Parents mobilize $1.4M and launch nonprofit to save Mill Valley transitional kindergarten
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Summary
In response to the district's proposed elimination of transitional kindergarten (TK), parents said they have organized to raise funds and formed a nonprofit to preserve TK for 2025–26, while seeking clearer district commitments on locations and enrollment.
Parents and teachers addressed the Mill Valley School District board on Feb. 13 to urge continued transitional kindergarten (TK) for 2025–26 and described an organized, rapid fundraising effort to keep the program running.
Why it matters: District leaders said TK elimination was part of a set of reductions needed to close a budget gap. Parents said TK is a state and county priority and that the district should provide clearer information to help families plan and to guide local fundraising.
What parents told the board - Sidharth Manchanathan said that within weeks parents had mobilized 280 pledges, pledged $1.4 million and formed a new nonprofit, Early Education Marin, with a bank account at Redwood Credit Union to support TK for 2025–26. He urged the district to support community fundraising and state-level advocacy to resolve systemic funding inequities. - Joe Del Grande and Andrew Titcomb (parents) asked the district to open provisional TK registration so families can know where classrooms will be located and what capacity the program will have. Del Grande said parents who are asked to contribute substantial sums deserve more concrete information about classroom locations and student placement. - Trish Stevens and Tara Ordonez, teachers and parents, urged the board to preserve TK for at least one year to allow time for a collaborative, transparent solution and to avoid abrupt grade-level elimination months before the new school year.
District reaction and constraints District staff and trustees said they understand community concern but cited budget constraints and legal timelines. Board members and administrators noted that the district faces enrollment declines and a budget gap that influenced the decision to propose eliminating or reducing TK as part of a larger set of reductions.
Next steps requested by parents Parents asked the district to: open provisional registration to generate an accurate count of interested TK students; clarify proposed TK classroom locations and capacities for 2025–26; and partner with the community as fundraising efforts proceed. Parents said community funding could support TK but added that a firm district commitment and improved communication are needed before families will write large checks.
The board did not adopt a separate action specifically restoring TK during the meeting; trustees said funding and statutory deadlines constrain the district’s ability to promise placements without additional budget actions.
