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The San Benito High School Board of Trustees on June 11 took the next step in establishing a second high school by voting unanimously to put two $70 million bonds on the Nov. 5 ballot.
The bonds, referred to as Solution 1 and Solution 2, are designed to help fund various aspects of the second high school. Both will need at least 55% voter approval before the high school district can issue and sell bonds totaling $140 million.
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Janet Mueller, attorney with the law firm Dannis Wolvier Kelly, which represents the high school district, delivered a presentation on the bonds at the June 11 board meeting. Highlights included summaries of what will be listed on the November ballot, explanations as to why these bonds are needed, assurance for how the money generated by bonds will be spent, and a description of how the new school will impact the local community.
Mueller said the district needed two bond measures because Prop 39, passed in 2000, limits the amount of property taxes that can be levied to pay for school facilities.
“We could not raise sufficient funds for what we need to do for the second high school with only a single bond measure because of that cap tax rate,” Mueller told the trustees. “We have to work very hard to help the community understand why it is necessary to have that fact. It happens occasionally and we are going to have to make sure that’s clear on all the information we put out.”
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Solution 1, also known as Resolution Bond 2023-2024-035, focuses on the construction of the second high school, with the overall goal of creating a safe and functional learning environment.
The ballot measure states that it aims to “relieve overcrowding at Hollister High and provide local high school students access to safe, quality education, including math, science, engineering, technology, other core academics, hands-on job skills, and career/ college readiness” using only local funding.
The measure assures voters that the bond will only be used for construction.
Solution 2, also known as Resolution Bond 2023-2024-036, sets a goal of providing vocational learning classrooms in addition to core academics at the second high school. This would be accomplished in collaboration with Gavilan College.
According to the measure, the additional classrooms and labs may include college readiness, career pathways, agriculture and technology, as well as expand the career pathways program. Solution 2 also aims to support extracurricular activities such as visual and performing arts.
When asked by a trustee, Mueller said that both bonds must pass in order to effectively fund the entirety of the school construction on Wright Road, as each bond impacts critical aspects of the school.
If either bond were to fail, the district would turn to alternate sources such as state funding, Mueller said.
“We have contingency plans we have to make in case we don’t get both,” she said, “but we want to let voters know if we only get one, there will be less of a project that we can build.” To learn more about either proposed measure, visit the June 11 meeting agenda on the San Benito High School District website.
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