Lisa McLain Foothill-De Anza Community College District, League News, Observer Reports

Foothill-De Anza Community College Trustee Meeting October 2017

Foothill-De Anza Trustees 2017

October 2:  De Anza President Brian Murphy told the trustees that the Flint 4-level parking structured been successfully upgraded to 2010 earthquake standards just in time for the beginning of fall quarter.  It parks about 2000 cars, so the athletic fields being used for parking for the last 15 months are back to being athletic fields.  The trustees today approved four final change orders totaling $0.91 million, bringing the final cost to about $27 million.   The state of California, Measure-C bonds, and FHDA’s own bonds each paid about one third.

   The trustees also authorized an additional $266,746 to Noll and Tam Architects for parking and circulation at Foothill College, expanding lots 5 and 6.

— Terry Terman, Observer

Lisa McLain League News, Mountain View City Council, Observer Reports

Mountain View City Council Meeting October 2017

Sanctuary City and Anti-Registry Policy Considerations

On October 24th, the Mountain View City Council adopted policy language pertaining to the City’s role in federal immigration law and to the potential creation of a Muslim registry. Specifically, the language states that the City does not use “resources to create, implement, provide investigation or information for enforcement, or otherwise assist or support any government program requiring the registration of individuals, creation of a database of individuals, and/or detention relocation or internment of individuals on the basis of religion, national origin, or ethnicity.” Further, the Council adopted language stipulating that it is neither the City’s mission nor role to enforce federal immigration laws, and that the City’s law enforcement will not arrest any person on the basis of any civil immigration laws.

The Council had originally directed staff to explore Sanctuary City and “anti-registry” policies during the goal-setting process, but after Governor Brown signed Senate Bill 31 (the California Religious Freedom Act) and Senate Bill 54 (the California Values Act), staff recommended no further action, as these laws essentially implemented these policies at the state level. During the meeting, there was significant public support for stronger measures, including for model Sanctuary City and “anti-registry” ordinances. The Council accepted some, but not all, of the actions proposed. Accepted actions include, prohibiting conditioning of City benefits and services on immigration status (unless required by law), removing immigration status from City applications and forms, and allowing for the presentation of an identity document by the individual’s nation of origin when a driver’s license or identification card is an acceptable form of evidence of identification.

The Council agreed with the Police Department that existing City law enforcement policies pertaining to immigration law sufficiently protect members of the immigrant community in the City. The Council was not comfortable eliminating the discretion of law enforcement to contact the federal government in certain, rare instances when current law enforcement policy allows such contact.

Los Altos School District – Transfer of Development Rights

In a study session on October 3rd, the Council provided additional direction on a program that could potentially allow the Los Altos School District to more easily acquire land in the San Antonio area for a tenth school site. The “transfer of development rights” (TDR) process provides a funding source to support development of a public school by allowing private property owners to purchase and utilize the development rights of the potential school site at another property. The sale of these development rights reduces the land acquisition cost for the school district.

To enhance the viability and attractiveness of the program, the Council supported allowing the conversion of residential floor area to office floor area through the transfer, waiving public benefit contribution requirements for the floor area transferred, and allowing the transfer of floor area outside of the San Antonio area. Additionally, the Council supported a contribution of $6 million per acre, up to $23 million, of Park Land Dedication funds to the Los Altos School District to assist with the purchase of open space, with the understanding that the City will have access to the open space or recreational facilities constructed on the new school site.

Magical Bridge Foundation – All-Inclusive Playground

The Magical Bridge Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded by the community members who coordinated and successfully created the Magical Bridge Playground in Palo Alto, an “all-inclusive” playground accessible to everyone, regardless of disability or age. All-inclusive playgrounds go “beyond ADA requirements by utilizing designs and equipment that help address physical, mental, and development needs.” On October 3rd, the City Council directed staff to execute a contract with the Foundation and to apply for up to $2 million in matching grant funding from the Santa Clara County All-Inclusive Playground Grant Program. Under the agreement, the Magical Bridge Foundation will assist the City with the design of the playground as well as with fundraising. The Council selected Rengstorff Park as the preliminary site for the all-inclusive playground.

Automated Guideway Transit Study Update

Over the past two years, the City has been studying the feasibility of an off-street “Automated Guideway Transit” (AGT) system that would connect the jobs-rich North Bayshore area with the Downtown Transit Center. Four transportation technologies have been studied:

  1. Aerial Cable Transportation – systems that carry passengers in cabins suspended by cables. Examples include gondolas and aerial trams.
  2. Automated People Movers – automated rubber-tired or steel-wheeled transit systems featuring large capacity vehicles operating on a fixed guideway. Examples include monorails and Maglevs.
  3. Automated Transit Network (ATN) – these include Personal Rapid Transit and Group Rapid Transit systems. They provide point-to-point service and can bypass other stations to get to the passenger’s destination.
  4. Autonomous Transit – driverless vehicles capable of integration with mixed-flow (non-exclusive right of way) traffic.

