Housing units will increase more than 40 percent by the year 2000, increasing from 181,000 units in 1990 to 256,000 units in the year 2000. Demographics and population concentrations will determine the need and location for new schools. By the year 2000, the public school enrollment will have increased by more than 32,000 new students since 1995. Just to keep up, schools will need about 1,000 new teachers, not including new hires due to retirement attrition. The growing child population is not without numerous challenges.
Kern County has reason to be concerned.
Many social and economic forces are placing heavy burdens on families that overpower their ability to nurture their children. Nationally, nearly one-quarter of persons under 18 years of age are in poverty. The poor tend to be higher health risks. Families in poverty are typically more prone to higher incidences of failing health and higher infant mortality. Nearly 40,000 babies born in the United States die before their first year.