As an elected official, I have a great deal of passion for improving our educational system. Sadly, I agree that many public servants have earned public scorn for questionable acts. The Dec. 14 story on charter schools, Academica cultivates links to lawmakers, referred to me as “their champion.” While I have never sponsored legislation on behalf of charter schools, I am an unapologetic supporter and champion of not only high-performing charter schools, but all high-performing public schools throughout Florida.

I have focused my energy as a legislator on championing major initiatives for the public K-12 system. Charters are included because improving outcomes and operational freedom are key components to providing a great education for our kids.

The series of articles on charter schools leads readers to believe that all of our time is spent on charters or choice, when, in fact, it is very little of what we do when addressing education policy.

Before working with Civica, I was not an “Academica lobbyist.” I was a land-use consultant with the law firm of Holland & Knight, of which a few Academica-managed schools were among dozens of noneducation-related clients that I serviced at the firm.

Charter schools became law in Florida in 1996 under Gov. Lawton Chiles, 12 years before I was elected to the Legislature. Academica has been serving charter schools since 1999, nine years before I got elected. There is nothing I have ever championed or voted for that did not equally benefit all high-performing charter or high-performing public schools.

The story implied that I have “back-doored” policy for Academica. That’s offensive. Academica is successful because it provides excellent service at a fair competitive price. The Miami Herald does a disservice to Florida’s parents and children when it attempts to discredit successful schools, traditional or charters, that provide an excellent educational opportunity in our K-12 system.

Erik Fresen, state representative, Miami