Superintendent's Weekly Message

June 21, 2023

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

Last Fall, San Benito High School District reached out to the community and asked for volunteers to participate in a Facilities Needs Committee to address the growing enrollment at Hollister High School. The District received responses from 65 community members, staff members, and students. In October 2022, the Facilities Needs Committee was created. 

Over the subsequent seven months, the committee met monthly to discuss topics related to the needs for a second high school, including design features, programs offered, and funding possibilities. Each committee member further reached out to the community for additional input through the "rounding" process, one-on-one informational gathering discussions designed to acquire additional feedback from locals on the plans for a second high school campus. 

At the May 23 San Benito High School District Board of Trustees meeting, Facilities Needs Committee Chairperson Betsey Lemay and FNC Co-Chairperson Carlos Galvez presented the committee's recommendations in regards to a second high school within the district. The report noted that funding should come from a variety of sources, including development, state funds, and a general obligation bond. The committee said that the district should also pursue joint use agreements.

The committee encouraged community outreach and education, and offered factors that should be considered when determining the site for a new high school. Educational and co-curricular programs offered at the second high school should have unique opportunities and enhance those offered at Hollister High School, the committee said. The second high school should provide students with a variety of educational options, the committee noted, including dual enrollment and academies that provide hands-on learning opportunities to prepare students for college and/or high demand, high-wage jobs. 

The committee also recommended that the second high school include “necessary facilities” including: general classrooms, science labs, administrative space, library, cafeteria/multi-purpose room, physical education fields, locker rooms, and a gymnasium. An order of priority for recommended facilities was offered.

Board President John Corrigan thanked Mrs. Lemay, Mr. Galvez and the entire committee for its measured and thoughtful approach to its recommendations. The Board received the recommendations and accepted them as presented.

On behalf of the Board, the District and our students, faculty and staff, I want to express my extreme gratitude to the Facilities Needs Committee members for stepping up and giving of their time and perspectives to help move the process of a new high school along. Their diverse viewpoints and insightful questions will continue to help guide decisions that ultimately will result in a state-of-the-art learning environment about which our entire community can be proud.  They are reminders that every day is a great day to be a Baler!

Sincerely,

San Benito High School District Superintendent Dr. Shawn Tennenbaum  

If you would like to receive information about and be involved with future meetings regarding a second high school, please provide your name and contact information to Carol Heiderich by email at cheiderich@sbhsd.k12.ca.us.