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  • Support for our Community

    We know that the tragedy involving Archie Williams High School over the weekend has affected our entire community. In a close-knit and deeply connected place like Marin, events like this reverberate through all of us - sometimes in expected ways, and sometimes in ways we don’t immediately recognize. If you or someone in your family is struggling, support is available. Care Solace can help connect you with community-based mental health providers By the Bay Health’s Bereavement Program also offers compassionate support during times of loss. Please know that we are here to support you. Care Solace By the Bay Zoom Link Resources

    Tuesday, Apr 22 2025

  • Community Conversations: Audio Recording

    On April 17, 2025, we held our first Community Conversation meetings with Mill Valley constituents. This event was created to engage families, staff, and community members in a meaningful dialogue about the future of education in Mill Valley. To guide our discussions, we asked our community two central questions in the survey  linked here : What do we need for world-class education in Mill Valley? What is most important to you in your child’s elementary education? Responses reinforced our priorities of attracting and retaining exceptional teachers and educators, strong curriculum and academic rigor, maintaining small class sizes, and ensuring student well-being through social emotional learning and support services including counseling.  Other responses highlighted hands-on, project-based learning, technology integration, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), continuing arts education, equity and inclusion. During our Community Conversations, facilitated by Old Mill and MVMS parent James Sheppard, we explored these themes and other questions and ideas raised by participants.   Audio File   We are planning to continue hosting conversational meetings focused on the topics that matter most to our families. These gatherings are open to all parents and caregivers - you do not need to be an expert in school administration to participate. Being a parent makes you the expert in what your child needs. We invite you to come as you are: join the conversation, ask questions, share your thoughts, or simply listen.  All are welcome.  Lastly, we would like to extend my sincere thanks to the City of Mill Valley for generously providing the Community Center Cascade Room at no cost, and for supporting our efforts to connect with the broader community. We are also deeply grateful to James Sheppard for his commitment to strengthening communication and fostering meaningful connections across the district. He has given countless hours working to engage diverse members of our Mill Valley community to come together with a shared vision for World Class Education in our schools.

    Tuesday, Apr 22 2025

  • Message From Superintendent Elizabeth Kaufman

    As many of you have likely heard, a tragic accident on Friday night took the lives of four students from Archie Williams High School. On behalf of the Mill Valley School District, I want to express our deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, classmates, and everyone who is hurting right now. There are no words that can truly capture the pain of such a heartbreaking loss. Please know that our hearts are with you. We are grieving alongside you and holding space for the sorrow that so many in our community are feeling. This kind of tragedy touches us all. In the days and weeks ahead, may we lean on each other and find strength in the care and support we share. You are not alone—we’re holding you close in our thoughts. With sympathy and care, Elizabeth

