Superintendent's Weekly Message

Nov. 29, 2023

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

Throughout the Fall of 2023, San Benito High School District met with students, parents, community members and employees to hear the community’s priorities for a second high school. Town Hall sessions in English and Spanish kicked off this campaign in August, followed by weekly elementary site visits throughout Hollister over a 10-week period from September to November. Feedback was also collected from the district’s administrative team, the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council, and the Neighborhood Advisory group.

All told, district representatives hosted 12 discussions with more than 200 people, resulting in more than 1,300 comments.

An Ongoing Process



For the past several years, the San Benito High School District has been engaged in dialogue with our community about how to navigate the growing enrollment at Hollister High School. The District is pursuing all available, cost-effective funding opportunities for a second high school to relieve overcrowding at Hollister High, providing access to career pathways and job skills for all students. 

In the Fall of 2022, the district convened a Facilities Needs Committee, which met throughout the school year to discuss the need for a second high school. In May 2023, this committee presented its findings to the district, and the Board of Trustees approved initial steps toward a development plan to establish a second high school within the district. 

Building For the Future



The San Benito High School District community envisions a second high school that is bright, clean, safe, green, open, and comfortable to ensure that local high school students have access to high-quality education. Based on the feedback we’ve received so far, our community wants a second high school that will be a good neighbor, and they want the district to continue to be a responsible fiscal steward, investing wisely and sustainably for the future needs of students and the community. Community members tell us they value inclusion and collaboration, as well as opportunities for all students to succeed.

Key Themes



Among the community’s many priorities for a second high school, the following six key themes were identified as keys to student success:

• Space, ease, comfort and quality;
• Equitable opportunities for student excellence;
• A safe and welcoming school culture;
• Natural beauty;
• Community connection and positive impact; and
• Future readiness and fiscal responsibility.

Space, Ease, Comfort and Quality

Hollister High School is the 10th largest high school in California, and enrollment is above its maximum capacity of 3,400 students. Therefore, it’s no surprise that the most prevalent theme throughout the comments was one of space, ease and comfort – key elements in ensuring that local high school students have access to high-quality education. 

Nearly 500 comments in this category highlighted the need for manageable class sizes, spacious classrooms and hallways, comfortable seating areas, clean and accessible bathrooms, shaded outdoor spaces and indoor temperature controls to provide students with an environment where learning can flourish. 

In addition, many of these comments underscored the district’s commitment to supporting students with disabilities, highlighting the importance of developing fully accessible facilities. Finally, comments in this category emphasized a desire for facilities that exemplify the highest level of excellence to help ensure a high-quality experience for students, faculty and staff.

Equitable Opportunities For Student Excellence



San Benito High School District’s mission is to educate all students to their highest potential so they will have the greatest range of personal options upon graduation. More than 400 comments agreed, emphasizing the need for excellence, variety, choice and equity among school offerings. Many respondents support the district’s focus on college and job training, facilities for developing college and career readiness, and classrooms and labs for math, science, engineering, technology and core academics. In addition, comments recognized the value of the opportunities provided through athletic participation, visual and performing arts, and more. In addition, these comments support the district’s ongoing commitment to providing robust support for students’ mental and emotional well-being and academic achievement through targeted support.

A Safe and Welcoming

School Culture

Hollister High School is overcrowded, which impedes student and teacher safety when quick action is needed in emergency situations. More than 300 comments referenced a desire to create a high school culture that is safe and welcoming. This was expressed through calls for security personnel, a secure campus perimeter, and supervision of students. 

In addition, these comments indicated a desire to promote safety through a welcoming and positive school culture. This included themes such as school spirit, school pride, a welcoming environment for students and staff, and opportunities for students and staff to interact, collaborate, and work safely together in shared spaces.

Natural Beauty



A large number of comments expressed a desire for a campus that features natural beauty. Comments in this category called for a facility that is connected to the natural world through light-filled classrooms that enhance the learning experience.

In addition, commenters desired a green, well-landscaped campus that provides students and community members with a pleasant natural environment in which to learn and gather. Abundant natural light indoors, and learning spaces outdoors, were identified as clear priorities.

Community Connection and Positive Impact

Many comments reflected a desire to see a second high school that is connected to its community in a positive way. These comments highlighted the importance of allowing students, staff and community members to safely access the campus without creating a negative impact on the surrounding neighborhood. A campus that is open to the community is a desirable feature. 

Comments in this category also referenced topics such as communication and parent engagement. Broadly, these comments highlight the importance of a clear system of accountability for this project.

Future-Ready and Fiscally Responsible

Finally, many comments emphasized the importance of anticipating the future needs of students and community. Comments in this category recognize the need for local control of funds, public disclosures of all spending, and citizen oversight of spending.

These comments highlight diverse themes such as sustainability and green energy; flexible and modular features that can adapt to changing needs; consideration of the long-term financial impacts of new construction; and preparing students for future civic and professional responsibilities. 

Next Steps

Our outreach to our community regarding the need for a second high school will continue in January, when we host two town halls on campus -- one in Spanish and one in English -- to share the feedback we’ve received to-date and discuss next steps in the process. We hope you can join us, because together we can, together we will, build a brighter future.

Sincerely,

San Benito High School District Superintendent Dr. Shawn Tennenbaum