Legal counsel: Mansfield school board cannot remove trustee accused of assault

By Amanda Rogers

Mansfield Record

A Mansfield ISD trustee who was arrested for assault remains on the school board and there doesn’t seem to be anything the board can do about it.

Mansfield ISD school board president Courtney Lackey Wilson released a statement Monday saying “The MISD Board has consulted with legal counsel regarding the arrest of MISD Board Secretary Bianca Benavides Anderson. Attorneys have confirmed that pursuant to state law and Board Policy BBC (LEGAL), the board does not have the authority to vote on Ms. Benavides-Anderson’s continued service on the board.  Any resignation must be the decision of Ms. Benavides-Anderson.”

Anderson, who was arrested for assaulting a family member Oct. 23, did not attend the monthly school board meeting Oct. 25 and has not responded to requests for a statement.

Donald Williams, associate superintendent of communications & marketing, confirmed that Anderson remains a member of the school board. He said he was not aware if the district has been contacted by an attorney representing Anderson.

Anderson was arrested after an early morning altercation Oct. 23, according to a statement from the Mansfield Police.

According to the police, "at approximately 2 a.m, the Mansfield Police Department responded to the 700 block of Ascot Park in reference to a domestic disturbance. During the investigation, officers determined that there was probable cause to arrest Bianca Benavides Anderson for Assault Bodily Injury Family Violence. She was transported to the Mansfield Jail and was released to the jail staff without incident."

Anderson, who serves as school board secretary, was elected to her first three-year term in Place 5 in May. Anderson replaced Karen Marcucci, who chose not to run again for the school board seat. Anderson won 51 percent of the vote, defeating Jo Anna Cruz Cardoza and Le Keishia E. Dawkins.

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