Wheeler responds to Long letter

To the editor:

In response to Tom Long’s letter to the editor published by this newspaper May 8, he is absolutely correct that Charter Schools USA and a school uniform vendor did contribute to my current re-election campaign. Dozens of others have as well, and I am both humbled and honored that they believe in the work that I have done.

He is also correct that when I supported a school uniform policy that makes Osceola County School District the largest school district in the nation with a mandatory K-12 school uniform policy, I did say that all parents can afford to shop at Wal-Mart. He has conspicuously and very likely intentionally left out much more.

When as a board member of the Four Corners Charter School (FCCS) Board, I did work to toss out the previous operator of FCCS. They had poor and inconsistent academic performance. Since Charter Schools USA took over at FCCS, the school went from a “D” FCAT school grade to a “B” and then to an “A” grade, with a waiting list of students whose families want them to attend FCCS.

Charter Schools are a choice for families to decide if it is a good match for their student’s educational needs and are public schools operated autonomous of public school districts. So far, not one family has complained about uniforms or anything else at that school and many more are waiting to get their children in. By the way, the Osceola Education Foundation has selected Charter Schools USA to operate PM Wells, and Canoe Creek Charter School because in large part of the exceptional results they have gotten at FCCS.

Only Mr. Long seems to have a problem with it. He claims to be looking out for the interest of taxpayers. A worthy goal for sure, but a hollow pronouncement. If he was sincere, he’d go to the Osceola Supervisor of Elections office and file papers to run for an elected office. People like him work to demonize elected officials and government employees as corrupt and incompetent. To that end, the media is a willing partner to allow themselves to be manipulated, after all “if it bleeds it leads” is a common phrase used by journalists in newsrooms. Surely there have been elected officials and government workers who deserve our scorn. Those are few, yet do standout.

The overwhelming majority of elected officials and government workers are honest, very hard working and willing to sacrifice for the greater good. They include our teachers, school support staff, law enforcement workers, firefighters and elected officials.

As for watching out for taxpayers, taxpayers are getting a better return on their money from the Osceola County School District than they ever have before. I took on a complacent, entrenched status quo that had our schools underperforming in too many ways to fit in this letter and fought to hire Dr. (Michael) Grego as superintendent. As a result, we are currently improving and transforming the Osceola School District at a pace unmatched anywhere else in Florida.

In July of 2008, 54 percent of Osceola schools had an A or B school grade. In July 2009, 81 percent of our schools are A and B schools. We increased our graduation rate by 12 percent and for the first time are higher than the state high school graduation rate. The results from school uniforms showed a 46 percent decrease in gang-related activity in our schools, and a 30 percent reduction in discipline referrals for the first full year with this groundbreaking policy in place — another improvement I fought for in an effort to make our schools safer for students and staff.

Elected officials are sure to draw criticism and opposition; a pending election will always bring that out. I accept that and fully understand that. To that end, I have and will continue to be a zealous advocate for the more than 51,000 children who attend Osceola County schools. My resolve is stronger than ever. Meanwhile, beware of anyone who claims they are looking out for voters, citizens, taxpayers, children, etc., who doesn’t have enough guts to actually run for office. Talk is cheap and easy; improvement is hard. My goal is now and will continue to be global excellence for the Osceola School District.  

Anyone with any questions about this or anything else can contact me directly on my cell phone at 407-973-4141, on my home phone at 407-390-0505 or via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it