San Benito appoints high school principal

Jan. 27—SAN BENITO — San Benito High School has a new principal following former Principal Gilbert Galvan’s resignation weeks after his suspension.

Earlier this week, school board members unanimously appointed Marcus Ysasi, a former principal at Chapel Hill High School in Mount Pleasant who had also served as principal at Riverside Middle School.

On Thursday night, board members met in closed session before unanimously voting to take Superintendent Theresa Servellon’s recommendation to appoint Ysasi to the principal’s post.

Last year, Ysasi left his position as principal of Chapel Hill High School, with an enrollment of about 330 students, an employee there said.

In 2018, he served as Riverside Middle School’s principal, San Benito school board member Rudy Corona said Friday.

Third principal in seven months

In San Benito, Ysasi becomes the high school’s third principal in about seven months.

On Jan. 6, Galvan resigned after Servellon placed him on administrative leave Dec. 9 following a 45-year career as an educator.

Officials have declined to disclose details behind his suspension, adding they cannot comment on “personnel matters.”

Across the community, Galvan’s resignation has sparked widespread speculation while parents and students have posted a range of rumors on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.

Last June, Servellon assigned Galvan to the high school’s principal post, replacing Rudy Ramirez, who had served in that position since 2020.

Before taking the job, Galvan had served as Veterans Memorial Academy’s principal since 2013.

While working as a San Benito teacher, Galvan entered politics in 1986, when he won election to a city commission seat.

Two years later, he was elected the city’s mayor, going on to win a second term.

On Friday, San Benito school district officials did not respond to a request for information regarding Ysasi’s work experience and education.

Meanwhile, board President Ramiro Moreno did not respond to messages requesting comment on Ysasi’s appointment.