Kern Community College District

The committee held a closed session regarding real property negotiations for sites in Bakersfield and Porterville. During the open session, the committee discussed the Bakersfield Housing Feasibility Report, reviewed the 2025-26 District Office reserve balance, and analyzed the impact of the Governor's 2026-27 budget proposal on the district. Furthermore, the committee reviewed the application process for the Bakersfield College Southwest Center and recommended an assignment for an agricultural license agreement between Fabbri College Farms LLC and Joseph Vineyard Estates, LLC.

The meeting included a closed session regarding real property negotiations for sites in Bakersfield, Porterville, and Shafter. Business items included tabling the review of the Bakersfield Housing Pre-Development Agreement and a discussion on funding strategies for the Porterville College CTE Facility. The committee explored financing options for Phase 3 of the project, including the use of Certificates of Participation, and requested further financial analysis for future review.

The Board of Trustees held a regular meeting where several key actions were taken. The Board appointed Dr. Sean Hancock as Interim Chancellor. The agenda included the adoption of the tentative district budget for 2026-2027 and the Gann Limit calculation. Authorization was granted for the intent to establish the Bakersfield Southwest Center as a permanent educational center, as well as various service agreements, including contracts with the Puente Project, Amazon Web Services, and insurance providers. The Board also ratified numerous business services and procurement agreements across the District, including Porterville College, Cerro Coso Community College, and Bakersfield College. Additionally, the Board recognized outgoing Chancellor Bloomberg and the Kern CCD HEAL Initiative.

The board meeting included a Brown Act overview and an adjournment to closed session to discuss personnel, litigation, labor negotiations, and real property matters. Following the return to open session, the board reviewed enrollment reports from Bakersfield College and Cerro Coso Community College, approved district safety plans, and authorized various business services, including IT service agreements, construction projects, and surplus equipment declarations. The board also approved curriculum reports and 2026-2027 college catalogs, authorized an educational service agreement for adult education software, and finalized several human resources actions, including employment agreement revisions and new appointments.

This administrative procedure outlines the requirements for the Kern Community College District's Student Equity Plan. The plan mandates active involvement from constituent groups and community members, alongside campus-based research. It focuses on addressing institutional barriers and setting comprehensive goals for access, retention, degree/certificate completion, English as a Second Language (ESL) proficiency, and transfer for historically underrepresented groups. The plan is designed to be transformational, community-driven, meaningful, reflective, fluid, dynamic, and race-conscious, intended to inform other institutional plans and involve the braiding of funds across campuses.