Superintendent's Weekly Message

March 20, 2024

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

San Benito High School District’s recent acquisition of 49.68 acres for a second high school south of Wright Road in northwest Hollister meets many of the criteria offered through feedback from the 60-member Facilities Needs Committee and community input provided over the past year.

The March 12 Board of Trustees approval of the land purchase is designed to address needs our community has continuously referenced during town halls and committee meetings about the need for another campus as Hollister High School, the 10th largest high school by population in California, continues to be over-capacity. These include proximity to the existing and future student populations, as well as close proximity to municipal services, transportation corridors and existing neighborhoods.

The Buena Vista corridor campus location provides a walkable, bikeable campus that will help reduce traffic congestion and miles traveled for students and their families.

Education and Safety Focus

With enrollment of 3,465 and a student body capacity of 3,400, Hollister High School is over-capacity and further expansion is not possible because the site is landlocked. A second high school is needed to provide all students with access to a high-quality education for all students in a safe environment for generations to come.

Hollister High School is currently the largest single, comprehensive high school district in the State of California and is the third largest school by enrollment in Northern California. Hollister High is located in the busiest part of town causing traffic congestion and safety concerns. There are limited opportunities to provide additional students with access to educational and Career Technical Education as well as extra-curricular and co-curricular programs. Recognizing these concerns, the District formed a Facilities Needs Committee to evaluate the need, potential programs and funding for a second high school. This process was undertaken during the 2022-23 school year.

Community Perspectives Matter

Sherry Sajadpour, principal in charge for HMC Architects, which is incorporating community feedback into the design of the second high school, noted that community forums this school year have provided “a valuable opportunity to listen to the needs and expectations of students, families, and community members regarding their new school. These forums spark meaningful conversations that give the design team valuable insights into the unique perspectives of each participant.”

Through HMC-led brainstorming sessions at community town halls and small-group meetings, “everyone has the chance to contribute ideas and express concerns,” Ms. Sajadpour said. “This process fosters a culture of trust, ownership, and investment in the project.”

While HMC is still in the early phases of master planning the District’s second high school, she said that through conversations with locals, “we discovered that students wanted to spend less time traveling between classes, families desired a greater sense of togetherness among students, especially during emergencies, and educators aimed to create more integrated learning experiences.”

 This feedback led to the development of a series of “learning clusters” at the new high school that combine general education classrooms, career technical education pathways, special education classrooms, and teachers' spaces into one cohesive building. 

“This is just one example of how communal feedback has influenced our design decisions,” Ms. Sajadpour said.

For Safety’s Sake

Hollister Police Captain Rosie Betanio said participating in the Operations Committee that meets regularly to provide feedback to architects “has been a true collaboration with a sense of community for an important cause; our kids. The Hollister Police Department’s goal is to work constructively with others on the committee and to use our experience and skills to help create a safe cohesive environment for students to learn.”

Embodying Community Aspirations

HMC Architects is working to create a master plan for the second high school that “not only meets the functional requirements of the school, but also embodies the community's aspirations,” Ms. Sajadpour said. “We truly believe the success of the new high school will be measured by ongoing dialogue, diverse participation, and tangible elements that reflect community input, rather than merely fulfilling a requirement. We continue to encourage everyone to participate and share their expertise and perspectives. As a majority-minority company, HMC believes and celebrates the diversity that makes our firm great and we strive to better engage with our communities.”

Aligning With Community Visions

District financial consultant Jeffery Small said that the personalized attention given by the District to community members “is allowing the District to customize a second high school that aligns with the community’s vision for the future. In particular, I am impressed by the genuine connection between the community and educators in the process of delivering a second high school.”

He noted that the community has provided “invaluable feedback on the potential location, design, funding and educational programing of the second high school, with community members encouraging the District to honor the community’s historical roots while pursuing educational programs that will provide students with the skills needed to compete academically and in local trades that are necessary for a thriving community. 

“It is gratifying to be a part of an authentic and refreshing approach to delivering a second high school,” Mr. Small said.

Continued Feedback

The District continues to seek input on the design of and funding for a second high school, which will come from a combination of local and state funding, developer fees and a District contribution. A second high school is necessary to meet the academic needs of students in a safe educational environment. Overcrowding poses serious safety risks and inhibits the District’s ability to educate all students to their highest potential.

We look forward to continued interactions with and feedback from our community this Spring and Summer as planning for the second high school continues. Working toward a common goal as a community is an example that together we can, together we will, build a brighter future for our students.

Sincerely,

San Benito High School District Superintendent Dr. Shawn Tennenbaum