Comments on: Chiles High School Principal Felt “Personally Targeted” by LCS Investigation

By: DavidB

DavidB — Fri, 16 Jul 2021 20:26:48 +0000

What did a decent man like Joe Burgess do to piss off a scumbag like Hanna?

Oh, silly me…

By: J. OutsideLookingIn

J. OutsideLookingIn — Fri, 16 Jul 2021 17:00:23 +0000

Alex, my memory is good. Remembering much of it, including the trip to the woods to meet a principal to “give her some campaign signs.” Oh yeah, and the campaign donations given to Pons in trade for building contracts including Art building at Killearn Elementary. Did this jog your memory?

By: Alex

Alex — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 22:50:36 +0000

Outsidelookingin, you need glasses or memory medicine. Hanna wrote a book of lies about Pons. Hanna is a crook and sorry school administrator. Burgess is a great guy. You got that right. The FBI found that Pons or the School Board did nothing wrong.

By: J. OutsideLookingIn

J. OutsideLookingIn — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 21:28:06 +0000

Are you sure you are not confusing the leadership of Jackie Pons with the now current Superintendent. Now there was a real slippery political rascal investigated by the FBI. Anyone who has worked with either Rocky Hanna or Joe Burgess knows that both these gentlemen are fine, upstanding leaders. I would guarantee that Rocky had no option but to suggest a suspension for Burgess, while this investigation is brought to a close. A great leader sometimes has to make tough decisions. It’s part of the job.

By: Ginger Smith

Ginger Smith — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 18:41:42 +0000

After listening to Steve Stewart’s radio show this morning, it makes a lot more sense why Joe Burgess vehemently defended Kevin Pettis when many parents and players asked for an investigation into mistreatment of football players, financial discrepancies in the football program, and all around foul behavior by Kevin and his coaching staff. It’s sad that a seemingly good person like Joe Burgess got involved in this.
$10,000 being paid to Kevin from AP funds, in addition to his already large salary for coaching football and sitting in his office while kids lift weights, is a crime. The duties for which he was paid AP funds were also included in his base pay. So that sounds like double dipping.
It is refreshing to see an actual investigation into something at Chiles instead of the usual brushing under the rug that normally goes on.

By: Dave

Dave — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 18:09:28 +0000

Instead of investigating Mr. Burgess (phenomenal principal), Rocky needs to open an investigation on the many other principals in this county. Let’s not name some of these crooked principals.

By: Paul

Paul — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 13:07:04 +0000

@Stanley – How is this a “negative article”? The article is a series of sentences stating facts of the situation, including quotes from the accused and his legal counsel. No commentary included.

From the previous article contained in a link in this story, LCS has no procedure to vet this type of case, and really has no choice but to refer the case to DOAH for adjudication. Cases in front of DOAH are functionally a ‘bench trial,’ with parties taking depositions, and rules of evidence and procedure. It will be interesting to see what the Administrative Law Judge issues as a Recommended Order once all the facts are on the table.

By: Cody Whiddon

Cody Whiddon — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 11:15:59 +0000

Whoever said that Burgess misdirects funds from school sports is truly a heinous liar. The sports teams got to use every penny they earned with their games. I was a fine arts student and we had to fund raise everything in order to just exist while the football team got new uniforms just about every year as well as the cheerleaders. Burgess has never targeted any student. If you think your kid was targeted it’s probably because they were an ignorant little racist just like their parents!

By: Joe West

Joe West — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 00:52:27 +0000

Having known Joe Burgess for over 10 years I can’t imagine anyone questioning this man’s integrity. I’m proud to be able to call him a friend.

By: Edward Lyle

Edward Lyle — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 21:50:47 +0000

To start with… I’d like someone (TR) to ask School Board Members to produce the properly and publicly advertised, voted on, and codified documentation and/or policy that authorizes the Superintendent to utilize taxpayer funds to contract with “private” investigators to spy on – and otherwise investigate – employees of the publicly-funded Leon County School System… and under what circumstances this authorization can be utilized.