October 7, 2026

Dear Parents, Guardians, Students and Community:

Hollister High School celebrated the opening of its new band and music room on Saturday, Oct. 3 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony bringing together students, staff, alumni, district leaders and members of the Baler Band family. The new band room is housed in the former school cafeteria on Monterey Street near Baler Alley. The space was transformed into a modern home for the Scarlet Regiment where students can practice, collaborate and grow. The project was made possible through the support of the San Benito High School District Board of Trustees, the Maintenance and Facilities Team, the Baler Band Boosters and the entire Band Family. Just as Hollister High School has grown and evolved through the years, generations of band students and alumni have shared their talent, dedication and hard work with the local community and audiences across the state. The ceremony was designed to honor that past, celebrate the present and look ahead to the program’s future.

The event featured a Scarlet Regiment performance, remarks from speakers representing the program’s past, present and future, the unveiling of new building signs, the ribbon-cutting and tours of the new facility.  “A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for the ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of our new band room!” Baler Band Boosters President Delores Williamson said. “Most importantly, it was incredible to see the excitement on our students’ faces as they stepped into this new chapter for the Scarlet Regiment. This is truly a new beginning for our program, and we are so excited for all the memories that will be made here!”

Band Director Joey Fortino said students have immediately noticed the difference the new space makes, particularly its acoustics and three practice rooms. “The students and I have noticed the acoustics in the new band room are wonderful,” he said. “When you walk into the room, you feel the ambient noise disappear. Students have been impressed that they can hear each other really clearly, it’s not overbearingly loud, and the biggest hit is the practice rooms.” Mr. Fortino said the sound isolation in those rooms has been especially impressive. During Saturday’s celebration, the entire drumline played inside one of the rooms to demonstrate the effect, with what he described as “thunderously loud” sound reduced to a mild whisper outside the room. The practice rooms are already in constant use after school, during lunch and during HST, giving students a place to practice independently while still being supervised.

The new facility also creates learning opportunities beyond performance. “This facility also helps me to demonstrate to our students how music education can augment fields like architecture, design, physics, mathematics, and much more,” Fortino said. “Music isn’t only about the performer on stage!” Mr. Fortino also expressed his appreciation to the students who helped advocate for the need for a new band facility years ago, as well as the Board of Trustees, district leadership and staff, and the contractors who helped turn that vision into reality.

Within the new band room, future generations of musicians will have opportunities to develop their talents, build friendships and continue the proud legacy of the Scarlet Regiment. The new space reflects the dedication, pride and commitment that define the program and its students. As they begin this next chapter, one thing is clear: The Scarlet Regiment is Baler STRONG!

Sincerely,

San Benito High School District Superintendent

Dr. Shawn Tennenbaum

The San Benito High School District Board of Trustees will fill its Trustee Area 2 seat by appointment following the close of the November 2026 election filing period. The term of the current Trustee Area 2 representative, Miguel Sahagun Jr., expires December 15, 2026. The seat was scheduled to appear on the November 2026 ballot; however, because no candidates filed for the election, the Board will appoint a community member to serve in the position. The San Benito High School District is now accepting applications from qualified residents of Trustee Area 2 who are interested in serving on the Board of Trustees.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years old;
• Be a United States citizen;
• Be a resident of the San Benito High School District;
• Be a resident of Trustee Area 2; and
• Be a registered voter.

Application Deadline

Completed Application and Applicant Qualification Forms must be received by the District no later than noon on Friday, October 16, 2026.

Applications may be submitted:

In person:

• San Benito High School District Office, 1220 Monterey Street, Room 130
• Hollister, CA 95023
• Applications are accepted from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

By email:

ezendejas@sbhsd.k12.ca.us

Applicants submitting materials by email are responsible for confirming that the District has received their application. Applications received after the noon deadline on October 16 will not be accepted.

Selection Process

The Board anticipates meeting in an open session public meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 29, 2026, to review applications and interview applicants. Applicants should make themselves available to participate in the meeting. Following the interviews and discussion, the Board may appoint one of the applicants by majority vote. The appointed trustee will take office at the December 15, 2026 Board meeting and will serve until the next regularly scheduled election for District Board members in November 2028. The appointed trustee may seek election at that time.

Application Materials

The application, Applicant Qualification Form, Trustee Area map and additional information regarding the appointment process are available on the San Benito High School District website:

https://www.sanbenitohsd.gov/about/board-of-trustees



Application materials are also available at the District Office.

Questions regarding the appointment process may be directed to Superintendent Dr. Shawn Tennenbaum at stennenbaum@sbhsd.k12.ca.us or (831) 637-5831, ext. 1132. Questions may also be directed to Board Clerk Trustee Patty Nehme at pnehme@sbhsd.k12.ca.us.

The San Benito High School District encourages qualified Trustee Area 2 residents who are interested in serving students, families and the broader community to consider applying for this opportunity to serve on the Board of Trustees.

Striving, Thriving, Shining Bright