Schools

Former principal tells her story

By LETITIA STEIN, Times Staff Writer
Published January 29, 2008

ADVERTISEMENT Carmen Aguero, former principal at Webb Middle, was an educator for 34 years.

TAMPA - As former Webb Middle School principal Carmen Aguero always told students, there are two sides to a story. And she has been waiting to share hers.

Aguero retired this fall amid complaints she stole small amounts of money from the Town 'N Country school. No formal action was taken against the 34-year Hillsborough educator.

The State Attorney's Office did not file charges in the case, saying investigators "were unable to meet (the) burden of proof." The Florida Department of Education determined that no further action was warranted against her teaching certification.

Armed with copies of the state letter, Aguero invited local reporters to a meeting Monday at the Carrollwood Barnes & Noble. She looked over handwritten notes in a spiral notebook, glancing at a friend and former teacher, there for moral support, as she began to speak her mind.

"I'm not here to slander anybody. One thing that's very important to me is the name Aguero," she said. "I want to clear my name."

Aguero, who turns 56 this week, hopes her record will speak for itself. Under her leadership, Webb celebrated a visit from then-Gov. Jeb Bush after raising its school grade from a C to an A.

Her legacy was called into question when three employees at Webb spoke to district officials regarding concerns about a series of petty thefts at the school, where Aguero had been principal since 2001.

Aguero said she was surprised to learn of the accusations in mid September. She had been planning to retire in about a year, but opted for an earlier departure. A diabetic, she said she was worried about the stress and her health.

In an internal district investigation, school officials found Aguero had collected $247 in cash last winter for the United Negro College Fund, but only turned in $25. The district turned the case over to law enforcement.

Aguero said she doesn't know what happened to the scholarship money - or why a bookkeeper, secretary and assistant principal singled her out in their concerns. They told district investigators about small amounts of money stolen from locked desks or offices over several years.

"Sometimes when you're the boss, and you make decisions, people don't always agree. Sometimes people want to be in charge that aren't in charge. That's the only thing I can think of," Aguero said.

The employees involved in the complaint declined to comment.

With a valid teaching certificate and no criminal charges from the incident, Aguero could apply for another job with Hillsborough's schools. Aguero said she holds no hard feelings and would consider future work with the school district, perhaps on a part-time basis. She noted that her finances are such that she doesn't have to work, but she expects she'll want to do something.

For now, she's enjoying afternoon movies and recently took a cruise to Mexico. The New York Yankees charm on her necklace speaks to her plans during spring training season.

While she's not in touch with Webb's new principal, Aguero follows news from the school closely. "I have no regrets. I really don't. I feel the faculty at Webb is wonderful," she said.

She hopes her side of the story completes it. "My record. The record of the school. Thirty-four years. It speaks for itself," she said.

[Last modified January 28, 2008, 22:27:58]