Key West Collegiate School

“Principal reverses resignation but it's too late.” Florida Keys Keynoter, 10/15/2011

Key West Collegiate School Principal Debra Remsen, who resigned on Oct. 3 after the school's board started questioning her qualifications, now says she hasn't resigned.

But apparently she's out anyway because the board on Wednesday put her on 10-day suspension and is already reviewing applications from two dozen people expressing interest in replacing her...

Early into the first-year school's term, board members began questioning Remsen's qualifications, even having School District Superintendent Jesus Jara come in to talk about the experience and certifications principals must have.

Board Chairwoman Winnie DeMent, whose daughter attends the school, said Remsen requested administrative training, leading the board to find that she is not a state-certified principal...

In addition to her qualifications, Remsen has caught flack for posting on Facebook on Oct. 7 a resignation letter from social studies teacher Mark Peterson in which he was highly critical of the board's management...

There's more amiss at the school than just the administrator position.

A financial update from board member Cali Roberts indicates that Key West Collegiate will end its financial year in 2012 with a $71,000 deficit; the startup funding totals $321,000. And after being in operation for seven weeks, the six teachers are still working without contracts.

"The school is in crisis," DeMent said.