Southern Kern Unified School District officials on Jan. 23 described planned projects funded by a $60,000,000 bond passed in November, including a possible third elementary school sited on district-owned land, a new career and technical education building at Rosemont High School and multiple campus modernizations.

District leaders said the site under consideration for the third elementary is about 20 acres on Rosemont Boulevard between Rosemont High and Tropico. The CTE facility discussed would be roughly 15,000 square feet; an estimated price range given in the meeting was "between 18 to 28," but the speaker did not specify units or whether that figure referred to thousands or millions. Officials said the district hopes to begin design work and submit it to the state once funding for design is paid.

In addition to the potential new elementary and CTE space, district officials described near-term projects at Rosemont High: a new cafeteria expected to be finished in late March or early April and a new locker room that will be followed by modernization of the existing locker-room space. After modernization, the district plans to convert the current boys’ locker room into a weight room and the girls’ locker room into a dance studio, officials said. West Park Elementary will receive five new buildings after the school year ends and other campus modernizations are planned across the district.

Representatives also discussed capital work connected to an upcoming locker-room project that will require a storm drain in the area where new concrete will be placed. A board report described a combined change-item package (referred to as "change code number 5") that includes an extension of storm drainage, a schedule change to cafeteria work, and additional low-voltage equipment for the new cafeteria audio system. The meeting description said the audio installation will provide an integrated sound system similar to the setup at Roseland Elementary.

Officials noted ongoing procurement activity: a job walk for the West Park classroom project was held and the district expects to open bids in about a month. District staff asked board members to be aware these projects are staged — some work depends on design completion, state approvals and the timing of contractor bids.

An official also said a potential contract at Edwards could bring 2,000 jobs to the area; the speaker framed that as an expectation told to the district rather than a confirmed contract.

The board also approved, by voice vote, a motion to schedule a workshop to invite an outside presenter to brief the district on sanctions for coaches and fans and related public-safety and conduct materials. The motion passed on a voice vote; an exact roll-call tally was not specified in the record.

Several administrators mentioned continuing coordination with staff for federal progress monitoring and teacher development tied to these projects, and staff reminded board members that some schedule and funding details remain tentative.

District officials did not provide final contract awards or firm bid totals at the meeting. Several cost and timing figures were presented as estimates or planning figures rather than adopted commitments.

Looking ahead, the district will present design and procurement documents as they are finalized and return to the board for approvals tied to specific contracts or state funding steps.