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Garrett and Jenkins sworn in to San Marcos
Unified board
SAN MARCOS -- Retired school teacher Beckie Garrett and
eight-year board veteran Sharon Jenkins were sworn in Monday
to serve four-year terms on the San Marcos Unified school
board.
Both took the oath of office at the board's
regular monthly meeting, held inside the North County Regional
Education Center. Interim Superintendent Kevin Holt
administered the oath in front of more than 20 community
members and district staff.
Jenkins, 49, and Garrett, 58, raised their right hands and pledged together to support and defend the constitutions of both the United States and the state of California before making personal statements.
A teary-eyed Jenkins thanked her "loyal friends" and the
San Marcos community for re-electing her to serve a third term
and supporting her through a rancorous campaign.
"Being
part of San Marcos Unified is like being part of a family,"
said a choked-up Jenkins, who also received an honorary golden
bell for her leadership, at the meeting.
Newcomer
Garrett thanked her campaign team and husband, "the sign guy,"
for helping her during the election and said she was "humbled"
to win one of the two open seats on the board.
"I love
this district," said Garrett, one of six candidates who ran in
the November election. "Now, it's time to get to
work."
Although Garrett and Jenkins did not run as a
slate, both were the only candidates endorsed by the San
Marcos Educators Association. Both also shared campaign
efforts and supporters.
The vote tally, as certified by
the county registrar of voters, showed newcomer Garrett
leading the race with 10,537 votes, or 28.86 percent.
Incumbent and eight-year veteran Jenkins was second with
10,443, or 28.60 percent.
Throughout the meeting,
Garrett proudly sat with the board in the circular dais
replacing board member Alan Brown who was present to bid
farewell to the board after 25 years.
Brown chose not
to run in the election earlier this year and said he planned
to retire from the board and from his teaching job at Conway
Elementary in Escondido to spend more time with his
family.
At the meeting, Brown was honored with numerous
plaques and gifts from board members and others in
attendance.
Teacher union President Pia Harris-Ebert
presented Brown with a bouquet of flowers and a proclamation
from the San Marcos City Council marking Dec. 11, 2006, "Alan
Brown Day" for his contributions to both the city of San
Marcos and the school board.
Harris-Ebert said Brown
was not only a friend to her, but a friend to "the students,
parents and the city" for the last 25 years.
Board
member Mary Borevitz, who has served on the board for the last
13 years with Brown, also commended him specifically for
helping the growing district build 11 schools during his
tenure.
"He shepherded us through the most amazing
change," Borevitz told those in attendance.
After being
praised for his work and commitment to the board by many
others, Brown said he was glad to have been able to serve with
14 different school board members and four different
superintendents.
"It's a real honor to serve in any
elected capacity," said Brown before leaving the meeting with
his family.
In other business, the board voted on a
number of fronts, without board member David Horacek who did
not attend the meeting because of family matters.
The
board voted unanimously to make a formal declaration that it
will be able to meet its financial obligations for the current
fiscal year and the two years afterward and also appointed
officers for the new calendar year.
Borevitz was
unanimously appointed president of the board, and Jenkins vice
president after board member Pam Bancells declined the
position. Horacek was appointed clerk, with Borevitz
opposing.
The newly organized board is expected to meet
today for a closed session meeting to discuss "matters
pertaining to the appointment of the superintendent,"
according to the meeting agenda.
Interim Superintendent
Holt's evaluation is also expected to be discussed at the
meeting.
-- Contact staff writer Brenda Duran at (760)
761-4408 or bduran@nctimes.com.
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Comments On This Story
SMTaxpayer wrote on December 12, 2006 7:06 AM:"I don't know how many meetings Horacek has missed, but why should he be paid by our taxpayer dollars when he doesn't attend monthly meetings. I wouldn't have even selected him as Clerk. He tries to divide the board and community. We want leaders who will work together not against each other. Good for Borevitz for standing up to vote no."
Kudos wrote on December 12, 2006 7:38 AM:"Kudos to Garrett and Jenkins. The public has made a statement that they want this sort of leadership on their board. They are professional, respectful, and will put the time in to do a great job. SMUSD is one of the most respected districts in the County. The intelligent voters of SMUSD have filtered through the misinformation and the negative politics of the recent election. Way to go Garrett and Jenkins. "
TYB wrote on December 12, 2006 1:59 PM:"I was disappointed that Pam Bancells chose not to recognize Alan Brown at last night's board meeting. As a board member who has worked alongside Alan for 12 years, she should have the courtesy to say something in recognition of his service to the school district. Her silence spoke volumes about the type of person she is. I am also disappointed in David Horacek for not attending the meeting. He apparently doesn't have the time, interest or dedication it takes to be a good board member. Too bad he missed the story about Alan being airlifted off Mt. Whitney with a broken leg and still managing to make the next day's meeting. Today's thought for the day on page 2 of the NC Times seems to have been written with these two board members in mind..."To escape criticism-do nothing, say nothing, be nothing." How timely! Unfortunately for them, they cannot escape my criticism. "
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