Schools

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.

The county superintendent of schools affirmed a commissioned attorney’s legal opinion rejecting a petition for a special election over a seat on the Hollister School District Board of Trustees. The decision means appointed Trustee Mike Baldwin will keep his seat.

Pinnacles National Park is seeking a habitat restoration intern, with a deadline approaching to apply.

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

Here is a sampling of the biggest stories during the past year in San Benito County as reported by the Free Lance:

Ladd Lane student Rachel Hartman, 8, and her classmate guided a computerized character through building a house but a stand-in fell into the water two times while making the garden.

Enrollment in local preschools is down in what administrators and school employees attribute to a statewide trend.

Hollister police Friday reported there had been rumors of a bomb threat at San Benito High School, and that it's been ruled as non-credible.

About three months into the school year, the students and parents of San Juan School are settling under the leadership of a permanent principal: Jorge Martinez.