3/13/26

Dear Old Mill Families,

Today marks the end of Trimester II. Progress reports will go home with students on Wednesday. Please keep an eye out for these important papers!

Come to the Cabaret: Matilda, Jr!

Don’t miss the spectacular MVMS production of 'Matilda, Jr.'! Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical JR. tells the story of an extraordinary child who, armed with a vivid imagination and psychokinetic powers, dares to take a stand against bullies and change her own destiny.

The performances are at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, March 18th-20th in the Mill Valley Middle School Gym. Tickets will be sold at the door (cash or check only), $20 for adults, $10 for kids/students. The show is approximately 80 minutes long. 

Lunch Supervision

We need volunteers for lunch supervision.  Sign-up here!  As usual, come early, come often!  Sign-ups now open through MAY!

Special Board Meeting: Budget Study Session

On March 10, 2026, the Board of Trustees held a budget study session in the Middle School library to review the district’s budget history, consider the current fiscal outlook, and discuss key questions as we plan for the 2026–2027 budget. The session brought together representatives from across our community, including teachers and classified staff (MVTA/CSEA), district and site administrators, and parent and community partners from Kiddo!, PTA, BAC, and DAC. A copy of the presentation from the session is linked here.

Trustees rotated among small group discussions to listen to perspectives on several topics, including reserve levels, whether to include a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) in long-term projections, considerations for addressing the projected deficit, and ways to improve transparency and confidence in the budgeting process.

To continue the conversation, district leaders will host school site meetings with parents in April and a districtwide staff meeting to share information and gather additional feedback. 

• Edna Magurie  Monday, April 13, 2026 at 8:30 a.m.

• Old Mill  Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 8:30 a.m.

• Park   Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at 8:30 a.m.

• Strawberry Point Friday, April 17, 2026 at 8:30 a.m.

• Tam Valley  Monday, April 20, 2026 at 8:30 a.m.

• MVMS  Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 8:30 a.m.

Community members are also invited to share their perspectives through a Google feedback form linked here. Input from these conversations will help inform the development of the 2026–2027 budget.

Spring Village Fest: Celebrating Neurodiversity, Disabilities, and Belonging

Our Spring Village Fest on March 10, 2026 brought the community together at the Mill Valley Community Center to celebrate Neurodiversity, Disabilities, and Belonging through art, activities, and connection. Organized by our PTA DEI Committee and It Takes a Village (ITAV), the event highlighted the importance of inclusion and understanding across our school community. The celebration also marked the 20th anniversary of ITAV, our districtwide PTA that supports students and families navigating learning differences, challenges, and disabilities.

The event featured family-friendly activities for children and a visit from a pizza truck staffed by deaf workers, an opportunity for our community to enjoy great food while supporting an inclusive workplace. A highlight of the afternoon was a collection of powerful sculptures created by our middle school students in collaboration with their art teacher, Julie Leonard. Working in teams of three to four, students designed sculptures representing experiences such as anxiety, ADHD, blindness, OCD, and dyslexia. These thoughtful projects reflect not only artistic creativity, but also empathy, research, and a deeper understanding of diverse experiences.

It was a joyful afternoon that celebrated creativity, inclusion, and the power of community.  Thank you to all who coordinated, contributed, and attended.

News, Notes, & Votes

Regular Board Meeting - March 5, 2026

Student Learning & School Programs

English Language Development Presentation
Director of Educational Services Kate Sprague presented an overview of the District’s English Language Development (ELD) program, including our approach to supporting English learners through designated and integrated ELD instruction and the use of ELPAC assessments to monitor student progress.

The focus of the presentation was primarily the delivery model for designated ELD next year.  We anticipate that our Targeted Learning Lab (TLL) teachers will support designated ELD for multi-lingual learners.

2025-26 Second Interim Financial Reports
Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Paula Rigney presented the District’s Second Interim Financial Report to the Board of Trustees, providing an update on the District’s financial position as of January 31. The report included updated revenue and expenditure projections and a review of key budget assumptions for the current year and the multi-year financial outlook.

Matt Phillips of School Services of California provided additional context regarding the state budget and broader fiscal conditions affecting school districts.

Following the presentation and discussion, the Board of Trustees approved the Second Interim Report with a positive certification, indicating that the District is projected to meet its financial obligations for the current and subsequent two fiscal years.

Facilities

Proposed Scopes for Renovation including Plans for Schematic Design and Design Development
Laura Knauss of Lionakis presented the proposed scope of work for the Mill Valley Middle School Renovation project, including improvements to the main academic building, the gym/multi-purpose building, required site mitigation, and overall site development. The presentation also included the preferred and alternate locations for the District Office as part of the broader campus planning effort.

Following the presentation and discussion, the Board approved the proposed scopes of work and design direction for the Mill Valley Middle School Renovation project, including the preferred District Office location and authorization to proceed with the design as presented.

Next Regular Board Meeting: April 16, 2026

Upcoming:

March 20th: PTA Meeting and Lost & Found

March 25th: Talent Show @ 5:00pm in the MPR!

April 17th: PTA Meeting and Lost & Found

April 29th: STEAM Night

May 15th: PTA Meeting and Lost & Found

May 28th: Open House

June 9th: Field Day (morning)

Jun 12th: Last Day of School and 5th Grade Promotion @ 8:45am on Lower Yard!

Have a great weekend,

Jason Matlon

Principal, Old Mill Elementary