Today marks the first Paso Robles Joint Unified School board meeting since a special election was called in favor of Kenney Enney.
Enney was removed from his seat last winter after more than 500 valid signatures were collected on a petition to unseat him. He defeated his opponent by nearly 9% of the vote, according to the San Luis Obispo County Clerk recorder’s office.
The rancher and retired marine ran against Angela Hollander, a longtime volunteer with the school district.
Enney’s priorities are increasing discipline at schools and improving academic performance.
“A lot of issues need to be sorted out in that school district, and I think I have the experience to do it,” Enney said.
The petition that led to the special election – held last month – was organized by several community members.
Carey Alvord spearheaded it. She said their concerns included multiple false and divisive accusations against teachers, administrators and marginalized communities.
“It was a variety of things where I think, as a community, we just said, ‘Enough. Somebody has to step up and say that this isn't okay,’” Alvord said.
Alvord said Enney’s anti-LGBTQ+ social media posts were the last straw.
Enney said he was unfairly ousted for his views. He said he’s tolerant of gay, lesbian, bisexual and queer people, but he rejects what he called “transgenderism.“
“I am not homophobic; I have friends and supporters who are gay and lesbian,” Enney said, “But I think transgenderism is an ideology that is dangerous to kids.”
Many people find that very rhetoric trans-phobic.
According to the SLO County Clerk Recorder’s Office, 39% of Paso Robles' population cast votes in the special election.
Enney’s opponent, Angela Hollander, hopes more people show up to the polls next time. Even though she wasn’t elected, Hollander said she plans to continue volunteering in the community.
“I see a lot of people in the echo chambers of Facebook, like Nextdoor and Protect Paso, when all they do is complain about everything that's wrong,” Hollander said. “My solution is to roll up your sleeves and find a place where you can volunteer and do some good work.”
Kenney Enney will be sworn in at the school board meeting this evening.