[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6123667,"mediaKeyId","2689214-36adaf1f24c481a0500a2b5f34db44be","parentId",2689214,"title","Votes at a glance: Mountain View–Los Altos board, March 17","audioSeconds",44,"startMs",689000,"endMs",733000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2689214-36adaf1f24c481a0500a2b5f34db44be&start=689&end=733","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2689214-36adaf1f24c481a0500a2b5f34db44be/thumbnail_689000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6123667/California/Votes-at-a-glance-Mountain-ViewLos-Altos-board-March-17","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6123667-ab0d02aba9ef4791275f124345b673d8/orig.mp4?Expires=1775131959&Signature=OLw44V~W7SjTAMBK8WBf2KFYYrVBA7mx2Fu0mKy93MlmnJiHJ07XIkSXPsvNtEUwNBOv6b6FxYywUKVow2icpSvlcJiTepiDc0qeWEz6ZgwxBSttKe~bIUHCqAxVJi8y5afvACmr-UhMuf~r5Qpvuz-iLc18DnStcUW5gum1uGZqrfh9hGY7w70FiUBXhPFj8uNpjKtpwy5w9QAtAwXiQ80VbM~scYlcmd9oTqd0GLIsZk7GvgrXT7xRgtW-3txyO7t5IpHbWu3KWA419KRnnDHTBqm6qSfERAP0ha~0WDIIaPTVpfg8J14fFtYIqGuYA66DL~N-hMSPKeXMvbauoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mountain View-Los Altos Union High","date","2025-03-19T15:10:47.47Z","article","The Mountain View–Los Altos Union High School District Board of Trustees took several formal votes during its March 17 meeting. Listed below are actions recorded in the public minutes and the meeting transcript.

Votes at a glance
- Approve meeting agenda as presented — Motion moved by Catherine, seconded by Vita; voice vote; outcome: approved (5–0).
- Adopt resolution celebrating National Bilingual/Multilingual Learner Advocacy Month (April 2025) — Moved by Catherine, seconded by Alex; outcome: approved (5–0).
- Adopt resolution affirming California Department of Education policy and board policy 0410 (nondiscrimination in district programs and activities) — Motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved (5–0).
- Approve resolution authorizing short‑term borrowing (trans) to manage start‑of‑year cash flow — Motion moved by Catherine, seconded by Alex; outcome: approved (5–0).
- Certify second interim budget (reporting as of Jan. 31, 2025) — Motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved (5–0).
- Approve updated graduation‑requirements policy language to reflect prior board action on ethnic studies (motion included an amendment referencing the January 2023 board action) — Moved by board member Vita, seconded by Catherine; outcome: approved (5–0).

Notes
Where votes were taken by voice, the transcript records unanimous board approval in each case. Where vote tallies or roll call were not read into the record, the meeting recorded the board’s unanimous consent.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","MVLA Board Meeting: March 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A quick summary of formal actions taken at the March 17 board meeting, including routine consent, two resolutions and certifying the second interim budget.","taxTitle","Mountain View-Los Altos Union High, School Districts, California","taxId",65606,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6123672,"Board reviews second‑interim budget; staff report district reserve exceeds two‑month guideline",1517,7643000,9160000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2689214-36adaf1f24c481a0500a2b5f34db44be&start=7643&end=9160","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2689214-36adaf1f24c481a0500a2b5f34db44be/thumbnail_7643000.jpg","/articles/6123672/California/Board-reviews-secondinterim-budget-staff-report-district-reserve-exceeds-twomonth-guideline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6123672-8a5c61d83a210ad89a1d045b1927aff5/orig.mp4?Expires=1775131959&Signature=BIzKRuulNCWm1H2Wh6w0neUoGPE037cyIidABGrv-LkjPzSGpZbnIovvWxGcObX-~dZrvuz410LazSYSHPgpu3rX7kntbmulKOPbpWkyt~N1AaNIV3SHHsBaoIiVfH-ojqTOc~Z~rkj0hN9N2t7rLoFGSYMtfnqzUTewVcApnyHFHUqggWx2ic-rNZF11sx2jpYet~jTehnpwxaaI9iF8J2tOtInwP0F8d1KQp5k2OaVXlByexNE7nRUsM91Aqk7DRI~carRiU9T~0BkqrzbP1yUkJh~fVu736Sw5~FekTUrgTaEoklsRQBxdjKT1CDkQuJv-UKZsPMH2g1FF1KRmw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mountain View–Los Altos Union High School District presented its second interim budget update at the March 17 meeting, reporting a general‑fund reserve of roughly $28.4 million (19.21% of the budget) and asking trustees to certify the district’s financial status.