On October 17th, the Council provided direction to focus on the newer, emerging technologies – Automated Transit Network and Autonomous Transit. Although less mature, City staff recommended these technologies because they potentially could provide the greatest passenger experience, serving anticipated travel demand between North Bayshore and Downtown, and they allow for greater flexibility in expanding the system to serve other areas of the City. Council further directed exploration of at-grade elements, which means that Autonomous Transit technologies could have lower infrastructure impacts on the City if current infrastructure can be utilized (rather than utilize an entirely new aerial or dedicated off-street structure). The study is projected to be finalized in 2018, when Council will be provided proposed next steps.

— Lucas Ramirez, Observer

Lisa McLain League News, Observer Reports, Rental Housing Committee

Housing Committee Update October 2017

News from the Mountain View Rental Housing Committee

Background:

On November 8, 2016, the residents of the City of Mountain View voted to adopt Measure V, also known as the Community Stabilization and Fair Rent Act (CSFRA), to stabilize rents and to provide just cause eviction protections for certain rental units in Mountain View.

Effective December23, 2016 rent levels and rent increases for covered rental units built before February 1, 1995 must comply with the CSFRA.  As of this writing, single family homes, condominiums, duplexes, and mobile homes are not covered by the CSFRA.

For more background go to the Mountain View website:

http://www.mountainview.gov/council/rental_housing_committee/default.asp

Rental Housing Committee Meeting 10/23/2017

Unfinished Business

Rental Housing Committee Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Budget and Rental Housing Fee

With the adoption of Measure V, a new program with dedicated resources was created in the City of Mountain View which requires independent funding for its operation.  The Rental Housing Committee (RHC) must establish a budget for implementing the provisions of the CSFRA and the staffing to accomplish this.

On October 9, 2017 the RHC confirmed a budget which was a ‘best estimate’ proposed by the City staff in the amount of $2,590,915 which included these items: staffing, general operating costs, 3rd party professional services, an IT system and a one-time reimbursement of the City’s advanced funding.

To fund this budget, the landlords of roughly 16,788 Mountain View rental units will initially be charge $155 per unit per year.

The City recommended that this Budget and Rental Housing Fee be approved.  With much discussion between all members of the RHC, Legal Staff and City Staff, eventually the RHC approved this budget.

Public Hearing

The public was not at all happy with this decision and once this budget and rental fee was adopted by the RHC the line was quickly forming to speak their 3 minutes directly to the committee with their opinions:

Budget much too large, salaries for staff are excessive, RHF is too high and who should actually pay this fee varied from 100% Renters to a 50-50% shared split Renters-Landlords etc., etc.

Upon hearing these very passionate opinions the committee did recommend that they continue this discussion at the next meeting.

New Business

Rental Housing Committee Meeting Schedule

Schedule as presented was adopted.

— Tamara Lewis, Observer

Lisa McLain League News, Mountain View Los Altos High School District, Observer Reports

Mountain View – Los Altos High School District (MVLA) Meetings October 2017

Mountain View – Los Altos High School District (MVLA)

October 9 and 23, 2017

Consulting firm, TBWB Strategies, presented the results of a public opinion poll on a possible bond measure to upgrade school facilities.  They conducted 611 interviews of likely voters in a June election.  Support for a bond measure is well above the required 55% to pass, and is not affected by the dollar amount of the bond.  MVLA currently has the lowest tax rate of any school district in the county.  They recommend putting the school construction bond measure on the June 2018 ballot.

Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA) presented the Facilities Masters Plan, including on both campuses: new two-story classroom buildings to accommodate expected increased enrollment; new student services buildings; new auxiliary gyms; library and cafeteria improvements; and needed repairs and improvements.  Also included is a new building for Freestyle Academy and needed repairs to Alta Vista, Adult Education and District office buildings.  The rough cost estimates are: LAHS $108M to $119 M, MVHS $121M to $133M, and Freestyle Academy $20M to $22.5M. The total estimated cost, including the repairs to other buildings, contingencies, and expenses is $270M to $295M.The Board requested a prioritization of elements of the plan in order to perhaps leave some things out to reduce the cost. The QKA presentation is available at:

mvla.net/files/user/519/file/Draft%20MVLA%20Facilities%20Master%20Plan%2010_23_17.pdfT

The Board approved a contract with California School Boards Association (CSBA) for their Agenda Online service which provides a web-based application and hosting service that enables the district to create board meeting agendas, attach or link to supporting documents, record minutes, and publish it all on the web.  The service will meet the requirements of a new law that says agendas must be searchable.

The Board approved a limited number (net 78) of intra-district transfers from LAHS to MVHS for 2018-2019, available in an open enrollment period to incoming 9th graders, because LAHS has reached its maximum facility capacity.

The board heard presentations on the Computer Science and Engineering Departments from MVHS and LAHS, a Progress Report for the 2016 Special Education Study, the PEAK (Pathways, Exposure, Academic connection and Knowledge) program for AVID students (a collaboration with MVLA Scholars), and the AP Success Project at LAHS (working with the Stanford University Center to Support Excellence in Teaching).

