Board Highlights
from the January 14, 2020 meeting
State Champion Milpitas HS football team honored by School Board
Players and coaches of the Central Coast Section, NorCal and CIF State Champion Milpitas High School football team filled the Milpitas Unified School District Board Room with pride and exuberance January 14.

State Coach of the Year Kelly King, his coaching staff and the football team received Certificates of Achievement for winning a trifecta of titles during their magical 2019-20 season.

Supporting the team throughout their campaign was the MHS cheerleading squad, which was honored by the Board for their commitment, including Coach Kathleen Willinsky and Assistant Stacey Ryan.

The celebration was not complete without a few spirited cheers, smiles, photographs and, of course, two Championship cakes for everyone in the Board Room to enjoy.

This was MHS’s second state title in three years.
  
HIGHLIGHTS
Councilmember Dominguez delivers $1k donation for Jack Emery Food Drive
Councilmember Karina Dominguez presented a $1,000 donation check to the MUSD Board for the Jack Emery Food Drive, which helps feed local families throughout the year via the Milpitas Food Pantry.

Dominguez received a Certificate of Recognition for her donation, which raised the Board-Executive Cabinet Jack Emery Team’s donation total to $3,450. Under the Jack Emery Food Drive, organized by Milpitas High School student leaders, each school site and department raises money as a team.
District applies for $16.8M in state-matching funds through Proposition 51
At the Jan. 14 meeting, Assistant Superintendent Wendy Zhang shared with the Board that the District received notification from the state's Office of Public School Construction (OPSC) that its staff will review MUSD's new elementary school state-matching fund application of $16.8 million. They also require the District to update the cost within the next 90 days.

Ever since the passing of Measure E in 2012, staff has worked with the District's consultant to prepare its state-matching funds application. Prop. 51 was approved by voters in November 2016, allowing the state to issue $9 billion in bonds to fund improvement and construction of facilities for K-12 schools and community colleges.

For a school district to receive Prop. 51 funds, it must prove it lacks adequate space in existing facilities to house projected enrollment growth. With the passing of Measure AA General Obligation Bond in 2018, MUSD is eligible to apply for Prop. 51 funds.

Previously, MUSD received state-matching funds in 1998-99 due to the 1995-96 bond.
Board adopts Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day resolution
To read Board Resolution 2020.22, click here.
MUSD receives clean audit report
The Board accepted the District’s annual audit report for the school district budget, as well as Measure E and Measure AA General Obligation Bond Programs, at the Jan. 14 meeting. In all three instances, the District received an excellent audit report, which can be reviewed here.
Board adopts new Censure Policy
By a 3-1 vote, the Board adopted a new censure policy ( Board Bylaw 9005.1). The Board conducted a first reading at its Nov. 26 meeting and a second reading at the Jan. 14 meeting before adopting the policy to ensure its members always act in the best interests of every student in the District.
SPOTLIGHT
Union news editor explains reporting process
Senior Alex Phan, the news editor for the Union student newspaper, explained how he developed his article on the Blackface incident at Milpitas High School. Phan interviewed as many sources as possible to include different perspectives on the issue, including the Superintendent. Phan is the second in a series of Union staff members who will be invited to present at meetings.
Griggs joins Board as new Student Rep
Calaveras Hills senior Timothy Griggs served his first day as a Student Representative on the School Board.

Griggs, a senior at Cal Hills, replaces Cal Hills graduate Daniel Hoady and joins Milpitas HS Student Rep Kush Brahmbhatt on the Board.

Griggs, who has been at Cal Hills the last two years, is the school's Leo Club President as well as an active participant in the Relay for Life and serving food at JW House for the Lions Club.
Principal's Report comes from Sinnott staff
Principal Laurie Armino and Assistant Principal Vanessa Espitia gave a glimpse into the happenings at Sinnott Elementary School this school year.

One highlight from the Principal’s Report was the monthly electives offered to students at Sinnott. Each month students can choose between a variety of offerings led by teachers, including ballroom dancing, cartooning, cooking and creative writing.

At each meeting, a school team provides a report on its progress in meeting one of the Strategic Goals.