Florida Keys News
Saturday, July 4, 2009Add to FacebookAdd to Twitter
Board: Wait on federal probe
Pribramsky says district concern is restitution
While the Monroe County School Board is not interested in helping the FBI investigate how Adult Education administrators spent a $250,000 federal Even Start program grant in 2006, they do...
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Federal Grants

Investigate Mary Casanova at Literacy Volunteers.She and Monique used to be partners for the Even Start grant.

Mary Casanova

I am Mary Casanova and welcome investigation. I worked with this project in the early years when the project has helping families achieve personal goals through increased literacy skills. We at LVA retired from this program in the 2004-2005 year; I believe the year in question is the year Monique took over in '05-06 when we were completely out of the picture. Who is the person who wrote the above post? I would like to see your name, please, if you are not afraid to name yourself.

Well, Ms. Casanova, thanks for clearing up this matter

I'm not the person who wrote the first post, however, it did raise concerns.

Mary

And another of the attacks along with the witch hunt. Someone saying and fishing without a idea of education and without knowing how to run a large business. Another attack from the team of 2.

Really?

How do we know you weren't the one who posted the question about Mary? Isn't it convenient that this is all anonymous- then you can just blame it on whoever you like.

Clean Up The Schools

I think the School Board should take back control of all of the schools. School based management is a joke. At faculty meetins we are told by the principal what she wants and then when asked to vote we are asked to show a sign of hands in the open so of course how do you think we vote. Exactly, the way she wants it becaue if you don't she get's mad and throws a fit. Do you think we are nuts? She is the one evaluating our performance at the end of the school year so of course we are going to vote in whatever she wants. And classroom walkthroughs are a joke. We are never shown the results, and they are used against you at your evaulation. We don't have not one bit of input into how our school is run. It is a dictatorship.

But...

if the School Board takes over control of the schools, you will continue to have a dictatorship by even more schleps that have no background in teaching and classroom experience. Still no win there, either.

So true!

So true!

What school

What school, so the public is aware?

Who are you...Mike Henriquez?

Of course, you want to know so you can intimidate the teachers even more than they already are.

actually

Actually, I am not Mike Henriquez, but someone who is interested so the person who is doing the intimidation could at lease be embrassed. Maybe, the honestly could help correct their behavior. If your not part of the solution then you are part of the problem.

Sorry, but you don't understand

People have been fired because the regime found out they were not happy with the way things were being run. Anyone who says anything against this "dictatorship" is fired, driven out or shunned.

But we DO understand...

all the more reason to take a stand. A true leader does not bully, intimidate, or harass. A true leader uses wisdom and vision to solve and work through workplace and community issues.

No, I don't think you DO understand...

We have a principal, NOT a true leader. And there are discreet ways of "paying back" those who voice any opposition to what is desired...

Bring in the Feds

And when they are done with the School Board, they can head on over to the County Commission Board and the FKAA Board.

Response to bring in the Feds comment.

After the Feds stop by the County Commission and FKAA they might as well pay the Key Largo Fire/EMS District Board a visit, since they have also been doing a phenomenal job.

Monroe County School Board

When trying to understand the actions and recommendations of the Monroe County School Board bear in mind Mark Twain's thoughts on the institution; "In the first place God made idiots. This was for practice. Then He made School Boards."

Has anybody heard a peep out of Ms. St. James?

I hope she's O.K.. Sure is quiet.

probably got back-pay and

probably got back-pay and went on a long trip, maybe?

Watch....she and her pet

Watch....she and her pet monkey will be outta here within the year

Why would she saying anything?

She's one fat cat. With her retirement deal and MAG consultant fee of $60K annually for which she does nothing.

