Dear Editor: In your article, “Emotions run high among Osceola School Board members — again,” (Oct. 19) I wanted to correct your perception of what was important. It seems the News-Gazette always misses the point. It’s almost as if you weren’t there at all.
I did not complain that the contract was put together in a hurry. I complained that the recruiting for the position was done in a hurry. In only a few weeks, we selected one of the most senior positions in the district. Apparently, the district makes it harder to become a paraprofessional than the district attorney. This is ridiculous.
I was also upset that Board member Booth admitted what was obvious, I’m the only one who read the contract. Saying you did the homework is not the same as turning it in. For members who supposedly spend “hours” preparing, it’s shocking to me that they know almost nothing about what comes before them.
Describing my advocacy as a “rant” is editorializing, unprofessional, and describes more accurately Castillo’s rebuttal to my valid concerns. For some reason, you failed to mention her total emotional meltdown, constant interruptions, and history of doing so. You also failed to mention that I have been vindicated by the Ethics Commission every time, with one of the commissioners even stating that I was doing exactly what I was supposed to be doing.
The discussion regarding Board member Melendez did not upset me. I did not know you were a mind reader, albeit a poor one. I was upset over the hypocrisy of these school board members. I thought I made that clear.
I made the point that if they are insulted, they write a letter to the governor asking him to remove a board member but have pending charges of the nature Melendez has, and they have no reaction unless publicly pressed. I could not care less what happens to Melendez as long as it is legal and correct.
If this had been a teacher, what would have happened? We all know that as long as they were not part of the Osceola aristocracy, they would have been thrown out on the street. That hypocrisy upset me.
If anything, as a journalist, I thought it would have been obvious that we are in the business of accountability. Students are accountable to their teachers for their work. Educators are accountable for their results. Why are the School Board members not accountable for showing up to board meetings having done their work? Or for their behavior.
You haven’t picked up on it apparently, but a lot of families are upset, not just me, and it’s not just because I think my colleagues are fools.
Jon Arguello
Kissimmee
School Board district 3
