Florida Keys News
Saturday, June 13, 2009
No. 2 man takes school reins
BY JOHN L. GUERRA Citizen Staff

Monroe County's deputy schools superintendent, who suddenly found himself in his boss' seat Friday, during one of the most crucial times for a school system, said he will manage with an even hand.

"We're rolling along," Mike Henriquez said. "I'm in the process now of preparing the plan to finalize the budget. I have to prepare the documents for the School Board meeting for T...

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Fair warning

Submitted on Wed, 06/17/2009 - 1:33am
Hey #2, We will be watching you very closely. We remember how you supported #1 to the point of (alleged) theft of taxpayers dollars.

hmmmmmmm

Submitted on Tue, 06/16/2009 - 2:23pm
Why dont we ask Frannie about the property on Eagle Ave that her real estate business brought from their uncle in 2004, only to tear the house down and then to build another one & then sell it to Mike & Gabby for $900,000? How can they afford that? Are they taking a course from the Acevedos & the Macphersons?

Look Alive People...Henriquez is part of the problem

Submitted on Mon, 06/15/2009 - 8:09am by 50 year resident of Marathon and voter
Just so you can see for yourself...Monique reported directly to Mike Henriquez. (Jeff Arnott replaced Monique.) Also note who Mark Hooper reported to---Mike Henriquez. Here's the organization chart direct from the District's website. http://www.monroe.k12.fl.us/districtInfo/orgchart/2008.mht NOW, do you get it!!??

Where's Bookie

Submitted on Mon, 06/15/2009 - 7:12am by just ask me
The Bookie article has disappeared as it was getting nearly 100% bad post. Wasn't Big Bookie given a $25,000 contract by Randy last year without school board approval that figured out to app $600 per hour to do the same thing Sonny Booker was or should have been doing. Maybe someone else can complete this story I believe it was to recover fund from hurricane damage. Now you want this retired Bozo who is at the top of the Bubba ladder to be the new Supt, not going to happen.

What happened to Mark Howell's interview of Bookie?

Submitted on Mon, 06/15/2009 - 8:10am by 50 year resident of Marathon and voter
I found it again!

Take Some Permanent Action

Submitted on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 10:54pm
Monroe County residents are as irresponsible and corrupt as the Acevedos and the Henriquez. If you residents are serious about changing the dynamics and employment policies at the MCSD then take some real action! Demand that policies be put in place that keep this disgusting nepotism from happening. Show up in masses to the school board meetings and force these clowns, including the governor, to take some real world action. If Monroe County is to survive as a choice vacation destination, business needs to be conducted with ethics and some degree of morals.

A conch short of a fritter

Submitted on Sun, 06/14/2009 - 10:52am
Sweeping generalisations like this are non-productive and make the author seem a few conchs short of a fritter. The first sentence negates whatever rational ideas that may have followed. Too bad!

Concur

Submitted on Sun, 06/14/2009 - 10:55pm
JFKulick

I am so depressed. Now that

Submitted on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 5:29pm
I am so depressed. Now that the scandal has broken, I feel there is nothing left to look forward to. These comments are all such rubbish. The articles are all so anti-climactic. I don't know what else to do with myself now.

More to Follow

Submitted on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 10:05pm
Take a rest. Get comfortable. Kick up your feet on a good foot stool. The action hasn't started yet. Federal indictments looming. Wiretaps and crosschecks of statements and deposition of witnesses are not over. Want some really good stuff to look forward to, watch what happens over at the Monroe County Sheriffs Office. Some folks are going to roll over regarding case drops and payola leading right up to the chief bubba in charge of corruption, coverup and denial (CBIC2&D).

dear depressed

Submitted on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 6:21pm by 4:25am by N. Sane
I agree...even when things quieted down a while back I was saddened. Surely there is more drama on the way...otherwise, all I'll have is Facebook...whimpering.

buck up!

Submitted on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 5:49pm
"Right is right, even if everyone is against it; and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it." - William Penn

Hang in there, the best or

Submitted on Thu, 06/18/2009 - 4:37pm by soccernut
Hang in there, the best or worst is yet to come!

Henriquez

Submitted on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 5:07pm
It is amazing how four plus members of the same family can hold positions of such authority, it almost seems like they are the "Gottis" of the school board.

Read about "Bookie's World" at link below:

Submitted on Sun, 06/14/2009 - 11:26am by *.*
It was hard to find here on the site: http://keysnews.com/node/14375

All in the Family

Submitted on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 9:08pm
Families often instill the love a particular profession in their heirs and so naturally they follow in their familial predecessor's footsteps. Nothing wrong with that. In fact, it's quite noble. Members of the Lariz family are in law enforcement. Spottswood = Developers and lawyers. Wardlows = Firefighters. Garcia = jewelry. Menendez = baseball. There is nothing wrong with Henriquez = education. Since Mike's older sister was already working at the school board and his dad had created an honorable legacy should he have not pursued his dreams and goals of a profession in education. Frannie either? That proposition is ludicrous. I see great flaws in hiring someone just b/c they once ran a big business (Padgett) or b/c they have some IT or management experience or b/c they are a conch (Acevedo), but if his (or her) background and education and experience fits the bill, then by all means he (or she) should be appointed as our next superintendent. I would be pleased to have them lead us through these rocky times. I support Mike Henriquez wholeheartedly. He has the qualifications. Now give him the chance to prove himself. If he doesn't, elect someone else next term. But I'm betting you'll be pleased to have him in there!