What staff reported
Fiscal staff described the numbers as of Jan. 31, 2025. Key details included a projected increase in total revenue compared with the first interim report and updated personnel cost accounting produced in partnership with human resources. Staff cited higher special‑education revenues in the current cycle but noted that special‑education expenditures continue to outpace assigned revenue and required ongoing monitoring. Federal revenue for the district was reported at approximately $1,740,000 (special education, Title funds and related grants).

Reserve and risk
The board packet showed combined reserves (general fund, special reserve and OPEB) of about $28.4 million, meeting a board‑policy target equivalent to roughly two months of operating expenses (the policy target cited about $25.0 million). Staff said the projection assumes a conservative 5% property‑tax growth for the next two years and that negotiations and other cost drivers could affect multi‑year projections.

Board action and follow up
Trustees approved the second interim report on a motion and second, with a vote of 5‑0. Several trustees praised staff for tighter collaboration with HR on personnel accounting and asked for continued transparency on special‑education cost trends. Staff said they will present updated projections and budget‑development materials ahead of next fiscal‑year adoption and monitor county and state actions that could alter assumed revenues.

Ending
The board certified the second interim report and asked staff to return with more detailed scenario analyses as negotiations and state budget actions evolve.","District staff presented the second interim budget showing reserves of approximately $28.4 million (about 19.2% of budget), meeting the board policy target of two months operating expenses; trustees approved the report and directed continued monitoring.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6123676,"District presents EdTech committee work: device refresh, app consolidation and AI guidance",1081,6033000,7114000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2689214-36adaf1f24c481a0500a2b5f34db44be&start=6033&end=7114","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2689214-36adaf1f24c481a0500a2b5f34db44be/thumbnail_6033000.jpg","/articles/6123676/California/District-presents-EdTech-committee-work-device-refresh-app-consolidation-and-AI-guidance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6123676-0db43da10a33be9b9fd78aaac65cc6cc/orig.mp4?Expires=1775131959&Signature=b6MqTFK~wenT4JrDfkB7q94PBzt4M3s~iKPVmsII-tbNMgoIMqnjv3xm3xZGyvkVFEeVInWm94Tpd3GbGuj9dwkvB75dXpaKC2Snbtsz00PUtx7avj914QV-qbPR3qx-7JrZOnJQDUw0xZIWQ-DV6I1xjIUfntyFs8DIL8MmQFAVc-rzqqPF676lpNjxG7fXmmq8zbiQDQYBSFl1FEsMVoCkOEWEWRnnAqM~9SqcjqQCaAypQMbcAZ9pQuBzIKcoHl58~rJOJXCakS42z3rT7YokT-0v2411jNrMvTRx4RQG3XrteB6FVrdauj7W~3u1gXNFCTbbu7i8a~hkRbwUJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mountain View–Los Altos staff presented an update on district educational technology on March 17, describing an EdTech committee that has evaluated device standards, network capacity and next steps for artificial‑intelligence guidance.

Key points
- Infrastructure and devices: District technology staff said the network handles about 13,000 devices concurrently and is built to scale; the county office of education provides the district’s Internet service. Staff reported a device refresh plan for teachers on a four‑year cycle and said the Mountain View‑Los Altos Foundation had funded a batch of larger Chromebooks to replace older 11‑inch models for state testing and distribution to students.
- Security and device management: The district reported forced multifactor authentication, endpoint protection on issued devices, a district asset‑management system and weekly security and update pushes.
- App consolidation and instruction: An educator survey identified dozens of instructional tools in use. District staff said they are piloting a platform called Formative to consolidate content and reduce tool switching for students and teachers, and will evaluate its adoption in summer professional development.
- AI guidance: The EdTech committee has begun issuing guidance on ethical and responsible use of generative AI. The committee referenced a staff‑PD keynote and Common Sense Media resources; staff said the district is drafting an AI handbook and updating board policy language to address digital citizenship and data privacy.

Trustee questions
Trustees asked how many products were evaluated, how pilot decisions would be made and how data‑privacy obligations would be enforced. Staff described a vetted pilot process for new apps and said classroom teachers must complete a pilot form before adopting new tools.

