In this edition ...

• From the desk of Mr. Baier
  • Affirming Support of LGBTQIA+ Students and Families
  • Staff Housing: Managing a Critical Community Asset
• Board meeting review: Volunteer process update, Measure T projects, Staff Housing, Outdoor Learning Areas, Women’s History Month
• New Director of Maintenance, Operations and Transportation
• Learn about immigration services and rights
• High Fives
  

From the desk of Mr. Baier

Dear Families,

At MVWSD, we stand with our LGBTQIA+ students, families, and staff—now and always. Recent federal efforts to roll back LGBTQIA+ rights do not change our values or our commitment. Please see my letter on this topic sent to you in a separate email, and look for a resolution of support at the March 20 Board of Trustees meeting.  Additionally, I have signed on to the county’s letter of support of LGBTQIA+ students and families. Every student deserves to feel safe, supported, and respected at school. 

Staff housing

MVWSD’s staff housing project is an ambitious and complex initiative aimed at tackling a major challenge: the high cost of living in our area. By providing affordable workforce housing options, we are ensuring that the staff members who shape our children’s futures can continue to live and work in the community they serve.

This project has been years in the making and was made possible thanks to the strong support of our community through Measure T, passed in 2020. Now that it’s a reality, the impact will be felt for generations—keeping high-quality staff in front of our students, which is one of the biggest predictors of student success.

Of course, a project of this scale takes time to fully roll out. But as parents, educators, and community members, we all share the same goal: providing the very best for our kids.

Early Successes

The good news? The project is off to a strong start. Construction of the 144-unit facility was completed without major setbacks, a significant achievement for a project of this magnitude. Even more exciting, the demand for these units has exceeded expectations. In just the first two weeks since doors opened, we have rented 35 units, with 23 MVWSD staff members already moved in.

Another key success is the dedicated leadership behind the project. The District’s staff, Staff Housing Oversight Committee, and Board of Trustees are fully engaged, working to ensure that every decision maximizes benefits for staff members while keeping costs as low as possible.

Challenges to Address

Despite these early wins, there are still hurdles to overcome. One major challenge is the cost of the land lease, which currently stands at $1.9 million annually. Reducing this expense could help make rents more affordable and improve the long-term sustainability of the project.

Additionally, while the below-market-rate (BMR) rents are significantly lower than market rates, some staff members in the “middle” income range (around 120% of the Area Median Income) have found them to still be out of reach. Ensuring the right balance between affordability and financial sustainability remains a priority.

Lastly, to make this project financially viable, we need to maintain high tenant interest. Sustaining demand will be crucial in making the project “break-even.”

The Path Forward

While some aspects of the project are set, we are committed to moving forward from here and finding solutions for the project’s many decision points. Staff housing is a long-term asset for the district, and we are actively engaging with experts, such as attorneys and professionals in the areas of land use, land acquisition, local real estate development and affordable housing.

To help navigate the complexities of property management and land negotiations, we’ve brought on Peter Ingram, a highly experienced community development and project management consultant. With a track record of success—including in the Los Altos School District—he will work at the direction of MVWSD staff on coordination efforts, managing data, and guiding strategic decisions. He is currently working with the Redwood City School District on their workforce housing project, and is the former Redwood City Manager.

The Board is committed to full transparency and thorough public discussion as we move forward. While some discussions—especially those related to negotiations—must happen in closed session to protect the district’s interests, we will also hold targeted public study sessions this spring to gather input and redefine success metrics.

Just because an option is discussed doesn’t mean it’s the chosen path, but we will continue to evaluate and debate all options. Our priority is making the best decisions for our staff, students, and the broader MVWSD community.

A Lasting Impact

MVWSD’s staff housing project is more than just a building—it’s an investment in the future of our schools and students. Challenges remain, but with thoughtful leadership and continued community engagement, we are confident that this project will be a model for how school districts can support their workforce. 

