As a former resident of Monroe County I keep up with the news, and have seen the same article content posted in our local paper a few months ago. Yes they have changed the scoring proceedures in Tallahassee, no it does not reflect badly on MC. What are the political ramifications? I don't know, but all counties are aware of the issue and have been told the same thing, that "more students will not pass the FCAT". Stop blaming the MCSB, and start getting involved. We are coming back, as your district scored 8th in the state compared to our district of 30th. I found that hard to believe, but have discovered that it is the integrity of the teachers that make the school district what it is, not so much the adminitration. Hats off to MC school teachers, keep up the good work.

When is the Citizen going report on the Jesus Jara “recommended” violations to the teacher’s contract? After Jesus got what he wanted, the passage of referendum from the voters, he revealed his true colors yet again. Take the money from the teachers. We DON'T need him. Please save the $180K, including benefits, he costs the district as a Monday through Friday Superintendent. He should shrink his pay by 2/7ths since his salary is based on a 7 day work week. Even the non-English speaking custodians joke how fast he gets to Miami on Friday afternoons. Monday mornings and Friday afternoons are great times to visit the upper keys schools, don’t you think? When he cuts his salary by 2/7ths, then he can raid the teacher’s salaries. If Kinneer needs help figuring how to cut Jesus’ pay by 2/7ths, just snip $75K and we will call it even.

Blaming an increased failure rate on higher FCAT standards is typical of the MCSD. Increased failure rates are a direct result of poor management by district administration and the school board. When looking for answers each administrator and school board member should look into the mirror. The answer will be staring right back at them. Quit the bickering, politicking, grandstanding and buck passing. The political plants/appointments to the superintendent search committee are disappointing and reveal that the good old boy network is still firmly in place. The search committee will simply be seeking a superintendent who's strings can be pulled by the local crime families. All of this of course at the cost of children's education. Fare ye well little Pinocchio, fare ye well.

More remedial classes will be required, more teachers will be laid off--how is that going to work? Will that be revealed at the upcoming Community Meetings?

I completely understand where Jesus is coming from. First and foremost, he is explaining to us, the taxpayers, in advance why our kids will not pass the new FCAT test, so when it happens he will not be held accountable for the decrease in scores. Very low expectations. And, to Ms. Bosco, please stop worrying about getting your friends in athletic positions and start worrying about the lack of academics at your school. It would help if you spent as much time in a classroom as you do on an athletic field.