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San Benito High School District will have a new superintendent for the first time in nearly a decade next year as the district board appointed Elaine Zuniga Galdos to the post earlier this month.
According to a news release, Zuniga Galdos, formerly Klauer, currently serves as the assistant superintendent of academics and instructional programs, and will become superintendent on Feb. 1, 2027. The board unanimously approved her appointment on Oct. 13.
Zuniga Galdos’ employment contract runs through June 2030 with a starting annual salary of $266,414 and the same benefits other employees receive, according to the district.
But before she takes the job, she will receive a salary increase in her current position, going from $201,605 to $206,645.
It took the board just over a month to find a replacement for Superintendent Shawn Tennenbaum who announced his retirement to the board on Sept. 8. Tennenbaum has served as district superintendent since July 2017.
Zuniga Galdos has spent 11 years with the district. Overall, she’s worked for 30 years in the Hollister education community, according to a district news release.
“I’m honored to be selected as the next superintendent and grateful for the Board’s confidence in me,” she said in a statement. “Having grown up in Hollister and graduated from Hollister High School, this opportunity is especially meaningful.”
According to the release, Tennenbaum filed a letter of endorsement for Zuniga Galdos praising her leadership and integrity.
“Every policy she advocates for and every decision she makes is guided by a singular, unwavering priority: doing what is best for our students,” he wrote.
In the news release, Board of Trustees President Miguel Sahagun also praised Zuniga Galdos, saying she has a passion for public education.
“The board is confident that Elaine possesses the experience, vision, and leadership qualities necessary to guide our District into the future,” Sahagun said. “We look forward to working closely with her as we continue building upon our successes, addressing future challenges, and providing the very best educational opportunities for the students and families we serve.”
Among the challenges Zuniga Galdos inherits is building the district’s second campus, which the district has been pushing for since 2024 by way of two failed $70 million bonds and multiple property acquisitions on the west side of Hollister known as the Buena Vista Corridor.
In announcing Tennenbaum’s retirement, the district said he served more than 34 years in public education, including as an athletic coach, teacher and nearly 20 years as an administrator.
“Reflecting on this journey, I am deeply inspired by what we have accomplished together on behalf of our students, staff, and community,” Tennenbaum said in the news release announcing his retirement. “My tenure with the San Benito High School District has been anchored in a relentless commitment to continuous improvement, grounded in relational trust, systemic alignment, and an unwavering belief in the potential of every Baler.”
According to the news release, during Tennenbaum’s years as superintendent, the district modernized the Hollister High School, added more than 50 new courses and expanded Advanced Placement access, as well as the Dual Enrollment Program and the 13 Career Technical Education pathways in nine industry sectors, along with three academies and the launch of a dedicated Wellness Center.
Trustee Steve DeLay said in his 50 years with the district, he has not seen a more effective superintendent than Tennenbaum.
“The amount of accomplishments is amazing—from finishing the campus build-out to Career Technical Education pathways to increased Advanced Placement courses,” DeLay said in the news release.
Tennenbaum’s announcement of his impending retirement on Feb. 3 came two days before the district announced it was placing varsity football head coach Thomas Sullivan on administrative leave as the district conducts an investigation into “team activities.” The team’s season was cancelled less than two weeks later.
On the same day the board of trustees appointed Zuniga Galdos, it approved multiple salary increases for various administrators including Tennenbaum, whose new salary is $286,629. As was the case for the other raises, Tennenbaum’s salary is retroactive to the beginning of the school year in July 2026.
Before giving Tennenbaum his latest raise, which includes the 2% increase that was provided to the district’s different employee groups at the board’s Sept. 8 and Sept. 22 meetings, the district had approved an annual $279,639 salary for Tennenbaum on Aug. 25.
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