School Board Votes to Rescind Jensen Pink Slip

This is an update on the story published Friday March 2 at 5 a.m.

After a long deliberation in closed session and numerous requests by speakers during public comment, the Board of Trustees of the Benicia Unified School District voted to rescind their vote taken on February 16 to fire Benicia High principal Gary Jensen according to the minutes of the March 1 school board meeting.

The debate happened behind closed doors because it is a personnel matter and cannot be discussed in public.  Following is an excerpt from the minutes of the school board's March 1 meeting:

At the conclusion of Closed Session, President Switzer called the meeting to order in Open Session at 8:00p.m. Dr. Gardner reported out from Closed Session. He reported that at the last Board Meeting on February 16th the Board voted to give an administrator a possible release from their current assignment at the end of the school year, and assign them elsewhere. The roll call vote from that meeting was: Ayes - President Switzer, Trustees Dean and Wing. Noes- Trustee Stewart and Clerk Messina. In Closed Session tonight the Board took action to rescind that action to notify one administrator of possible release from their current assignment at the end of the school year, and assign them elsewhere. The roll call vote was as follows:  Ayes- Trustees Wing, Stewart, and Dean and Clerk Messina. Noes- President Switzer. The Board acknowledges that the Superintendent has authority under BP/AR 4313.2 to notify certificated administrators of possible reassignment from their current administrative positions at the end of the year.

Before going into the closed session the board heard from parents, alumni and staff who want Jensen to stay in his position as principal at Benicia High School.

“I’ve never worked with a principal who is as supportive, as appreciative as proactive as he is,” said Benicia High PTSA President Kathy Myers.  “He is truly a man of integrity.”

There were no members of the audience who spoke against Jensen.

“I cannot imagine bringing in a new principal who is as devoted as Gary Jensen,” said Myers.

The decision to reassign Jensen doesn't rest entirely with Superintendant Janice Adams.  The policy simply gives her the ability to send a notification if any administrator that they mey be reassigned to following school year.  

"The board would have to take action before June 30 if one (a notification of reassignment) is issued," said  Assistant Superintendant Michael Gardener.

Asked if the board had given any direction to Adams regarding Jensen's status Gardener said, "I really can't say a word.  It's all confidential information.

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If there’s something in this article you think should be corrected, or if something else is amiss, call editor JB Davis at 707-628-0051 or email