KHSD to consider banning discriminatory teaching material in proposed revision to policy
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The Kern High School District Board may update its policy to ban the use of textbooks and other class materials that would subject a student to discrimination.
According to the agenda for the KHSD Board of Trustees meeting scheduled for Monday, the revision is meant to reflect Senate Bill 153, a new California law passed in 2024.
The existing policy, first adopted in November 2009 and revised Jan. 18, 2024, outlines the procedure of processing complaints made against instructional materials for the school district.
KHSD offers free meals for children, teens this summer
The proposed revision, if passed, would prohibit the school district's Board of Trustees from adopting or approving textbooks, instructional material, supplemental teaching material and class curriculum that would make a student suffer from 'unlawful discrimination.'
Unlawful discrimination includes discriminating against someone based on their disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, immigration status and other characteristics, according to California's Education Code 220.
The bill also allows anyone to file a complaint if they believe the board violated this prohibition. However, the KHSD policy maintains the school district will only accept complaints from the school district staff, district residents or the parents and guardians of the district's students.
Never miss a story: Make KGET.com your homepage
If the Superintendent determines the violation to be true and the board doesn't take corrective action within 60 days, the California Department of Education can 'use any means authorized' to make the district comply, according to SB 153.
The school district board could also face financial penalties, the bill says.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
19 minutes ago
- Yahoo
BCSD to use general fund to finish HVAC projects after US Department of Education rescinds spending extension
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The Bakersfield City School District is expected to fund the remaining $22 million balance for its HVAC improvement projects through its general fund after federal officials abruptly canceled a previously approved COVID-19 fund spending extension in March. The HVAC upgrade and chiller replacement projects seek to replace the chiller-based heating and cooling systems at schools with new HVAC systems, which provide 'more energy-efficient and reliable climate control' while also improving indoor air quality for students and staff, according to BCSD spokesperson Tabatha Mills. The project is ongoing and under active construction at eight schools: Munsey Elementary Fremont Elementary Wayside Elementary Washington Middle School Horace Mann Elementary Mt. Vernon Elementary Pioneer Drive Elementary Roosevelt Elementary Mark Luque lands new job after surprise resignation as head of Bakersfield City School District These projects were launched when the school district received funding through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief III program, which was meant to support American schools as they address the impacts of the pandemic, according to Mills. The remaining project balance is $21,912,159, according to the agenda for the board meeting set for Tuesday. On March 28, the United States Department of Education rescinded its decision to extend the spending deadline for ESSER III for school districts that applied and were approved to get an extension. While local education agencies like BCSD who were approved for an extension had until March 2026 to liquidate all its received funding, the Department of Education changed the deadline to March 28, 2025. KHSD to consider banning discriminatory teaching material in proposed revision to policy U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon announced the new deadline in a letter addressing state education chiefs on the same day as the new deadline, saying they 'ran the risk' of getting their extension request denied by not meeting the formal deadline in January. 'Extending deadlines for COVID-related grants, which are in fact taxpayer funds, years after the COVID pandemic ended is not consistent with the Department's priorities and thus not a worthwhile exercise of its discretion,' McMahon said. This change prevents BCSD from finishing the HVAC improvement projects using federal grants. At the board meeting May 27, the board approved the updated ESSER III Expenditure Plan. Through the updated plan, the funding source for the HVAC updates was moved from ESSER to the district's general fund to successfully complete the projects. Never miss a story: Make your homepage This shift in funding will not result in any increase to BCSD's general fund budget and the board is not looking to approve new spendings regarding these projects at tonight's meeting, according to Mills. If approved, BCSD will report the remaining construction commitments as of June 30 in its financial statement, Mills said. The projects are all expected to be completed in the next fiscal year, according to the agenda. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
NC Republican lawmakers send immigration crackdown bill to governor
Immigrant rights advocates call on North Carolinians to stand up against bills targeting undocumented immigrants in the state as part of an Immigrant Rights Advocacy Day on May 21, 2025. North Carolina lawmakers gave final approval Tuesday to a bill cracking down on state immigration enforcement, sending it to Gov. Josh Stein's desk. Senate Bill 153 requires state agencies to sign agreements cooperating with U.S. Immigrations Customs Enforcement (ICE). It bars undocumented immigrants from receiving state-funded benefits. And it opens local governments that have declared themselves 'sanctuaries' to lawsuits in crimes committed by undocumented immigrants. Senators gave the bill final approval Tuesday, agreeing with changes by the House after previously passing it along party lines back in March. 'I think the people of North Carolina and the people of this nation want our immigration laws enforced,' Senate leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) said Tuesday. 'And I think what we have moved forward with are things that will enhance the ability of the federal authorities to enforce our nation's immigration laws.' Stein, a Democrat, could veto the legislation. If he does, it would be the first of his term — and set up a narrow vote down the line when Republicans attempt to override it. Senate Republicans have a solid veto-proof majority, but House Republicans are one vote short. Speaker Destin Hall (R-Caldwell) has previously touted a 'working supermajority,' saying there were several Democrats with whom he believes his caucus could swing for key override votes. Democrats objected to passage of the bill Tuesday. Sen. Natalie Murdock (D-Chatham) called it 'heavy-handed government overreach.' 'This bill really is not about safety,' Murdock said. 'It's about intimidation. It's about fear-mongering.' Shortly after the bill's passage, a group of around 30 protesters in the Senate gallery erupted and left the chamber. 'We will hold you accountable for the harm that you caused,' one woman shouted. Tuesday's vote is the latest in a series of Republican-led efforts to ramp up immigration enforcement in North Carolina. And it comes with a national spotlight on deportation efforts by the Trump administration, as federal and state officials battle over jurisdiction in California and troops arrive in Los Angeles amid protests. Trump also visited North Carolina on Tuesday, speaking at Fort Bragg. 'The situation in LA is beyond a protest,' Berger told reporters Tuesday. Last year's House Bill 10 required local sheriffs in North Carolina to require with ICE. A separate bill moving through the General Assembly aims to close what Republicans have said are 'loopholes' in the law. That proposal, House Bill 318, continued to advance Tuesday. It passed the Senate, 26-17, over opposition from Democrats, and now heads to the House for final approval.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
KHSD to consider banning discriminatory teaching material in proposed revision to policy
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The Kern High School District Board may update its policy to ban the use of textbooks and other class materials that would subject a student to discrimination. According to the agenda for the KHSD Board of Trustees meeting scheduled for Monday, the revision is meant to reflect Senate Bill 153, a new California law passed in 2024. The existing policy, first adopted in November 2009 and revised Jan. 18, 2024, outlines the procedure of processing complaints made against instructional materials for the school district. KHSD offers free meals for children, teens this summer The proposed revision, if passed, would prohibit the school district's Board of Trustees from adopting or approving textbooks, instructional material, supplemental teaching material and class curriculum that would make a student suffer from 'unlawful discrimination.' Unlawful discrimination includes discriminating against someone based on their disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, immigration status and other characteristics, according to California's Education Code 220. The bill also allows anyone to file a complaint if they believe the board violated this prohibition. However, the KHSD policy maintains the school district will only accept complaints from the school district staff, district residents or the parents and guardians of the district's students. Never miss a story: Make your homepage If the Superintendent determines the violation to be true and the board doesn't take corrective action within 60 days, the California Department of Education can 'use any means authorized' to make the district comply, according to SB 153. The school district board could also face financial penalties, the bill says. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