Ending
Trustees asked staff to return with an updated district technology plan and suggested the board policy on technology be revised to align with the committee’s work and include AI guidance.","The district reported work by a new EdTech committee to standardize classroom technology, consolidate instructional apps, raise security standards and begin staff guidance on generative AI.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6123681,"District staff and students describe growth, supports in Middle College early‑college program",1569,4207000,5776000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2689214-36adaf1f24c481a0500a2b5f34db44be&start=4207&end=5776","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2689214-36adaf1f24c481a0500a2b5f34db44be/thumbnail_4207000.jpg","/articles/6123681/California/District-staff-and-students-describe-growth-supports-in-Middle-College-earlycollege-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6123681-3594e85c600644e70549671e556ee6f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1775131959&Signature=f7ct-5ge1cePKfGOyZgq0bwznqJEY3yq2mbDU-Od8tR5aCsEGC7Gs3aE6k4oWDr4DnPzy8~j2KWxK7SYVAnnVwPrt-ag-1px1KlGGGV2Y7k9aRzEcgsYxLkQGNd1OrfIuwyUm8uqGirb4DvSY4ghDEXNSl6sG3AU2TvQcXVvxkOxZGGCm709v9YjFd7KVGKZ6kT3vTDWOrVJYIUKh-MzFZtb-7EzYG08Ts7rVT7hvTmBGnt7MR9UHWty1E~ZAyn5yHsUuySt02D5V3wpLr05iuo2rkH7xaamejlTSL4Zd8hzXt1dGJmciP2uRmZhIlX4Bc2JIdzO5LI--BPij~xFsg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mountain View–Los Altos staff and students presented an update on the district’s Middle College program (also called Bridal College and College Now) at the March 17 board meeting, reporting growth, student supports and recruitment efforts aimed at increasing access.

Middle College at a glance
Presenters said the program serves students who are dually enrolled at Foothill College while attending district classes in the afternoon; students take between seven and 11 college units per quarter and can earn up to 60 transferable credits over two years. Staff described small, seminar‑style high‑school classes paired with college coursework and an added third “community” hour devoted to advising, study support and campus integration.

Expansion and enrollment
Presenters said the program recently expanded to handle increased demand. The team reported “about 92” students currently enrolled and described a deliberate recruitment strategy that includes outreach through AVID and targeted queries on the district’s student information system to identify students who might benefit from the program but not self‑select.

Student supports and outcomes
Staff described several supports: on‑site mental‑health services through a partnership with Pacific Clinics, special‑education coordination for IEP students, tutoring and intentional orientation activities including an annual Yosemite trip. Presenters said many students choose to stay a supplemental year at Foothill to strengthen transfer applications; staff emphasized that colleges view direct college coursework favorably in admissions and that the program gives students flexibility to explore majors before committing.

Access and equity
Board members asked how the program reaches underrepresented and first‑generation students. Presenters said recent recruitment work with AVID teachers and targeted outreach has increased diversity, but they acknowledged gaps remain and asked the board for help getting the word out. They said word‑of‑mouth and alumni outreach continue to be the program’s most effective recruitment tools, and they described continued efforts to expand digital outreach and parent information nights.

Ending
Board members congratulated students presented at the meeting and requested more data on long‑term outcomes, including transfer patterns and cumulative credits completed, to better quantify the program’s academic and financial impact for students and the district.","District presenters described an expanded Middle College (Bridal College) program at Foothill College that serves roughly 92 students, allows up to 60 transferable college credits over two years, and has added student supports and outreach to increase access.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6123685,"Mountain View–Los Altos board keeps district policy aligned with prior vote amid heated public debate over ethnic studies and world history",7701,9171000,16872000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2689214-36adaf1f24c481a0500a2b5f34db44be&start=9171&end=16872","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2689214-36adaf1f24c481a0500a2b5f34db44be/thumbnail_9171000.jpg","/articles/6123685/California/Mountain-ViewLos-Altos-board-keeps-district-policy-aligned-with-prior-vote-amid-heated-public-debate-over-ethnic-studies-and-world-history","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6123685-59d85a8024307b0700b89352871b5d4d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775131959&Signature=LvfX9u4PG67VMBdYFNCmxvpqosqZ9UsY8M46LyZK0sq-awawjLSBP-JToCf3~OmmpJvXGf9HvOiU09CPgGbjpy1bEzhuLg~Tyo9DgFUfq6~IFXlIrDD01NC22NjW56KfhJaz~my0tPILYDimBrVorrF7Aehi~EVlcA1Orfl-rzs-B-0v2xycPozkjnBzOk7TetRCmY5i5wXmkqHjsX4toQvfz8c4swAhAWnjmCmXRTnPjMmW8pdwLcnEN9xNoDLaYM6EV12V~m5sq5JGnzvcRT~JZtb657UY6NiFscTnVGD6kp74aA~-~5K6EN02yQmWdpTX0x~Pk2C3vh-xRAtyXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mountain View–Los Altos Union High School District Board of Trustees on March 17 updated its graduation-requirements policy to reflect earlier board action establishing ethnic studies as part of the district’s sequence of required coursework while agreeing to further review how the new requirement is being implemented.

