Florida Keys News
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Principal to challenge firing
Welsh said he will consult attorney, seek whistle-blower status
BY JOHN L. GUERRA Citizen Staff

The Monroe County schools superintendent on Monday informed the Key West High School principal that his contract will not be renewed next year. After more than three decades with the district, Principal John Welsh said he will not leave without a fight.

Superintendent Randy Acevedo's announcement comes amid a wave of support from students, teachers and School Board member...

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Dear Mr Welsh

Submitted on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 9:54am
As a former student, just to state my oppinion: If it were not for Mr Welsh, I would not have made it though my High School years. He was my mentor and most of all, one of the most devoted school employee's that I ever knew. My children and their children will really miss getting to know a wonderful man. I hope that he is able to return to school next year. I am not writng this to "stir the pot" just giving Mr welsh what he deserves, credit for what a great man he is!

Qualified or Not...

Submitted on Thu, 06/11/2009 - 7:40pm by grundoontwo
...Christina McPherson shouldn't accept the position at this time, under these circumstances, unless she and Morgan can weather the increased scrutiny, innuendo and speculation that will obviously be part and parcel of the deal. If you can't stand the heat, you shouldn't try to work in the kitchen!

Whisteblower Protection

Submitted on Wed, 06/10/2009 - 10:54pm
I posted a similar comment about courage in full disclosure of fraud and official malfeaseance regarding whisteblower protections granted under TITLE 10, Chapter 112, Florida Statutes in another article about my opinion of Ms. Reitzel's forthrightness under the statute and my conclusions are equally relevant to Mr. Welsh's claim, which in my opinion has no merit, because Mr. Welsh did not act within a reasonable amount of time to publicly disclose malfeasance or fraud on missing funds. This has been happening for years and he just discovered it after Mr. Acevedo showed him the door. Mr. Welsh is a former military man who understands what proximate acts are concerning proximate discoveries. He has lost the edge when it comes to digging in and reporting what happened when the act occured but he chose to ignore it until it was to his advantage. That is not a hero, that sir, is a coward. JFKulick

Note to Citizen: Please put this in the 'School Scandal' section

Submitted on Wed, 06/10/2009 - 1:56pm by *.*
It's missing. I'm keeping an eye on it all! :-)

Just blaming Mr. Acevedo is wrong

Submitted on Wed, 06/10/2009 - 9:21am
Most of you voted for Randy. You most likely berated the other candidate because you believed in Randy Hype. It did not matter then when poor Randy was in forclosure, it did not matter when all the real estate adventures failed, you looked away when it was obvious that Randy had to spend more money then what he had to keep the school running, you all embraced Challenge day and paying its founder Sunny more and more money to keep her gainfully employed. There was no outcry when he put Monique in charge and raised her pay for a position she was not qualified for. Hell no one cared when he gave his son $6000.00 for some bull**** job. Nepotism at its finest!!! Now you all turn your back on him and are feeding him to the Lions. You should all be ashamed of yourselves for voting without checking the facts. This all for hope and change. Sounds almost like why you voted for OBAMA too! His affiliations with criminals,domestic terrorism, racist ministers, and his obvious Marxist background was by no means alarming to any of you was it? We will pay and pay for these mistakes. Oh well back to watching re-runs of American Idol. I bet you voted for that too!

Just blaming...

Submitted on Wed, 06/10/2009 - 1:59pm
You sound like a miserable old man. How in the world do you tie Acevedo, Obama, Marxist and American Idol all in one bundle? Sounds like you are the one that needs a life. You snowbirds never say where you are from, but if you find the people here so repulsive, why did you come here in the first place and now, why don't you leave?Nobody is more ashamed of Randy Acevedo, Pedro Fraga and "Bookie" Henriquez than the citizens of Key West but you call it turning your back on him and throwing him to the lions. You should be ashamed of yourself for still defending him after all the crap has come out

Oh we hit a nerve...truth hurts!

Submitted on Wed, 06/10/2009 - 7:28pm
The tie in my ignorant bubba friend is that is that you and the other sheep voted for the hype which is what Acevedo, Obama and American Idol are all about! You my all muscle no brain friend are a perfect example of an easy vote! You defend morons!

