By Shari Kaplan
The Los Gatos Union School District board of trustees on Feb. 14 accepted the resignation of Superintendent Stephen D. Benbow, who has been on a medical leave of absence since late October.
His resignation becomes effective June 30, and he will remain on sick leave and use accrued vacation leave until that time.
According to a press release distributed by the district, Benbow stated in his letter that his resignation is due to "personal and medical reasons." The district has declined to reveal the nature of his illness.
The board appointed Stephen R. Peck, acting superintendent, to serve as interim superintendent through June 30. Until his appointment as acting superintendent, Peck was assistant superintendent.
Benbow joined the LGUSD as assistant superintendent for special education and certificated employees in August 1981. He was appointed superintendent in August 1985.
One of his most significant accomplishments was to instigate and rally support for the parcel tax, first passed in 1990 and renewed in 1994. The $180 annual parcel tax accounts for some 12 percent of the district's annual revenue and has allowed the district to pay for extra teachers, aides, special programs and services and building maintenance during a time of drastic state budget cuts.
On Peck's recommendation, the board also approved the appointment of Blossom Hill School Principal Sue Russ as manager on special assignment, in which capacity she will serve until June 30.
Russ' special assignments will include coordinating the elementary-school science labs and working with the Fisher Middle School science program; assisting the district in reviewing and possibly implementing new standardized achievement tests for second- through eighth-graders; coordinating physical fitness testing of fifth- and seventh-graders; coordinating textbook ordering, assisting with interviewing new teachers and selecting and working with the district's mentor teachers. She will continue as principal of Blossom Hill.
At its March 13 meeting, the LGUSD Board of Trustees will consider the options for filling the superintendent's position.
This article appeared in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, February 21, 1996.
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