Highlights from the March 13, 2007 Board Meeting 

Ken Benny, Superintendent

Board of Trustees
Laura Murphy, President
Steve Sell, Vice-President/Clerk
John Duncan
Monib Khademi
Paula Reynolds

As part of our ongoing efforts to broaden our communications, we have instituted Board Highlights, an informal summary of the monthly Mill Valley School District Board Meetings. The official recorded minutes of our Board Meetings can be found at www.mvschools.org/board

Facilities Needs Update

At the February 26, 2007 Board Study Session, Vanir Construction and Management presented the Board with a Facilities Needs Assessment Report that reports on the condition of our school facilities and potential related costs that may need to be considered to address those conditions. Representatives from Vanir returned to the March Board Meeting to discuss next steps with the Board, which included a presentation on the Master Planning Process.

The presentation outlined the guidelines for creating a Master Plan and the estimated costs.

The Master Plan is a vehicle for decision making about the future of facilities. It also defines the long term educational program and the facilities that are needed to deliver the program. 

Other Marin School Districts have contracted Vanir for their Master Planning Process. Superintendent Ken Benny encouraged the Board to speak to colleagues at these Districts in order to see a live Master Plan in development.  Facilities needs will be an important topic of discussion at the March Board Study Session on March 28, which is the annual finance study session.

Kindergarten Enrollment

Superintendent Ken Benny reported that 2007-08 Kindergarten enrollment is now at 329 students (as of March 12, 2007). While the enrollment was expected to require the addition of as many as two classrooms, district-wide, in the fall, the expectation is that as many as four classrooms will need to be added to meet increased enrollment. There will be much more discussion about the budget impact of the increased enrollment at the March Board Study Session.

March Board Study Session on Finance

Chief Business Official, Michelle Rollins, recommended the Board discuss the following budgeting topics for the 2007-2008 school year at the upcoming March 28th Board Study Session on Finance.   

• Facilities needs
• Enrollment increase
• Classroom recapture costs
• Property liability insurance
• Post employment benefits
• Compensation/benefits
•  Vision/dental costs
• Technology leases

Along with the District’s General Fund, the capital budget for facilities improvements will be reviewed.  The Study Session will be held Wednesday, March 28 at 7:00 pm at the Mill Valley Middle School . The public is encouraged to attend.

School Site Plans Presentation

Old Mill, Edna Maguire, and Tam Valley presented their Site Plans to the Board for approval.  School Site Plans are also referred to as Single Plans for Student Achievement. Site Plans are comprised of each school’s goals and action plans for the 2006-07 school year.  Site Plans are developed by the Principals and their School Site Councils.  School Site Councils are comprised of parents and staff chosen by their peers. Park, Strawberry Point, and Mill Valley Middle School will present their Site Plans at the April 18 Board Meeting.

Annual Parent Survey Now Online

The annual Parent Survey is now posted online at www.mvschools.org and will be available through April. Superintendent Ken Benny hopes that as many parents as possible participate in the survey as it provides valuable feedback to the District on its operations, communication, and educational programs.

New Director of Maintenance and Operations

The Board approved the appointment of Tim Ryan as the Director of Maintenance and Operations.  Tim has a strong background in facilities management, most recently at SWA group in Sausalito .  Many parents know Tim Ryan as a long time supporter of the District. Tim has served in leadership roles on the PTA Council, Tam Valley PTA, and the Facilities Task Force.  Most recently, Tim has worked as co-chair of the Kiddo! Memorial Day Celebration.  Tim and his wife Diane live in Mill Valley with their two children.

2007 Summer School Principal

Adam Saville, who currently teaches at Strawberry Point School , has been named the 2007 Summer School Principal. Summer School will be held this year from June 20-July 18 (closed July 4) at Edna Maguire School .  The summer school program provides summer learning opportunities to students who are referred by teachers and principals and receive targeted assistance in reading, language arts and math. 

Whole Foods to Donate 5% of Sales to Garden at Edna Maguire

The Mill Valley branch of WHOLE FOODS has selected The Mill Valley Children's Garden at Edna Maguire as its partner for their next Community Support Day. WHOLE FOODS will donate 5% of total sales generated at the Mill Valley location on Thursday, April 5th towards the restoration of the garden.

Future Board Meetings

Regular meeting time – 7:00 PM, unless noted

 

Wednesday, March 28, 2007 – Study Session: Finance

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Tuesday, May 8, 2007

Tuesday, May 22, 2007 – Study Session: Student Learning

Monday, June 11, 2007

Tuesday, June 19, 2007 – Annual Budget Adoption

 

 

 

Past Board Highlights 

February 13, 2007 Board Meeting Highlights

January 23, 2007 Board Meeting Highlights