Mill Valley board adopts 2026-27 budget after Measure E win, approves Van Pelt contract and extends superintendent's agreement

The Mill Valley School District board on June 18 adopted its 2026-27 budget after staff reported Measure E passed, which the district estimates will add about $2 million in parcel-tax revenue, and approved contracting and personnel actions including a construction management agreement and an extension of the superintendent's employment agreement.

The action followed a brief presentation of local indicators by Kate Sprague, who described the slides as the district's "annual presentation of the local indicators, which comes at the same time as the approval of the LCAP for some priority areas identified by the state." The board approved the district's LCAP after members said prior questions had been addressed.

A district staff member told the board there had been changes to the estimated budget since the public hearing and said, "Measure E passed. So the biggest change that has happened was the revenue change in regards to parcel tax which increased by 2 million and we are extremely um thankful to the community." Staff certified a positive certification and the board moved and adopted the estimated budget for 2025-26 and the adopted budget for 2026-27.

The board also considered Resolution 27-25/26, a procedural step tied to parcel-tax escalations after Measure E's passage. Board members noted the election results had not yet been certified but approved the resolution by roll call.

On facilities work, President Katz introduced representatives from Van Pelt's team, saying he was "extraordinarily grateful" for their leadership and endorsing the district's approval of both a master construction-management agreement and the first amendment that allows the firm to begin work and itemize projects through September. The board voted to approve the contract and the amendment.

The meeting also included labor-negotiation items: staff reported that CSEA submitted initial proposals to open Articles 8 and 9 and update job descriptions, and the district announced it would open on salary and benefits for bargaining with the hope of negotiating tentative agreements for both CSEA and MBTA to present at the July 16 board meeting. Public hearings on the openers were opened and closed with no public comment.

The board moved and approved an extension of Dr. Kaufman's employment agreement. It also voted to adopt Resolution 28-25/26 to establish the election order and specifications for three trustee vacancies for the November election; the board acknowledged staff member Anna for catching the timing requirement that required action at this meeting.

The board set a special meeting for July 16 to ratify any tentative agreements with bargaining units and to finish design development and cost estimates for a phase-two middle-school renovation; members discussed whether to include a closed session at that meeting.

Votes at a glance - Adopt LCAP: approved (motion/voice vote) - Superintendent employment agreement extension (Dr. Kaufman): approved (motion/voice vote) - Adopt estimated budget 2025-26 and adopt budget 2026-27: approved (motion/voice vote) - Resolution 27-25/26 (parcel-tax escalation steps): approved (roll call) - Approve construction management agreement with Van Pelt and Amendment No. 1: approved (motion/voice vote) - Resolution 28-25/26 (election order/specifications for November trustee vacancies): approved (motion/roll call)

The board adjourned at 6:15 p.m.; it scheduled the special July 16 meeting for finalizing labor agreements and middle-school design development.