Superintendent's Message - January 2007

In educational circles, we have “two” new years! The traditional one of course, which begins on January 1st; and the educational new year, which begins when students return to the classroom for a new school year. Both are times on which to reflect and to redouble our efforts to be better teachers, learners, human beings, and models for our children. It is a time to take stock of our goals realized and renew our efforts to achieve our goals yet unfulfilled.

There is much of which we can be proud in this school district; and there is a lot of hard work ahead. Our Board-approved goals will guide our efforts as we pursue a refreshed strategic action plan for the next three years. In this month’s letter to our community, I want to share some of the ways in which we are “planning the work” and “working the plan” so we can fulfill those goals that make “your” school district a great place for kids to learn.

Strategic Planning
The current strategic plan expires at the end of June 2007 and the Board has asked the Superintendent and staff to propose a planning process that will lead to a refreshed strategic action plan. This will be a three year action plan and will be based upon the established Board-adopted District goals. The Superintendent will provide the Board with a proposed planning process at its January 23rd meeting.

Facilities Needs Assessment
The District has contracted with Vanir Construction and Management to provide the Board with a comprehensive view of our physical facilities. Our goal is to ensure that our students have the very best in learning environments for years to come. Originally, this needs assessment was born out of some surprising trends in greater enrollment, especially at the lower grade levels; and became one of the more significant recommendations brought forward by our community facilities task force. It is our hope that this professional needs assessment will provide the Board with very good information about the future of our facilities and any potential needs for a bond issue. The Board will discuss the final report provided by Vanir Construction and Management at a study session on February 26 at 6 pm. The public is encouraged to attend.

Technology Improvements
Those who interact with the schools on a regular basis know that we have been working through some “rough water” related to technology. We are hopeful that some vast improvements will be realized shortly as all facilities have had wiring upgrades and we are now beginning a significant transition to a district-wide Ethernet network. Mill Valley School District is one of five Marin County school districts in the first phase of this county-wide change. For us, it means a stable network so that the nearly three hundred computers recently deployed throughout the district can be utilized in effective ways to have a positive impact on teaching and learning, and general management of the district. This winter we will also embark on a thorough overhaul of the district website so that it can be used as a much more effective communication tool. It is clear that technology will always be a work in progress.

Enrollment Forecasting and 2007-2008 Budget Development
Even though budget development is an annual task, the development of the 2007-2008 budget follows a year in which the state of California provided some long overdue funding to public schools. Most of that funding benefited “revenue limit” districts. Mill Valley is a “basic aid” school district and receives most of its funding from local property taxes. It remains to be seen what will come out of the legislature this year, especially as this is not an election year. Adding to the importance (and uniqueness) of this next district budget is a close look at enrollment growth. Based on current projections, in the school years spanning 2006, 2007, and 2008, we expect to have grown by over 150 students, and this does not bode well for a “basic aid” district such as ours. This will result in hiring ten additional staff and the related costs of classroom set up and additional support personnel as the district grows. We will follow the enrollment numbers very closely to measure the continued adverse impact on our budget. Each month at Board meetings there will be a focus on the budget development process and a study session in March will give staff and community opportunities to help shape the 2007-2008 district budget.

Through it all… 
We continue to see improved academic performance in a district that is one of the high performing districts in California. Our staff continues to take on leadership roles and deliver quality learning experiences for our students. Support from our community for the kinds of programs that make for a rich educational experience continues by way of our foundation and all the PTAs throughout the district. The Board of Trustees is focused on its goals in five key areas: student achievement, sound fiscal practices, staff recruitment and retention, improving communications, and quality facilities. 

Please peruse the most recent additions to our website: the Annual Parent Survey and an invitation to join our Community Technology Advisory Commission. Please also see our 2006 District Goals and the 2002-2007 District Strategic Plan. This is a work in progress. If you have suggestions for how “your” school district can become even better, please do not hesitate to let me know. 

It is truly a joy to be involved with you in this important work for the students of the Mill Valley School District. I wish you all the best for 2007!


Ken Benny 
Superintendent