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E.News

The Latest News from the Mill Valley School District

 

 

 

District News Archive  

 

Important Dates
February 13
7 PM, District Office
 
February 18-22
Mid-Winter Recess
 
 
February 2008 Issue
Superintendent's Message
Board Highlights
Technology Update
Traffic Congestion at Middle School
Update on Recent Sewage Spill
 
Superintendent's Message
Superintendent Ken Benny
Greetings to the Mill Valley Learning Community:

We live in exciting times!  Just this week, we had the distinct privilege and honor to cast our votes in the California Presidential Primary, which will lead to the selection of our next President of the United States.  It also offered all voters the opportunity to voice their opinions on state wide issues.  This whole messy thing called "Democracy" gives us the chance to participate in the process of electing national, state, and local officials; and to have a voice in shaping the direction of our country, state, and local community.  It works because those who 'engage' can make a difference through their vote and their participation.

So it goes in your school district.  Our Board of Trustees and leadership team enter into a significant time of the year, working toward the adoption of a budget with specific attention to the 2008-2009 school year; and close examination of our multi year projections.  There is always good reason for our learning community to pay attention to the process and become educated and informed.  The Board will meet in its annual Finance Study Session on March 25th.  I hope you will attend if your schedule allows.  We will also reach out to our faculties, PTAs, site councils, and foundation in this 'information and education' effort.  The Board meets every month for regular meetings and those are on February 13, March 12, April 16, May 14, June 11 and June 17. Later this spring, the District will conduct its second annual "Community Roundtable".  Because of the significant economic issues facing all school districts, our roundtable will focus squarely on finance and sustainable funding.  These roundtables do 'give' information, but most importantly, we want to engage our community in discussions related to the District's future.  Additionally, if you are receiving this message and belong to a larger community organization, I would welcome the opportunity to share the work of the school district with your club or association.

While we can't yet determine the impact of the state budget on the District budget for 2008-2009, we are paying close attention to what our legislators are doing in Sacramento.  I can't emphasize enough how important it is for educational supporters like you to let your elected officials know your thoughts, concerns, and ideas about the importance of stable and sustainable education funding in California.  You support a great, comprehensive educational program in Mill Valley that places a high priority on recruiting and retaining the very best teachers and staff; and making sure that school libraries are an integral part of the educational program.  Through our educational partners, KIDDO! and PTA, the District offers a high quality, comprehensive educational program that includes academic rigor, quality arts programs, well-funded libraries, and technology systems that can support ongoing technology professional development for our teachers and applications for kids in their schools. While a focus on quality may seem like common sense to most, many Districts are highly dependent on uncertain and unstable funding at the state level.  About 10% of this District's budget comes from state sources.  While not a large amount when considering a $25 million budget, these funds are important as they keep class sizes small, support special education programs, fund instructional aides and professional development to name just a few. 

Your voice is significant, not just because it supports the kids of Mill Valley, but because it influences decisions that affect all kids across our county and state.  Please join us at our meetings or simply write to us to become more involved in this great school district. Great because of people like you.

Many thanks,

Ken Benny, Superintendent

Board Meeting Highlights

At the February 13th School Board Meeting:

The Board of Trustees will meet in their regular monthly meeting at the District office, with call to order at 7:00 PM.  Highlights on the agenda include:

  • Mill Valley Middle School Principal Matt Huxley will present the school's annual Site Plan, which outlines goals and initiatives of the school.
  • A team facilitated by Assistant Superintendent Dr. Kerri Mills will present work they have done on 'Social Skills' curriculum in the schools.
  • Presentation of the 2008-2009 School District calendar for Board approval.
  • Superintendent Ken Benny will report on the recent County wide Staff Development Day, attended by 2000 Marin County educators

 At the January 16th Board Meeting:

  • Mill Valley School District Librarians Jane Ritter, Dee Kauer, Kathy Gordon and Jonna Palmer presented an overview of the District's Library Media Program including excerpts from Education Matters, the Marin County Office of Education's monthly Comcast television program, which highlighted Mill Valley's library media program. 
  • The District Audit Report for 2006-07 was presented by Stephen Roatch of Stephen Roatch Accountancy Corporation. Mr. Roatch commented that while he has worked with over 70 school districts, the MVSD Audit Report for 2006-07 was one of the cleanest reports he has seen to date.

 
Mill Valley Technology Benchmarks

Through persistence and the support of many, including our foundation and PTAs, your District has been able to fully realize a completely redesigned and upgraded network that meets industry standards.  One of the reasons we can reach you like this is because of that newly redesigned network.  This has been a work in progress for over two years.  While not the 'glamorous' part of technology, it is the highway that allows our staff to do great things for kids.  What has happened?  Here is a sampling for you.

  • Conversion to a high speed fiber optic network
  • Overhaul, redesign and purchase of industry standard servers at the District Office hub and in schools while phasing out obsolete equipment and software
  • Implementation of a common sense, easily accessed help desk system
  • A continuous improvement professional development support system that every teacher can access
  • New computers and labs to replace aging equipment, courtesy of KIDDO!, PTA, and the District budget
  • Access to quality library materials and media via our District and County
  • Long needed upgrade of the District's student information database that contains attendance, grading and student demographics

The very exciting part of the journey is to provide the tools and training our teachers and staff need to deliver technology teaching and learning with much greater ease and stability.  Funding technology will always be a challenge, but in this community we can meet that challenge as an opportunity to prepare our kids for a much different world than ours was as students.  It's also a world that will be vastly different than the one we are in now.  A next big step in the future will be to fund replacement of an aging telecommunications system.  This change can result in long term savings for the district and create an environment in which anyone in our schools can be connected to the rest of the world from any location in the District.

 

Help Us With Traffic Congestion and Keep Students Safe

We are noticing a growing number of cars dropping students off in the main Middle School and District Office parking lot.  There have been some close calls related to fender benders and most importantly, pedestrian safety.  Please only use the main lot for visitor business by using the designated spaces.  The drop off and pick up of students should occur in the designated Middle School pick up and drop off lanes.

All California vehicle codes that apply to neighboring streets, apply to drivers when on public school campuses.  Please obey all posted signage and painted curbs to avoid a penalty or fine.  Remember children will not always do what we say, but will do what we do.  Help us model appropriate behavior by complying with all posted signs.  
Update on Recent Sewage Spill

Most of you, like us, heard about the recent local sewage spill by hearing it on the Friday night and weekend news.  The spill emanated from the sewage treatment plant near Mill Valley Middle School.  Some of you contacted the Middle School or District Office and wondered why we hadn't alerted parents and given information about any possible school closure.  Simply put, we were never contacted by the agency and probably learned about it at the same time or after many of you did.  We have expressed our concern about this to the Sewerage Agency of Southern Marin and have requested to be a part of their communications plan.

For the very latest updates on the accidental sewage spill please visit the Marin County Sheriff's Office  emergency information page.  To receive future emergency notifications from the County click here.

We will always place the highest priority on the welfare of our students and restrict access to any water area if there is even the slightest risk to health and safety.