Teachers’ union leaders, parents and community members used the board meeting to press trustees for clearer data and caution as the district evaluates proposed budget reductions.

Mick Nguyen, president of the Mountain View Education Association, asked the board to account for a recent state increase in per-pupil funding when assessing cuts and warned that proposals to eliminate preschool or reduce support staff would shift responsibilities onto already overburdened teachers. “There is simply no capacity to absorb more without compromising instruction, student support, or teacher well-being,” Nguyen said.

Public commenters questioned specific consent items, including a change-order justification for a PA system and clock installation and a proposed contract with Piper Sandler tied to potential bond refinancing. A member of the public noted a 2022 California Attorney General opinion (as cited by the commenter) that certain refinancing costs cannot be paid from bond proceeds; district finance staff clarified that the recommended refinancing would use savings from the refunding to cover fees, not the general fund.

Board members voted unanimously to approve the consent agenda after pulling item H for separate consideration and then separately approved item H (Piper Sandler) following staff explanation that refunding would reduce taxpayer costs overall. Trustees also approved moving several non-action items forward because the meeting experienced translation and technical difficulties.

Superintendent Jeff Baer provided staffing updates: Vargas Elementary principal Ascentha Contreras will resign effective Jan. 20 and Swati Daigher will serve as interim principal; Karen Jinbo will expand duties to oversee both health and wellness and student services. The superintendent said the district is analyzing recommendations from an external report to develop midterm and long-term plans.

The board did not adopt any immediate budget cuts at the meeting; trustees and staff repeatedly said more data and scheduled follow-up meetings are needed before decisions are finalized.