Board approves layoffs and policy updates, adopts Black History Month resolution; staff to return with LCAP changes

At its Feb. 12 meeting the Mountain View Whisman School District board approved several action items tied to budget planning, staffing and policy updates for the 2026–27 fiscal year.

Personnel reductions: Following district presentations about an expected budget shortfall, the board approved a resolution to reduce classified services (with a small FTE amendment proposed by staff) and a companion resolution to reduce certificated services. Both motions passed unanimously. Superintendent staff noted the reductions had been discussed at prior meetings and are part of preparation for next year's budget.

Policy updates and AB 495 compliance: The board adopted a set of board bylaws and policy updates at second reading designed to meet AB 495 timing and model policy language from the attorney general. The package includes updated language on the district's response to immigration enforcement requests and cross‑references to student records and directory‑information policies; the board approved the second reading unanimously.

Other votes: The board unanimously approved a provisional internship permit application (PIP) to allow the district to place staff working on credentials instead of rotating substitute coverage. Trustees also adopted Resolution No. 01‑021226 recognizing Black History Month and conducted a corollary reading during the meeting.

Meeting extension vote: Trustees voted 3–2 to extend the meeting until midnight (Conley, Henry and DeFazio in favor; Lambert and Reid opposed). That extension motion passed but the meeting concluded earlier and was adjourned at 10:24 p.m.

LCAP and budget: Staff presented the LCAP midyear update and a budget overview covering expenditures through Nov. 30, 2025. Key points included $2.8M spent of an anticipated $7.6M in LCAP Goal 1 as of that cutoff, lagging metrics tied to CAASPP and pending survey data, and continued district work on chronic absenteeism, suspension reduction, and targeted supports for Castro School. Trustees asked staff to return with more detailed proposals and potential changes to the LCAP given the district's strategic review.

Votes at a glance:
- Approve meeting agenda: Passed unanimously (motion by Trustee Devin Conley). (SEG 036–041)
- Approve consent agenda: Passed unanimously (mover Trustee Bill Lambert; second Trustee Devin Conley). (SEG 428–435)
- Approve provisional internship permit application (PIP): Passed unanimously (mover Trustee Devin Conley). (SEG 3570–3576)
- Adopt Resolution No. 01‑021226 acknowledging Black History Month: Passed unanimously. (SEG 3598–3605)
- Approve resolution reducing classified services (with amended FTE): Passed unanimously. (SEG 3702–3712)
- Approve resolution reducing certificated services: Passed unanimously. (SEG 3723–3731)
- Adopt board bylaws and policies at second reading (AB 495 compliance): Passed unanimously. (SEG 3818–3826)
- Motion to extend meeting to midnight: Passed 3–2 (Conley, Henry, DeFazio in favor; Lambert, Reid opposed). (SEG 3140–3150)

The board directed staff to return with LCAP update recommendations, assessment or survey findings, and proposals to better align after‑school programming and attendance interventions with district goals.