Board Highlights
from the March 26, 2019 meeting
Trustees approve resolution authorizing the issuance of the first series of bonds
In November 2018, residents in the City of Milpitas passed a $284 million General Obligation Bond. The District now desires to issue the first series of bonds under Measure AA in an amount not-to-exceed $75 million. The Bonds are being authorized for sale for the purpose of providing funds to finance projects approved by Measure AA and to pay the costs of issuing the Bonds.

Trustees approved a resolution to authorize the issuance of the District's election of 2018 general obligation bonds, series A.

"Now that the dust has settled on the passage of Measure AA, we are ready to authorize the sale of the first series of bonds," said David Casnocha, managing shareholder of Stradling Attorneys at Law's San Francisco office. "The resolution that is before you today authorizes the sale up to $75 million dollars in general obligation bonds."

It also approves the official statement, which is the document that is distributed to investors.

Casnocha gave a brief overview about general obligation bonds to new Trustees, informing them that these bonds are secured exclusively by a property tax that is levied by the county based on assessed value of the property. There is no liability, responsibility, or recourse that any bond overhead will come from general fund in the district. Meaning, the district will never have to pay out of the operating budget for the principal to authorize these bonds.

He added that the mechanics are when they sell bonds, and within the next three or four weeks, there will be a denser schedule that is prepared. That schedule will be given to the county tax collector, who will calculate the rate of taxation per $100,000 in assessed value that has to be levied in order to raise enough money to pay the principal interest that is due by the bonds each year. The county sends out the tax bill, collects the taxes, passes the cash onto US Bank, who then has to pass the money onto a central repository in New York who credits the owners of the bonds.

"So it's a tried and true process," Cashnocha said.

Blake Boehm, Principal and Managing Director at KNN Public Finance, was on hand to answer questions about interest rates and the structure of the bonds.

"First and foremost, congratulations on passing Measure AA," Boehm said. Measure AA passed by a 71.41 percent margin. "That's a huge accomplishment. Having the support of the community goes a long way. The approval threshold that this district saw you don't really see that high approval support across the state."

For more information about the bond, visit the website .
  
RECOGNITIONS
Rancho's Eighth Grade Basketball Team honored for basketball section championship
Superintendent Cheryl Jordan and the Board of Education honored Rancho Milpitas Middle School's Eighth Grade Basketball Team and Coach Frank Castro. The Dons finished with an undefeated season (14-0 and 25-2 over both seasons). This is Rancho's first basketball section championship since 2009 and their first eighth grade championship since 1990. Their hard work is an example of how Coach Castro is working in direct alignment with one of MUSD's Strategic Goals: "Develop educational pathways that allow students to apply their passion in learning for their future careers."

Coach Castro said he has been coaching 22 seasons.

"These boys were so skilled, a great group of boys," he said. "They worked so hard. They averaged six threes a game. I don't know if you understand how at this level six threes a game is rare. We had 13 threes in the semifinals. The coach on the other side said to me, 'I didn't know we were playing against Steph Curry.' The defense was off the charts. We only gave them 27 points a game. ... The coach against us in the championship game said to me, 'You guys were clearly the best team in the section.' So this is for Rancho and for Milpitas."

Read more about the accomplishment online here .
Liz Medeiros chosen as March certificated employee in #WEareMUSDChampions program
Trustees and Superintendent Jordan honored Liz Medeiros, sixth grade teacher at Anthony Spangler Elementary School, who was chosen as the March certificated employee winner in the District's #WEareMUSDChampions program. Medeiros was chosen for the award after being nominated by  fourth/fifth grade teacher Amber Blanco.

Blanco said Medeiros has demonstrated her work with the following Strategic Goal: "Focus services and support systems to ensure that all students are engaged in their learning and are making social, emotional, and academic gains."
Ari Philip recognized for earning second place in the SCCOE Spelling Bee
Superintendent Jordan and Board Members honored Ari Philip, a sixth grader from Sinnott Elementary School, who placed second in the Santa Clara County Office of Education Spelling Bee on March 16.

Having the ability for Philip to participate in the program is one example of the Strategic Goal: "Focus services and support systems to ensure that all students are engaged in their learning and are making social, emotional, and academic gains."

Philip will go on to compete in the State Spelling Bee Championship on May 11 at the San Joaquin County Office of Education.
REPORTS
Milpitas Community Educational Endowment reaches $100,000 goal; Superintendent shares hopes for partnership program in the future
The Milpitas Community Educational Endowment (MCEE) has been a partner to the district over the last nine and a half years and has recently reached its initial milestone of raising $100,000. Robert Jung, founder of MCEE, gave a brief presentation about its impact to the community and a review of its newly established goals for the next five years.

Jung said the organization operates under three categories: scholarships, grants, endowment; key programs; and incubator. Since their founding, MCEE has provided more than $13,500 in scholarships, and created new programs including the STEAM showcase, Summer Opportunities Fair, Preschool Resource Fair, Community Programs, and Partnership Programs. In December 2018, MCEE reached its initial funding goal for its endowment of $100,000. Because of this, starting in the 2019-20 school year, they will begin annual grants to MUSD, targeted at 5 percent of the endowment value ($5,000).

In looking toward the future, Jung shared his hopes to strengthen the partnership with the district, double the endowment by 2024, continue to offer established programs and offer new ones, and grow and strengthen the organization.

"I want to take this time to acknowledge you for the work you do and will continue to do on behalf of Milpitas Unified School District children," said Board President Chris Norwood.

Jordan said in looking at Jung's incubator programs, he would be able to help the district with her plan to bring forth to the Board before the end of the school year a resolution to adopt computer science standards and to be a computer science focused school district.

"Over the last year, year and a half, the Board and when you were on the Board talked about the importance of computer science and it's something that's deeper than just coding or STEM, it's actually helping our students to develop that mindset," Jordan said. "You can talk about computer science mindset without a computer."

It was a hope she introduced for the first time with Executive Cabinet and Board Members at the meeting.

"When you talk about that, you said that computer science doesn't require a computer," Norwood said. "Can you expand on your vision just a little bit?"

Jordan said computer science isn't just about having a kid in front of a computer, like coding.

"Computer science is about learning a language, it's about learning logic," she said. "It's about learning how there are patterns that are direct through mathematical thinking. And it's that thinking we need to start being cognizant in our instruction with our students, because that is what will enable them to understand the language of computers."

She added: "As we look forward, we know we are in the fourth industrial revolution. We know that things we typically do as humans are being done by artificial intelligence, such as delivery trucks or going to McDonald's and not having anyone there to order your food. So it's imperative that our students start to incorporate this into their thinking and their learning, because if they don't they're behind, and I don't want that happening on my watch."