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Community Corner

Guest Editorial: In Support of Gary Jensen

Just one of many voices that spoke in favor of keeping Gary Jensen as principal at Benicia High School.

(This is a draft of my shoot-from-the-hip speech made at the School Board meeting on Thursday, February 16th, in favor of keeping Mr. Gary Jensen as Principal of Benicia High School.  So many people (parents, teachers and students) had speeches much more eloquent and worthy, but since I don’t have their copies, I humbly submit this as a way to show support for this cause.)  

It is somewhat unsettling for the community to come and support someone when we have no idea as to why he is in this situation, but we understand it is not for us to know.  So, we are left with what we DO know, and what we know is this:  

His reputation is very, very good in this town.  This is a noteworthy accomplishment when you think of how easy it is for news, gossip and opinions to spread via social media.  Much to my surprise, I have yet to hear a single negative comment about this man.  There has only been an overwhelming amount of positive opinions on his character and integrity, and this says a lot. 

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I can think of four issues where he has taken swift and decisive action on topics that ruffled feathers and made waves with some parents, but he still dealt with it.  The dress code and dance code at dances; the cell phone policy and the way he handled Occupy Christmas, to name a few.  At least two of these issues received media attention and he addressed them head-on.  How many of us watch the corporate world and the political arena where things languish and get put off?  You don’t seem to see delays like this with Mr. Jensen. 

He’s someone who shows up to school events on his own personal time and who is sincerely impressed with the kids at his school.  He has personally said to me, “Our students are awesome!”  He has set a culture of accessibility and is interested in supporting learning

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He has been given such a short period of time to make whatever changes he has been tasked with, but he seems to be headed in the right direction, and at this point in the game, heading in the right direction seems to meet many expectations.  He has been placed as captain of this ocean liner, and we’re not sure if he was supposed to turn it completely around or just fine-tune the path, but it’s a big boat and most of the people on it seem happy to sail with him.   

Surely, things like ‘Accessibility’, ‘Decisiveness’, ‘Responsiveness’, ‘Presence at Events’ should be weighted just as heavily in his job description as the other expectations the District has of him.  To remove the captain at this point seems truly disruptive when he seems to have powerful qualities that can get us to the destination.  

In closing, whatever expectation the District Office feels hasn’t been met, it’s hard to imagine it being so critical that it overshadows all the other things he is doing well.  These are things that may be difficult to measure, but they are so vital when in the ‘people’ business.

 

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