Letter: Punishment misplaced

I do not know Manny Touron and in fact had never heard the name until the over-aged athletes scandal involving Immokalee High School.

How could Touron, the principal at Immokalee High, not have had any inkling of the athletes’ ages when he had been notified in writing of the possibility by the school security officer? Did he not have a duty to at least initiate some type of investigation into that possibility?

The punishment handed down to Touron was a joke. No pay raise this year! This for a man who is making over $100,000 per year. The saddest thing about the entire situation is that the students suffered a much harsher penalty. Many will miss a chance to enjoy excelling in their athletic endeavors, as their punishment includes not being allowed to participate in postseason play.

These kids did nothing wrong and yet are paying the price for the misdeeds of their mentors. It seems to me that high schools here in Florida are espousing the same sports agenda as colleges across the country: Winning is everything. It’s quite evident that these high schools are vigorously recruiting athletes with little regard for academics.

What really got to me were all the letters supporting Touron, calling him a great mentor and friend to his students.

Yes, Touron had a fine athletic program, but his academic agenda was apparently lacking. Immokalee High School was the only high school in Lee and Collier counties to score an F on the FCATs.

Cathy Whiffen/Naples