In this edition ...

• From the desk of Dr. Skelly …
• Board meeting review: Contracts, student performance data, sustainability, resolutions and more
• Update on SEL Curriculum work
• Seeking parent and community input about reading difficulty screeners
• High Fives

Dear MVWSD Families:

I know I speak for the school board and fellow staff members when I say how heartening it was to see the apparent passage of Measure AA, which renews the district’s parcel tax revenue. The 74% of voters who have affirmed their support of the district’s work is both humbling and inspiring. Thank you.

It goes without saying that the district is going through a period of transition. The Board approved my role as Interim Superintendent last night through February 3, and an Interim Superintendent contract with Mr. Jeff Baier, retired Superintendent of the Los Altos School District, for the remainder of the school year. In addition, we will have three new Board members. While results are not certified, it appears that Lisa Henry, Charles DiFazio and Ana Kristina Reed will be joining Devon Conley and Bill Lambert on the Board. They will be sworn in to their positions at the December Board meeting. 

Transitions can create feelings of unsettlement, but they are also times of renewal, learning and refocus.  During my time serving you, I am committed to three things. First, I want to make sure that our focus and energy are devoted to making sure every student has a distinctive experience in our schools and classrooms. Second, I will work to ensure that we listen with curiosity and respond to the public's concerns promptly. Finally, I am committed to helping create a smooth transition from this time to the 2025-26 school year when a new, permanent superintendent will be in place.

As I visit classrooms, meet with principals, teachers, and staff, and work with the people who support our schools, I am fired up! This is going to be fun!

On we go!

Kevin Skelly, Ph.D.
Interim Superintendent
[email protected]

Board meeting review: Contracts, student performance data, sustainability, resolutions and more

Contracts and Financial Procedures:  Since August, MVWSD has focused on creating additional transparency in our financial procedures and updating our vendor approval process.  MVWSD is taking steps to enact new financial processes to ensure greater transparency, inclusive financial decision-making, and more efficient use of our resources. The Board heard and approved procedures for purchasing that provide clear guidelines for acquiring services, equipment, materials, and supplies. Contracts under specified thresholds, such as $114,500 for materials (supplies for schools etc.) or $50,000 for professional services, allow informal procurement processes, while higher amounts require formal bidding. For specific services, like construction and architectural work, the district must follow structured RFQ/RFP processes, often with legal counsel support. For more details, see items C, D, and E here. 

Construction projects on hold: Staff recommended reducing the remainder of the Access Control/ Electronic Locks Measure T safety project from $6 million to $90,000, focusing only on essential locks. Additionally, the District Office reconfiguration, intended to accommodate growth and storage, will be put on hold, with funds remaining in reserve for future capital needs. These funds are restricted to capital projects and cannot be redirected for instructional purposes.

The data from last year’s standardized tests (2024 California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress) highlights that overall district performance in ELA and Math remains above county levels, though achievement gaps persist, especially for English Learners and socio-economically disadvantaged groups. While 62% of students are on or above grade level in ELA (a slight decline from last year), Math proficiency holds steady at 58%. The district is focused on strengthening instruction and providing targeted support, literacy-focused professional development, and data-driven interventions. Next steps include further professional development, expanding early literacy services, and revising the district's math curriculum. Read the presentation here.

MVWSD’s recent sustainability activities include a partnership with Canopy for tree-planting work, starting with Bubb Elementary. New trees will provide shade, biodiversity, and climate resilience,  and the program will engage students and families in environmental stewardship through hands-on planting events and educational activities. MVWSD’s sustainability efforts include monthly site-based activities focusing on waste reduction, including a "Weigh the Waste" initiative and community costume swaps to promote reuse. Long-term goals involve creating greener, more sustainable campuses with plans to be presented at an upcoming Board meeting. 

MVWSD will celebrate United Against Hate Week at school sites the week of November 18-22, 2024. Schools will hold events and classroom activities to promote their school’s theme for the week, such as in-class exercises to build empathy and spread kindness. Read the resolution here. Addditionally, nine of our schools were just recently awarded the designation of  ‘No Place for Hate Schools’ for the 23-24 school year from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) following a comprehensive submission of school-wide, student-driven activities. Congratulations to Bubb, Castro, Imai, Landels, Monta Loma, Theuerkauf, Stevenson, and Vargas Elementary Schools along with Crittenden Middle School for this recognition of outstanding effort at making MVWSD No Place for Hate.

November 1, 2024 marks the beginning of National Native American Heritage Month. MVWSD recognizes the importance of honoring the achievements of our Native American community members and reflecting thoughtfully on the history of pain and oppression they endured and that continues. Read the resolution here.

Update on SEL Curriculum work

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is essential for helping students develop skills in self-awareness, empathy, self-regulation, and decision-making, equipping them to handle social, emotional, and academic challenges effectively. In alignment with the district’s strategic plan and Board directives, the SEL Curriculum Committee is advancing toward MVWSD’s goal of recommending a curriculum for our schools for the 2025-2026 school year. 

This committee, comprising school representatives, parents, and a community member, is working to research and make recommendations to the Board.  After initial meetings in October 2024, the committee has narrowed over 100 curriculum options to 27 that best match the District's needs. 

The next steps are: A committee meeting in November, and a November update to the Board. The curriculum list will be further narrowed down. Professional development and pilot programs start in January 2025, with parent review opportunities once pilots are complete. For more information, see the SEL Curriculum Committee webpage.

Seeking parent and community input about reading difficulty screeners

As part of our work to support early literacy, MVWSD is adopting new screening tools to identify students at risk for reading difficulties. We are seeking parent and community input about reading difficulty screeners, how we support students who are at risk for reading difficulties, and how we partner and communicate with families of students at risk for reading difficulties.

If you are interested in joining upcoming focus groups, please click the link to apply no later than November 15, 2024. 

High Fives

Día de Muertos

Mistral Elementary created a beautiful altar at the Civic Center Plaza for the City of Mountain View’s Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration on November 2nd. The Latino community celebrates Día de Muertos to honor the lives of loved ones who have passed away. Thank you to all of the Mistral parents and students who contributed to this event.

Graham Middle School held its Second Annual Día de los Muertos Festival.  Hundreds of people attended this vibrant day of remembrance and celebration. It was a wonderful opportunity for students and families to participate in activities and share in the traditions of the day.

Successful Transportation Department Audit

The MVWSD Transportation Department recently passed a California Highway Patrol terminal inspection successfully. These inspections ensure that commercial vehicle operators comply with Motor Carrier Safety regulations. They check to see that buses are maintained and serviced regularly, records are up to date and that drivers are current in their training requirements. The team’s efforts in preparing and organizing paperwork were essential to ensuring a smooth inspection process. We are grateful for their commitment and teamwork!