Bennett Joins Menifee School Board; Ulibarri New President

District Superintendent Dr. Steve Kennedy administers the oath of office to board members (from left) Reg Bennett, Dr. Randall Freeman, Ron Ulibarri, Jerry Bowman.

Newly elected board member Reg Bennett officially joined the Menifee Union School District Board Tuesday, being sworn in along with three board members who ran unopposed in last month's election.

District Superintendent Dr. Steve Kennedy administered the oath to Bennett along with Ron Ulibarri, the new board president, and trustees Dr. Randall Freeman and Jerry Bowman. Vice President Robert O'Donnell was not required to participate in the swearing in because his term is not up until 2015.

Bennett defeated Rita Peters for the District 1 seat (Quail Valley). Peters, who was named to the board to complete Scott Mann's term when Mann resigned to become mayor, was given a plaque of appreciation at Tuesday's meeting. She had also served a previous term on the board.

Bennett, 44, is a teacher in the Corona-Norco Unified School District.

The board also announced the appointment of Anita Alfonso (left) as the new Principal of Evans Ranch Elementary School. She will join the staff as the ERE Principal beginning Dec. 16.

Dr. Steve Kennedy, along with Board Member Robert O’Donnell (left), presented outgoing board member Rita Peters a plaque of appreciation for her many years of service to the Menifee Union School District.