Schools

A threatening message was found at Marguerite Maze Middle School late Wednesday afternoon, but police and district staff determined it was not a credible threat, according to a press release from the Hollister School District.

The San Benito High School District agreed to pay $3,000 for a Saturday workshop focusing on communication between trustees and the superintendent, plus a day of interviews leading up to the event, according to records obtained by the Free Lance.

San Benito High School’s longtime music teacher, Jim Zuniga, is seeking retirement at the end of this school year, according to background information in the district’s agenda packet for the board meeting this week.

The San Benito County Office of Education paid a law group almost $3,500 for legal advice regarding a petition for a special election regarding a seat on the Hollister School District’s Board of Trustees.

The San Benito County Arts Council is partnering with local high schools to present a national poetry recitation contest.

San Benito High School Superintendent John Perales urged trustees to consider a more liberal approach to physical education class waivers during the board meeting this week.

The San Benito High School District is looking for volunteers for its citizens’ oversight committee.

San Benito High School District trustees Tuesday accepted the resignation of Principal Todd Dearden—who had been under investigation for unspecified misconduct—and unanimously approved a resignation agreement that includes two months of salary and health benefits through June.

The San Benito High School superintendent and five trustees gathered at a special workshop Saturday morning to discuss a breakdown of trust and communication among officials, but violated the state open meetings law by following it with a closed session that had been absent from the agenda until that morning.