TUSD prepares for 2023-24 school year

TUSD recognized the Tehachapi Resource Conservation District for their donation and planting of 30 trees throughout TUSD campuses at the June 27 board meeting.

Jon Hammond, Julia Baraclough and Cheryl Casdorph, representatives of Tehachapi Resource Conservation District, stated that this donation was made in partnership with JDB Sales Nursery, who discounted the trees to cost and shipping. Each campus received three valley oaks and two cedar trees; the trees are approximately 7 feet tall. Hammond hopes to continue working with TUSD on this project annually with the support of TUSD and students to help with planting the trees, noting that the impact each year can amount to 300 trees in 10 years.

TUSD also prepares for new growth within its staff for the 2023-24 school year, beginning with the introduction of two new staff members. Superintendent Stacey Larson-Everson introduced Tehachapi High School's new vice-principal Kimberley Lewis and TUSD's new director of special education, Tae Mauk. Vice principal Lewis joins THS from Bakersfield, where she previously worked at Independence High School. Mauk is a military veteran joining the district from Palmdale, where he has extensive experience working within special education throughout the valley.

In addition to new staff members, Superintendent Larson-Everson said the district will continue their effort in the Capturing Kids' Hearts program through a "Welcome Back" leadership training prior to the start of the upcoming school year. The theme, "It's Today," is geared toward addressing student support with a greater sense of urgency. The training will focus on equipping TUSD staff with skills to better engage students and further student success and positive learning outcomes. The training will take place at Philip Marx Central Park on Aug. 8 in preparation for the first day of the 2023-24 school year on Aug. 9.

The TUSD Board of Trustees meets on the second Tuesday of the month at Wells Education Center located at 300 S. Robinson St., Tehachapi, at 5 p.m. *Note: there will not be a meeting in the month of July. Regular meetings will resume on Aug. 8.