BOE publicly censures teacher rep Bennett

The State Board of Education publicly censured teacher representative Ambrose Bennett Friday afternoon, unanimously passing a resolution officially declaring the act during a board meeting.

BOE Res. No. 09-01 indicated that the board’s action was a result of Bennett’s “failure” to comply with several requests made by the board earlier this year.

“Its just a slap on the [wrist],” said private school representative to the board Scott Norman. “It just simply expresses our displeasure for certain behavior that is unbecoming of a board member, and we have publicly reprimanded Mr. Bennett for his actions both on and off the board and in the public.”

According to the resolution, Bennett was informed on May 10, 2004 by BOE chair Roman C. Benavente to discontinue his use of the PSS/BOE letterhead, materials and equipment without specific authorization from the board as well as to apologize in writing to board member Herman Guerrero for distributing a letter among teachers and board members insulting Guerrero.

The board said even after being warned, Bennett continued to use PSS/Board letterhead and the Kagman High School fax machine to communicate with all school level representatives without authorization from the board.

The resolution further cited that in March this year, Bennett demonstrated “grave disrespect and unprofessional conduct” by showing Guerrero “his middle finger” through a letter and photograph. It was also requested that Bennett send copies of his apology to all those who received the letter, including Gov. Juan N. Babauta and Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente.

The board said Bennett did not abide with the apology request.

Further, the resolution indicated that Bennett “insulted and threatened” BOE chair Benavente through a letter “after Bennett was unable to go on an off-island trip due to lack of federal and local funding.”

“Mr. Bennett has generally acted in a manner that is unprofessional, arrogant, presumptuous, childish, unrepentant, and unbecoming of a state board of education member,” a part of the resolution read.

“Hopefully this will be the last action that we would take. If he continues, then further action will have to be taken,” Norman said.

Bennett’s sanction does not mean suspension from the board.

Last month, Bennett said he had already apologized to Benavente.

“I think it’s the way I write to the paper [as reason for sanction]. What they’re saying is that I can only act on things they ask of me. I think it’s a violation of my duty. It also means teachers are inhibited in their right to representation on the board. The board is stopping it,” said Bennett.

“They don’t want me to write letters to the media. But I wrote them [board members] hundreds of letters and they ignored them, that’s why I wrote in the news. Their strategy is just to ignore me,” he said.