Mountain View Whisman trustees approve purchase of land under staff housing, authorize COP reimbursement resolution

Mountain View — The Mountain View Whisman School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve a purchase of the land under the district’s staff housing development and adopted a separate resolution of intent to reimburse expenditures from tax‑exempt obligations, the board announced in open session. The board approved a purchase and sale agreement for 699 North Shoreline Boulevard for $53,300,000 and separately approved a resolution of intent related to certificates of participation financing; both votes were 5–0.

Board members and staff framed the vote as a step to stabilize the teacher‑housing project’s long‑term finances by removing an expensive ground lease, while some public speakers urged the board to slow down and criticized prior negotiations.

Chief Business Officer Rebecca Westover told trustees the staff housing complex at the Sevens is a 144‑unit community opened in February 2025 that includes 123 below‑market‑rate (BMR) units for district employees, 20 units reserved for City of Mountain View employees, and — as of the presentation — 51 occupied units. Westover said the district currently pays a ground lease that costs roughly $1.9 million annually and escalates with CPI and that removing the lease is central to making the project financially sustainable.

"The district's purchase price for the land will be $53,300,000," Westover said in her presentation, adding that the purchase would relieve the district of ground‑lease payments "either past or present." She said funding would come from a combination of district capital funds and financing. Up to $29,000,000 would be drawn from previously identified facilities and capital outlay funds and from Measure T project funds that would be put on pause; the remainder would be financed through certificates of participation (COPs). Westover said the COP financing would be secured against district‑owned property and would not place an additional property‑tax burden on property owners.

The board set three short‑term criteria earlier in the year: fill available units, make the housing financially self‑sufficient, and reduce the time trustees spend on housing so meetings focus on student learning. Westover said the district also worked with the city to amend the BMR threshold from 120% of area median income (AMI) to 150% AMI to make 23% more employees eligible, and that a separate nonprofit, the MVWSD Residence Corporation, would govern the housing project.

Public comment was sharply divided. Several speakers criticized the board and staff for past costs and for negotiating with the same external advisers who led the project’s earlier stages. "Stop throwing good money after bad. Stop relying on Rudolph's people who got us into this trouble," said Itak Celik during the public‑comment period, referring to earlier project decisions and the contract counsel engaged for the development. Mohan G. told trustees, "Simply put, we have no trust left for the staff of the board to make sound financial decisions on our behalf," and urged the board to provide a fuller, public plan and alternatives before committing to the purchase.

At the same time, multiple employees who live at the Sevens told the board the housing has been transformational for staff. "This housing project has been super beneficial for me," said Joanna Doria, a district office employee, describing shorter commutes and lower transportation costs. Edward Andrada, who works in the district's maintenance and operations department, said living nearby allowed him to respond to emergency calls off duty: "Living nearby has enabled me to quickly assess situations and act as the eyes and ears for my director." Other residents described improved mental health and community benefits despite early operational challenges such as mail and laundry logistics.

Trustees debated the motion in public meetings leading up to the vote and emphasized that the board had repeatedly discussed financing strategies and CEQA clearance in prior sessions. Trustee Lisa Henry, moving the purchase resolution, said the board's decision reflects a judgment that owning the land turns an escalating operating cost into a controllable asset and provides flexibility to keep housing affordable. Trustee Charles DeFazio seconded the motion. The roll‑call vote was recorded as unanimous.

The board also separately approved a resolution of intent to reimburse district expenditures from proceeds of tax‑exempt obligations related to the COPs financing; that measure passed on a separate 5–0 vote. During discussion trustees confirmed the COPs would be secured by district‑owned property (not specified to a single parcel in the motion) and that the district had engaged legal and real‑estate counsel during deliberations.

Trustees and staff said the district intends to avoid drawing on the general fund for the purchase and that capital funds will be used for part of the purchase price while COP financing will cover the balance. Westover said the land purchase would remove the district’s ground‑lease obligation, which she quantified as roughly $1.9 million a year and characterized as a major ongoing cost driver.

The board scheduled future meetings and retreats and concluded with staff personnel announcements unrelated to the housing vote. The board said no reportable action was taken during the closed session earlier in the meeting.

Votes at a glance: - Resolution No. 02071025 (exercise of option to purchase property, 699 North Shoreline Blvd.): Motion to approve by Trustee Lisa Henry; seconded by Trustee Charles DeFazio. Vote: 5–0 (unanimous). Outcome: approved. Note: purchase price $53,300,000; funding: up to $29,000,000 from facilities/capital outlay and Measure T pause; remainder via COPs. - Resolution of intent (reimburse expenditures from proceeds of tax‑exempt obligations / COPs): Motion to approve by Trustee Charles DeFazio; seconded by Trustee Anna Reed. Vote: 5–0 (unanimous). Outcome: approved.

The board indicated the purchase is intended to increase the project’s long‑term viability and give the district direct control over the land; opponents in public comment urged greater transparency on negotiations and potential alternatives. The district said the land purchase is consistent with goals the trustees set earlier and that staff will continue to report publicly on implementation and occupancy efforts.

Next meeting dates announced by the board include an August retreat and regular meetings in August and September (dates provided by the board).