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In this edition ...
- Board meeting review: Castro, preschool tuition, middle school schedule, Monta Loma fencing, and budget report
- Negotiations News: Agreement reached!
- New administrator assignment: Focus on Health and Wellness
- Update on staff housing
- High Fives
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Board meeting review: Castro, preschool tuition, middle school schedule, Monta Loma fencing, and budget report
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 ReImagining Castro Elementary Plan Update: The Board heard a report from the Re-Imagining Castro Ed Roundtable group about the research they conducted at school visits that will inform the creation of an action plan for Mariano Castro Elementary School. This group consists of Castro teachers and staff, Castro parents, administrators and Trustees. In recent years, Castro Elementary has experienced an increase in the numbers of students who are not meeting academic standards in English language arts and math. The District will create a plan that will increase access to high-quality and culturally-responsive educational experiences and support for Castro students that result in increased academic outcomes over time. The next step is to gather feedback from Castro staff and parents. Please click here for the presentation.
Proposed Preschool Tuition Fee Schedule:  The Board discussed updated preschool fees for next year. Fees for extended day and after-school care (new for next year) will be on a sliding scale based on updated income thresholds. This will mean decreased tuition for state preschool-eligible families for extended day with a nominal fee for after-school. The rates are below the local market rate for private early care and education. Registration for next year opens on March 18th. Look for updated fees on mvwsd.org/preschool.
Middle School Schedule Committee Update: Staff presented the possibility of moving the middle schools next year from the current eight-period cascading schedule to a seven-period schedule. This schedule change offers benefits such as more core instructional time with students and dedicated time for Social Emotional Learning. All students, including students who need English Language Development and instructional support, would still have a choice elective. Next steps: Feedback will be collected from middle school parents and staff, and the schedule committee, a representative group of teachers and administrators, will meet again to review feedback and make a recommendation. To view the presentation, click here.
 Monta Loma Elementary Perimeter Controls: Since 2021, MVWSD has worked with neighbors, parents and school staff members on how to balance secure school field use with community access to green space during the day. The Board has approved the final fencing plan for the perimeter of the Monta Loma Elementary campus. Construction is anticipated to begin late summer. Click here to view the plan.
 Second Interim Budget Report: Staff presented this 2023-24 budget report that shows the District’s financial health is strong. As a community-funded district that relies on local property tax revenue, MVWSD is not impacted as much by fluctuations in the state’s funding as other school districts are. MVWSD’s reserves allow it to weather storms when there is slow property tax growth. Staff continues to work on the 2024-25 budget that will be presented to the Board in June for approval. Click here for a video about how the budget cycle works.
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Negotiations News: Agreement reached!
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After several productive and collaborative negotiations sessions, the teams from the District and Mountain View Educators Association have completed negotiations on a new three-year comprehensive tentative agreement effective through June 30, 2027. Please find the joint announcement here. More details will be shared by MVEA and the District as part of the ratification and approval process. MVWSD is proud to venerate its teachers while remaining fiscally responsible and proud to have such a positive and productive relationship with MVEA throughout this negotiation process.
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New administrator assignment: Focus on Health and Wellness
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We are happy to announce a new administrator assignment for the 2024-25 school year in order to fulfill MVWSD’s focus on increased academic, mental health and social-emotional supports for students.
MVWSD is looking ahead to fully implementing its Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, as well as hiring counselors for every school next year. Additionally, the District is developing social-emotional instruction for students and combating chronic absenteeism. These goals require dedicated time and resources.
 Karin Jinbo, most recently the Director of Student Support Services and Special Education, will be the new Director of Health and Wellness and will serve in the MVWSD Administrative Services Department. She is returning to this role that she served in from 2020-2022 in order to support the district’s focus on increased academic, mental health and social-emotional support to students.
In addition to focusing on programs that improve instruction for students based on their individual academic and social-emotional needs, she and Brian White, Coordinator of Health and Wellness, will oversee implementation of a new social-emotional curriculum for students.
Ms. Jinbo has 20+ years of experience in education; primarily in Special Education. She has served as Special Education Coordinator, Mental Health in the Santa Ana Unified School District, and as Coordinator for Special Education, Behavioral Health in the Novato Unified School District. She has a master’s in legal studies from Arizona State University, a master’s from Azusa Pacific University, and a master’s in education and bachelor’s of science from the University of Connecticut.
MVWSD will be seeking a new Director of Special Education.
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| Update on staff housing |
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 Excitement is "building" for our staff housing project opening in 2025. The project at 777 W. Middlefield Rd (facing Shoreline Blvd) will provide 123 studio, 1- and 2- bedroom units at below-rate rent for teachers and staff. It is anticipated that staff housing will open in January or July 2025. The average rent is predicted to be $2100; lower rent for studio and one-bedroom units. Staff members, look for a housing survey to come to you soon in which you can express your interest.
Staff housing is possible thanks to community support through Measure T in 2020, and is a collaborative effort between MVWSD, the City, and Fortbay/Miramar Property Group. For more details, see mvwsd.org/housing.
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High Fives
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 Recapping Read Across America Week: Engaging read-alouds with special guests, reading challenges and activities, and spirited themed days made last week a success. We’re excited to continue fostering a love for reading in our students!
 Graham student Meital Zayats was selected as the national first prize winner in the middle school division of C-SPAN’s StudentCam 2024 film competition for her documentary, “Beyond Just Sci-Fi: AI Reshaping America's Tomorrow.” View her film here. This documentary will air on C-SPAN on April 17 at 6:50 a.m. ET and throughout the day.
 After winning the County Finals in wrestling, Crittenden student Uriel Lopez Velasco placed 12th in the entire state. Congratulations on this achievement!
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| You’re invited: District Film Festival on March 19 |
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Please join us for the second annual District Film Festival at 6:30 pm on March 19 at the Graham Middle School Auditorium (note the updated location). All students in grades K-8 were eligible to enter films that gave students a voice in expressing the importance of conservation. During the festival, student’s films will be screened and awards given. We are excited to see the results of students and their teachers implementing research, science and technology for this important issue. Please RSVP at this link.
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