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Mill Valley board votes to reinstate TK while urging parcel-tax renewal to close budget gap
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Summary
The Mill Valley School Board voted to reinstate transitional kindergarten for 2026–27 and directed staff to pursue a parcel-tax renewal to cover a projected $1.8 million gap, while acknowledging possible cuts and hiring freezes if the measure fails.
The Mill Valley School Board voted on Nov. 13 to reinstate transitional kindergarten (TK) for the 2026–27 school year and pressed a parcel-tax renewal as the primary means to cover the program’s projected operating cost.
During public comment, parents and community groups urged the board to protect TK and support a parcel-tax renewal. "TK is transformative," parent Alexa Shively said, urging residents to "vote yes on the parcel tax this summer." Ian Kenny, who identified himself as a parent and nonprofit board member, thanked trustees for "sticking with this program" and asked the community to join in a campaign to pass the tax.
District staff told the board that reinstating TK will create a recurring budget pressure the district currently estimates at about $1.8 million annually. Finance presenters said much of the near-term increase in expenditures is tied to special-education student needs and that one-time state and federal funds received in prior years will not repeat. Staff and trustees discussed identifying approximately $600,000 of possible reductions as part of a broader package but warned that those cuts alone would not close the gap.
Trustees debated timing and risk: several favored placing a parcel-tax renewal on the June 2026 ballot so funds would be available July 1 if the measure passes; others warned that even with a partial renewal the district will likely run deficits unless property-tax or other revenues increase. Trustees discussed operational measures including hiring freezes and targeted program reductions if the parcel tax fails.
Several community partners and labor representatives signaled support for TK and asked the board to lead with the parcel-tax message in community outreach. District staff said they will ask local partners (including Kiddo) for additional one-time assistance while focusing campaign messaging on the parcel-tax reinstatement rather than multiple simultaneous funding appeals.
The motion to reinstate TK for 2026–27 was moved, seconded and approved by the board. The board also approved a budget-update presentation that highlighted revenue and expenditure shifts and the district’s strategy to manage its reserves as the parcel-tax effort proceeds.
The board will return to detailed first-interim budget items and staffing decisions in coming months; trustees said decisions about personnel or program reductions may be required by March if revenues do not materialize.
