Banning Students Speak Up for Teacher, Union Touts 'No Confidence' Resolution

More than 50 students and teachers came to a Banning Unified School District board of trustees meeting Thursday night to voice support for a teacher they believe was wrongly placed on leave.

In addition, members of the Banning Teachers Association, the union that represents about 200 teachers, issued a 'resolution of no confidence' in District Superintendent Lynne Kennedy's leadership.

Attempting to balance the vocal criticism, a Banning district parent spoke during the public comment period of "a silent majority" of parents and community members.

Sean Balingit, 45, a Beaumont High graduate, said he has a child at Coombs Intermediate and he and many others appreciate Kennedy's leadership.

After the board meeting, Kennedy asked of the union resolution, "Where are the signatures? Where is the evidence of a vote?"

She also noted that some 1,100 students attend Banning High, and the vast majority of them were not at the school board meeting.

Students spoke emotionally about their teacher in the Achievement Via Individual Determination program.

Teachers in BTA shirts applauded the students, and students cheered for the union members when the association president, Yvonne Lanthripp, a teacher at Coombs, spoke about the no confidence vote.

David Sanchez, Banning Teachers Association's chief negotiator, said after the meeting the members of the BTA voted as follows:

No confidence: 161

Confidence: 10

Abstain: 23

Abstain with fear of retaliation: 3

Sanchez portrayed the no confidence vote in these terms:

"The superintendent is the captain of the ship, and we've mutinied."

The Banning Teachers Association claims Banning Unified School District is the only district in Riverside County to have its operational budget rejected by the county superintendent, and that "Superintendent Kennedy has fostered a climate at all school sites that is filled with turmoil and decreased employee morale."

Kennedy countered that the previous board meeting was also packed with vocal attendees, but the majority spoke up about positive gains, achievements and advances in Banning Unified School District.

In the upcoming school board election on Nov. 8, seven candidates are running for three seats on the board, including incumbent Deborah Dukes. Four other candidates have been endorsed by the BTA, the California School Employees Association, or both.

In , most of the candidates have been critical of Kennedy.

Banning Unified School District serves about 5,000 students in a 300-square-mile area, from kindergarten through 12th grade, according to the district's web site.

The district includes four elementary schools, two middle schools, one comprehensive high school, and one continuation high school.

It is one of the largest employers in the San Gorgonio Pass, with about 450 employees.

The Banning Unified School District board is the policy-making body of the district, and it is responsible for governing and managing the district within the limits of state and federal law, according to the district.

The district board is responsible for hiring the district superintendent, holding regularly scheduled meetings to conduct the business of the district, approving employment and termination of district personnel, and approving the district budget, the district web site states.