Those of us who value the democratic process are usually highly reluctant to pursue or support any recall movement; primarily because we believe the will of the people has been expressed through an election and should be honored. Therefore it is only appropriate to explain why it is unhappily necessary to make an exception in the current case of the Lebanon School Board. The pattern of behavior by the two individuals subject to the recall effort has been continuous and outrageous, and it will continue to the detriment of our schools, our children, and our community. The following reasons form the basis for the recall effort.

• Board members Rick Alexander and Josh Wineteer have a long-term pattern of rash and irresponsible actions that violate School Board policies, violate contracts, are potential conflicts of interest, and bring potential financial penalties to the district.

• Alexander & Wineteer have consistently placed their personal agendas above the interests of the district regarding Sandridge Charter School and PIE; such as voting to increase funding to Sandridge when all other district schools are facing budget cuts.

• The two have acted in reckless disregard of legal advice and/or refused to obtain legal counsel, such as by voting to renew the charter school contract without a legal review (in fact, concealing it from the School District's attorney).

• Alexander and Wineteer have consistently made last-minute changes to board meeting agendas in order to spring surprise proposals on the other board members, the administration, and the interested public.

• They have cost the district thousands of dollars in unnecessary legal expenses with hasty, ill-considered, reckless, and irresponsible actions. Violating the superintendent's contract by putting him on administrative leave is one example.

• They have interfered in numerous administrative and personnel actions in violation of board policy and existing contracts, leaving the district subject to litigation; for example, by negotiating a contract renewal with PIE outside the established process.

• Their agenda of conflict prevents the community from moving forward to achieve better educational opportunities for all Lebanon students.

These actions (and their potential future decisions) have serious legal and financial consequences for which Lebanon residents will pay the price. They more than justify the recall effort for which I urge your support.

Warren Beeson, of Lebanon, is the chief petitioner of the recall petition for Rick Alexander.

Alexander was invited to submit a column explaining why he should not be recalled. He declined.