The move came after more than two hours of public comment in which dozens of parents, students and community members urged the board either to reinstate a ninth‑grade world history requirement, make ethnic studies an elective or shorten ethnic studies to one semester. Trustees said they would schedule study sessions to review the course framework, materials and how the change affects students’ four‑year plans.

Why it matters: The board’s March 17 vote formalized language to match actions it took in 2023 but did not close a wide public debate over whether ethnic studies, as taught in the district’s pilot and first years, displaces foundational world‑history instruction that many parents and students say prepares undergraduates for advanced history courses and college admissions. Trustees said they want to ensure clarity for students making course plans while they investigate concerns about curriculum, classroom materials and classroom practice.

Board action and next steps
The trustees approved an updated statement in district policy reflecting the earlier decision to add an ethnic‑studies requirement for upcoming graduating classes. The motion, moved by a trustee and seconded by another, passed on a voice vote. The board appended language noting the original January 2023 decision as the basis for the current practice and directed staff to bring a timetable for study sessions and any recommended changes.

Public concerns
More than 30 speakers addressed the board during the public‑comment period that preceded the vote. Parents and students gave a range of reasons for wanting world history reinstated in ninth grade: several parents and former students said ninth‑grade world history taught by Mountain View‑era teachers provided the broad, chronological foundation needed for later AP courses; some students and parents said AP Human Geography and other alternatives do not cover the same historical content. Others encouraged trustees to preserve ethnic studies but to make it optional or one semester so students retain flexibility to pursue STEM, arts or additional history coursework.

Several commenters who identified themselves as ethnic‑studies teachers and program supporters urged trustees to preserve the year‑long course and described community and identity benefits for students who took the class. A number of students who had taken ethnic studies described it as meaningful or protective against microaggressions; other students said it had not prepared them for subsequent AP history work.

Trustee reaction and schedule
Trustees acknowledged the dispute and the strong public feelings on both sides. Several said the curriculum and materials should be reviewed and clarified; at least one trustee asked staff to produce a student survey and an itemized report on which currently offered courses fulfill the state’s world‑history expectations. The board requested study sessions focused first on whether current district courses meet the state’s world‑history standards and, separately, on ethnic‑studies curriculum, materials and delivery. Trustees said they would aim to provide clear timelines for those review sessions so families whose children are making four‑year plans have updated guidance.

What the district says
Superintendent Eric Volta (speaking in the meeting) reminded trustees that AB 101 (state law affecting ethnic‑studies policy) had set a target that districts prepare local ethnic‑studies courses and that the state has continued to develop guidance and funding. Trustees said they want to reconcile the district’s locally developed course materials with the framework presented to the board in 2023 and to examine classroom implementation where parents say it has deviated from the approved framework.

Ending
Trustees adopted the policy language to match the board’s earlier action, and they agreed to a multi‑step review that will include staff reports, student surveys and additional public comment. They did not change the schedule for next school year but committed to return with findings and any recommended policy or scheduling changes in the coming months.","Trustees voted to update district graduation-policy language to match prior board actions on ethnic-studies requirements, while public commenters and several trustees pressed for a review of how the course is taught and how world history requirements are being met.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Mountain View–Los Altos board, March 17

Board reviews second‑interim budget; staff report district reserve exceeds two‑month guideline

District presents EdTech committee work: device refresh, app consolidation and AI guidance

District staff and students describe growth, supports in Middle College early‑college program

Mountain View–Los Altos board keeps district policy aligned with prior vote amid heated public debate over ethnic studies and world history