MVLA board deadlocks on superintendent—ocus; members ask for clearer metrics

Superintendent Eric Volta presented four proposed top priorities for the 2025 nd 2026 academic year and asked the board to approve them as his highest-focus objectives. The board debated the list for more than an hour and split 2-2 on a motion to adopt the priorities, so the proposal failed.

Volta told trustees he had aligned the proposed focuses with board-adopted district goals and staff input, listing alignment of districtwide services and programs (for example MTSS), a review of bell schedules with Challenge Success, continuing professional development on ‘‘constructing meaning,’’ and financial and LCAP-related work.

Board members said they supported many of the broad concepts but asked for changes in wording and for a clearer, measurable metrics framework. Trustee Alex urged adding a requirement to diagnose and address declines on standardized assessments and other measures and to provide a holistic picture that includes AP performance and GPA. Trustee Catherine said she favored the priorities but emphasized limiting the number of top priorities so staff could focus. Several trustees said they had not had sufficient time to rework the document after receiving it on Thursday.

The board discussed data points Volta cited during his presentation, including the district—8-99% graduation rates and mixed trends on state assessments. Volta said: "I'm proud to say that last year, we had 99 percent graduation rate," and he urged trustees to focus on underrepresented student groups (Latinx students, students with disabilities and English learners) where gaps remain.

Trustees pressed for clarity on which metrics the board will use to judge progress and whether standardized tests, GPA, AP participation and AP pass rates, or a combination would be the primary indicators. Student board members Claire Sworchoff and Lucy Lay spoke during the discussion: Lucy said, "a GPA is a greater determination of student success... because to get a GPA and to get an A in a class, you do the homework and the participation and all the tests in one year," arguing that GPA captures sustained classroom work in ways single-day standardized tests do not.

After discussion the board considered a motion to adopt Volta's four priorities pending midterm review but the motion received a 2-2 tie and failed. Trustees did not record individual roll-call votes in the open transcript; the meeting record shows the motion did not carry.

Volta and trustees agreed to continue work on the document and bring a revised version back for consideration in October when a fifth trustee returns. Several trustees proposed using the August meeting record and additional staff revisions to produce a redraft for the next public board meeting.

Why it matters: The superintendent—ocus statement will guide the district's senior staff priorities, shape professional development, and influence how the district allocates time and one-time funds. Trustees sought more specific success metrics and assurances that focusing on targeted improvements for underrepresented students would not inadvertently reduce progress for others.

Board direction and next steps: Trustees asked staff to collect and present clearer data and metrics options and to return a revised draft at a future meeting for formal adoption. Volta said he would use board feedback and staff input to produce a revised version for the board to review in October.

Ending note: The board eadlock leaves the superintendent with the existing district goals and the board's feedback; trustees signaled they want a shorter, measurable set of top priorities and a clearer metrics framework before a formal vote.