[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6164732,"mediaKeyId","5427698-a76843e295f20d21af1e7066d32cd619","parentId",5427698,"title","Board and superintendent discuss Hope Squad program uptake and campus signage","audioSeconds",105,"startMs",733000,"endMs",838000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5427698-a76843e295f20d21af1e7066d32cd619&start=733&end=838","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5427698-a76843e295f20d21af1e7066d32cd619/thumbnail_733000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6164732/California/Board-and-superintendent-discuss-Hope-Squad-program-uptake-and-campus-signage","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164732-7812cac07566e202905d89515b060249/orig.mp4?Expires=1773568819&Signature=YJgvqHMtK230dSShB1OR9-DgxL7cHMewJHhjImkpVn18FA0hD5Y-qM0JcOv4bbke9bjpiImIsa6ZVBnNtDt20dpGAAAm2YUhCF1iYGNuj8DglC-M3f9HbXQGszPmbTHFaTALVdw1JFbG-tNtGGcDvfKf-UfIaosJp6S9YEyjvQTe0RpEyPKlwus7i8dMKhEFO6LaywyCnMs~77pkinDKdx7kTrK6idUY22HIkazExZ-K4Kt0UtAHpnvt-1D6zn75bHatE2ujxrY4-KyCNHVsaVSyaosgqxtMSWza8RUifGs7EU0C4VNWKIMRX66vLNvydHLcObD9NpKgtnIr8XPg6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Southern Kern Unified","date","2025-07-17T14:59:07Z","article","Board members raised concerns about the pace of implementation for Hope Squad, a peer-support curriculum the district uses to equip students to assist peers who may signal suicidal ideation or other crises.
A board member said the program “is kind of just not chugging along like it should be,” and urged administrators to prioritize getting students into the peer-support groups and installing campus signage. The board member said the lack of signage and other implementation issues were preventing the program from operating as intended.
Superintendent Dr. Mendez responded with a program clarification: Hope Squad trains students to recognize warning signs and support peers, but the squad members themselves are not necessarily students who have suicidal ideation. “Hope Squad is a curriculum that helps the students who are in Hope Squad… they are there to be able to assist their peers on campus, should there be suicidal ideologies,” Mendez said. He emphasized the curriculum’s role in peer intervention strategies.
Board members requested that administrators ensure the program is implemented and that signage and other campus supports be provided so students can access the resource.
What’s next
Superintendent Mendez and site administrators were asked to prioritize Hope Squad signage and implementation steps; the board member asked staff to ensure the program is visible and functioning on campus.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","SKUSD Board Meeting 7-16-25","oneSentenceSummary","Board members raised concerns about slow uptake and signage for the peer-support Hope Squad program; Superintendent Mendez clarified the program’s purpose and membership role.","taxTitle","Southern Kern Unified, School Districts, California","taxId",55775,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6164737,"District reports staffing, registration and outreach ahead of school year; announces backpack giveaway and summer professional development",178,531000,709000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5427698-a76843e295f20d21af1e7066d32cd619&start=531&end=709","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5427698-a76843e295f20d21af1e7066d32cd619/thumbnail_531000.jpg","/articles/6164737/California/District-reports-staffing-registration-and-outreach-ahead-of-school-year-announces-backpack-giveaway-and-summer-professional-development","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164737-ca8c7e8e1ea26ea8b3adf8582059b75e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773568819&Signature=YYy-BgbgJZzLjz69G3yl6X9BHFAjwJM52ZUnjtFvWQ28r3YogldIyR8gcuk4F~sqoc3qSsTGKO8A6IIYTzQYVbowwPNMvkj34h~o4E1-eXJcDXDXhtgpKPSxKSJk6afu7PeWXYpwAXn9hcdxOED6OthtgbGp1-aFihlpu-dbjsA9VvuXEa5K1gnnP0LLSiOlInc7K6Y8Vm3S4Ok1xsE-Bdaabvuk17UDWecCZVWzwoeqrDnLOklnaNeaJWWCfAuEzii8RjqOju2zOf3AZjNfwYE8zZx5Qr~1~eYcHlW925pUL6ddulm-gpOpV0ToNIyxJ9xUaoPW1GZ6--jmcwSUqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District administrators updated the board on staffing, student registration and outreach ahead of the coming school year, and highlighted a small slate of summer professional development trips.
Human-resources and site staff said they are continuing to recruit for remaining certificated and classified positions, with interviews scheduled for subject-area openings and campus-safety roles. “We are busy filling our last few positions,” a human-resources presenter said, adding that classified testing and interview days have been ongoing.
Superintendent Dr. Mendez reported on professional development attendance: the district sent a team of 63 to the PLC conference in Las Vegas and will send a team of about 61 to an AVID Summer Institute on July 29. “We had the largest group there from any one school district,” Mendez said of the PLC conference, and described ongoing Williams visits scheduled for Aug. 18 at Rosemond High Early College campus and Rosemond Elementary School.
