Major upgrades underway at San Benito High School in Hollister

Some major upgrades happening at San Benito High School in Hollister.

On Monday, school leaders broke ground on an 11,000 square foot P.E. facility that will expand from the current gym. The project, which has been in the works for 13 years, will house weight rooms and wrestling rooms for students. The multi-million dollar project is being paid for from the school’s general budget. According to the San Benito High School District Superintendent John Perales, projects regarding athletics cannot be paid for under the voter-approved Measure G funding.

However, Measure G will help pay for classroom renovations. Some of the renovations include new carpets, lighting and some technology upgrades. Several classrooms in the 300 and 400 building will also get some much-needed air conditioners. Perales says it’s a crime that many of his students have to weather the warm conditions, while other students in other cities ae in climate-controlled environments.

Social Science Department Chair Juan Hernandez says it’s important to make sure the kids are comfortable on days when it reaches 90 degrees.

“It’s just unbearably hot,” Hernandez said. “Understandably the kids will want to put down their head because their energy level is low. I mean, the energy level for me is way low.”

Another construction project happening on campus is a new fence. This eight-foot high fence will be erected at the entrance to the school on Monterey Street. Perales says it’s a safety measure that will hopefully keep out trespassers.