Highlights from the May 8, 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

Strategic Planning Update                                                                                                                              

Trustee Paula Reynolds reported on the Strategic Planning Meetings that have taken place to date. This included an April Core Team Meeting, the first Public Input Meeting on May 7, and a May 8 staff input meeting.    Ms. Reynolds was pleased to report that the feedback from staff has been very helpful in understanding what issues are important to parents, staff, and the community.  After additional public input meetings in May, the Core Team will reconvene in June to develop over-arching goals for the District. The notes from the Public Input Meetings  will be posted online along with other Strategic Plan information.

Professional Development

Several District teachers and principals attended a Professional Learning Communities seminar the Marin County Office of Education in April.  The seminar was lead by Rick and Becky Dufour, leaders in the field of Professional Learning Communities. Superintendent Ken Benny was pleased to report that all staff will have an opportunity to attend a larger presentation at a Marin County-wide professional development day on January 28, 2008.  

Facilities Master Plan Update                                                                                                                       

After accepting public bids for the Master Planning process, the District has chosen Vanir Construction and Management to develop a Facilities Master Plan for the District. 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.

Enrollment Update                                                                                                                                                

In order to accommodate the increase in enrollment, the District will add four additional classes in the 2007-08 school year: one additional kindergarten and 2nd grade at Edna Maguire, one additional Kindergarten at Park, and one additional 2nd grade at Tamalpais Valley.   There is not a need to add additional facilities at this time. The decision to add classes at these locations was made in an effort to be as efficient as possible without compromising class size reduction status (under 20 children per class), and to be able to use available facilities with out adding new ones. 

May 22nd Board Study Session on Finance                                                                                           

The public is encouraged to attend the May 22 Board Study Session on Finance. The first half of the meeting will be dedicated to the 2007/08 budget and second half will focus on the long term financial needs of the District related to facilities and increased enrollment issues.  Two Board subcommittees have been formed to research the possibility of putting a bond issue and/or parcel tax before our voters.  They will share their findings at the June Board Meeting.                                                                                                                                                                   

Day of the Teacher

The Mill Valley School District celebrated the California Day of the Teacher on May 9^th. Superintendent Ken Benny recognized the teachers for all they have done for the children of Mill Valley.

Future Board Meetings

Regular meeting time – 7:00 PM, unless noted

Tuesday, May 22, 2007 – Study Session: Finance                                                     

Monday, June 11, 2007

Tuesday, June 19, 2007 – Annual Budget Adoption

 

Past Board Highlights 

April 18, 2007 Board Meeting Highlights

March 13, 2007 Board Meeting Highlights 

February 13, 2007 Board Meeting Highlights

January 23, 2007 Board Meeting Highlights