Dallas attorney who is involved in the Bush campaign, have worked closely with the governor on education since he was first elected the Lone State State’s chief executive in 1995. The two have been meeting with state delegations in Philadelphia during the GOP convention to discuss Gov. Bush’s record on education and his agenda. They took a break to talk with Education Week Tuesday afternoon before meeting with delegates from Arkansas and Alabama.

“He put huge energy and spirit and curiosity into [Texas education reform] ahead of deciding to run for governor,” said Mr. Kress, who was the president of the Dallas School Board from 1994 to 1996. “He really gave vision to that budding philosophy of . . . more local control with accountability.” He added: “He is so passionate about [education]. He lives...