SEBASTIAN – John Witt, who guided the integration of Vero Beach High School in 1969 as principal, has died. Witt, of Sebastian, died Feb. 26 at the age of 87.He was born March 12, 1922, in Nashville and graduated from Murray State College in Kentucky in 1948. He went on to further his education in 1951 with a Master’s Degree in education from George Peabody College of Teachers in Nashville.
In 1969, just three years after taking over as principal at Vero Beach High School, the courts forced integration of black and white students. Through Witt’s leadership, Vero Beach High managed to navigate and avoid much of the violence that other school districts faced at the time.Before becoming principal at Vero Beach High School he held the same position at the Sebastian School and Vero Beach Elementary.Witt is survived by his wife of 63 years, Joan; sons, Randy, of Oklahoma and John of Kentucky, daughters Kristy, of Miami and Cindy, of Vero Beach; 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
