Tours Choctaw (FL) Aerospace Institute

Dick DeVos, Detroit's 2006 gubernatorial candidate launched the most expensive gubernatorial campaign in Michigan's history, at $41 million (he lost). DeVos is the son of billionaire Amway co-founder Richard DeVos. He is co-owner of the NBA's Orlando Magic.

And as an avid pilot, DeVos has new ideas for new industries for Michigan, a state more often thought as home to America's automobile industry. DeVos is looking to open a charter aviation institute in Detroit, reports the Northwest Florida Daily News.

And what better way to garner winning ideas than to see what another program has successfully instituted, such as that of Choctawhatchee High School's Aviation Institute.

Okaloosa County school officials guided DeVos through Choctaw's Aviation Institute facilities Friday morning, during which DeVos expressed concern for Michigan's public education system.

"This is just not right. We've got to do a better job," he said. "Detroit's probably the worst public school system in America."

"We're coming out of the old industrial model, where frankly, education was what you did until you could get a job at one of the auto companies," he said. "The college degree is not fully embraced yet."

DeVos learned about Okaloosa County's CHOICE (Community High: Okaloosa Institutes for Community Education) through the school's partner, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Institute.

How easy is it to impress a billionaire? DeVos was impressed, especially with the school's ability to create a new program "within the context of the existing School District." Choctaw Principal Cindy Massarelli explained to DeVos how CHOICE's success is related to "reculturing the society" and its view on education.
     
CHOICE has gained national recognition in recent months and has hosted government and school officials from around the country.

As others show interest, Massarelli said, "we've created a culture that (students) are proud of."

Passionate about the benefits of aviation, DeVos said it's "mind-expanding in so many dimensions."

And sustainability as a nation is linked to finding passion in students who may otherwise be foundering, he said.

CHOICE's programs are "extraordinarily encouraging about what the future of public education can be in America," DeVos said. "This really is a big deal. It really is about the future of our country."

DeVos, who is visiting schools throughout the country, said his plans are still in the preliminary stage.

"There's still a lot of work that needs to be done."

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