Rosamond — The Southern Kern Unified School District Board of Trustees voted to raise the monthly trustee stipend to $800, effective Jan. 1, 2026, after staff read the language of Assembly Bill 1390 and a board member moved the change.

Miss Gaines, who introduced the proposal, referenced AB 1390 — which the transcript records as signed by the governor — and proposed the district increase the stipend to $800 rather than the statutory maximum. "I am proposing that the Southern Kern Unified School District will increase the board of trustees stipend to $800 effective 01/01/2026," she said.

The board conducted a roll call vote. Mario Gutierrez, Robert Ventilat, Sunny Hepburn, Adrian Rendon and Justin Wright each voted yes and the motion passed.

Board members said the increase recognizes time spent on meetings, committee work and district service. The board also offered trustees the option to receive either the monetary stipend or health‑benefit options consistent with existing arrangements.