In his official response to the notice of recall filed by the local community group, Parents 4 Positive Change, and served to him Sept. 15, Morgan Hill Unified School District’s Board President Bob Benevento issued the following statement, which was filed Sept. 24 with the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters:
“Democracy is a compromise, not a dictatorship. Anyone who says, ‘My way or the highway,’ is not supporting ALL STUDENTS, just their personal or hidden agenda. Decisions are made by the majority, not one person. This petition is without merit. Read it closely.
“Elected by the people to deal with educational issues, I make decisions weighing ALL perspectives with the best interest of ALL STUDENTS in mind.
“Working with or for KIDS for over 25 years, I’m now being attacked by people who did not get their way. If you want a trustee who concedes to bullies, then I am not the man for you. I listen to community input, am accessible, study the issues from all sides and make decisions in the BEST INTEREST OF ALL STUDENTS. I am HAPPY to SERVE, BUT will not yield to bullies. Education is the greatest investment in our nation’s future. Is spending $500,000 for a recall without merit a wise investment? Remember the KIDS!
“Esta peticion es infundada.
“Es el gasto de $500,000 para un retiro improcedente una bueno inversion? Yo creo que no!”
The incumbent, in this case Benevento, has the right to provide a response to the “State of Reasons” contained in the recall notice, according to the Registrar of Voters. The response is limited to 200 words and must be filed within seven calendar days after the recall paperwork was filed.
Members of the Parents 4 Positive Change, once they’ve received approval from a county elections official as meeting the election code requirements, must acquire 20 percent or 6,289 signatures of registered voters in Morgan Hill over the 120 days to qualify for a special recall election.
The cost of that election, which would be paid for out of MHUSD’s general fund, was estimated at $500,000, according to Philip Chantri with the Registrar of Voters.
Benevento was appointed to the MHUSD board in 2011, then elected in 2012. His colleagues voted him president in 2015. Coincidentally, he finished second to former board president Don Moody in a school board race after another previous board member (Tom Kinoshita) resigned while facing a potential recall in 2004. Benevento’s MHUSD seat expires in November 2016 when he can opt to seek re-election. Additionally, the seats of Amy Porter-Jensen and Rick Badillo expire at the same time.
