Board conditionally approves Central Academyof Arts and Technology expansion after staff requires permits, safety documentation

The Kern County Board of Education voted June 9 to conditionally approve a material revision from Central Academy of Arts and Technology (CAT) to add new instructional sites and expand grade levels, while requiring a set of specific safety, permitting and documentation steps before students may occupy the buildings.

CAT requested approval to add additional instructional sites, including space on the second floor of the First Presbyterian Church and buildings at 824 and 826 18th Street in downtown Bakersfield, to support planned enrollment growth and the addition of grades 9 and 10. CAT representatives told the board they had grown from about 220 students in their first year to hundreds of applicants and said they needed certainty to finalize leases, engage contractors and notify families.

Kern County Superintendent of Schools staff recommended conditional approval. Stafffindings said the proposed revision does constitute a material revision under California Education Code and that CATs educational program remains substantially unchanged. But staff reported outstanding items that must be resolved before student occupancy, including verification of shared-use supervision procedures at the church site, confirmation from the City of Bakersfield building division that educational occupancy is permitted, restroom capacity for transitional kindergarten students, Title 19 (fire and life safety) compliance, outdoor play area improvements and evidence that lease terms extend beyond Dec. 31, 2026.

CAT and its counsel urged the board to approve the revision without conditions, arguing that municipal permitting (building department, fire marshal and planning division) would independently prevent any unlawful occupancy. CATs legal counsel and its facilities consultant said they were working closely with city staff and expected to complete required upgrades and obtain permits on the timeline the charter needs to open for next school year.

Staff and county counsel responded that the countys material-revision process requires sufficient documentation to show the proposed facilities can lawfully and safely implement the charters program. Schools legal service clarified that adding facilities is a material revision under ED Code sections 47605 and 47607 and that KCSOS has established procedures requiring leases, occupancy documentation and other supporting materials before final approval.

Trustees debated whether the conditions merely duplicated city review or provided a necessary record for the county authorizer. After discussion, the board president moved to approve the material revision subject to the staff reports conditions and the reporting deadlines in the staff memo. The motion passed with one trustee announcing an abstention.

Under the conditional approval, CAT must provide a status update on all outstanding items by July 10, 2026, and submit final documentation demonstrating compliance at least five business days prior to the first day of instruction at either facility. Staff said failure to meet these conditions would be grounds to terminate the approval.

The board and CAT representatives emphasized that city approvals remain mandatory: no condition or county action overrides building, fire or planning permits. CAT said it would continue coordination with the City of Bakersfield and expects to keep the board apprised of permitting progress.

Ending: The boards conditional approval allows CAT to continue site work and permitting while preserving county oversight of the charters facility claims; the decision stands unless the required documentation and city approvals are not provided by the stated deadlines.