New Principals Selected

New Principals Selected for Mill Valley Middle School and Park Elementary May 30, 2025 Mill Valley Middle School Kelly Kriss, Mill Valley Middle School It is our pleasure to introduce and welcome Ms. Kelly Kriss as the new principal at Mill Valley Middle School, pending Board approval on June 5, 2025.  She will officially join our school community on July 1, 2025. Ms. Kriss comes to us with nearly a decade of leadership experience in both middle and high school settings. She currently serves as Principal of Adele Harrison Middle School and has previously led Petaluma Junior High School. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a deep commitment to student growth and educational excellence. In recognition of her outstanding leadership, Ms. Kriss was honored as the 2024–2025 ACSA Middle Grades Principal of the Year for Region 4. When asked about her new role, Ms. Kriss shared, “I love working with middle school students and am thrilled to join a school and district that offer such dynamic opportunities for student learning. I look forward to learning and growing alongside students, staff, and families.” Ms. Kriss’s deep understanding of adolescent development, her wide-ranging teaching experience, and her proven leadership make her an exceptional addition to our team. We are confident she will provide both stability and fresh energy to Mill Valley Middle School. Please join us in warmly welcoming Ms. Kelly Kriss to the Mill Valley School District on June 5, 2025, as she prepares to lead Mill Valley Middle School into the 2025–2026 school year and beyond. Ms. Kriss will meet with staff, students, the Board of Trustees, and members of the administrative team on campus and a community reception will be held at 3:30 p.m. at Mill Valley Middle School, providing parents and community members an opportunity to meet and introduce themselves. Park Elementary Mr. David Finnane, Park Elementary It is with great pleasure that we introduce and welcome Mr. David Finnane as the new Interim Principal of Park Elementary School, pending Board approval on June 5, 2025. He will officially join our school community on July 1, 2025. Mr. Finnane brings with him over 24 years of experience as a principal across a wide range of school settings, including both elementary and middle schools. Most recently, he served as the principal of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Academy in the Sausalito Marin City School District. Throughout his career, Mr. Finnane has remained deeply committed to fostering inclusive, supportive learning environments where every child can thrive, every voice is valued, and every family feels welcomed. A passionate advocate for educators, Mr. Finnane believes that teachers and staff are the heart of every school and play an essential role in creating daily moments of growth and joy for students. Outside of his professional life, Mr. Finnane and his wife are the proud parents of four children. As both an educator and a parent, he understands the vital importance of strong school-family partnerships and is eager to build meaningful relationships with students, families, and staff here at Park. Please join us in warmly welcoming Mr. Finnane to the Mill Valley School District on June 9, 2025, as he prepares to lead Park Elementary into the 2025–2026 school year. He will meet with staff, the Board of Trustees, and members of the administrative team after school. A community reception will follow at 4:30 p.m., providing families and community members an opportunity to meet and greet him. We look forward to an exciting year ahead under Mr. Finnane’s leadership.

Friday, May 30 2025

CONGRATULATIONS! Golden Bell Winners!

Congratulations to Our Golden Bell Recipients! May 22, 2025 Certificated Staff Anna Curtis, 2nd Grade Teacher at Edna Maguire Sara Lowenstein, 2nd Grade Teacher at Old Mill Kate Buehler, 1st Grade Teacher at Park Nicole McKee, 2nd Grade Teacher at Strawberry Point Kelsey Diamond, 2nd Grade Teacher at Tam Valley Allison Downing, 8th Grade Science at Mill Valley Middle School Classified Staff Kristy Connolly, RAMP at Edna Maguire Greg Mayor, Custodian at Old Mill Susan Powers, TK Instructional Assistant at Park Amy Trapp, Administrative Assistant at Tam Valley

Thursday, May 22 2025

Mill Valley School District & Teachers' Association ...

Mill Valley School District & Mill Valley Teachers' Association: Joint Communication May 21, 2025 We are pleased to announce that the Mill Valley School District (MVSD) and the Mill Valley Teachers Association (MVTA) have reached a tentative agreement on the 2025–2026 Collective Bargaining Agreement. This agreement is the result of a collaborative and solutions-focused negotiation process, and reflects a shared commitment to maintaining excellence in education. It directly supports the community’s top priorities, including retaining exceptional educators, ensuring academic rigor, and sustaining small class sizes. This agreement also aligns with the feedback we received from community stakeholders, who emphasized the importance of investing in high-quality educators and maintaining strong academic programs in a supportive, student-centered environment. We are grateful to both bargaining teams and to the Board of Trustees for their thoughtful leadership throughout this process. The agreement reflects our ongoing commitment to fiscal responsibility while making meaningful investments in our staff and students.

Wednesday, May 21 2025

Press Release - Music Success

Press Release Mill Valley Middle School: Music Success The music program at Mill Valley Middle School (MVMS) earned top honors at the Forum Music Festival held last Friday in Fullerton, CA, showcasing the talent and dedication of its student musicians. MVMS ensembles delivered outstanding performances across the board. The Advanced Orchestra received a silver rating, while the Jazz Band, Chamber Orchestra, Concert Choir, and Chamber Choir all earned the festival's highest honor—gold ratings. Notably, MVMS was the only school at the entire festival to receive multiple gold ratings, a remarkable achievement highlighting the strength of its music program. Several individual students were also recognized with Outstanding Musician Awards, including Xavier Martin, Hanna Ghandi, Ethan Sunwong, Julian Harris, and Cedra Crews. In addition to their performances, students had the unique opportunity to participate in recording sessions with Disney cast members, gaining hands-on experience in a professional setting. These sessions were both educational and enjoyable, adding to the memorable day. “Our students worked incredibly hard and represented our school community with excellence, pride, and professionalism,” said Jessica Nicholson, MVMS Choral Director. “We couldn’t be more proud of their accomplishments”, said Band Director Cayce Carnahan and Orchestra Director Steve Gardner. Thanks to continued support from the Kiddo! foundation, MVMS continues to foster a strong and vibrant music program that encourages artistic growth, collaboration, and a love for the performing arts.

Thursday, May 15 2025

Board Meeting Video - Staff Appreciation

Wednesday, May 14 2025

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