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Public commenters press board on Ten Commandments display; staff reiterates charter material‑revision rules
Summary
Public speakers urged trustees to vote on displaying the Ten Commandments in schools and a speaker updated trustees on Central Academy and Valley Oaks charter facility changes; staff told the board that material revisions (lease, certificate of occupancy, safe‑school plan) are required for facility or grade‑span changes.
Multiple public commenters addressed the Kern County Board of Education on March 10, pressing trustees on two recurring topics: advocacy to post the Ten Commandments in school buildings, and recent charter facility and material‑revision requests.
Will Winn opened public comment in support of Angelo Frazier's effort to require Ten Commandments postings in classrooms, arguing the documents support behavior and civic values and criticizing how "separation of church and state" is sometimes interpreted. "If they don't know which god we're talking about, then they need to go back to school," Winn said, urging the board to consider action. Dr. Angelo Frazier then described several state efforts around the country and asked when Kern County would schedule a vote on the matter, saying he has come before the board multiple times and that the arguments on both sides remain the same.
Trustees acknowledged the public comments but did not set a date for any vote. The chair noted that jurisdictions outside California have passed laws but said the board would revisit the topic if state law changes.
Separately, Joanna Kendrick of the Central Academy of Arts and Technology updated the board on open enrollment (she said the school received more than 350 new applications) and asked for support on facilities timelines as the charter expands its high school program. Superintendent staff and trustees then discussed Valley Oaks Charter School's enrollment increases and facility planning: staff reported Valley Oaks's average daily attendance rose by roughly 160 students, triggering revenue and expenditure changes for that charter and prompting capital improvements and security investments at its current site.
KCSOS staff explained the legal and procedural constraints for charter facility changes: when a charter authorized by the county changes facilities or grade spans, state Education Code requires a material revision that includes identification of the permanent site, a lease agreement, a certificate of occupancy and updates to the safe‑school plan. Staff said Central Academy had asked to shorten approval timelines in an email to trustees, but that the office could not bypass material‑revision requirements without the supporting documents and statutory compliance.
No formal board action was taken on the Ten Commandments request at the meeting. On charter matters, staff said they are working with petitioners to complete required material‑revision documentation and will return items for board consideration when statutorily complete.