Even Start Money

Well I guess all those minorities and foreign kids won't be getting a leg up after all.Another case injustice all wrapped up in civil rights. Thanks to the Monroe County School District-Adult Education Department.All the money that was supposed to go to their benefit [allegedly] went to a thieves disguised as "do-gooders".So who was at the trough this time? If I were the FBI I would look at how the Even Start Program was administered in the past.I know that in 2004 the district partnered with Literacy Volunteers of America-Monroe County Inc. John Andola was in charge of Adult Education at the time.Mary Casanova was the Registered Agent of LVA.Eileen Quinn was the Treasurer of LVA.Do those names sound familair.I'd be auditing everyone especially that slippery acountant at LVA. Then look at the subsequent years for the Even Start grant.My guess is that about a million bucks was scammed since 2004.Mrs.Walker should stop worrying about the"return" on an investigation and have a public apology written out.She can read it at a press conferance while she explains why the district stole money thus taking advantage of the minorities of the community.She can also explain why her staff trampled on the U.S.Code "Crimes" Section.

Disgruntled Former Employees Taste Sour Grapes

Methinks the above comment came from a disgruntled former employee who had the police called on him several times for stealing student records back in 2004-2005. Ask the State Attorney's office. Investigator Kempel still has an active file on this goofball.

School Money

Someone get in there and dig and you'll find Bookie in the midst of all this, trying to save himself, his family members and the Acevedo's. It's all connected, and Papa Bookie is trying to help them cover it up.

People forget that Walker has been in control for a long time

Eileen Quinn was another one who should be investigated. Wonder why Walker doesn't want further investigation. Me thinks she protests too much.

Value for Dollars spent?

At what point does the school board realize that they will never recoup the money that has been taken and stop spending even more money trying to recoup it? I would not spend a million dollars to recoup a half million. It doesn't make financial sense. Someone please explain it to me if I am wrong. Prosecute the one or ones involved and stop piling on and go back to being a school board and talking about children. It's been the same discussion for the past 6 months, I've had enough.

Mo has already been declared

Mo has already been declared indigent by the courts; her finances show little to no assets. It shouldn't take a genius to realize they will never recoup any of the money. If she is convicted to the maximum term, which given the connections seems highly unlikely, then it would be in the boards best interest to correct their ways of "business as usual", move forward and do what needs to be done to prepare the staff, teachers and students for the next school year.

Sad but it's about what is right not the money

Too many have siphoned from our children. Those people need to be brought to justice. Looking the other way is sending the wrong message to those who stole or broke policy.

Who's looking the other way?

Really, who's looking the other way. The authorities are on the scene let them handle it and get back to work!

Fechter is useless

$100K and what do we have to show for it? I couldn't believe how inept he looked at the SB meeting. We all were waiting for concrete evidence and all he could do is say...Well, I need to do this or that. Because he has dragged his feet and didn't give the Board what they requested, he put the SB in a precarious situation for their state mandated time lines concerning personnel.

Please stop the McPherson bashing!

How could he be thrown out of a BAR, he is a very Christian man, and a pastor? To make things up like this is dead wrong. His wife is also a very religious person and only does good for the community. She was named principal of Key West High only to have it taken away from her. This is a job she really deserves because she is the one who takes care of all the kids there anyhow. Why do all of you want to pick on the McPherson's? They are Christians, family oriented, hard-working, honest, community centered and loving people. Morgan 2009 for Mayor AGAIN

I think someone from outside

I think someone from outside the county needs to run KWHS. there is no control at that school. Kids curse out teachers and teachers curse out students and nothing is done. Kids come and go off that campus and it's all good. You need someone who is going to instill discipline in that school and she's not the one for that. Everyone walks all over her.

Good Christians

The county jail on Stock Island is just chock full of good christians...just because a person calls themselves "christian" does not mean they are honest.

Hold it...

Lest you forget, Jim Baker also claimed to be a Christian, yet his moral compass was w-a-a-ay off kilter. The same holds true for many others who hide behind the label of "Christian." You are foolish to try to drag the smokescreen of religion into this situation. The bottom line here is that everyone who is in an administrative position is tied to Bubbagate; rather they were silent, negligent, pleading for a DROP extension, or kissing butt to keep their job. It was posted elsewhere in the vast and ongoing blogs: "If you are not a part of the solution, you are part of the problem."