This is crap.

Submitted on Wed, 06/10/2009 - 5:32pm
Keeping the bubbas all together and pionted fingers to others. Lets fast it they should all take leave and put in fresh till this is over. I watched this on Tv and its becoming a circus. all want to pitch in the soda and popcorn. Stay tune we dont need a circus in town we have the in Monroe County School District .

Not just the schools

Submitted on Thu, 06/11/2009 - 3:38pm
The circus is all of Key West. Once in the middle of the night the Mayor drunk hit and totalled our car and it was covered up so fast by the Bubba's that it never even got in the papers. Keep Mr. Welsh and get rid of the rest.

That's no surprise - he has his regular rounds with his regular

Submitted on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 1:26pm by *.*
buddies between certain bars and certain 'party houses' owned by his brother. I'm amazed that they are allowed to drive around drunk like that, once or twice a week at minimum. As for Mrs. McP, he's a public employee and so is she so they're pretty much attached at the hip when it comes to reputation. You sure see her picture in the 'family oriented' ads when he ran for office. She's in it and in it thick, simply because she's married to him. And of course, since Morgan and Randy are such thick buddies, they're already doomed politically, IMHO.

Seen them on their 'rounds' as you put it.

Submitted on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 9:18pm
Some of that group includes our County Commissioner, ex County mayor. They do far more than drinks at the Rum Barrel. Question is, does Mrs. McPherson know of and approve of her husband's activities?

Flush the toilet!

Submitted on Wed, 06/10/2009 - 7:33pm
Your post is weird. Are you intoxicated? I agree about the circus part it should include all of Key West!

I'm not 'most of you' and I've never voted for Acevedo.

Submitted on Wed, 06/10/2009 - 1:55pm by *.*
He never looked right to me and never sounded right to me. Kinda gave me the creeps, to be honest. I complained when his kid got a no-bid contract. Now? Resignation of Acevedo would not be enough - I want him behind bars.

Okay then you agree

Submitted on Wed, 06/10/2009 - 7:36pm
the sheeples should take part of the blame for electing Randy in office. He gave us all the creeps!

OK your right!

Submitted on Wed, 06/10/2009 - 12:34pm
We are sheep. Now we are getting slaughtered. At least we can try and right these wrongs. We need to vote out theses thieves! Randy still needs to go to jail. Monique needs to learn how to sling a sledge hammer!

DROP PLUS COST

Submitted on Tue, 06/09/2009 - 8:27pm
Have you checked "Dropped" Pedro Fraga's salary lately? He is retired and collecting another BIG salary-more than John Welsh perhaps?

I feel sorry for Mrs McPherson.....

Submitted on Tue, 06/09/2009 - 6:47pm
No matter how well qualified she is, or how good of an Assistant Principle she may be, or how much she was groomed for the position by Principle Welsh...... SHE GOT THE JOB BECAUSE SHE IS SLEEPING WITH HER BOSSES BEST FRIEND!!

Well put.

Submitted on Wed, 06/10/2009 - 5:53pm by *.*
Plus she's tied to her husband's political messes as well. She's also part and parcel, with her signature on all documents, of THEIR personal financial mess. If a person can't keep their own financial house in order, they shouldn't be in any way in charge of a public budget or public funds. Those involved in a personal financial crisis, with their backs against the wall, will do some awful things. Just look at the Acevedos. They're BEST FRIENDS with the McPhersons,and sharing I'm sure, the same values or lack thereof.

"best friends?" not really

Submitted on Wed, 06/10/2009 - 6:23pm
That is not so. What a logical fallacy it is to suggest that because a person knows and is friendly with another, he/she shares the same values. I know all parties involved, and it is not fair nor realistic to paint all with the same brush.

