Kern County education staff hold July 27 deadline for Central Academy expansion as charter asks for a brief extension

Kern County Office of Education staff told trustees on July 14 that Central Academy of Arts and Technology's (CAT) conditional material revision approval will be terminated if final documentation is not received and verified by KCSOS by the board'set deadline of July 27.

Assistant Superintendent Kimberly Graham briefed the board on four items CAT requested in its May 8 material revision: adding two new instructional sites (one at 1st Presbyterian Church and another at 824 and 826 18th Street), amending the facilities plan, and updating charter petition language to reflect changes in law. Graham said KCSOS has set two hard conditions: all safety and occupancy documentation must be submitted and reviewed five business days before the charter's first day of instruction at the new sites, and failure to meet those conditions will "result in a termination of the approval of the material revision for both sites." (Kimberly Graham).

Why it matters: The July 27 deadline is tied to CAT's planned opening on Aug. 3. KCSOS staff said the five'business'day review window gives them time to read and verify building, life'safety and ADA documentation and coordinate with the City of Bakersfield building division. If documents arrive late, students could be kept at existing facilities or the district could call a special meeting to change the board'set deadline.

CAT representatives told the board their projects are progressing and asked for limited flexibility. Joanna Kendrick, CAT superintendent, asked the board to "allow our team just a little more time to meet a deadline of ... July 31" to submit final documentation and to avoid an administrative revocation of the material revision that could disrupt families. (Joanna Kendrick). CAT staff and contractors said the City of Bakersfield building division indicated they expect to issue a temporary or full certificate of occupancy by July 27 if pending items are addressed.

Trustees pressed staff on what KCSOS would do if permit paperwork is completed after July 27. Graham said that if the city issues permits after the deadline, KCSOS will review the new documents and could grant a conditional approval for the next board meeting, but the board itself set the July 27 deadline at the prior meeting and any change to the deadline would need to be agendized. Dr. Mindenborough (KCSOS) said staff will provide regular updates as items are checked off and work with the charter on contingency plans.

The board did not take action to change the deadline at the meeting; trustees and staff discussed the possibility of a special meeting if documents fail to arrive on time. KCSOS staff will continue to track outstanding items for Site 3 (1st Presbyterian Church, now limited to gym use) and Site 4 (824 & 826 18th Street) and notify the board when documents are received and verified.

Votes and formal actions: No change was made to the July 27 requirement at the July 14 informational item. The board subsequently approved routine items (consent agenda and a textbooks sufficiency resolution) by voice vote during the same meeting.

What to watch: Whether the City of Bakersfield issues a certificate of occupancy or temporary certificate by July 27, and whether KCSOS staff report full satisfaction of the material revision before that date. If not, KCSOS has said it will send a termination letter on July 27 and CAT would need to reapply or seek approval at the Aug. 11 meeting.

Sources: KCSOS informational presentation and board discussion (item 3.1).