    Sunday, Apr 20 2025

  • Superintendent's Report: News, Notes & Votes

    Welcome back from Spring Break! Since there was no Principal’s Newsletter on Friday, we’re sending out this edition of News, Notes & Votes as a standalone update. News, Notes & Votes April 3, 2025 Board Meeting Superintendent's Report Mural Presentation Superintendent Kaufman shared updates on exciting mural initiatives happening across three elementary schools in the district. At Old Mill and Edna Maguire, local artist Laura Palmer worked closely with students to design and create murals inspired by the prompt, “What do you love about your school?” Students Theo Gadda (5th grade Old Mill), Stella Rimbert (5th grade Edna), and Rishi Vanchinathan (1st grade Edna), and  shared reflections on the artistic process, their contributions to the design, and the personal inspirations behind their work. At Tam Valley, the mural project is just getting underway. This mural will take the form of a mosaic, based on the prompt, “What is meaningful to you at Tam Valley, in Mill Valley, and in Marin?” Students Jolie Eldeson, Ella McMullen, and Amelia Sterline, all 5th graders from Tam Valley, spoke about the early stages of the project, describing how the design process is being shaped and what lies ahead as the school community begins to bring their vision to life.  You can view the presentation here. Business & Financial Monthly Budget Update Assistant Superintendent Rigney delivered the monthly budget update presentation to the Board, highlighting the influence of the Budget Advisory Committee in shaping the format and presentation of the financial data. She explained how the committee’s input helped ensure the information is clear, relevant, and aligned with the needs of constituents.  Following the presentation, Trustees provided feedback and shared suggestions for additional items and details they would like to see incorporated in future updates. You can view the presentation here. Demographic Study & Enrollment Assistant Superintendent Rigney introduced Isaac Johnson from MGT Consulting, who presented the findings of the recently conducted demographic survey of Mill Valley. The study is designed to provide the district with valuable insights and projections regarding current and future student enrollment trends. Mr. Johnson outlined the methodology used to gather and analyze the data, offering a detailed explanation of how the results were developed and how they can inform future planning and decision-making for the district.  You can view the presentation here. Facilities Facilities Modernization Update Sandrine Hitchcock of AECOM and Tracy Craig of Craig Communications provided the Board with an update on the ongoing Preliminary Endangerment Assessment (PEA) at Mill Valley Middle School. They reviewed the current status of the environmental evaluation, outlined the next steps in the assessment process, and shared anticipated timelines. The presentation aimed to keep the Board and community informed about the scope of the work, progress to date, and what to expect moving forward.  You can view the presentation here. Board Operations Mill Valley School District’s Day of the Employee Board President Nakatani presented Resolution #15-24/25, officially designating May 20, 2025, as the Mill Valley School District’s Day of the Employee. The resolution honors the dedication, hard work, and invaluable contributions of all staff members across the district. Trustees expressed their deep appreciation and gratitude, thanking employees for the positive impact they make every day in the lives of Mill Valley students. Bridging the Gap: Smart Communication with Your Board Public Comment Guidelines for School Board Meetings We want to make sure everyone in our community has a chance to share their thoughts with the Board. Here’s a simple guide to help you participate in Public Comment during our meetings: The Board of Trustees current policy for public comment is summarized below. All commenters need to fill out a comment card.  Cards are available right before the meeting and 90 minutes before the meeting for remote participants. Non-Agenda Items:  20 minutes is set aside at the beginning of the meeting to provide comment on non-agenda items.  Time is divided equally between all speakers. Agenda Items:  15 minutes is set aside for each agenda item.  Time is divided equally between all speakers. General Rules No one can cede time to another speaker Everyone gets treated equally with no one getting extra time Speakers need to identify themselves  Other Ways You can Communicate Email - We love emails, and read every email received before our meetings.  If you want to reach the entire Board, you can send your message to: LetterstotheBoardofTrustees@mvschools.org.  You can also send an individual email to a Trustee. If you send an email to an individual Board member, they will read it and forward it to the superintendent. The superintendent or Board President will respond, and if needed, share the message with the rest of the Board. Website - For up-to-date information, check out our website (our new platform is almost ready for launching) ParentSquare -  You will receive messages from your teacher, your principal, your PTA, and the District through ParentSquare.  This is also used for emergency communications. PTA Meetings - Board members individually attend the various PTA and PTSA meetings at all our school sites, and always make room for questions.  Community Drop-In - Superintendent Kaufman and Assistant Superintendent Rigney host an in-person community drop-in meeting for questions about the Board agenda each Monday prior to a Board meeting.  These meetings are held at 5:00 p.m. via Zoom and generally last around 30-minutes.  Trustee Office Hour - These informal sessions give community members the chance to meet with Board members, ask questions, share concerns, or just learn more about what the Board is working on. It’s a relaxed way to connect, outside of formal meetings. Community Forums - When we have high interest items like budget and bond issues, we host community forums in person and on-line. Community Conversations - Superintendent Kaufman is hosting a hosting community conversations forums on April 17, 2025  

    Monday, Apr 14 2025

  • Seeking Family Feedback on Desired Characteristics f...

    MVMS Principal - Community Input Dear Mill Valley Community, At the April 3, 2025 Board meeting, the Board approved the resignation of MVMS principal Sara McKenna for the 2025-2026 school year. Sara seeks opportunities closer to her home and family. This announcement also coincides with the retirement of assistant principal Jonna Palmer. We are deeply grateful for their dedication and service to our students. We wish them both all the very best in their future endeavors. We have already begun the search for a new assistant principal, with the position posted and initial screening of applicants is underway. As we search for a new principal, we are eager to hear from our community during this process. We invite you to share your thoughts through this simple online form. We are also planning meeting with key stakeholder groups such as staff, students, PTA, and school Site Council after spring break., Our goal is to bring the selected candidate to the Board of Trustees for approval on June 5, 2025. We are fully committed to ensuring that our students receive a world-class education, and we value your input in helping us find the best leadership for Mill Valley Middle School. Thank you for your ongoing support and involvement. Share Your Thoughts Here Trustee Office Hours: A New Opportunity for Community Engagement Trustees Crncich Hodge and Nakatani will be at the Mill Valley Middle School on Thursday, April 24th from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. We encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to connect with your Board members and become more involved in the decisions that shape our schools.

    Friday, Apr 04 2025

  • MVSD Parent James Sheppard Invites you for Community...

    COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS Help Us Build a World-Class Education for Our Students! Make an Impact! On April 17, 2025, we will start our first of an ongoing series of in-person, facilitated Community Conversations about education in Mill Valley.  James Sheppard will facilitate a conversation with Dr. Kaufman addressing ideas provided by our community through the form linked below. Day Session: 12:00-1:30 p.m. Mill Valley Community Center (Cascade Room) Evening Session: 6:00-7:30 p.m. Mill Valley Middle School Library To help us prepare for April 17th, we are collecting your thoughts, creativity, and passion in answering the following questions here or by using the QR code above. The form will close by April 4, 2025.  What do we need for world-class education in Mill Valley? What is most important to you in your child’s elementary education? We know that great communities make great schools. Let’s come together, spark new ideas, build alignment, and ignite a future that’s truly world-class.  Spread the word—let’s make this vision bigger and bolder with all of our voices! We can't wait to hear from you! Provide Your Thoughts Here