One is judged by the company one keeps

Submitted on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 1:41pm by *.*
I guess all the photos and reports of Acevedo and McPherson, drinking, smirking, smoking fat cigars, partying at bars - that's just being politically correct? Hardly! And it's clear that their spouses approve or they'd have divorced their fat butts. Nope. They're part of the same Bubba Clubba.

questions and insights

Submitted on Tue, 06/09/2009 - 6:30pm
How many teachers are retired military? or retired from another state and now employed in a Florida school? I guess we should fire them too! Oh, just to set you straight. when a person is rehired after they have finished DROP they do not... again they do not receive their retirement check and a paycheck at the same time. A person leaving DROP cannot collect their retirement for the first year. I have an analogy. If you have surgery, would you want the surgeon that is performing his first operation? or one that has done the operation many times. I want the person with the most experience. I value my child's education as much as I do in picking a surgeon for a life saving operation. I want the best for my child who is in 10th grade. I want the very best person at the helm ( not the cheapest) or the person that just finished their degree. Keep John

Who Was John's Right Hand Woman

Submitted on Wed, 06/10/2009 - 11:44am
Who wrote the master schedule for the last 5 years, John; No. The person who wrote the schedule that your child enjoyed this year will not be at KWHS if John keeps his job. Because her position has be cut to save money. Have fun with Chris and John.

Double Dipping???

Submitted on Tue, 06/09/2009 - 2:29pm by Lee
So Mr. Acevedo is in Charge of Key West Community College AND the Monroe County School District??? MMMM - all I can say is he's got Ba--s!!! Even THIS doesn't happen in Massachusetts!!!

FYI

Submitted on Tue, 06/09/2009 - 8:40pm
There are four administrators and everyone knows if you need something you need to see Mrs. McPherson. Two want-to-be jocks and another who's time has past. Mrs. McPherson runs the school now, and as a matter of fact, has run the school the past two years. Let the WOMAN continue to do the job, but now get paid the full price.

Mrs. McPherson?

Submitted on Wed, 06/10/2009 - 7:34am
What school does Mrs. McPherson run all by herself?

She's never run so much as an Elementary School by herself

Submitted on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 1:43pm by *.*
She could have run a daycare with her inlaws - I'm not sure about that. Oh and remember, please, that Morgan wants to round up our utility bills to give money to PRIVATELY OWNED DAYCARE facilities. His parents are owners of record of one right here in Key West. Very ethical, huh?

NO!!!

Submitted on Tue, 06/09/2009 - 5:35pm
Jill Boyle is in charge of FKCC or as you say KW Community College!!! She is the president of the college and gets pay well to run it.

Recall Election

Submitted on Tue, 06/09/2009 - 1:27pm
http://leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?mode=View%20Statutes&SubMenu=1... I am out of the county so cannot participate in this process, but I am an attorney and willing to draft all the documents, etc., for free. Anyone local willing to lead the process?

Recall

Submitted on Wed, 06/10/2009 - 11:50am
Sounds like a carpet bagger to me.

Recall election

Submitted on Tue, 06/09/2009 - 8:22pm
I can help also, I am not an attorney but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

AND I USED MY MCSD CREDIT CARD!

Submitted on Wed, 06/10/2009 - 8:59am
GREAT FREE BREAKFAST AND FREE WI-FI!

Contact Me About the Pro Bono Offer

Submitted on Tue, 06/09/2009 - 7:35pm
Be prepared to talk about the application of this statue to an unincorporated county without a charter. JFK 305-292-6571

Thank you, I've been trying

Submitted on Tue, 06/09/2009 - 4:01pm
Thank you, I've been trying to find this and for some reason it has been down lately. I hope someone can find the time to lead this up and keep the pubic informed on how where and when to sign it. I have told all my friends and they are ready to sign.

Even if Welsh does retire

Submitted on Tue, 06/09/2009 - 1:20pm
why would we just hand Key West High, our flagship school over to someone who has never been a principal? I am sure there would be many with more experience and qualifications who would like to interview for the position. I am sure the three rubber stamps- Walker, Mathewson, & Griffiths will just sit back and let this happen.

EXACTLY

Submitted on Tue, 06/09/2009 - 4:02pm by 50 year resident of Marathon and voter
Just why is McPherson getting the job? Why isn't that position being offered to the best candidate? If she wins, then great. But why must we always hand over all the jobs to Conchs.

True.

Submitted on Wed, 06/10/2009 - 5:37pm
Normal people cant get the good jobs. They keep it in the family and yes her husband is the Mayor of Key West. Not counting her sister as a Asst P. Well there you have it marry a bubba or chonch get wealth. Marry a looser that is'nt get crap.