What Makes a Profession Noble

Submitted on Tue, 06/16/2009 - 10:31pm
Familial mentors of their profession attained by unethical means produce ignoble idealism in their prodigies. It doesn't have to be taught when there are no consequences for bad behavior, it's learned. Henriquez Senior overtly practiced nepotism under a claim that the practice honored the profession. But when corruption and fraud was rampant under his prodigy's supervision, Mike looked the other way. There is a standard that was not applied. That says a lot about ignoble idealism! I'm not happy with him and in my opinion he needs to be shown the door. JFKulick

Mike knew what was going on,

Submitted on Tue, 06/16/2009 - 12:39pm by soccernut
Mike knew what was going on, and let it happen. Not once, not twice, over and over. If he really didn't know what Monique was doing, he isn't smart enough to be in any management position, especially superintendent! He is a very big part of the problem!

Because he has necessary schooling but it doesn't mean he is

Submitted on Sun, 06/14/2009 - 11:29am by *.*
qualified for the job. Clearly he couldn't even manage employees who report to him, allowing the financial mess we have to develop. He supervised MOnique and Hooper. Who else? The guy clearly has no financial acumen - or perhaps he just approved it all with a 'wink and a grin'?

Political payoff

Submitted on Mon, 06/15/2009 - 7:58am
Acevedo certainly didn't have the expertise to run a school district and his appointment of MIke was a political payoff. Mike was an AP at HOB and moved to district administration as a curriculum person. Given his level of expertise he wouldn't have made the first round of cuts if he had to interview for the position...Get rid of the Acevedo appointees and restore faith in the school district. Reinstate the interview process and hire only the best.

Joke 12

Submitted on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 4:35pm
Q: What do you call an FBI wiretap of the Monroe County School Districts offices? A: An Henriquez family business conference call.

No.2

Submitted on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 2:37pm
I know for a fact that number 2 played a role in hiring his wife's best friend for a position at the admin building and not only that, she was the only one they interview for the position. Although the grant position was only part time, I hear she is making more than most of them over there. Alot of people was not happy, but as usual no one said anything.

Final Joke

Submitted on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 1:45pm
The school district nepotism policy. How else could four members of the same family work in one building?

Joke Ten

Submitted on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 1:42pm
Q: How many Henriquezes does it take to screw in a light bulb at the school board? A: Four and a half. Mike to order his father hired as a consultant on the light bulb changing. Bookie to examine and purchase the new light blub. Frannie to screw in the light blub. Gabby to make sure everyone has health insurance while the light bulb is being changed. And Debbie to cut everyone a nice check.

Joke Nine

Submitted on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 1:41pm
Q: What do you call an informal meeting between the Deputy Superintendent’s Office and the benefits office at the school district? A: Pillow talk.

Joke Eight

Submitted on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 1:41pm
Q: Why can’t all the members of the Henriquez clan go on vacation together? A: Someone has to stay behind and run the family business.

Joke Seven

Submitted on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 1:40pm
Q: When employees at the school district aren’t getting along, what is it called? A: An Henriquez family squabble.

Joke Six

Submitted on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 1:40pm
Q: What do the Henriquez clan call a woman in a position of authority in the school district? A: A cheerleader.

Joke Five

Submitted on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 1:39pm
Q: What do members of the Henriquez clan call a man in a position of authority in the school district? A: A fishing buddy.

Joke Four

Submitted on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 1:38pm
Q: How does the Mike Henriquez’s wife Gaby in employee benefits address her husband’s sister, the director of payroll, in formal school district coresponence? A: Director-in-law.

Joke Three

Submitted on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 1:38pm
Q: What does deputy Superintendent Mike Henriquez call his long term vision to create some more high paying jobs at the school district admin building? A: Family Planning.

Joke Two

Submitted on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 1:37pm
Q: What do you call a meeting between employees at the school district? A: An Henriquez family reunion.

Joke One

Submitted on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 1:37pm
Q: What is the difference between the school district organization chart and the Henriquez family tree? A: Nothing.

High Comedy!

Submitted on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 1:36pm
Because Mike Henriquez being placed in charge is such high comedy, I must submit to you a number of jokes floating around the island on the subject. (None of which are of course as funny as the school district’s nepotism policy.)

application for superintendent

Submitted on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 12:14pm
Where do you get an application for the interim position? Does anyone have a link?

