Trustee Henrietta Macias asked for the audit, saying she was not "going to jail" for the actions of the present or former board. No evidence of any criminal wrongdoing has been disclosed, and Macias did not elaborate on her reasons for seeking the special investigation. The audit will be done by a Ventura accounting firm at a cost not to exceed $195 an hour.

Trustee Anthony Ramos, a supporter of Benitez, said the audit was "basically a witch hunt."

"It's a waste of money," Ramos said. "It's money better spent in the classroom."

Trustee Ernest Almanza said during a break that he favored the audit because of serious questions about the district's fiscal management.

The decisions came at the end of a five-hour meeting where a crowd of more than 300 people tried to influence the new board's decisions.

In the occasionally rowdy meeting, teachers and parents begged the board to keep the district's principals, and some asked that Benitez be returned to her post. She was placed on administrative leave last week.

But others said the district needs new leadership to improve achievement in the small but growing elementary district serving El Rio and part of Oxnard.

"I'm torn between the two groups," Alex Zaragoza told the board.

The PTA leader and parent of two said the district needs change but called on the board to reconsider its decision to notify all seven principals that they could be released from their jobs next fall.

"I think the decision to let the principals go is a little harsh," he said.

As Wednesday's meeting began, board President Ron Mosqueda rushed to inform the crowd that the board was giving the principals notice to give itself room to make needed changes in a tight fiscal year. Under state law, educators must be informed by Saturday that they could be reassigned in the coming school year.

"We want to look at all our options," Mosqueda said. "It's not something we want to do, but something we have to do."

Ramos said the decision not to renew the principals' contracts is subject to change.

Mosqueda, Macias and Ernest Almanza decided in closed session on March 5 to place Benitez on administrative leave.

Benitez was not present for the meeting, nor was county Supervisor John Flynn, who has been accused by the League of United Latin American Citizens of orchestrating Benitez's problems. Flynn campaigned for the new board majority but denies that he is trying to get Benitez fired.

Many of Benitez's supporters wore red, her favorite color, to show that they backed her administration. And several called for the board to keep school principals, particularly Orvel Jones of Rio Del Norte School.

But others said there are deep concerns about achievement in the district.

"I support the new board 100 percent," said Donna Hart of El Rio.