This community opinion was contributed by community member Randy Logue. The opinions expressed do not necessarily represent BenitoLink or other affiliated contributors. BenitoLink invites all community members to share their ideas and opinions. By registering as a BenitoLink user in the top right corner of our home page and agreeing to follow our Terms of Use, you can write counter opinions or share your insights on current issues. Lea este articulo en español aquí.
With their purchase of land and the survey they sent out, as well as a link on the newsletter about naming the second high school, selecting a mascot and school colors it appears that the San Benito High School District is moving forward on all fronts with the second high school.
Since they have a sense of urgency I will have one also and list the five reasons I oppose the building of a second comprehensive high school.
First plain and simple is the cost. Best case scenario they are 2 to 3 years away from breaking ground and with the current rate of inflation the cost would be nearer to $300 million dollars, than to $200 million. Even if the district could come up with a significant portion and the state matched the funds, the number I have heard is that it would cost the average homeowner about $240 per year on their tax bill. That may not sound like a lot but if you are on a fixed income it’s a hit. Especially when you start adding in possible hospital costs and other bond issues that may be suggested. Then you have the ongoing costs of staffing the school, utilities and upkeep.
Second, the building of a second high school will not solve the problems that exist with the current one. There may be a few places on campus where too many bodies create dangerous situations, but it is the policies that are more of an issue. Whether they are handed down from the state, or they are board policies, or administrative policies at the school level, just building a second high school will not miraculously solve all student discipline issues, student behavior issues; student, staff and other safety issues.
Third, a second high school will create more opportunities for students to participate in extracurricular activities, but what are the consequences of that? There will be more students able to make teams at a second school, but what does that mean? Right now if you are the starting pitcher on the girls softball team, or the quarterback on the football team or the libero on the volleyball team that means something. With the opening of a second school now you will just be a pitcher on the softball team, a quarterback, or a libero, not the libero. We have already watered down excellence so much in our society and rewarded mediocrity, opening a second school just to allow more kids to play just continues the same tendency. Adding additional sports, and setting mandates for the number of players kept on teams is a better solution. As far as band and possibly robotics and some other clubs it is the kids schedules that prevent them from participating. Next year the 9th graders will have 0 electives unless they take 7 classes. That directly affects band, drama, and other programs. A second high school won’t change that.
Fourth, most Americans don’t support some of the moral values being taught. A recent Gallup poll found that nearly 8 in 10 people do not believe that the government’s values should be taught in public schools. A second high school is not going to help the parents who don’t believe in the government’s agenda. In fact it’s a slap in their faces as they will have to pay taxes to fund the spreading of values that are diametrically opposed to their own values.
Fifth, the building of a second high school will forever change the community. There will be no going back. Right now the high school is the unifying agency in the county. Almost every high school aged kid goes there. Kids whose parents own farms, work in the silicon valley, own small businesses, work on farms, are doctors, mechanics, etc. They all go there and are forever connected by being a “Baler.” If half the town becomes whatever mascot is chosen the community will forever be split.
So what is the solution?
In my humble opinion, alternative education is. Things like online schools, hybrid programs where some classes are online and some in person. Another possibility is alternative schedules. For example, some kids could go zero period through lunch, some could go brunch through a 7th period, and some could go the regular three blocks. Dual enrollment programs with Gavilan college could be expanded especially with the new Gavilan campus being built. Long-term independent study is another option. Even the charter high school could be part of this.
The sad thing is that all of these programs could be under the umbrella of the San Benito High School District, if only the adults could get along with each other. We say we value diversity, we say we value individual differences in kids, but building another “cookie cutter” industrial sized comprehensive high school sure doesn’t show it. Anyway you have to decide for yourself when the time comes, but as for me I oppose it.
Respectfully submitted,
Randy Logue