Courtesy of San Benito High School:
The San Benito High School Board of Trustees in a special meeting on Tuesday evening voted unanimously to add two weeks to the current school closure necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, extending it through Friday, April 3. The closure continues to apply to all related student and staff activities, except for essential activities as set forth in Governor Newsom’s executive order and any other legal directives from state or local authorities.
With Spring Break scheduled for April 6-10, the earliest date on which school would resume is Monday, April 13.
Here is the message from the Board of Trustees and Superintendent Dr. Shawn Tennenbaum:
Dear San Benito High School community,
Throughout these past few weeks, San Benito High School District has been extremely appreciative of the consistent support, understanding and trust as we’ve navigated the rapidly-changing landscape during this unprecedented time. Our unwavering commitment to our students and staff remains strong despite the challenges we are all facing on a daily basis.
The Board of Trustees and the administrative team have thoughtfully made decisions, always with the health and safety of our students in mind. Using guidance from the San Benito County Health Department and other agencies, SBHSD has collaborated with other local school districts to ensure consistent actions to best serve all families.
Our goal in closing San Benito High School this week was to create immediate social distancing and make thoughtful decisions about what the coming weeks would look like for our students and staff.
Board President John Corrigan said that “these are not easy decisions. I have three students at San Benito High School and consider their point of view in every board action taken. It was hard to cancel morP knowing how excited my girls were for this dance. It was hard to watch a Baler swimmer qualify for CCS on Thursday and then on Friday realize that the season will be atypical at best, cancelled at worst.”
The administrative team has been working diligently to create plans in the best interests of students and staff..
Superintendent Dr. Shawn Tennenbaum said, “I am very proud of this group of educational leaders. Rest assured our team is balancing the needs of students, teachers, employees, parents and our community at large in every decision that it makes.”
Our priorities first and foremost are the safety and health of our students, staff and community. We will continue to offer free food to our students and deep cleaning campus facilities to ensure a safe and learning environment upon the targeted resumption of school on Monday, April 13.
We appreciate the support of our community, and we will get through this together. Please continue to practice social distancing and most importantly, take good care of yourselves.
Sincerely,
Board of Trustees President, John Corrigan and Superintendent Dr. Shawn Tennenbaum
