San Benito High School District suing County Board of Education over approval of new charter school

HOLLISTER, Calif. (KION-TV)- The San Benito High School District has filed a lawsuit against the San Benito County Board of Education due to an improper approval of San Benito Polytechnic Academy.

The district confirmed to KION that they filed a lawsuit in the San Benito County Superior Court on Feb. 2. The lawsuit is trying to prevent the school from opening in Fall 2024.

The school district is calming that the charter petition did not meat legal standards that would satisfy approval from the County Board of Education as a countywide charter petition.

The lawsuit stated that under state law, countywide charter petitions are an "exception," to the rule that local school districts should authorize charter petitions.

The district also claims that the Charter school would not be able to deliver on a promised duel enrollment program or the ability to meet the needs of the English learner or special education students.

The district believes that their concerns about the academy were disregarded before the San Benito County Board of Education approved the charter in October 2023.

KION reached out to the San Benito County Board of Education regarding this lawsuit and we have yet to hear a response.