The Pickle that is Julian Cho Tech

Oscar Requeña

The Julian Cho Technical High School also finds itself in is a quagmire as the secondary institution continues to operate without a principal.  To make matters worse, former principal Dr. Simeon Coc and several other members of staff have been named in the Auditor General’s Report, following a review of the financial accounts of the high school from April 2014 to September 2016.  It is found that a number of questionable transactions took place under Dr. Coc’s administration, resulting in over two million dollars in contracts being awarded to teachers.  At Friday’s house meeting, Toledo West Area Representative Oscar Requeña spoke of a lack of leadership at Julian Cho, amid the notion that an equally sketchy replacement for Dr. Coc is being contemplated.

Oscar Requeña, Area Representative, Toledo West

“They did interviews and my understanding is that Dr. Arzu was in line to take up the principalship of the school; however, the board did not follow through with that recommendation and they, again the matter came to a stalemate.  We are today where we have another temporary principal that’s been appointed, temporary, holding over until, we understand, that they want to import somebody from Orange Walk.  They want to import somebody from Orange Walk to come and run Julian Cho Technical High School, but I want to caution Mr. Speaker, that the residents and people of Toledo are going to be watching this one very, very, very carefully because if our information is right, I can tell you that Julian Cho Technical High School, Mr. Speaker, under the administration of the former principal Simeon Coc, has been faced with many, many irregularities and abuse of school finances and resources.  And I will tell you, Mr. Speaker, that this one we’re going to watch even closer because we’re hearing that they want to bring someone from Orange Walk who has also been involved in questionable activities. …Somebody weh put water board monies eena ih own personal account.”