In this edition ...

• Staff members’ years of service and retirements
• Employee, teacher of the year
• Board meeting review: SEL, math, languages, outdoor learning, Shoreline and more
• Budget Planning for 2025-26 and beyond
• Summer menu and meals
• Volunteering next year
• District Office summer hours
• Construction on campuses this summer
• High Fives

Please join us in recognizing our staff members’ years of service and retirements. We are grateful to our MVWSD staff members (see the list here) for their years of dedication and commitment to our students and families. Please see more about our recognized staff members on social media.

Employee, teacher of the year

Arturo Noriega, At Risk Intervention Supervisor at Graham Middle, was named Classified Employee of the Year. Mr. Noriega has served at both Crittenden and Graham for a combined 15 years establishing meaningful, lasting connections with families and the community. He offers support to colleagues as well, serving as a mentor, sharing resources, and helping to build a school community where students can thrive. 

Elizabeth Parry from Landels Elementary was named Teacher of the Year. Ms. Parry has taught here for 20 years. She is known for keeping things fresh in her classroom and maintaining high standards for her students and herself.  She works hard to build and maintain a learning environment that focuses on what is best for student learning. Ms. Parry has served on several curriculum committees and often mentors new teachers.

Board meeting review: SEL, math, languages, outdoor learning, Shoreline and more

Mental Health Continuum: The Board approved staff’s recommendation for SEL curriculum, data management tool, and community partnership agreement: CharacterStrong as district SEL Curriculum, Panorama as SEL data management tool, and continued partnership with Project Cornerstone.  Since September 2024, our Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Curriculum Committee, a dedicated team of educators, administrators, and community members, has worked tirelessly to narrow down over 100 curriculum options. To read more about the SEL process, click here.

Math Programming and Adoption Update: As typical with our curriculum cycles, it’s time to review and improve our mathematics program (2015) to ensure all students have strong learning opportunities, including acceleration if desired. MVWSD is in the midst of its multi-year process to update math curriculum based on the latest research and best practices. This year, staff reviewed math data and pathway demographics, math instructional time across sites and collected stakeholder input from parents, teachers and students. To read more about the insights gathered, click here. Next steps could include the math committee convening in January 2026 to plan pilots, develop assessments and consider adjustments to pathways in spring of 2027. Full implementation could occur in August 2027.

Middle School World Languages:  This year, staff has explored options for expanding the World Language elective offerings. Based on student interest data, staffing, scheduling constraints and best practices, staff recommends adding one world language offering for the 2026-27 school year. Read more here.

Outdoor Learning Schematic Design Approval: The Board approved schematic designs for schools’ Outdoor Learning areas.  It’s important that our campuses have flexible and dynamic spaces that support equitable, diverse learning and recreational activities. These spaces will enhance the physical and mental well-being of students and promote a greater connection to the understanding of our natural world. 

This multi-year process, which started in 2022, reflects ongoing community input. In February, the Board reviewed updated plans and asked for more outreach. Landscape Architect Carducci held additional school meetings, refined the designs again, and checked in with city partners. 

After DSA approval, construction will likely happen in two phases in 2026 and 2027. The spaces for Vargas will be constructed this summer.  Read the plans’ details here.

Staff Housing Nonprofit: The Board approved the revised bylaws of MVW Residences Corporation. This non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation will govern staff housing in the future. While the Board of Trustees will still have high-level oversight, the nonprofit housing corporation will allow more Board focus on student learning. Read more here. 

Shoreline Education Enhancement Reserve: The Board approved the renewed 10-year  Education Enhancement Reserve (EER) Agreement, a partnership between the Shoreline Regional Park Community and MVWSD, administered by the City of Mountain View. The agreement outlines annual payments from Shoreline to MVWSD starting in 2025–26 through June 2035, including a base amount tied to property tax growth and extra funds from new housing. MVWSD will receive $7.5 million next year, an increase from recent years. These funds go into a dedicated reserve and can be used for the benefit of students — technology, instructional support, programs, and facilities affected by growth. The agreement reflects a shared commitment between MVWSD and the City to investing in education and our community’s future. Read more here.

Prop 28: The Board received a written report about how MVWSD’s schools plan to use additional arts and music funding starting in the fall to boost existing programming (the funds cannot be used to replace existing programming or effort). Many schools plan to hire staff for afterschool enrichment. Click here to learn more.

Budget Planning for 2025-26 and beyond

As we begin the 2025-26 budget development process, now is the correct time to start right-sizing our budget to ensure long-term stability. Our current financial outlook of increased expenditures and reduced revenue is based on several factors and is not unexpected.  We already took early action this fall by reducing $700,000 in contracts, helping to strengthen our position.

