“Tradition of Excellence” Does Not Include Truth
Apparently, Steve Largo does not value the spirit
of Florida's Open Records law as much as the editors of the Forum
value it. In fact, Largo has made it quite clear that he does not
value independent school publications at all.
Not anticipating difficulties, I met with Largo and Kenney to
discuss the Forum. Rather than make a clear point, Largo
unleashed a torrent of doublespeak. Although Largo granted
permission for distribution of the Forum, he eagerly
tried to come as close as possible to negating that consent.
From the start, Largo emphasized that he did not approve of
the Forum. Toward that end, Largo issued veiled threats,
saying "It would be safer to drastically tone-down your
article and print it in the Torch," and that, "This is
not very complimentary toward Food Services; I'm sure they won't
be thrilled. There could be some repercussions because of
this." When asked what these "repercussions" might
be, Largo replied simply, "You know, repercussions." He
would not be any more specific. Unless Largo was warning me of
the possibility of being given smaller portions of fries, his
statements are, at best, bizarre.
Still more curious is Largo's stated desire to "not
cooperate" with the Forum. Although Largo
repeatedly expressed his concern that a negative article about
Food Services would create an "adversarial
relationship," Largo apparently had no qualms about creating
such an adversarial relationship with the Forum. After
Largo and Kenney finished playing psychologist by analyzing my
motives, which included suggestions that I wanted to "throw
in people's faces" my writing ability and that I was trying
to retaliate against Food Services because Pat falsely accused me
of stealing mustard from the cafeteria, Largo said that he was
concerned about inaccuracies in the article. When asked to name
the inaccuracies in the article, Largo merely said he didn't like
the impression that the article gave to the reader.
However, Largo did name one specific area of concern. Largo claimed that the $8000-$10,000 figure for vending machines profits, which Kenney supplied, was wrong. Citing his desire to "not cooperate" with the Forum, Largo refused to provide the correct figure. Largo further explained that he did not care to be quoted in "that thing [the Forum]." Although I offered to not quote Largo by name, Largo instead played mind games with me by replying, "Then wouldn't you be submitting to my censorship?" as he knew that his arbitrary censorship powers do not extend to the Forum. Thus, one is left with two possibilities, both of which are equally disquieting: either Largo was unaware that schools are public agencies accountable to the public, or he simply chose not to reveal public information. However, after a formal public records request, the vending machine documents were released, but only after the Administration delayed for a week. Yet, more perplexingly, the documents revealed that Kenney's initial estimate was correct: the vending machines did, indeed, yield profits of $8000-10,000 annually. Thus, one is left with two even more disquieting possibilities: either Largo is unaware of what goes on at Pine View, or he is willing to specifically lie about matters of public record.