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Board authorizes Measure H bond sale, approves construction and tech contracts and accepts budget update
Summary
Southern Kern Unified trustees voted unanimously to authorize the first series sale under Measure H, approved several construction and technology contracts including a $1.12 million landscaping and drainage contract for Tropical Middle School, and accepted the district's second interim budget report.
The Southern Kern Unified School District Board of Trustees on March 18 authorized the sale of the first series of general obligation bonds approved under Measure H and approved multiple contracts and the district's second interim budget update.
The board voted to approve a resolution authorizing the sale of the bonded indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $28,000,000. Graham Back, bond counsel with Nixon Peabody, summarized the action as approving the form of the disclosure document and the bond purchase contract that will allow the district to go to market and work with a municipal underwriter and rating agencies. "The resolution itself is, what we've said, will approve the first series of bonds under the new Measure H," Back said.
The board also accepted the district's second interim financial report, which showed revised revenue of approximately $70.9 million and identified enrollment volatility and a rising share of students with disabilities as risks the district will monitor. Robert (title not specified in transcript) walked trustees through the interim, noting the district recognized additional federal funds and had increased personnel and services costs since the first interim presentation.
In facilities and procurement votes, trustees awarded a construction contract to Medallion Contracting Inc. for Tropical Middle School's landscaping, drainage and parking-lot upgrades for $1,118,683; approved a $27,076.76 change order for Coast Construction Group for the Roseland Elementary after-school program; and approved an E-rate-funded fiber-optic cabling replacement project of about $117,000 with Advanced Communication to replace 34 failed segments across district sites.
Other votes taken as part of consent or action items included approval of an agreement allowing district CTE teachers to complete pathway coursework through San Diego County Superintendent of Schools, adoption of the district's annual transportation plan, and the routine approval of personnel items.
Votes at a glance - Resolution authorizing sale of Measure H general obligation bonds (series 2025A) — motion passed (recorded as unanimous; roll call yes). Outcome: approved. Notes: authorized preliminary official statement and bond purchase contract; underwriter referenced as RW Baird; estimated deposit of proceeds to occur ~2 weeks after sale. - Second interim financial report (2024-25) — motion passed (unanimous). Outcome: accepted. Notes: revised revenue $70.9M; key risks: enrollment fluctuations and rising special education share. - Award contract: Medallion Contracting Inc., Tropical Middle School landscaping/drainage/parking upgrade — $1,118,683 — motion passed (unanimous). Outcome: approved. - Approve change order (Coast Construction Group) for Roseland Elementary after-school program — $27,076.76 — motion passed (unanimous). Outcome: approved. - E-rate internal connections/cabling upgrade (Advanced Communication) — approx. $117,000 — motion passed (unanimous). Outcome: approved; E-rate covers majority (approx. 85%). - Approve CTE pathway agreement with San Diego County Superintendent of Schools — motion passed (unanimous). Outcome: approved; term through 2027; currently two teachers enrolled. - Approve transportation plan (annual state requirement) — motion passed (unanimous). Outcome: approved. - Approve personnel items — motion passed (unanimous). Outcome: approved.
Why it matters: The bond authorization moves Measure H into its practical funding phase, allowing the district to access capital for facilities projects already in planning. The interim budget acceptance documents a modest revenue uptick but flags enrollment and special-education trends that could affect multi-year reserves. The awarded construction and technology contracts begin work on campus improvements and network reliability that district staff said are necessary before the next school year.
What happens next: If the board's approvals proceed as planned, the district will publish the preliminary official statement, work with rating agencies and the underwriter, complete the formal bond sale, and begin project scheduling with contractors. The finance office will continue to monitor enrollment and special-education costs and report at subsequent board meetings.
