Board member stunned
Author: Wes Woods II, Staff Writer
CLAREMONT - Claremont Unified School District board member Steven Llanusa clashed last week with fellow board members over not being selected as board vice president.
Llanusa was visibly upset and offered pointed comments over the snub Thursday during the board's annual reorganization.
At the meeting, Beth Bingham was named board president and Jeff Stark vice president. Llanusa later declined to serve as clerk, a position he held for the past year.
Llanusa was visibly upset and offered pointed comments over the snub Thursday during the board's annual reorganization.
At the meeting, Beth Bingham was named board president and Jeff Stark vice president. Llanusa later declined to serve as clerk, a position he held for the past year.
"Since I got the position of clerk on the school board, I've been the only clerk not to have advanced to vice president," Llanusa said. "And I don't know if that reflects poorly on the board, for my not supporting the bond, or for being a voice that speaks my mind contrary to the majority of the board."
Llanusa, on the board since 2005, was the only board member in opposition to a $95 million school bond measure that voters defeated in November. He also clashed with former Superintendent David Cash over communication methods and the district's censure policy.
Outgoing board President Hilary LaConte gave a handwritten statement afterward describing the process.
"Of course each board member is elected to the board by the public, but the board elects officers based on our own knowledge of and experiences with each other," LaConte said. "Beth Bingham and Jeff Stark will make excellent officers and I have complete confidence in their leadership."
The difficulties Thursday started after Bingham was elected president and called for a vote for vice president.
LaConte nominated Stark. Then Llanusa said he would nominate himself for vice president.
Before the vote, Llanusa gave his comments.
"I think it reflects poorly of the board not to advance me to vice president and it reflects badly on the board in addition to the community which has elected me twice to a leadership position," Llanusa said. "It's not just what you want but what the community wants."
Mary Caenepeel, who has also been on the board since 2005 and has served as president, immediately responded to Llanusa.
"Each of the board members hears from the community," Caenepeel said. "And we all come to this body wishing to do what's right for students. When we make decisions like we've made now, we've given it a lot of thought."
When Bingham called for the vote, Stark received four votes while Llanusa voted for himself.
Llanusa was later nominated for clerk.
"I decline. It's obviously a token gesture," Llanusa said.
Caenepeel was elected as clerk of the board.
Llanusa, on the board since 2005, was the only board member in opposition to a $95 million school bond measure that voters defeated in November. He also clashed with former Superintendent David Cash over communication methods and the district's censure policy.
Outgoing board President Hilary LaConte gave a handwritten statement afterward describing the process.
"Of course each board member is elected to the board by the public, but the board elects officers based on our own knowledge of and experiences with each other," LaConte said. "Beth Bingham and Jeff Stark will make excellent officers and I have complete confidence in their leadership."
The difficulties Thursday started after Bingham was elected president and called for a vote for vice president.
LaConte nominated Stark. Then Llanusa said he would nominate himself for vice president.
Before the vote, Llanusa gave his comments.
"I think it reflects poorly of the board not to advance me to vice president and it reflects badly on the board in addition to the community which has elected me twice to a leadership position," Llanusa said. "It's not just what you want but what the community wants."
Mary Caenepeel, who has also been on the board since 2005 and has served as president, immediately responded to Llanusa.
"Each of the board members hears from the community," Caenepeel said. "And we all come to this body wishing to do what's right for students. When we make decisions like we've made now, we've given it a lot of thought."
When Bingham called for the vote, Stark received four votes while Llanusa voted for himself.
Llanusa was later nominated for clerk.
"I decline. It's obviously a token gesture," Llanusa said.
Caenepeel was elected as clerk of the board.
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