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Middle School Modernization Updates

Facilities Modernization Projects

AT A GLANCE

Middle School Renovation Plans Approved

On December 15, 2025, the Board of Trustees certified the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and approved the renovation of the existing middle school and location of the interim campus at the current middle school site for the duration of the two-year construction period.

PEA Acceptable and Requires No Further Revision

The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has determined that the Revised Preliminary Endangerment Assessment (PEA) for Mill Valley Middle School is acceptable and requires no further revision. The PEA reviewed environmental conditions at the campus and found no increased risk to students or staff under current school use. DTSC has requested some additional testing and development of a Mitigation Plan to ensure long-term protection. The Mitigation Plan will be developed in 2026 and will include plans for a sub-slab vapor barrier system to protect indoor air quality. This system will be installed as part of the middle school renovation work. The PEA and DTSC’s review comments are available at the links below:

Modernization Project Overview 
This page provides current information on the Mill Valley Middle School Modernization Project, part of the District’s Measure G bond program.  The modernization effort is designed to provide a safe, modern learning environment that supports next-generation education while maintaining fiscal responsibility and transparency.

Renovation of the Existing MVMS Campus

The Board of Trustees certified the Final EIR and selected to move forward with renovation of the existing MVMS campus, which will create a significantly modernized campus that functions like a new school while staying within the established budget under the Measure G bond program. Improvements will:

  • Replace aging infrastructure 
  • Upgrade interior and exterior spaces
  • Improve safety and accessibility 
  • Enhance STEM learning opportunities

The Board of Trustees also approved housing students at the existing middle school campus in portable classrooms during the renovation.

Next Steps

With the EIR certified and project direction established, the next phase of work will focus on developing detailed design drawings, phasing plans and environmental mitigation plans for the renovation and interim campus. Construction of the interim campus is anticipated to begin in June 2026 with students and staff transitioning to the interim campus in December 2026. Modernization of the existing campus is scheduled for completion in 2029. The District will ensure it obtains all necessary approvals and permits before each phase of the project.

PEA Acceptable and Requires No Further Revision

DTSC has completed its review of the Revised Preliminary Endangerment Assessment (PEA) for Mill Valley Middle School and determined that the report is acceptable and requires no further revision.

The PEA was prepared by Ninyo & Moore on behalf of the Mill Valley School District to evaluate environmental conditions at the campus, which is located on a portion of a former household waste landfill that ceased operations in the 1950s and was later developed as a school site. The assessment reviewed soil, groundwater, and soil vapor data to evaluate whether existing conditions pose a risk under current school use.

Based on its review, DTSC concluded that the PEA adequately addressed all prior agency comments and concurred that there is no increased risk under current school use. Sub-slab vapor sampling conducted beneath existing buildings did not indicate an indoor air health risk for current operations.

As a conservative, forward-looking measure, DTSC concurred with the District’s proposal to perform additional testing and develop a Mitigation Plan to ensure the site remains protective over the long term. The Mitigation Plan will be developed in 2026 and will address long-term site management and include measures such as maintaining protective ground cover, restrictions on groundwater use, and requirements for operations and maintenance.

The District will install a sub-slab depressurization system as part of the Mitigation Plan. This system is designed to prevent soil vapors from entering buildings and to protect indoor air quality over the life of the facility.

 

DTSC also recommended supplemental investigation to further evaluate groundwater and nearby surface water conditions, assess seasonal variability in sub-slab vapor concentrations, and consider long-term factors such as climate change and sea level rise to ensure mitigation systems remain effective over time.

Key Documents

Key documents associated with the modernization project are available below and on the DTSC’s Envirostor webpage for review.