Principal Leaves a Legacy of Quality : Education: Kenneth Benefield is retiring from Channel Islands High after 18 years.

Kenneth Benefield’s first few years as principal of Channel Islands High School were consumed by an issue on which the future of education--perhaps even civilization as we knew it--seemed to hang in the balance.

Hair.

Ponytails. Mohawks. Afros. As the anti-authority symbol of the ‘70s for high school boys, long, presumably unwashed hair sent school administrators into a lather.

“I can laugh about it today, but we actually used to suspend students for hair down to their collar,” said Benefield, who became Channel Islands principal in December, 1974. “That was a top priority until I asked myself, ‘What does hair have to do with learning?’ ”

Benefield’s epiphany made him focus on the real hairy issue: helping Johnny learn to read and write.

“I finally realized we had to make our priorities our students’ achievements,” he said.

As his 18 1/2-year reign as principal comes to an end, Benefield, 60, retires this week knowing his priorities have been in order. The largest high school in Ventura County, Channel Islands is known for academics--it has had the highest grade-point average in the Oxnard Union High School District for the last five years, Benefield said--and for the good behavior of its 2,600 students.

“If you walk on this campus, you’ll see it’s under control,” said John Triolo, who served as co-principal with Benefield this year and who will go solo in the fall.

Paddled for talking in class during grade school, Benefield has had to maintain discipline at a time when schools all over California have become increasingly limited in their ability to handle misbehaving students--even a tongue-lashing can get a teacher suspended.

“Channel Islands has just as many problems as the district’s other schools, but they’ve been more successful containing them and working them out,” said school board Trustee Steve Stocks, Benefield’s predecessor as principal. “It’s a very well-disciplined school.”

When violence and weapons crept onto high school campuses in the ‘80s, a student’s haircut became a mere fashion statement and clothes made the man more than ever. To deal with gangs, which were almost nonexistent 20 years ago, Benefield enacted a dress code banning “gang attire,” a term not even in the language 20 years ago.

There was nothing unusual about the dress code--almost all schools have one--but Benefield “had rigid enforcement of it,” Stocks said.

Benefield also clearly spelled out what was required of students.

“In some ways, this is a tough school,” said Channel Islands activities director Tom Parizo, “but Ken used assertive discipline before it was even called that. Kids knew what the expectations and consequences were, and Ken was consistent and fair. Students appreciated that.”

A former gym teacher with slicked-back silver hair and a take-charge attitude, Benefield is highly visible on campus. While he likes to tease and joke with students, they know he can get tough.

“I would assume the students think he’s hard-nosed,” Triolo said.

Hard-nosed he may be, “but I look at students as our customers and education as a business,” Benefield said in a slight drawl from his Arkansas roots. “You have to satisfy your customers. How you do things matters--it has to be with care and understanding, not a heavy hand.”

Benefield’s tough-but-caring image seems to have reached students. Sophomore Jesus Ortiz said Benefield “is the boss, but he’s also cool.”

Benefield said he monitors students’ grades and has tried to “create an atmosphere where teachers teach and students learn.” Incoming freshmen attend orientation before school begins, and Benefield instructs teachers to emphasize school policies during the first few weeks for all students.

“More importantly, I ask a teacher to tell the students what they can expect from you as a teacher,” Benefield said. “I tell them to talk success with students. You never know when you’ll ignite a spark.”

About half the students at Channel Islands have been identified as having limited English-speaking ability. Under Benefield’s leadership, the school was among the first in Ventura County to start a bilingual education program, which has become a model for the district and has contributed to the school’s overall academic standing.

Benefield is the dean among principals in the district. His longevity is a reason for Channel Islands’ success, Stocks said. “A long time in office really serves a school well. A longtime principal can really do a lot. He can develop continuity and build tradition.”

About all Benefield regrets is that he spent the better part of the ‘70s worrying more about students’ grooming than their grades.

“I wish I could have started sooner really focusing with diligence on all students achieving at a higher level,” he said. “If I had it to do over again, I’d commit to that sooner.”

As Benefield has gotten ready to leave school for an endless summer vacation, he has removed several photographs from the walls in his office, mementos from former Channel Islands athletes such as Atlanta Braves third baseman Terry Pendleton.

Chairman of the physical education department at the high school before becoming principal, Benefield has always had a special fondness for sports, which “instills self-discipline, leadership, responsibility and teamwork,” he said.

Benefield, a fixture at athletic events and extracurricular activities, recently had the football stadium named after him.

“He supports everything,” said senior Jennifer McGullam, a cheerleader. “I see him at every activity.”

Although Benefield “still enjoys the job very, very much,” he decided to retire to travel and work on his Santa Paula citrus ranch. His first journey: He and his wife will take a cruise to Alaska, compliments of the Oxnard community, which raised the funds for the trip at a recent retirement dinner.

As Benefield graduates to another level in life, does he have any advice for graduating seniors?

“Continue to get as much schooling as you can,” he said.