Easy

Submitted on Tue, 06/09/2009 - 7:39pm
She is the Mayor's wife, First Lady of Key West, thus entitled to the job. Those of you who question the Mayor's authority shall be thrown to the sharks off Christmas Tree Island.

retire gracefully, please

Submitted on Tue, 06/09/2009 - 1:01pm
why can't people retire gracefully? thank you for your many decades of service but it's time to move on and make room for those below you. remember, that's how you got your promotion? also, one more thing. when you are sitting in your classroom minding your own business, and the teacher union rep walks in with a petition to keep your boss, and 30 students are listening and watching, well, you kind of feel obligated to sign the darn thing.

Retire Gracefully, my ***

Submitted on Mon, 06/15/2009 - 5:16pm by *.*
So, if I'm a fully qualified, competent employee, I am NOT going to retire because someone below me thinks that they deserve my job. If they don't like their job, they can go find another elsewhere. NO ONE is going to force me to retire until I'm good and ready - and certainly not some underling who sits around drooling for advancement. (In my case, I own my business so no one will force me to retire, but IF I were working elsewhere, this kind of small, petty, whiny comment would pretty much doom whomever made it, as far as advancement.) And as others have said, show some gumption. Don't sign something you don't agree with. How sad.

You are not alone

Submitted on Tue, 06/09/2009 - 9:09pm
You are not alone in your observations. There are many who agree with you.

remember, that's how you got your promotion?

Submitted on Tue, 06/09/2009 - 4:18pm by 4:25am by N. Sane
Actually, Mr. Welsh got the promotion of KWHS when the man who had been hired for the job was unable to find affordable housing and resigned on his first day on the job. I think it was July of 2002?

I remember that.

Submitted on Tue, 06/09/2009 - 7:05pm
I remember when that happened and I wondered if "affordable housing" was the real reason. I mean, wouldn't he have checked out the housing situation BEFORE accepting the job? Struck me as strange then, strange now....

If you didn't want to sign it....

Submitted on Tue, 06/09/2009 - 2:58pm
have the courage to stand up for your conviction - follow Mr. Welsh's example. We, the public, really hope that you would care more about serving us than viewing the school system as just a vehicle to provide jobs.

Yeah

Submitted on Wed, 06/10/2009 - 5:35pm
Lets lose Mr W. Someone who gives a damn and hire 3 more teachers who are willing to teach a Spanish class that don't speak Spanish and don't care if the class learns anything. BRILLIANT!

Courage

Submitted on Wed, 06/10/2009 - 11:59am
John had the courage to sign up for a 5 year program called DROP. When you are done with the 5 years, you are done. Now because there is a down turn in the economy and his retirements (military and state) are not enough he whins about coming back.

mortgage companies

Submitted on Wed, 06/10/2009 - 5:48am
these mortgage companies don't give a rats a** about courage. they want a payment, on time, or else. only those with two paychecks or six figure salaries have the luxury of "taking a stand." some of us just wanna pay our bills.

If you didnt want to sign it- you shouldn't have

Submitted on Tue, 06/09/2009 - 2:00pm
You have a lot of nerve blaming your cowardice on anyone but yourself. If you have a conviction- stand up and express it. If you don;t have that in you, I personally would appreciate you teaching elsewhere- or better yet- no where. Retire with grace?? retirement should be a choice- bot somehting thrown upon you by [an alleged] vindictive crook just because he for the moment has that power. I sincerely hope none of my children will be sitting in your class room next year.

Thrown on John

Submitted on Wed, 06/10/2009 - 12:03pm
Speaking of cowardice, John singed up for DROP 5 years ago. And now he does not want to go out and live in tough times.

no....

Submitted on Tue, 06/09/2009 - 6:42pm
a student in the class conveyed what he saw. I thought it was odd to put a teacher on the spot like that, especially a newbie. Of course a new teacher would sign it purely out of fear. Obvious conclusion, right?

Only a Coward

Submitted on Wed, 06/10/2009 - 5:38pm
would let it interfere with their dignity and judgement.
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