Staff reminded parents that transitional kindergarten (TK) and preschool seats are filling quickly and urged families to complete registration and submit required documents. The district also announced a Parent and Community Center backpack giveaway and ice cream social running Monday, Aug. 4, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., continuing through Aug. 8; staff said Southern Kern students will be given priority for backpacks and supplies.
Board members heard brief construction and operations updates and approved routine consent and personnel items later in the meeting.
What’s next
District staff will continue candidate interviews, post hires as filled, complete Williams visits and carry out the backpack giveaway outreach the first week of August.
","District administrators reported on staffing recruitment, TK enrollment urgency, a district backpack giveaway Aug. 4–8 prioritized for district students, and professional development trips including PLC and AVID institutes.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6164741,"Aliyah Finch sworn in as new board member",69,119000,188000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5427698-a76843e295f20d21af1e7066d32cd619&start=119&end=188","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5427698-a76843e295f20d21af1e7066d32cd619/thumbnail_119000.jpg","/articles/6164741/California/Aliyah-Finch-sworn-in-as-new-board-member","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164741-570da297a5128eb971c56625f589a448/orig.mp4?Expires=1773568819&Signature=TOS9rrWCm56nPMzqQTowuCXnQ2BDDqjNI2le1eNQpqczW0RUURgOeZrNX7E~fJ7pGbAaNDUV7iXnM~ykhddnrWOlMdGTgnCxEI5s7CbkiKSKqmawYOEaKgl2H~MPN9KdbXXiuuj1QbYEBErH4RQRPmqfNZnSTNBFA0s0b2OyjYuTNM9O4g-ULO94QAwED9utDcZo1GrYV7XS-AmmAOIzT76BdMtGqg9CtEC~z7koYd5FOA4wFGBsKIeDjlLLEkn-9GoraDBmTjrpsq15MU9nEtm022qg0hVx7DvEpIjks4AkvDiGo5CI5frYraNqX0iBkJoKkhZLaMgB-rZu-kWUzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Aliyah Finch was sworn in as a member of the Southern Kern Unified School District Board of Education at the start of the meeting.
During the public oath, Finch recited the words of office: “I, Aliyah Finch, do solemnly swear… that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California… that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties upon which I am about to enter,” after which a board member said “Congratulations.”
Board members welcomed Finch and offered brief congratulations and remarks later in the meeting.
What’s next
Finch will take her seat on the board and participate in board business; the district did not announce additional committee assignments or committee placement at the meeting.
","The board administered the oath of office to Aliyah Finch during the meeting; the district welcomed the new member and members congratulated her.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6164746,"Board files Williams report and adopts revised complaint forms and procedures",68,1294000,1362000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5427698-a76843e295f20d21af1e7066d32cd619&start=1294&end=1362","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5427698-a76843e295f20d21af1e7066d32cd619/thumbnail_1294000.jpg","/articles/6164746/California/Board-files-Williams-report-and-adopts-revised-complaint-forms-and-procedures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164746-01a4f15a5c73f0d3971dc00ec4e8d06e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773568819&Signature=IxA3UUGg~M7oqdcPWSjjUwOD8m~M2bAJrcGsj~HAuWl4gF4jldcAOOGHoiLFCo18igTYBkXSYt2qMayeSD1vgoBSXFVLx4eurf-s0pN0ivmiGzmOi~T5JuQw2DPJzr9gkdA5jYDG-t8JzE5pxgxld7ws19oNYNbDqPSFs-5rp7sUsTBINtAam7S96rMk2zJA2EKbbYdt~FoD-s~0AL5fxAZ9l0nTR1GXsZ0CItZKFL~HbulyYVFVW-8eJSjTQfxVQrqVJIZD0fZan29v4YqN542GWsfmP5XJfWYu3E7IdVwUUWZhSq6MZpZgSShB1qd1GHjshAXP1DnWJscmIGqSwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Southern Kern Unified School District Board of Education received the quarterly Williams complaint report and approved revised complaint procedures and forms, district staff said.
The report covered April, May and June and, according to district staff member Miss Gaines, there were no Williams complaints in that span: “We had no Williams complaints during that time span,” Gaines said. The board voted to file the report.
Staff also presented annual revisions to the district’s uniform complaint procedures, the written notice and complaint forms, and Williams complaint materials in both English and Spanish. Miss Hargas walked the board through the packet materials, noting the uniform complaint form and timeline (a 60-day response timeline for uniform complaints) and the classroom posting requirements tied to Williams complaints, which carry a 45-day response timeline in certain cases.
Hargas said the classroom posting (a “link classroom notice” in the packet) must be displayed in each school office and in common spaces such as the career center and library so parents and students know how to file a complaint.
