Administrators and Board members at San Benito High School are
looking to scrap plans for a freshman campus but continue with the
school’s expansion.
The idea of a freshman campus surfaced in 1998, but because of
slowing enrollment and a decrease in building growth, the
multi-million-dollar project may be altered to better fit the
school’s environment, SBHS District Superintendent Jean Burns
Slater said.
Administrators and Board members at San Benito High School are looking to scrap plans for a freshman campus but continue with the school’s expansion.
The idea of a freshman campus surfaced in 1998, but because of slowing enrollment and a decrease in building growth, the multi-million-dollar project may be altered to better fit the school’s environment, SBHS District Superintendent Jean Burns Slater said.
“Back in 1998, we were getting, big, big, big, and the freshmen were getting lost, lost, lost,” Slater said. “But because building growth has slowed, that has totally changed the picture.”
Trustee Steve Hailstone favored a change in direction if it is what best fits the school and community.
“We’re getting different ideas now (compared to 1998),” Hailstone said. “If there’s some other purpose that can be served or way to help the community, great.”
The district has been notified by the state that 14 portable classrooms on the west side of campus will be outdated by 2007. The approval of the county growth control initiative also has the possibility to stymie growth.
In addition, Slater handed out surveys to district staff when she took over in February asking what should be sustained or changed and how she could help.
“Many people had serious questions about the freshman campus and asked me to evaluate the need for it,” Slater said.
The campus is situated on 42.5 acres with 121 rooms for student use and carries an insured value of $31 million, according to a the district. The expansion site is 75 acres with 44 useable acres. A total of 32,700 square feet are under construction for 24 classrooms and four science laboratories.
While district officials are looking at other ideas, they will be “discussed at great length before we do anything for sure,” Hailstone said, adding input from community groups was important.
Phase I of construction began in October on land near Nash Road and West Street. The $7.2 million first phase consists of 28 classrooms. Because the project started with classrooms, there will be no increase in costs or time if there was a shift in plans, Slater said.
Phase II includes the construction of an administration building and library. Administration for the freshman campus would be housed in trailers until it is completed.
The third phase consists of the addition of a gym. Because the scenario originally included an administration building in Phase III, the state has granted matching funds of $8 million.
Slater said the district is looking into a way to retain the matching funds while changing the direction of the construction from a freshman campus to regular expansion.
The district held a facilities study session earlier this month where Slater presented some next steps for Board members to consider, including continuing the freshman campus construction, replacing out-of-date classrooms, housing alternative education programs, renting space to Gavilan College, developing academic/small-learning communities and upgrading special education classrooms, Slater said.
At the April 9 Board meeting, Slater asked Trustees which steps members would like her to look into. Trustees told her to pursue all but the freshman campus and renting space to Gavilan College, she said.
Hailstone opposed renting space to Gavilan College because he did not want the different age groups mixed together. However, he said he was open to other ideas.
“If it meets a need and the money is available…” Hailstone said. “We need to make sure we’re getting the most bang for our buck.”
Hailstone said he was disappointed that only two community members attended the meeting.
“We really do need to get input from the community. We don’t want to jam it down their throats,” he said.