Looking ahead, our reserves are projected to fall below desired levels by 2027-28 - to 8.4% - due to slower property tax revenue growth and increased investment in student programs. Our Board resolution requires reserves to remain between 17–20% to cushion against revenue fluctuations and unexpected costs, which we are experiencing now. 

Revenue growth from property taxes, our main funding source, has begun to slow.  After 10 years with an average of 9.4% AV growth, we are forecasting closer to 3% this year. At the same time, our expenditures continue to rise. We are in the third year of fully funding an unfunded transitional kindergarten program for 250 students, costing $3.5 million annually. In addition, we've invested $2.7 million in additional special education staffing to meet growing student needs. Staffing costs increased $2.4 million for programs and services, such as instructional aides, special education, mental health, Spanish teachers, science and general education. 

While our budget pressures are real, we have time to make thoughtful, strategic adjustments that support students and protect our future. For the Board presentation, please click here.

Federal Funding. While MVWSD is a community-funded district and therefore somewhat shielded from direct federal funding reductions, we are not immune to the effects these cuts may create. The district currently receives approximately $2 million annually in federal funds across Title I, II, III, IV, and Child Nutrition programs. MVWSD recently reached out to legislators to ask for their advocacy in preserving these resources. To view a sample letter you can update and send, please click here. 

Free meals this summer

Free meals provided by MVWSD and Santa Clara County are available to everyone under the age of 18 throughout the summer. The summer meals program reaches children who need good nutrition when school is out of session. No questions. No IDs required. mvwsd.org/nutrition.

Rengstorff Park
June 9 - July 31, 2025
Weekdays from 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
(No Meals June 19 & July 4)

Check out the MVWSD “Summer Menu” for learning activities you can do at home

Click here - mvwsd.org/summer - for information about free meals and a handy list of resources for students to practice their academic skills this summer.

Volunteering next year

 Thank you to the 800+ parents who completed the process to become MVWSD volunteers this year! We’ve been working hard to make registering to be a volunteer more convenient while keeping schools safe. Beginning August 1, 2025, you will be able to start your application for next year. Details are here: mvwsd.org/volunteers.

District Office summer hours

 This summer, the District Office, 1400 Montecito Ave., is open for business Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. The District Office is closed Thursday, June 19 in observance of Juneteenth and Friday, July 4 for the Fourth of July.

Construction on campuses this summer

Here are a few construction projects to be aware of on our campuses this summer.

Bubb, Imai, and Landels Elementary schools and Crittenden Middle will be undergoing essential roof replacement projects this summer. Please be aware that portions of the campuses where work is occurring and materials are staged will be off-limits this summer. 

Mistral Elementary’s parking lots will be closed in July for restriping. In early August, Landels and Graham's front parking lots/drop off areas will also be closed for restriping. 

The new restroom buildings near the fields at Castro/Mistral, Imai and Landels are almost complete. This standalone facility will be maintained by the City and will provide a convenient option for public use after school hours. Stay tuned for an announcement of their opening dates. 

Jose Antonio Vargas Elementary campus will be closed most of the summer for work on the new outdoor learning areas. Crews will be busy adding landscaping and hardscaping, such as a new ball wall. The artificial turf field will remain open and can be accessed through the maintenance gate by the backstop of the baseball field.

Construction has been scheduled to minimize disruptions for neighbors. Thank you in advance for your patience.

Bliss award at Graham

Graham Principal Sebastian Benavidez was named a finalist for the 2025 Follow Your Bliss Award. Created by Dr. Harry Edwards and the 49ers Foundation, this award honors Bay Area educators who lead with passion, purpose, and a deep commitment to students, families, and communities. Congratulations!

Castro Health and Wellness Resource Fair

Castro Elementary recently hosted its Health and Wellness Resource Fair, offering students and families access to behavioral and mental health services, community resources, and a variety of engaging activities. Attendees enjoyed snacks and beverages, carnival games, music, and prizes in a festive atmosphere full of school spirit. Thank you to the staff, volunteers, and community partners who made this engaging event possible.

Graham’s performing arts

Graham Middle School students shined at the Forum Music Festival in Anaheim on May 16. The Advanced Choir and Orchestra earned Gold Ratings, while Advanced Band and Guitar brought home Silver Ratings. Great job, Bears!

Communications award

MVWSD was recently recognized nationally for its communications efforts. NSPRA (National School Public Relations Association) awarded a “Golden Achievement Award” for MVWSD’s Reputation Campaign, an “Award of Excellence” for our Transitional Kindergarten Video and an “Honorable Mention” for the District Budget Infographic. These same projects were also recognized by the California School Public Relations Association in March. NSPRA serves districts throughout the U.S.