In this edition ...

• From the Desk of Mr. Baier
• Board meeting review: Staff Housing Annual Budget, Resolution Supporting AAPI Month, Outdoor Learning Areas
• Staffing update for 2026-27
• Free summer meals
• MVWSD saves taxpayers $3 million by refinancing bonds
• Math adoption process update
• View and comment on draft LCAP
• High Fives

From the Desk of Mr. Baier

Dear Staff Members and Families,

As we continue planning for the future of teaching and learning in our schools, we are taking a thoughtful look at educational technology in MVWSD and how it can best support student learning and achievement.

We’ll be asking parents, staff and students in grades 4–8 to participate in a short survey. Please look for an email with your survey link around May 18. 

Our goal is to better understand how technology is being used, where it adds value to learning, and how we can be more intentional and balanced in its use to support students both academically and developmentally.

Your feedback is an important part of this process and will help guide our future planning. Thank you in advance for taking a few minutes to share your perspective.

Warmly,

Jeffrey Baier
Superintendent

Board meeting review: Staff Housing Annual Budget, Resolution Supporting AAPI Month, Outdoor Learning Areas

MVW Residences Corp Board: MVWSD staff housing will be profitable

After two years of planning and action, MVWSD’s staff housing is set to turn a profit, and the units reserved for MVWSD are 76% full.

MVW Residences Corporation Board is the non-profit that manages MVWSD’s staff housing. The non-profit presented its first annual budget to Trustees. MVW Residences Corp is tasked with daily fiscal management of this valuable real estate asset and staff benefit, with MVWSD oversight, and helping MVWSD, Foothill-DeAnza, and the City fulfill their housing priorities. This structure ensures Trustees and district staff can focus on student learning.

The MVW Residences Corp Board, at the recommendation of MVWSD Board of Trustees, lowered rents in January—a 21.9% averaged rental rate reduction. For more information: mvwsd.org/housing

Outdoor Learning Areas

Eight MVWSD campuses will be under construction this summer as part of the Districtwide Outdoor Learning Areas project. The improvements will include shaded seating areas, colorful play spaces, outdoor classrooms, gardens, and native plants designed to support hands-on learning, student well-being, and environmental stewardship.

The Board of Trustees approved a $2.2 million preliminary services agreement to begin construction documents for the overall $11.46 million project. Vargas Elementary’s outdoor learning area was completed last summer, while Castro and Mistral are scheduled for construction in 2027 in order to accommodate summer school this year.

This work is part of MVWSD’s multi-year effort to create sustainable, engaging outdoor spaces for learning and play, shaped by extensive community input over the past three years. The construction is funded through Measure T bond dollars, which can only be used for capital improvements.

Resolution: Supporting Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month

The Trustees passed a resolution honoring the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and celebrating their history, culture and contributions. 

Staffing update for 2026-27

As we prepare for the 2026-27 school year, we are excited to welcome new leaders to MVWSD and recognize administrators who are stepping into new or expanded roles in service of our students and families. Click here to read more about each of them.

Ms. Margaret Poor will be the new principal of Bubb Elementary.

Mr. Gustavo Estrada will be the new principal of Gabriela Mistral Elementary. 

Ms. Van Nguyen will be the new Maintenance, Operations & Transportation (MOT) director.

Ms. Karin Jinbo’s title is now Director of Student Services and Wellness.

Ms. Tara Watan’s title is now Director of Early Learning.

Together, these staffing changes position us to continue moving forward with a focus on high-quality teaching, strong school communities, and excellent service to students and families during times of budget challenges.

Free Summer meals for kids!

Free meals will be available weekdays at Rengstorff Park from June 10 – July 31, 2026, from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM (no meals on June 19 or July 3). Provided by MVWSD and County of Santa Clara, meals are available to all children and teens 18 and under. Students must be present. No questions; no IDs required. mvwsd.org/nutrition

MVWSD saves taxpayers $3 million by refinancing bonds

The District replaced prior bonds with an average interest rate of 3.38% with new bonds at an all-inclusive interest rate of 2.82%, without extending the term of the bonds. The refinancing savings are a win for taxpayers because they result in lower property taxes. Once the District identified an opportunity to refinance in a way that benefited the community, the Board and staff moved quickly to pursue it.

The District received the highest ‘Aaa’ rating from Moody’s Investor Service as part of the refinancing process. The incredible rating was the result of the District’s strong local economy, community-funded status, and track record of financial conservatism and outperformance.

Update: MVWSD works to update Math Curriculum for 2027-28

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. The goal is to implement a new math curriculum in the 2027–28 school year.

Click here to learn more about the work by MVWSD’s Math Curriculum Adoption Committee, its process, and the four pilot programs selected for middle and elementary schools next year.

View and comment on MVWSD’s Local Control Accountability Plan draft before May 22

The District is finalizing its draft of the LCAP (Local Control Accountability Plan). This is the District’s three-year plan that corresponds with the District’s Strategic Plan. These documents are the blueprints that guide all of the District’s work for the benefit of our students.

Through May 22, stakeholders are welcome to view the draft LCAP plan and provide input about the plans' goals, actions, and services. You may read presentations and supporting materials and make comments at mvwsd.org/lcap.

Stakeholders may also attend the public hearing during the Board of Trustees meeting on Thursday, May 28. Agenda and time are found at mvwsd.org/trustees.

High Fives

CMEA results

Congratulations to the talented and hard-working students in the Performing Arts program at Graham Middle School. We are proud to share outstanding results from the recent California Music Educators Association (CMEA) Festivals, held for Jazz Band on February 6 at San Jose State University, for Advanced Choir at Graham Middle School on April 24, and for Advanced Band and Advanced Orchestra on May 2 at Graham Middle School: 

Band: Graham Jazz Band received Unanimous Superior Ratings; Graham Advanced Band received an overall Excellent Rating, including a Superior Rating for Sight Reading.

Orchestra: Graham Advanced Orchestra received Unanimous Superior ratings. Graham Intermediate Orchestra received Excellent and Superior ratings and a Superior rating for Sight Reading.

A huge thank you to our music directors for their hard work and commitment to excellence. Your passion inspires our students every single day.

Track Finals

Graham hosted the Valley League Track & Field Finals this week. It was a huge undertaking for our middle school staff members, coaches and volunteers. We are proud to report that 41 Crittenden students and 30 Graham students qualified as individuals and as teams for County Finals! Additionally, three students broke school records at Crittenden and three students broke school records at Graham! To our track stars: Congratulations on a great season and best of luck at the County Finals!

GRAHAMmys

The GRAHAMmys is an annual event that celebrates the hard work of the GMSTV students throughout the academic year. Students have the opportunity to submit their projects to compete in a variety of categories. From film to digital design to photography, GMSTV students expressed their creativity and passion through their work.

Shout out to our Protégé Award winner, who dedicated time, energy, knowledge, and leadership to the GMSTV program during the year, and to our Film of the Year winners for their film "Tag Taken Too Far". Congratulations!