GARY JENSEN. File photo

❒ No budget-caused layoffs this year, supe says, but administrator’s future still unclear

By Keri Luiz
Assistant Editor

Turnout for the public comment section of the Benicia Unified School District Board of Trustees meeting is expected to be high Thursday amid plans by parents, staff and others to speak out in support of Benicia High School Principal Gary Jensen.

They have come to Jensen’s defense following reports that the board is planning to offer the administrator a choice between a pink slip and a demotion.

“I imagine the public comment will last long,” Superintendent Janice Adams said Tuesday. “Which is just fine, we want to hear from the public.”

Jill Ray, founder of a Facebook group, “Don’t Fire Gary Jensen, BHS Principal!” wrote, “I am starting a grassroots effort to stop this from happening!” when the move was reported in January. The group had 220 members as of Tuesday.

Ray, a parent of two former and three current Benicia High students, said last month the reasons for the board’s planned termination of Jensen are still murky, in part because officials refuse to discuss personnel matters.

“Apparently last May when the new HR director came on, he said that Gary should look for another job. So they’re planning on pink-slipping him at the March 1st board meeting,” she said.

To try to prevent that, she said, Jensen’s backers intend to voice their support for the principal at Thursday’s meeting. Asked by email Monday if she and others still planned to attend, Ray replied, “Absolutely, yes!”

If Jensen is pink-slipped, he won’t have much company. According to a report to be delivered by Assistant Superintendent Michael Gardner on staffing projections for 2012-13, less than half — 0.4 — of one teaching position is recommended for the ax.

That’s surprisingly little, Adams said, and it’s a pleasant surprise. Last year about 30 pink slips were handed out, though many were rescinded.

The only two recommended changes are to eliminate one section of social science class and one section of business class, both at the middle school. The moves would be made because of low enrollment, not budget cuts.

“We’re not reducing anybody because of funding,” Adams said. “We’re very relieved that this year we’re not laying anyone off because of budget.”

“For this coming year we’ll be OK. We have enough set aside. The board and the district were very careful. We do have the funding to get through next year without any reductions.”

If You Go
The Benicia Unified School District Board of Trustees will meet in closed session at 6 p.m., then in open session at 7 p.m. Thursday in the district board room, 350 East K St.

Sharing is caring!