Bennett extends olive branch to BOE

Teacher representative Ambrose Bennett expressed his apologies to the Board of Education yesterday and offered to start out all over again, in a bid to create a smoother and more collegial relationship between him and the other board members.

Bennett sent his apologies in a letter to the board that was read during the special board meeting yesterday at the Public School System office. Bennett was not present at the meeting due to a one-week training at Kagman Elementary School.

Bennett said he is apologizing for any “misgivings” between him and the board.

“I know it is the right thing to do, if we are to ever end what has amounted to a remake of the Hatfields & the McCoys,” he said.

He said the Attorney General’s Office and the governor have made it clear that the board cannot remove him from the board. “It should now be clear that it is in the best interest of our students, teachers and the system for the board to make a legitimate effort to work with the teacher representative.”

In his letter, Bennett proposed a “new beginning” with the board, so that they could start all over again. “Even though I have never received an apology from this board, I will make the first apology for any misgivings between us because I know it is the right thing to do.”

He said he is glad to learn that the board is finally giving PSS teachers a spot on the agenda but added that the board’s attempt to resolve the conflicts by requiring a report “is not a complete solution because there is no burden of accountability placed on the board to address anything in the report.”

He added, though, that he has no problem with a report—only that the board should consider the teachers’ and his concerns if the board truly wants to work with him.

Bennett said the bases of all the complaints of the board against him were centered on his communications and statements in the news. “But my communications were all driven by ‘true events’ and my desire to effectively represent teachers. Sometimes the truth hurts and this board has always chosen retaliation over cooperation.”

The problems between the board and himself are not all his fault, he said. The board should also “own up” to its mistakes “because it takes two to tango.”

He said he also wishes to point out that he never said that the system or the board was bad. “I have only pointed out some of the bad [and] ugly…decisions by the board.”

“If this board doesn’t want me to write bad and ugly things in the news, then the board should allow me to be a part of the process in committee where I could state my position to the board during the decision process and avoid stating my position in the newspaper,” he said.

“We should agree that we disagree, respect each other and work to reach a compromise or the board will surely face the consequences in the coming elections—not me. I’m sure some of you will be in denial, but your attacks on me have only served to embarrass the board and to make me a more prominent and appreciated individual in our community,” he said.

The letter was read by board secretary Marja Lee Taitano. Nobody issued any reactions during the meeting, but Board of Education chair Roman Benavente said they will take up the matter during the Executive Session, which is off-limits to the public and the media.