In this edition ...

• From the Desk of Mr. Baier: Immigration
• Board meeting review: Budget reductions
• High Fives
• Student registration ends Feb. 6
  

From the Desk of Mr. Baier: Immigration

Dear Families and Staff Members, 

With the disturbing images from Minneapolis still fresh and uncertainty about the potential presence of federal agents in our area for the Super Bowl, I am writing to share an update on our District’s ongoing commitment to the safety, privacy, and well-being of our students and families.

Our guiding principle remains consistent: We will do everything we can to protect the privacy, safety, and rights of our students and families while complying with immigration enforcement to the extent required by law.

We have been closely monitoring this issue, and you have heard from me in the past about our resolutions and procedures.  We continue to adjust our protocols as circumstances evolve. 

To ensure our schools are prepared with clear, consistent response protocols, the District is taking the following steps:

• Updating Board policies to strengthen the privacy of families’ information and security of campuses, in alignment with the law (SB 98 and EC 234.7) and with guidance from the California Attorney General
• Providing ongoing and repeated training on appropriate response procedures for frontline staff and school leadership 
• Ensuring immediate communication to students, families, staff, and the broader school community if an immigration enforcement agent is present at a school 
• Updating school safety plans to include requirements for parent and guardian notification
• Coordinating with the County to access resources and additional support
• Maintaining close contact with the Rapid Response Network to help verify reports so that we can act based on factual information

Here’s how our families can help:

• Keep this resource at hand: 

Rapid Response Network, a 24-hour multilingual hotline in place to investigate possible ICE activities in the community, provide factual information about potential sightings and to support individuals through ICE encounters. (408) 290-1144 or Rapid Response Network | Amigos de Guadalupe 

• Know your rights: 

Guide for Students and Families in English and Spanish

• Update your child’s emergency contact information at school: 

Including secondary contacts, to identify a trusted adult guardian who can care for your child if you are detained. How to make a family preparedness plan

Our commitment is to support our school communities with accurate information and a steadfast focus on student and family well-being. Thank you for your trust and partnership. 

Gratefully,

Jeffrey Baier
Superintendent

Board meeting review: Budget reductions

The Board gave staff direction to proceed with $7.4 million in budget reductions. These reductions are crucial to ensure a stable financial future for our schools. Our funding—specifically property tax revenue— isn’t growing the way it used to, and the cost of educating students keeps rising. The County Assessor has advised that we should expect two to three more years of similar low tax revenue conditions. To learn more about why it’s critical that MVWSD reduce its spending to respond to financial conditions and the process so far, click here. 

Thank you for engaging with us in budget conversations since September. The thoughts and considerations about proposed budget reductions from staff and parents were collected in conversations and surveys. This input informed the final recommendations to the Board of Trustees on January 29.

• Preschool
• ELOP (afterschool) 
• Physical education (Rhythm and Moves) or STEAM programs
• Reducing or reassigning At Risk Intervention Supervisors and School Community Engagement Facilitators

Approved $7.4 Million Budget Reductions for 2026-27

Freeze salaries of approximately 60 administrators, confidential, and supervisory employees: $507,000

This option was suggested by the Board at its January 15 meeting and affects only non-represented administrative and confidential employees. The freeze contributes to the preservation of classroom programs and direct student services.

Eliminating some district office staff and administrators: $4.08 million

MVWSD will reduce 15% of district office positions, reflecting feedback from parent and staff surveys that favored district-level reductions. Positions to be eliminated include the areas of student services, communications, technology, business, teachers on special assignment, one full-time assistant principal and others, totaling the equivalent of 20 full-time positions. 

Reassigning Behavioral Technicians: $917,000

Behavior technicians will be reassigned to support students with specific needs, rather than serving schoolwide, creating potential efficiencies by assuming duties currently handled by some instructional aides.

Reducing technology in younger grades: $319,000

Instead of assigning Chromebooks to all first- through third-grade students, devices will be provided only upon request. Kindergarten classrooms will share laptop carts rather than having individual classroom sets. Students in grades four through eight will continue to receive individual devices.

Reducing custodial services: $939,000

The district will reduce nighttime custodial staffing by 50%, eliminating 6.5 full-time positions. Restrooms will still be cleaned daily; classrooms will be vacuumed and wiped down every other day. Offices and staff areas will be cleaned on a rotating schedule.

Proposed increase in ELOP funds: $660,000

MVWSD is tentatively planning on the Governor’s proposal of increasing per pupil funding for next year, bringing down the District’s cost from $1.66 million to approximately $1 million.

Next steps:

The MVWSD Human Resources team will be working on finalizing staffing plans for the coming year. Staff members who may be impacted by changes, including potential reassignments or layoffs, will be communicated with individually.

High Fives

Bringing Positivity to Campus with Vargas’s new Kindness Cafe

Vargas recently introduced the Kindness Cafe, where students “order” one kindness action to complete throughout the week. The menu includes fun and engaging options, such as Friendship Tacos, Compliment Donuts, Respect Juice and more!

The objective of the Kindness Café is to help students build ownership of their actions while strengthening social-emotional skills. Through these kindness actions, students practice welcoming behaviors and gain confidence by successfully engaging in positive social interactions and supporting others. Thanks to those of you who stopped by to check it out and share some kindness around campus!

Castro Earned a Bench After Reaching the 1,000-Pound Plastic Collection Goal

The Castro community successfully reached the NexTrex® Challenge goal of collecting 1,000 pounds of non-recyclable plastic, earning an eco-friendly bench made entirely from repurposed materials. With generous support from the Los Altos Rotary Club, Castro met this milestone at the start of 2026, highlighting the collective efforts of students, families, and staff.

The NexTrex® Challenge was introduced through the district’s Green Team, led by Justin Gorman, and launched at Castro’s Science Night in March. Nicole Data, Castro STEAM teacher, worked alongside students, staff and families to collect non-recyclable plastic and raise awareness about waste reduction. The program focuses on diverting non-recyclable plastics from landfills and transforming them into durable outdoor products. Castro’s efforts continue, because every piece of plastic collected helps keep our campus and community cleaner!

100th Day of School

Our students are officially 100 days smarter! On January 28th, classrooms across the district celebrated the 100th day of school. A big thank you to all the staff members and parent volunteers who helped our kiddos celebrate. And to our students: we're so proud of what you've accomplished so far this year. You are learning and growing so fast! Keep up the great work!

Stevenson Artwork Displayed at City Hall

From January 16–27, Stingray artwork was on display at Mountain View City Hall! The exhibition featured student artwork created during this school year’s first session of Arts Focus. An art reception was held during the showing, where visitors could check out the student artwork, meet the artists, craft, and participate in a scavenger hunt. A big thank you to everyone who came out to support our young artists and their incredible creativity!

Student registration for the fall open until Feb. 6

Bright futures start here! Student registration for the fall is open now through Feb. 6. Learn how your student can grow and thrive in our caring preschool–8th grade learning community.

Preschool Parent Information Night: February 5 (Spanish) and February 11 (English). Click here for details: mvw.sd/26meetings.

For CURRENT students in transitional kindergarten-7th grade: Parents should confirm enrollment before February 6.

For families enrolling NEW students: Submit your child’s information before February 6. 

Get in-person help with enrolling your student by joining us for our Registration Help Night! Please bring all necessary documentation. Our staff will be available to answer questions, walk you through the process and ensure your student is fully registered.

Graham: February 3 @ 5-7 p.m.
Castro: February 4 @ 5-7 p.m.

Please check www.mvwsd.org/register for how to locate your neighborhood school, how to explore school options and the four steps to register.