In this edition ...

• From the Desk of Mr. Baier
• Board meeting review: Updates on Child Nutrition, ELOP (Afterschool), Budget, Preschool
• MVWSD starts math curriculum review process
• Connecting with the Board of Trustees
• Budget Advisory Committee Public Meeting recap
• High Fives

From the Desk of Mr. Baier

Dear Families,

Across our district, there is a strong sense of purpose right now. We are thoughtfully digging into Orenda’s recommendations and using them as a guide to strengthen outcomes for every student we serve. As you may recall, the report calls us to focus our efforts in four key areas:

• Improving data systems
• Strengthening program design
• Reducing the “Christmas Tree Effect” (doing fewer things, better)
• Improving system alignment

To read the recommendations, and the recently uploaded executive summary, click here.

The path forward is both clear and meaningful. We know what research tells us about helping students learn and thrive. The important work now is building a thoughtful, steady roadmap to get us there together. 

In the near future, we will engage students, families, staff, and partners in how we accomplish excellent outcomes for all students. Our plan will be rooted in research, informed by data, and guided by our shared values and hopes for what we want every student to know and be able to do when they leave our schools.

I am inspired by the opportunity in front of us. When we focus our efforts, align our systems, and work together with clarity and purpose, our students benefit. Thank you for your partnership. I look forward to continuing this work together.

Warmly,
Jeffrey Baier
Superintendent

Board meeting review: Updates on Child Nutrition, ELOP (Afterschool), Budget, Preschool

Child Nutrition Update

Staff presented an update on school-served meals. MVWSD students, regardless of income, may receive up to two free meals per student per day as part of the California Universal Meals Program. More than half our students eat at school. Our Child Nutrition Department serves approximately 4500 lunches and breakfasts each day. The Child Nutrition Department continues to enhance its menus to improve both nutritional quality and student appeal, while carefully managing costs within the approximately $5 per meal reimbursement rate, which must cover food, labor, and kitchen infrastructure costs.

ELOP (Afterschool) Update

Staff provided an update on the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program. MVWSD’s afterschool and non-school day programs are currently serving approximately 900 qualifying students.

Budget Update

Staff provided an update on the implementation of Board-directed budget reductions presented at the January 29, 2026 meeting.

Preschool Update and Self Evaluation

Staff provided an update on the state Preschool programs. Our award-winning preschool has low-cost and flexible programs at two locations for families with 3- and 4-year olds.

MVWSD starts math curriculum review process

As part of our regular curriculum review cycle, MVWSD has launched a two-year process to update our math curriculum, grounded in the latest research and best practices in math instruction. Our current math curriculum was last adopted in 2015, and our math placement criteria were last updated in the 2021–22 school year, making this a timely and important opportunity to reflect, learn, and improve.

This work is being led by MVWSD’s Math Curriculum Adoption Committee—a diverse group of teachers, administrators, and parents dedicated to identifying the most effective instructional materials for our students. The committee is engaged in a thoughtful, methodical process that includes researching available programs, reviewing materials, and piloting curricula in classrooms to understand what best supports student learning. The goal is to implement a new math curriculum in the 2027–28 school year.

The Educational Services Department invited participation from classroom teachers and parents of students in kindergarten through eighth grade. In accordance with California Education Code, the majority of committee members are teachers. The team represents a range of grade levels and school sites and is co-facilitated by Associate Superintendent Cathy Baur, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Dr. Cyndee Nguyen, and Director of Federal, State, and Strategic Programs Geoff Chang.

To date, the committee has met 5 times (including a full Saturday) and has accomplished the following: 

• Understanding MVWSD’s context through a data review, including student and family survey and focus group responses collected Spring 2025
• Building shared knowledge of the Science of Learning (evidence-based instruction) and the 2023 California Mathematics Framework
• Adapting a curriculum review rubric based on California Department of Education’s rubric
• Reviewing all 29 state-approved K-8 math curricula
• Selecting 6 curricula for further review

We are grateful for the time and expertise of the educators and parents serving on this committee, and we are excited about the work underway to strengthen math instruction and learning outcomes for all MVWSD students. To learn more, click here.

Video: Connecting with the MVWSD Board of Trustees

Have you wondered about our Board of Trustees; who they are, what they do and how you can share your ideas with them? You can learn more in this English video and this Spanish video.

Video and presentation: Budget Advisory Committee’s “Budget Guide” 

The BAC held a public meeting on Feb. 26 and shared its “MVWSD Budget Guide: A Community Primer on How Our Schools Are Funded and Supported” and answered community questions. Watch the meeting recording here.

The BAC supports alignment between the District’s financial decisions and the strategic plan by collaborating with the District to review, analyze, provide input, engage with the broader community, and make recommendations about the budget and financial policies to the Superintendent. Click here for more information about the BAC. Contact the BAC by email.

Look for BAC members to be visiting schools soon to continue engaging with the community.
 

High Fives

Crittenden’s Mock Trial Team heads to state finals!

A huge round of applause for the Crittenden Mock Trial Team! In just their first competition (and only one month after forming under Ms. Dillon's guidance!), the Panther team took first place at the Santa Clara County Mock Trial Tournament. They will now advance to the State Finals at UCLA School of Law later this month. Congratulations on this incredible achievement, team. We are so proud of your hard work and determination. Please wish them luck as they continue to compete.

Early Literacy Program wins county Hoffmann Award

The MVWSD Early Literacy Program has been named a countywide recipient of the 2026 Glenn W. Hoffmann Exemplary Program Awards.

To ensure all of our students are reading by third grade, the MVWSD early literacy team provides targeted reading intervention at all schools. Our early literacy team consists of instructional coaches and reading interventionists who are equitably deployed based on student literacy needs. The team supports our district’s structured literacy and the Science of Reading approach through collaboration, professional development, and family literacy events. 

The Hoffmann awards were created by the Santa Clara County School Boards Association to recognize outstanding school programs that have a significant impact on student success in our county. The committee visited early literacy teachers at Castro Elementary and reported being deeply impressed by both the strength of the program and its meaningful impact on students.