Sincerely, 
Jeff Baier
Interim Superintendent

Volunteer approval process: This year, we’ve been working hard to incorporate parent feedback and to make volunteering more convenient while keeping schools safe.  Staff presented additional changes to the process to make it easier for parent volunteers for next year. Rather than counting visits, MVWSD will use the hours range from state law, which allows parents to volunteer more often before being required to get a badge. Additionally, the online mandated reporter and abuse training training will be reduced to 1 hour and required every other year - rather than annually. Click here to read the presentation.

Measure T Projects for Possible Pausing to Finance the Purchase of Land for Staff Housing: MVWSD owns the staff housing building, and leases the land.  Purchasing the land would be a long-term investment that could reduce expenses for MVWSD and potentially lower rents for residents. Among a variety of other financing options, the Board discussed Measure T projects that could possibly be paused in order to help fund the potential purchase of the land in the near future. No action was taken.  Click here to read the presentation.

Staff Housing Documents and Next Steps: The Board heard reports from consultants about next steps for the staff housing project. Additionally, all staff housing documents are now located in one place to provide simplified access for all stakeholders.  

Outdoor Learning Areas Update: MVWSD is creating spaces at each school that will provide shade, plants and outdoor areas for learning and play.  The initiative began in 2022 at Jose Antonio Vargas Elementary, and the Board of Trustees recognized that there were greater needs across the District. Most recently, MVWSD has been working on preliminary designs for these outdoor spaces. After presenting initial concepts in November, school principals gathered community feedback, which was shared with the district’s landscape architecture firm, Carducci Associates. At the March 6 Trustees meeting, Carducci Associates presented design examples incorporating feedback received from the principals’ meetings. Carducci staff now will engage with each school community for further feedback. Carducci has also met with recreation leagues and will be presenting to the Park and Recreation Committee.  The schools will share meeting details. MVWSD is committed to a collaborative process, ensuring the final designs create engaging, comfortable spaces for students to learn, play, and grow. Click here for the presentation.

Resolution Recognizing Women's History Month: March 1, 2025 marked the beginning of Women's History Month. The Board of Trustees passed a resolution recognizing the significant and historical contributions women of every race, class, and ethnic background have made in our community. Click here for the resolution.

New Director of Maintenance, Operations and Transportation

Assistant Director Mr. Dalewyn Spinks is now the new Director of Maintenance Operations and Transportation. He is in his second year at MVWSD. Prior to MVWSD, he was the Facilities Maintenance Manager at Hayward Unified School District and did facilities work for Google and biotech companies while working with Cushman and Wakefield. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and an MBA from Fayetteville State University.

There are a variety of upcoming presentations in the county to help families connect with immigrant services and support. These organizations are recommended by the Santa Clara County Office of Immigrant Relations. Please click here for a list of upcoming programs.
 

High Fives

Graham’s Acknowledge Alliance Award: 2025 Educator of the Year

Read Across America Week

This week, our schools are celebrating Read Across America Week! Students are diving into books, enjoying guest read-alouds, and participating in fun literacy activities that inspire a lifelong love of reading. Thank you to our teachers, families, and special guests for making this week so memorable.

Special Olympics 5K Fun Run

The Graham Middle School Intensive Support Team proudly represented the Bears at the Northern California Special Olympics 5K Fun Run in Alameda this past Saturday. Running together in their Graham PE uniforms, they demonstrated teamwork and dedication, earning well-deserved medals. We appreciate the efforts and spirit of the staff and congratulate all who participated!

Crittenden Reading to Puppies

Students in Profe Pedersen's Spanish classes and Ms. Villa's ELD classes at Crittenden Middle School participated in the Reading to Puppies program, providing a unique opportunity to practice their language skills in an engaging and supportive environment. The puppies enjoyed listening to each story, creating a positive and interactive experience for all involved. Special thanks to library aide Gayatri Ratnam for organizing this meaningful event.