One step forward,

Submitted on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 11:05am
TWO steps back. . . . .PLEEEEAASE, Governor Crist, save us from "the way it's always been done" It started with Bookie and he is thrilled his whole family is benefiting at taxpayer expense, STOP it now, our children deserve QUALIFIED individuals in these positions, not family members who aren't qualified.

What do YOU call QUALIFIED?

Submitted on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 1:02pm
Let's see, Mike Henriquez has worked for the MCSD for 24 years. First, as a teacher for many years, at an elementary level and middle school. Then, several years as an assistant principal and dean. Then, he has held a variety of positions at the district office (some supervisory in nature) ranging from curriculum to compliance to finance to name a few. He's coached sports to children of all ages. He has worked his way through the ranks and it has nothing to do with his last name or where he was born. Mike has a Bachelor's Degree AND a Master's Degree in education management. THAT IS QUALIFIED!!

THAT IS QUALIFIED!!

Submitted on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 8:48pm
He has been there a long time.I must admit that those other things sound pretty sweet,too.I'm sure he's a great guy.But far more than all those together,he vehemently defended Randy in front of the board.And to the best of our knowledge,still believes him to be spotless.He supervised Monique,never finding so much as a single,tiny fault.Not one dollar's worth.They have done absolutely "nothing wrong".He would be thrilled if they were found innocent of all charges.(Imagine that block party).He has hung tough.THAT IS QUALIFIED in Key West.

Credentials don't equal qualification in his case.

Submitted on Sun, 06/14/2009 - 11:01am by *.*
Agree. He obviously hasn't done his job if he approved all those hundreds of charges and reimbursement for all this time, and never once found anything wrong with it. So...what else did he approve of? Obviously, he approves of Randy's coverup of this financial disaster. He might have credentials but he definitely is not qualified.

Mike H. QUALIFIED

Submitted on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 2:41pm by 4:25am by N. Sane
He's plenty qualified and capable to do this job for a few days, a few months, whatever...thanks for bringing his curriculum vitae to light. BW

Good Guy

Submitted on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 2:23pm
Mike is a good guy! I think he has kept his name out of this mess. There is nothing wrong with everyone in the family being in education. In fact, I thought something like this is honorable. Mike is clean and is very knowledgeble. More so than some attorney, military leader or other pin head who knows nothing about schools. We just had that with Randy and the Padget! The last governor gave us Padget and we, elected Acevedo, another pin head who knows nothing about schools, to the position. Because we are so afraid of an outsider, we are to blame ourselves. I think Mike would make a great super! Give him a chance!

Good?

Submitted on Fri, 06/19/2009 - 12:35am
As in "good 'n rotten"?

Didn't Monique report to Mike Henriquez

Submitted on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 1:48pm
I rest my case.

Mike Henriquez Was a bully when he went to KWHS

Submitted on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 5:23pm
Mike was a bully and made fun of others at KWHS I know I went to school whith him. He even knew know one could do anything about it because Bookie Sr is his daddy. and you want me to give him a chance no can do Its time to clean house. and im glad I dont live in Bully Bubba Land and im a conch enough said.

Bully?

Submitted on Mon, 06/15/2009 - 10:00pm
You're an idiot! I've known Mike since grade school and he is the furthest thing from a bully that you can imagine. You must be an uber dork if you considered him a bully. I hope that I bullied you too since you find it appropriate to come on here with such malarkey. "enough said"

Listen Skid Mark, why don't

Submitted on Mon, 06/15/2009 - 9:03pm
Listen Skid Mark, why don't you man up and come home and confront the bully that gave you wedgies when you were in school and stop whining about it now 30 years later. Your not a conch anymore you wuss.

Proof positive of the Bubba Bully tactics.

Submitted on Tue, 06/16/2009 - 2:38pm by *.*
They're still doing it, 30 yrs later. Shows what Bully Henriquez's friends will do to protect their own.

And he clearly approves illegal purchases and expenditures

Submitted on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 1:32pm by *.*
without even so much as reading them. He doesn't seem to be able to even read a basic finance report and look for expected income and expenses. Yah. That's totally qualified. He also managed Randy's campaign didn't he? That means he signed off on illegal expenditures using Federal monies. That's totally qualified too. What IS it with you people?

WE NEED CHANGE BUBBA!

Submitted on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 1:25pm by hope and change
NOT ANOTHER RANDY LIKE SUPERINTENDANT IN QUALIFIED SHEEPS CLOTHING!

No. 2 man takes school reins

Submitted on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 10:16am
GREAT!! JUST WHAT WE NEED ANOTHER WOLF IN SHEEPS CLOTHING IN CONTROL. WHO'S BRIGHT IDEA WAS THIS? I GUESS THE TAX PAYING CITIZENS OF THIS COUNTY HAVE NO SAY IN THIS? I WONDER IF RANDY'S HAVING TROUBLE PULLING THE KNIVES OUT OF HIS BACK? THINK THE GOVENOR NEEDS TO STEP IN AND CLEAN HOUSE.
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