Mary C. Barlow Aurora Center Honors Former Superintendent’s Legacy

In a spirited ceremony filled with pride, reflection, and deep appreciation, the Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS) officially dedicated its Aurora facility as the Mary C. Barlow Aurora Learning Center, honoring Kern County’s former Superintendent for her relentless commitment to serving Kern County’s most vulnerable students.

The dedication event brought together education leaders, community partners, students, and elected officials to celebrate Dr. Barlow’s pivotal role in making the facility a reality.

Current Superintendent Dr. John Mendiburu described the moment as the “capstone” of a long journey that began with a Barlow’s compassion as a teacher and evolved into a determined battle to preserve and enhance local services for students facing significant challenges.

“This center stands because Mary refused to accept ‘no’ as an answer,” Mendiburu said. “When the state told us to close this program or send kids out of the county — or even out of the state — Mary said ‘not on my watch.’ That’s who she is.”

Aurora has long served students with intensive emotional and behavioral needs who cannot be supported on a traditional school campus. For years, the program operated in a leased space that lacked the facilities needed for students to fully thrive.

“They had every opportunity to succeed and that’s what we had at Aurora. But something was missing,” Barlow recalled. “What was missing was the type of facility — the space, the therapy rooms, the playgrounds, the common area where they could learn and grow.”

In 2017, Barlow launched a bold initiative to build a new facility that would be purposefully designed for the Aurora students. What followed was a bureaucratic and legal battle few expected.

“Imagine our surprise when we received a lawsuit and notification from the State Board of Education that they were not going to approve our dream for the children of Kern County,” Barlow said.

But instead of stepping back, she and her team pushed forward.

“Many parties came together and decided that we were going to fight so that we would be able to serve these kids,” Barlow recalled. “And they were not going to have to travel out of state.”

Barlow spoke passionately about the real human cost of that alternative.

“Imagine not being able to see your babies,” she said. “It’s unimaginable.”

After inviting state officials to tour the previous Aurora facility, the tides began to turn.

“They all saw the heart of the people who work with our students,” Barlow said. “Our Aurora staff are family for many of these kids.”

With a better understanding of the program’s mission, the State Board ultimately approved the project. The new Aurora Learning Center opened in 2020 and features sensory-friendly classrooms, therapeutic spaces, outdoor play areas, and vocational training opportunities — all designed around student need.

“Everything about this center was designed with one thing in mind — student need,” Barlow emphasized. “We knew that we could improve on what we were already doing.”

The event featured musical performances from Valley Oaks Charter School student Grace Carter and Berklee College of Music graduate Isaiah Morfin, as well as a pledge ceremony led by students of the Aurora Learning Center. Attendees were invited to tour the campus following the dedication.

Reflecting on her journey from classroom teacher to county superintendent, Barlow said she remains most proud of the moments when students feel seen, families are supported, and the community comes together to do what’s right.

“I may have started this fight,” she said with a smile. “But it was always about the kids. And it always will be.”