Mill Valley trustees approve $6 million in reductions as superintendent proposes ending full‑day TK and cutting counseling and intervention staff

The Mill Valley School District Board of Trustees voted to approve Superintendent Elizabeth Kaufman’s recommended actions to address a projected multi‑million dollar budget shortfall, a package that includes district‑office reductions, cuts to counseling and targeted‑learning staff, and a proposal to suspend the district’s full‑day transitional kindergarten (TK) offering.

Kaufman told the board the recommendations are aimed at balancing the district’s budget and protecting core K‑8 programs. “We must have prudent reserves,” she said while explaining timeline pressures tied to state reporting and bond‑rating reviews. The board approved the package by voice vote; trustees indicated unanimous support.

The superintendent framed the cuts as urgent because the district’s reserves have fallen and outside oversight deadlines are approaching. Kaufman and staff presented analysis showing the district’s reserve ratio would dip below the board’s policy target without reductions and said the county office of education expects a formal resolution by February and additional notices by March tied to layoff timelines. Kaufman also cited contact with a ratings firm (Standard & Poor’s) and the need to protect the district’s credit rating as a reason for…