    Wednesday, Apr 02 2025

  • Join Us For Community Conversations

    COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS Help Us Build a World-Class Education for Our Students! Dear Mill Valley School District Families, At Mill Valley School District, we believe every voice matters—especially yours. We remain steadfast in our commitment to transparency and community engagement.  You may have heard us say “we can do anything, but we can’t do everything”.  To this end, we need to come together to identify and align our top priorities for education in Mill Valley.  We are more committed than ever to stepping forward with fresh ideas, bold initiatives, and a shared vision of what world-class education looks like in Mill Valley. We need your thoughts, your creativity, and your passion.  Historically, our community has valued hiring and retaining outstanding staff, maintaining small class sizes, providing art, music, P.E., and libraries with certificated staff, and offering differentiated support for learners. Our district staffing and budget planning align to these priorities.  Looking forward, what innovative programs, exciting resources, or bold ideas do you think will set our students up for success in an ever-evolving world? Whether it’s cutting-edge technology, unforgettable extracurriculars, transformative classroom experiences, or something completely new—you have the power to help shape the future of education here in Mill Valley. Make an Impact! On April 17, 2025, we will start our first of an ongoing series of in-person, facilitated Community Conversations about education in Mill Valley.   Day Session: 12:00-1:30 p.m. Mill Valley Community Center (Cascade Room) Evening Session: 6:00-7:30 p.m. Mill Valley Middle School Library To help us prepare for April 17th, we are collecting your thoughts, creativity, and passion in answering the following questions here by April 4, 2025.  What do we need for world-class education in Mill Valley? What is most important to you in your child’s elementary education? We know that great communities make great schools. Let’s come together, spark new ideas, build alignment, and ignite a future that’s truly world-class.  Spread the word—let’s make this vision bigger and bolder with all of our voices! We can't wait to hear from you! Provide Your Thoughts Here

    Monday, Mar 31 2025

  • MVSD School Board Meeting

    Mill Valley School District Board of Trustees Regular Board Meeting April 3, 2025 Thursday, April 3 2025 at 6:00 p.m. - Mill Valley Middle School Library Closed Session at 5:00 p.m. Public Comment for Items on the Agenda for CLOSED SESSION.   Ninety-minutes prior to the start of each meeting, Google forms will be made available for members of the public attending remotely to complete public comment forms. For those individuals attending in person, public comment cards are available immediately prior to the meeting.   Board Meeting Open Session - 6:00 p.m. Public Comment on Items Not on the Agenda:  Public comment on items not on the agenda will be taken as outlined in the Public Comment section of the Board agenda. Public Comment for Items on the Agenda:  Ninety-minutes prior to the start of each meeting, Google forms will be made available for members of the public attending remotely to complete public comment forms. For those individuals attending in person, public comment cards are available immediately prior to the meeting.    Public Agenda Review Meeting: Superintendent Kaufman and Assistant Superintendent Rigney will be hosting a Zoom check-in meeting on Monday, March 31, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. They will be available to walk through the agenda and answer questions. Zoom link will be posted in a pop-up on the front page of our website. BOARD AGENDA MORE INFORMATION

    Friday, Mar 28 2025

  • Transitional Kindergarten 2025-2026

    Mill Valley School District Board Unanimously Votes to Provide Transitional Kindergarten for 2025-2026 March 25, 2025 Dear Mill Valley Families We are excited to share some wonderful news regarding the future of our Transitional Kindergarten (TK) program. At a special Board meeting on March 25, 2025, the Mill Valley School District Board Trustees voted unanimously to approve a one-year extension of the TK program for the 2025-2026 school year. This extension would not have been possible without the extraordinary support of our community, particularly Early Education Marin, a parent-driven fundraising initiative that has raised over $1.5 million to help sustain our district’s programs. We are deeply grateful for their efforts, especially the $500,000 donation from Kiddo!, which represents more than half of the $2.2 million required to operate the TK program for the year. To help make this extension possible, the district has made careful financial adjustments, including a reduction of about $300K from extra hours, approximately $300K from delayed routine maintenance and repairs, and approximately $100K from technology renewal and replacement. As part of this extension, the district will open registration for the TK program on March 26, 2025, for the 2025-2026 school year. Children who turn four years old by September 1, 2025, are eligible to enroll. While registration will remain open, we encourage all families who plan to enroll their children to do so during the initial round of registration, which will end on May 2, 2025. While we are excited about this one-year extension, we understand that this is not a permanent solution. The district remains committed to advocating for funding from the state for TK programs in Basic Aid Districts, such as ours.   For more information on who to advocate for funding, please visit our website here.

    Tuesday, Mar 25 2025

  • Tonight! Tuesday 3/25 "SO. MANY. SCREENS!!"

    ​ Hey parents! Got kids or teens who seem glued to their screens? Well, tonight’s the night to learn how to navigate the digital chaos! Join us,  7:00–8:30 PM at the Edna Library for  So Many Screens! , part of the  Mill Valley Speaker Series . We’ll talk about how to set healthy boundaries without feeling like the “screen police.” It’s not too late to join!  RSVP here . Know a friend who could use some screen time sanity too? Share this invite with them—because let’s face it, misery loves company... and so does good parenting advice! See you tonight—no need to hide your phone, but please put it on silent!   https://www.itavmv.org/

    Tuesday, Mar 25 2025