On January 10, the Dolores Huerta Foundation (DHF), the California Teachers Association, California School Employees Association, Bakersfield Elementary Teachers Union, Disability Rights California, and other community-based organizations (CBO) will ask the Kern Board of Education to vote NO on the Central Academy of Arts and Technology (CAAT) Charter School Petition.

According to these organizations, the CAAT Petition would be harmful to vulnerable students like English Language Learners, students with disabilities, and low-income students.

The Kern Board of Education meeting will occur at the Board of Education office at 1300 17th Street in Bakersfield at 6 p.m. on Tuesday. 

Both the Bakersfield City School District (BCSD) and the Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS) office recommend a NO vote due to the lack of adequate programming and staff for English Language Learners and students with disabilities. 

Community members, students, and parents are asking for support and for the right decision to be made. This meeting is free and open to the public, and translation services are provided.

Meeting attendees must wear masks and practice social distancing protocols.