Superintendent

2025 - 2026

Embracing the Whole Child

On behalf of the Southern Kern Unified School District Governing Board of Trustees, it is my honor to welcome everyone to the 2025-2026 school year.  As we approach a new school year, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for everyone’s unwavering dedication to our student’s success.  We are winners in SKUSD!  Whether  it is in the classroom, the performing arts, or on the athletic field, we shine.  We are so proud of Westpark Elementary School for being selected as a California Distinguished School and our amazing Girls Varsity Basketball Team went all the way to state finals.  We also had three schools selected as Purple Star Schools welcoming our students from military families. These are just a few of our outstanding achievements in 24-25.  Your support, in all of its forms, was instrumental in helping us achieve all of these accolades.

Over the course of the summer, I reflect on what it will take for us to continue the progress we have made recently.  I ask you to support me as we pursue three goals this upcoming year:  First, we want all of our students to achieve at high levels of literacy.  Reading, Writing and Mathematics will be the focus.  Secondly, to ensure that our students can achieve their full potential, they need to attend every day.  Students who are frequently absent, miss out on  much valuable learning time.  Third, I ask that you support the Board of Trustees and our staff with the decision to eliminate cell phone use while on campus.  This was not an easy decision to make. Research tells us that cell phones in class are a distraction.  The use of social media and notifications hinder students from concentrating and negatively impact their engagement and academic performance and often lead to disciplinary consequences.  When students keep their cell phones in their backpacks, teachers will spend less time policing phone use, which ultimately leads to a better learning environment for all students.  We believe that when cell phones are not being used, students will be able to achieve, preparing for college and the workforce, creating viable citizens. 

SKUSD takes pride in our Parent and Community Center, located on the campus of Rosamond High Early College Campus.  If you have not visited the Parent Center, please do.  The  center is opened on Monday through Friday from 9:30 am – 5:00 pm.   The Parent Center has various resources  that address mental health, free library books for students, computer access, Ice Cream Social and Backpack giveaway annually, and meeting rooms for classes and events for both parents and students.   It even has a nice coffee bar if you just want to come and browse.  Please stop by and meet Fallon and Elizabeth who are there to support your needs and answer any questions you may have.

We continue our work this year, centered on Embracing the Whole Child.  The Whole Child approach to learning is achieved when children are immersed in learning environments intended to foster a sense of community, encourage interpersonal skills, problem solving, goal setting, creativity, autonomy, and self-accountability.  This focus aims to ensure that each child is healthy, safe, engaged, supported and challenged.

Your time, resources, and contributions make the Southern Kern Unified School District exceptional.  Together, we can make the 25 - 26 school year memorable and even more impactful for our students!

Sincerely,
Barbara E. Gaines
Superintendent, SKUSD