Call for resignation was on the mark

To the editor:

Writing this letter may not be advisable from a professional development perspective as an educator with over 20 years of service in our schools, yet I feel compelled to find the courage and speak out publicly regarding the News-Gazette’s recent call for Osceola County School Board Member Jay Wheeler’s resignation. I couldn’t agree more, and I know that I am not alone.

I’ve considered this matter a lot more lately as his antics grow increasingly odd – continuing to send incendiary and oftentimes hateful emails, storming out of meetings and blaming everyone under the sun for problems that he’s created through his own childish conduct.

A laundry list of his odd behavior is far too lengthy to even outline here. I implore the citizens of district 1 to be thoughtful with their next opportunity to pick a person who will exemplify all that is good for our kids. Mr. Wheeler, by his own unusual conduct, has proven time and again he’s not that person.

If you aren’t already, I’d recommend you subscribe to his email rants and judge for yourself.  He says he wants “feedback” on his emails and letter. Please give it to him.

With the obvious exception of Mr. Wheeler, I feel like we have an honest, hard-working, committed and intelligent School Board. It’s a shame to see the mud Wheeler slings splash up on them.  They seem thoughtful and focused, but Wheeler publicly belittles them all at every turn. He should take note they were elected by voters in four districts from across our county, but then again, as he now readily admits and his multiple campaign violations prove, math really isn’t his strong suit.

Betsy Middleton

Kissimmee