Board Highlights
from the March 10, 2020 meeting
Superintendent unveils District's Pandemic Response website
Superintendent Cheryl Jordan gave a glimpse into the Milpitas Unified School District’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic Response website, which includes all preparations being made by administrators, teachers and support staff toward flexible learning for students in the event of school closures.

In addition, Supt. Jordan explained the different methods of communication the District will continue to utilize to inform families of the latest developments about COVID-19 as well as the preventative measures at schools. She also walked audience members through how non-instructional staff has been planning and identifying ways to work remotely if offices are closed.

MUSD’s Pandemic Response website will be launched to the public once completed; however, Supt. Jordan wanted to share the work that had already been done to prepare MUSD for the next steps. The site includes information on Preparations, Connected Learning, Telecommuting, and Resources that staff, students, and parents can all utilize.

Supt. Jordan shared how she participates in daily (sometimes twice per day) conference calls with superintendents of every school district in Santa Clara County, led by County Superintendent Mary Ann Dewan and County Public Health Officer Sara Cody. In these calls, they discuss the latest guidance for schools, and are able to ask questions and share best practices in handling coronavirus-related issues.

These preparations have been put into action, after Santa Clara County health officials called for schools without students from March 16-April 3. That was then followed by the County's Shelter in Place Order.

At a March 13 emergency meeting, Assistant Superintendent of Learning & Development Norma Rodriguez shared progress being made by instructional staff on the delivery of MUSD’s flexible learning program, called “Educate Everywhere.” MUSD issued this statement to families .

This week, MUSD's Tech staff started issuing Chromebooks to students, while the Student Nutrition Dept. began to distribute no cost bagged meals to thousands of youth ages 0-18. The Tech staff distributed mo re than 900 Chromebooks last week as well as 200 that were already out prior to the three days of distribution. The Student Nutrition staff has distributed more than 10,000 bagged meals and counting to families as they continue to do so at three locations.


A day later, Governor Gavin Newsom signed an Executive Order suspending the state testing requirement for 2019-20.
  
HIGHLIGHTS
School Board offers direction to staff for new Ayer Innovation Learning Campus
“Providing Pathways for Learners to Become Their Best Selves,” is the driving force that continues to guide decisions for MUSD’s Ayer Innovation Learning Campus Project, according to a March 10 presentation to the Board .

Superintendent Cheryl Jordan shared plans to forge partnerships with top Milpitas-based companies to increase from the 8.74 percent of local residents both living and working in Milpitas to a goal of 15 percent by equipping MUSD students with the necessary workforce skills.

The Ayer Innovation Learning Campus will encompass certifications and microcredentials, badges and blockchain verification, internships and career mentoring, online and in-person learning, dual enrollment, high school learners, community college learners, and corporate professionals.

Given three options on how to proceed with design plans for the second high school campus (MHS extension), the Board directed staff to move ahead with the estimated $81.6M option, which calls for the replacement of six existing buildings with Folia two-story buildings . The Superintendent will report back progress on a capital campaign to raise $20 million and have a plan in place of buildings to stay within budget.

Before the March 10 meeting, select Staff and Board members conducted campus tours at three area schools that used either Gen-7 (Option 1, estimated $62.4M) and / or Folia buildings (Option 2) in building their campuses. These tours allowed an opportunity to gather more information and hear feedback from others who have utilized these options in their districts. Option 3 was for traditional stick-built construction (estimated $100.8M).

Staff will report back to the Board with more details at a future meeting. 
Board adopts Second Interim Report with positive financial certification
MUSD's Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Wendy Zhang and Director Linh Le presented the Board with the District's 2019-20 Second Interim Report at the March 10 meeting.

The Board voted 3-0 to adopt the 2019-20 Second Interim Report. Staff will now submit a positive certification to the Santa Clara County Office of Education.

Assistant Supt. Zhang then presented the Board with an update on the Building Fund Policy .
Board approves 2020-21 Budget Reduction Recommendations
The Board approved Staff's "General Fund Cost Management Recommendations 2020-21" at the March 10 meeting.

The action, which included $1,636,213 in savings for next school term, came with one caveat: the $233,015 line item was achieved through not filling vacancies of certain positions rather than having to release any existing employees.

The full list can be viewed here .

Superintendent Cheryl Jordan hosted several stakeholders meetings over the last couple of months at various sites throughout the District to gather as much input as possible. Staff input was also gathered through a ThoughtExchange survey.

The Cost Management Recommendations were introduced to the Board at the Feb. 11 meeting. Aligning with MUSD Strategic Goal #5 , the District's goal is reduce expenditures on external resources as the team continues to build capacity in its own expertise for professional learning and development. At the same time, the objective is to make recommendations that have little to no impact in the classroom.
RECOGNITIONS
Zanker's Lyric Bryant honored for winning MLK Black History Month Essay Contest
Zanker Elementary School student Lyric Bryant was honored by the Board of Education at the March 10 meeting for winning the City of Milpitas' Martin Luther King Jr. Black History Month Essay Contest.

Lyric read her winning essay to everyone in attendance before receiving her Certificate of Achievement.
Milpitas HS wrestling champion Audrey Tran recognized for winning league championship
Milpitas High School student-athlete Audrey Tran was honored by the Board of Education at the March 10 meeting for winning the 111-pound weight class wrestling league championship.

Tran, who was joined by her coach and family, received a Certificate of Achievement from the Board.
SPOTLIGHT
Rancho Middle School focuses on social-emotional learning for students
LCAP Goal #2: All MUSD students’ are fully invested to thrive academically, socially and emotionally in a safe nurturing and culturally responsive school environment" was at the heart of Rancho Middle School Principal Casey McMurray's Principal's Report at the March 10 meeting.

McMurray was accompanied by Rancho staff as well as Rancho PTSA President Scott Duffey, who kicked the presentation off with the school's fundraising and school climate efforts. A bowl-a-thon, car wash and charity bingo have helped PTSA work toward a goal of funding a digital marquee at Rancho, while potlucks, a social night out, and a Q&A with the Principal and Assistant Principal have helped to build a tighter school community.

With a focus on social-emotional learning, Rancho introduced a weekly Star Day, which helps teach students about mindfulness through mindful activities, Catchup Day, where students focus on what is going to help them walk out of the room less stressed, meditation practices and a nature walk.

A Croatian Language-Culture Program has also been implemented at Rancho, where students can learn a new language and experience the culture.

Rancho, which earned a fifth re-designation as a School To Watch by the California League of Middle Schools, is developing its Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support (PBIS) to help curb suspensions, while also setting the stage for a Saturday School to capture Average Daily Attendance, which is at 97.5 percent so far this year.
Cal Hills students, staff promote Relay for Life