I am a Christian...

I am a Christian, and Christians don't get into bed with the Spottswoods like he did...Prepare to lose your job, you heathen.....

Thrown out

Whoever wrote the statement above is living with their head in the ground. I was there that night and saw what a jerk he was being along with a couple of county commisoners and developer friends. He thought he owned the world. The sad part was the way he treated the employees of that establishment. Things like this happen when you hang out with the wrong crowd and drink too much.

He speaks with forked tongue

This McPherson is a man of many colors. Don't be fooled by his "christian" ways. We all know of dishonest people who claimed to be God's chosen.

This is how the real world acts when wrong doing occurs

Channel 12: Palm Beach Gardens High School principal may face suspension in spending probe Palm Beach Post staff report Friday, July 03, 2009 The principal of Palm Beach Gardens High School faces a possible 20-day suspension after school district investigators alleged he improperly spent school money, WPEC Channel 12 reported today. CBS 12 said documents cited Jonathan Prince for "failure to properly control funds." He is accused of using school purchasing cards to make about $3,800 in unauthorized purchases, the station reported. The report said a school district investigation found the claims were substantiated. But it did not say what Prince allegedly bought or whether he is accused of personal gain. Attempts by The Palm Beach Post to reach schools superintendent Art Johnson, school district spokesman Nat Harrington, a North Area superintendent and Prince were unsuccessful. According to a school staff database, Prince, 39, joined the district in August 1993. He had been principal at Verde Elementary School in Boca Raton until he was transferred to Palm Beach Gardens in 2004. In 2006, Prince was recognized for improving the school's grade from a D to a B in two years. He was one of 14 Florida high school principals honored by the state's Board of Education. The school district now is constructing a new Palm Beach Gardens High School complex to replace the old building, constructed in 1966. It is set to open this summer. GET A CLUE MCSB

$3800 vs. $180,000 +

Only in Moron County can someone get away with this.

And that was only for $3800!

And that was only for $3800!

MCSB not interested?

In FBI investigation? Not their choice. Get in there Feds and clean house. RICO, RICO, RICO These shold be fun indictments when they are announced. Start with the board they all need to go. They are complicit in every misdeed that has come to light.

BUBBAGATE

The only reason they are not interested in an FBI investigation is because it will reveal they are ALL guilty, and they are each involved with their hands in the till.

Her come da Judge

They should look closely at the treatment offered by the judges in this case as well ... and what do you do for serial malpractice on the part of the State Attorney?

Absolutely. The colusion by the Bubbas is going to bring this

to a RICO case before it's all done. Heck, look at what Papa Acevedo recommended to great applause from the Bubbas - Business As Usual.

further ivestigation

what legitimate reason can the board give for not wanting to fully ivestigate this "grant". the time for healing is now, but all the skeletons should be unearthed before the real building can begin. it also makes you wonder if the board is trying to cover up something.

School Board is saving us money !

The SB is not willing to in cure the cost of the Grant Money probe when the FBI is doing the work for FREE. Its not being sweep under the rug. It make very good sense to me. Good Job - Save our money !

Yet,

Overall, the investigation is very necessary. If we are to clean house, and get to the details of this cob-web mess (and those responsible), then an investigation is completely necessary.

By law enforcement not the

By law enforcement not the school board

Not so fast

Law enforcement can only deal with criminal acts, I want to know how much money was wasted due to mismanagement on the part of this administration. Mark Hooper lost the district $54K that we know of so far by his lack of understanding of federal grants. These kinds of things need to come out so we can get people in administrative positions who know how to run a school district.

Looking for precedent.

School board, (alleged) criminal acts have occured in other school districts. Look to this precedent to show you the way other school districts have handled these cases. Learn by example and do the right thing.
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