It’s easy to see why incumbent School Board member Monroe Benaim was forced into a Nov. 2 runoff with former philanthropy executive David Harris, a dynamic candidate who would serve the county well in most any elected office.
Unfortunately, Harris is taking on one of the School Board’s strongest members, one who arrived at the table two years ago with innovative ideas, natural leadership abilities and an acute understanding of the district’s needs. The runoff, the only one for School Board this election, also comes at a crucial time, when school construction, crowding and performance challenges emphasize the need for consistency in leadership.
For those reasons, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Editorial Board recommends voters bring Benaim back for a second term in the District 1 seat, representing the county’s north and western ends.
Benaim, 55, a retired Jupiter eye surgeon with two children in the local school system, has fought hard for his constituents. He lobbied aggressively to divide the Pahokee Middle-Senior High into two schools, long overdue for a community that worried about the effects of merging older and younger adolescents. He also helped get an International Baccalaureate program at the school, and got land set aside for a future Jupiter elementary school.
His idea for an inclusive district-wide sports program that encourages participation by all students, regardless of athletic ability, is revolutionary and promising at a time when childhood obesity has become a dangerous problem. Voters should give him the time to see the concept to fruition, and district administrators should embrace the worthy effort.
Perhaps Benaim’s biggest vulnerability is his stance on the contentious teacher step-raise debate. He was one of four board members who voted out an antiquated but popular automatic-raise formula, opting to go with a policy that would give the district more financial flexibility and allow for no raises in lean years. Teachers revolted and their union negotiated a more favorable raise schedule.
The resulting animosity was palpable, but Benaim and other board members ultimately made the right decision and now recognize the need to mend fences with teachers. Benaim should be given the opportunity, especially given his otherwise strong record.
Meanwhile, Harris, 45, who ran the Florida philanthropy efforts for the MacArthur Foundation for seven years, should nurture his interest in elected office.
