In this edition ...

• Teachers granted permanent status
• Board meeting review: Unaudited actuals
• Remembering 9/11
• How we monitor air quality
• Update on staff housing
• High Fives
  

Teachers granted permanent status

Several teachers were honored last night at the Board of Trustees meeting for earning permanent status in our district. This means these educators have successfully completed their first two years of teaching at MVWSD, and are reelected to serve a third year. Congratulations, and thank you for your dedication to our students!

Alice Bowie, Castro Elementary
Alexa Brand, Stevenson Elementary
Carolyn Chang, Landels Elementary
Yeimy Cifuentes Gil, Crittenden Middle School
Kara Clapper, Special Education
Alicia Dunne, Monta Loma Elementary
Tamara Evans, Bubb Elementary
Madison Gallagher, Theuerkauf Elementary
Brenna Harklau, Imai Elementary
Lizzette Dela Torre Hernandez, Districtwide
Shinhee Ruth Kim, Landels Elementary
Allison Lee, Graham Middle School
Abbie Meyer, Theuerkauf Elementary
Sukhita Navalyal, Stevenson Elementary
Rachel Nevarez, Crittenden Middle School
Nicole Perazzo, Landels Elementary School
Michael Rollins, Imai Elementary School
Moises Ruiz Rico, Graham Middle School
Pedro Serrano, Graham Middle School
Judith Sosa, Mistral Elementary School
Evi Sullivan, Mistral Elementary School
Andrew Vargha, Imai Elementary School
Lauren Winsor, Bubb Elementary School
Jennifer Yee, Theuerkauf Elementary School
Trevor Yerkes, Vargas Elementary School
Rochelle Zelenka, Landels Elementary School

Board meeting review: Unaudited actuals

The Board heard the 2024–25 Unaudited Actuals Report presentation that highlights MVWSD’s financial performance last year. The unaudited actuals reconcile budget estimates with year-end realities. MVWSD closed 2024-25 with higher revenues and lower expenditures than anticipated. Specifically, the revenues were carryover balances, savings from contracted services, and unfilled positions. The ending combined fund balance is $58.5M with a 39% reserve.

However, this reserve level will not hold. Looking ahead, our reserves are projected to fall below desired levels by 2027-28—to 9.8%—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. Based on recent info from the County’s Assessor's Office, we are now forecasting lower than 3% this year. 

At the same time, our expenditures continue to rise. We are in the third year of funding a state-mandated, 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. 

Now is the time to start right-sizing our budget to ensure long-term stability. We have time to make thoughtful, strategic adjustments that support students and protect our future.

Ever wonder how all of our students get the well-rounded educational experience they deserve — complete with art, music, field trips, activities and more? It happens through your generous support! Community partnerships through MVEF and PTAs are essential to sustaining the programs that make our schools whole. Learn more here.

We continue to remember and honor the memory of those who lost their lives on 9/11, those who grieve for them and recognize the bravery of first responders. As a school district, we commemorate September 11, 2001, with a moment of silence to teach our students about the resilience and unity that emerged from tragedy. It serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of compassion, community, and the enduring values of freedom and democracy. For guidance on how to navigate this subject in an age-appropriate way: 911memorial.org

On bad air days, decisions about actions, activities cancellations or school closures will be made based on AirNow measurements and the MVWSD Air Quality Index Chart. To view the MVWSD AQI chart and the live AirNow measurement, please see this webpage. Decisions about indoor recess/lunch for students will be made when the air quality dips into or below “unhealthy for sensitive groups.”

Our HEPA filters (in every classroom and office) do double duty by helping to protect against airborne germs, as well as clean the air when wildfire smoke is bad. This is in addition to our schools’ updated HVAC systems that have highly effective MERV-13 filters, which are the highest-grade filters available for our units, or air purifiers with filtration ratings at least as high as the MERV-13. Our HVAC systems’ MERV-13 filters will remove 90% of smoke particulate, but not all of smoke odor.

Strengthening its long-term commitment to school district employee workforce stability and housing affordability, on Aug. 25, our Board of Trustees formalized our innovative partnership with the Foothill DeAnza (FHDA) Community College District that further increases the impact of MVW at the Sevens.

MVWSD is in the process of selling 50 units of its 144-unit community to FHDA for $54.45 million. This partnership fully pays for MVWSD’s recent $53.5 million purchase of the land under the building and the elimination of the expensive land lease.

The unit sale right-sizes the number of units to better match actual staff needs. The partnership reduces operating costs, creating a pathway to lower rents for employees. It safeguards the district’s financial future by protecting the general fund and student programs.

The partnership with FHDA, a trusted local educational institution,  is a natural fit because both institutions serve the same taxpayers and are part of the K–14 educational continuum in the community. By prioritizing FHDA, while keeping a “waterfall” structure in place for other educational institutions, MVWSD helps expand affordable housing access for local educators. This collaboration, in turn, supports the district’s ability to maintain lower staff rents and reinforces a community-wide commitment to educational excellence.

The next step is that the FHDA Board of Trustees is expected to approve the partnership. Both entities will continue finalizing documents, including an updated below-market-rate housing agreement with the City of Mountain View. We anticipate the entire process could be completed later this year. For more information, please click here.

Meet the principals

We're excited to have new MVWSD administrators with us this school year! We’ve been featuring on our social media our new principals and administrators as well as those who’ve transitioned to new schools or roles. Check out Facebook to learn some fun facts about these staff members.

Sevens Apartments Opening

Trustees and administrators attended the grand opening of the Sevens Apartments on Aug. 23. These units are the market-rate side of the development that includes MVW at the Sevens — our staff housing. Our residents have the opportunity to use the market-rate amenities at the Sevens.