Superintendent's Weekly Message

Follow Our Journey to Continuing Excellence

Community Town Halls Offer Chance To Discuss Second High School

August 30, 2023


Dear Hollister High School parents, students, staff and community:

This week, the San Benito High School District invites our community to learn about and provide input on the planning for a second high school in the District during our two upcoming Community Town Hall events. The first Spanish language town hall takes place Wednesday, Aug. 30 at 6 p.m. in the school library. The English language town hall will be Thursday, Aug. 31 at 6.

Three Town Halls Scheduled This Year


These first town halls are listening sessions, where we will present information about the need for a second high school and offer attendees the chance to provide input on what they'd like to see in a second high school campus. Our second town halls, scheduled on January 17 and 18, will allow us to share what we heard from the community during the first town halls and K-8 Parent Listening and Awareness Sessions. The final public forums, in June, will feature renderings of the new high school and celebrate the process of hearing from our constituents.

K-8 Parent Listening and Awareness Sessions


We're also proud to partner with local elementary schools in providing K-8 parent listening and awareness sessions at 10 campuses from September through November. These events will provide opportunities for parents of future high school students to learn more about and provide input on the need for the second high school campus in our district.

Sesiones de escucha en español desde K-8

A Large and Growing District


This week's town halls will inform our community about demographics, future enrollment and capacity in the San Benito High School District. Not only are we the largest single school district in California by square miles, with boundaries larger than the state of Rhode Island, Hollister High School is the 10th largest high school by population in the entire state. With an expected continued increase in enrollment, estimates project that Hollister High School is expected to grow to more than 3,900 students over the next four years. The California Department of Finance lists San Benito County among the top 10 of projected California Public K-12 enrollment growth over the next decade. A second high school in the district will help relieve overcrowding and accommodate a growing enrollment.

Together We Can


Last school year, the Facilities Needs Committee, comprised of more than 60 members of our community, met eight times to address school funding opportunities, campus location considerations, and curricular needs at a second high school. They presented their findings to the District Board of Trustees in May. The next stage of feedback and planning kicks off with this week's Community Town Halls, because our community's voice matters in this process.

More Community Input


Going forward, our district plans to form a variety of community member and staff committees related to the second high school planning process, including an executive group along with committees to address community outreach, educational needs, operations and targeted focus groups. I am so proud that our community is engaged with the discussions about the need for a second high school in a district in which the current high school was built 128 years ago. San Benito County is truly one community and we are proud of the history of Hollister High School. Together we can, together we will build a brighter future.


Sincerely,

San Benito High School District Superintendent Dr. Shawn Tennenbaum

Second High School Frequently-Asked Questions


We receive many questions from parents, teachers, local leaders, and community members, about the need for a second high school. Please visit our Continuing Excellence page for answers to these frequently-asked questions:


FAQ Page

District Facilities Master Plan


With nearly three dozen projects finished to date, San Benito High School District’s Facility Master Plan is nearing completion, the culmination of years of work from a dedicated team devoted to continually improving the learning and teaching environment.


Click to Read More


Visit the Hollister High School Website

Visit the San Benito High School District Website

Together We Can, Together We Will, Build a Brighter Future

San Benito High School District, 1220 Monterey St. Hollister, CA 95023