Southern Kern Unified School District honored students reclassified as English-proficient during a recognition segment at the Jan. 23 meeting and announced winners of a regional art contest and monthly attendance awards.

"Becoming English fluent should be the goal of all English learners," a district presenter said while recognizing the students and thanking families and staff, including Noemi Herrera, the district's director of special programs, who coordinates English-learner testing and services. The presenter described the reclassification process as requiring grades and high test scores in reading, writing, speaking and listening to qualify for the fluent-English designation.

District officials listed by name many students who received reclassification certificates during the meeting. Staff provided small refreshments following the recognition.

The board also highlighted student success in the annual art competition hosted by Assemblyman Tom Lackey. Officials said Rosemont High School students took the top places in the 9th–12th grade regional competition: Milice Montalban (third place), Daisy Rodriguez (second place), and Ani Torres (first place and overall regional winner). Claudia Wen received an honorable mention; officials said Torres’s and Wen’s works are displayed in the Assemblyman’s office in Sacramento.

The board presented attendance awards for December. Rosemont Elementary received the highest elementary attendance and was also named the most improved school, reporting a 0.63 percent increase over the previous period. On the secondary side, Rosemont High regained the monthly best-attendance award after holding it most months last year; a presenter said Rosemont High had won the secondary award 22 of 23 times previously.

Several district leaders and community representatives addressed the meeting in short remarks. Gary Jones, identified as the California School Classified Employees Association (CSCA) president, encouraged staff engagement. A student board member, Adrian, provided a brief update on school activities and student programs.

Administrators noted ongoing district activities tied to instruction and student support, including federal progress monitoring and the STARBASE outreach program for fifth graders.

No formal decisions were taken as part of these recognitions; the presentations were informational and ceremonial in nature.