Board members approved the revised documents by motion. Staff did not report any pending Williams investigations and asked the board to approve the filing of the no-complaint report and the updated materials so they can be distributed to employees and posted as required.
Board action
- Received and filed the Williams quarterly report (April–June): no complaints were reported. Outcome: approved by voice vote.
- Approved revised uniform complaint procedure, uniform complaint form, Williams complaint form and related posting materials (English and Spanish). Outcome: approved by voice vote.
What’s next
Staff will post the required Williams information in school offices and distribute the revised complaint procedures and forms to employees and the public as required by state law.
","The board received a Williams complaint period report showing no complaints and approved revised uniform complaint and Williams complaint forms and procedures, including English and Spanish versions and posting requirements.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6164751,"Board approves three construction change orders totaling roughly $67,000",209,1422000,1631000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5427698-a76843e295f20d21af1e7066d32cd619&start=1422&end=1631","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5427698-a76843e295f20d21af1e7066d32cd619/thumbnail_1422000.jpg","/articles/6164751/California/Board-approves-three-construction-change-orders-totaling-roughly-67000","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164751-89100b998571fb78ea88a5724029a36e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773568819&Signature=MddNfW4LhOZuOAWhePU77ynazOQHKdcTftT6ez4XnP7FgMZKxV-g4jVfqdJlvGowNrCm0PS-nnjFB5y0XhPs0TIWrZZnIRL-KZK3CWtbaXe1zxs73kEG6ChoM3BvsecC4YBJpwxBe7oJIjXq6O0f5fVZiZqOz-~gner~UaCtxGAIaBWXn9kt7a2HBOwI7qxTieCbe57TDxloP6veUxCT5UAS5rQK3cwqtXbY2cgN7-twpWaA8eQjW~Xf81UckMHByYM7-7uZjM~5poUVb3pRb-nKiY1OD5I83IBOtwkakIuXomOiPj1dKpysJi6TlR3kPycQijyiUH-RHzRxoibqmA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Southern Kern Unified School District Board of Education approved three construction change orders at its meeting, authorizing additional work at Roseland Elementary, Roosevelt High Early College campus and Bridal Middle School that together total roughly $67,115.98 in gross line items before credits.
The measures matter because the work addresses safety and building-function issues that staff said were not included in the projects’ original scopes.
At the meeting, a staff presenter identified as Herb said the Roseland Elementary change order (Coast Construction Group, change order no. 005, job no. 300150) is about $50,131.83 and largely covers drainage work and added fire-alarm material. “The largest of which is just about $40,000… there’s an additional item in there that’s for fire alarms,” Herb said, adding the order includes a roughly $10,000 credit from a prior change order that reduces the net increase.
The board also approved a Medallion Construction change order for the new cafeteria at Roosevelt High Early College campus totaling $10,774.14 on the agenda; staff said the net cost to the district will be lower after an anticipated credit from the architect and that the main payable was for a pressure-reducing valve needed because incoming water pressure measured about 120 PSI. “The $7,985 is for the installation of a pressure reducing valve… the $2,700 is for corrections and will be credited back,” Herb said.
A separate Medallion Construction change order for Bridal Middle School (landscape, drainage and parking upgrades) for $6,210.01 was approved; staff said the work installs two French drains near the track to reduce water runoff that had been flooding the track and creating slip and wear hazards.
All three motions were moved and seconded during the meeting and were approved by voice vote. Board members answered no substantive policy questions during the votes; the approvals implement contractor work already underway, according to staff statements.
Board members and staff did not identify additional funding sources at the meeting beyond the program budgets for the modernization and site-improvement projects.
Board action
- Roseland Elementary: Approved change order (Coast Construction Group, order no. 005) for $50,131.83 (includes ~ $10,000 credit). Outcome: approved by voice vote.
- Roosevelt High Early College campus: Approved change order (Medallion Construction) for $10,774.14; staff said net district cost will be ~$7,985 after expected credits. Outcome: approved by voice vote.
- Bridal Middle School: Approved change order (Medallion Construction, change order 01) for $6,210.01 to install two French drains and address drainage and parking improvements. Outcome: approved by voice vote.
What’s next
District staff did not schedule additional board votes tied directly to these change orders at the meeting; contractors will proceed with the described work under the approved change orders, and staff indicated some contractor costs will be credited back by architects or other project partners.
","The Southern Kern school board approved three change orders affecting Roseland Elementary, Roosevelt High Early College campus and Bridal Middle School that add drainage, fire-alarm and pressure-control work and include a credit from a prior change order.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board and superintendent discuss Hope Squad program uptake and campus signage

District reports staffing, registration and outreach ahead of school year; announces backpack giveaway and summer professional development

Aliyah Finch sworn in as new board member

Board files Williams report and adopts revised complaint forms and procedures

Board approves three construction change orders totaling roughly $67,000