—  Sally Ahnger, Observer

Lisa McLain League News, Los Altos City Council, Observer Reports

Los Altos City Council Meetings October 2017

Notes for Los Altos City Council-October 2017

October 10, 2017

The City Council adopted the ordinance for Density Bonus Regulations and the ordinance for Commercial Transit Zone amendments which had taken up much discussion time in the September city council meetings. In addition, City Council authorized and adopted under the consent calendar, notice of completion of the illuminated crosswalk replacements, the Covington Road bicycle and pedestrian improvements, and the annual pathway rehabilitation project.

The main discussion concerned the lease renewal proposal from Children’s Corner which has leased rooms in the Hillview Community Center since 1981. The current lease is up in September 2018, and Chris Jordan, City Manager, has recommended that the council not agree to the proposed terms for a new lease.

Parents of pre-K children filled the chambers to support the terms for renewal of the contract. Speakers for Children’s Corner discussed its options: negotiate with the city for space, find a new location, or go out of business.

The City Council’s Financial Commission asks both Children’s Corner and the council to consider the exclusive use of public space for the pre-school vs. maximum use of the public land; the risk of long term contract with a private entity; and the problem of transparency in the process of selecting tenants. Also at the September 26 study session before the council meeting, 3000 additional square feet for the new Hillview Community Center and $2 million had been approved. With this information the City Council asked staff to renegotiate with Children’s Corner a lease to include a monetary contribution from Children’s Corner to build the space and the lease to be included as part of a 10-year financial plan discussion.

October 24, 2017

The City Council discussed a citizen’s proposal for amendments to the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance. They requested additional information from staff and the City Attorney before further decision. Item was continued to a future meeting date.

The City Council considered an elevator tower height waiver for the project at 4880 El Camino included in the affordable housing design. Looking at reports from the Planning and Transportation Commission, the problem was disagreement among members about the building heights in the neighborhood and extending the original project height for disability access to the rooftop deck structure open space. The council considered and adopted a waiver allowing elevator height to 16 feet eight inches above the structure’s rooftop.

The Council appointed Council Member Jean Mordo and Council Member Lynette Lee Eng as alternate to the Ad Hoc Advisory Committee on South Flow Arrivals to San Francisco International Airport to focus on aircraft noise. They authorized the City Manager to work with neighboring cities to hire a consultant to assist in this effort. Also, Council authorized the City Manager to retain the services of an expert consultant to assist the city in evaluating the situation with aircraft noise related to SFO arrivals.

— Claire Noonan, Observer

Lisa McLain League News, Mountain View Whisman School District, Observer Reports

Mountain View Whisman School Board Meetings September 2017

MVWSD Board Meeting, September 7th and 21st, 2017

The Mountain View Whisman Board of Trustees met on September 7th and 21st.

After School Programs Audit Report

The district’s strategic plan designates this school year as a planning year for after school programs. The audit report highlighted a variety of different after school programs across the district, some funded by the district and others paid for by parents or PTA’s. Some programs are run by parents, as well, while others are run by outside contractors like the YMCA.

The board was asked to consider whether there should be uniformity in after school programming across school sites. Another approach would be to provide certain district run programs like Beyond the Bell at each site, but continue to allow the current variety of programs as well, or the district could provide equal funding for afterschool programming across sites. The variety of programs and providers means there is little data linking programs directly to students’ academic outcomes.  The Trustees asked for more information about impacts on school climate, parent surveys, etc., to guide decision making.

Reserve Cap

Senate Bill 751 is currently awaiting a signature by Governor Jerry Brown. SB 751, among other changes, exempts small school districts and basic aid districts like MVWSD from a reserve cap. The current reserve cap is 6%, meaning a school district can only set aside 6% of the budget in reserve. If SB 751 is signed, the Board can instead set its own reserve cap based on recommendations from the district office. The Trustees discussed whether the Board should send a letter to Governor Brown expressing their support for the signing of the bill and made this an official agenda item for the future.

Enrollment Priorities Task Force

The District approached the Trustees seeking guidance for the Enrollment Priorities Task Force (EPTF).

New school boundaries were approved this past June after a years long process by the Student Attendance Area Task Force (SAATF). The SAATF was instructed that diversity and socio-economic status were not to be taken into account when redrawing boundaries, but instead an emphasis was made on not having students cross major thoroughfares like El Camino Real and Central Expressway. The SAATF’s mission was to not only address overcrowding at schools like Huff and Bubb, but to plan ahead for the opening of a new Slater campus.

With these new boundaries going into effect in the fall of 2019, the Enrollment Priorities Task Force (EPTF) is tasked with setting grandfathering guidelines for students in changing school zones, as well as reviewing the district’s current 26 enrollment priorities. Right now an enrolling family can elect to attend any school within the district pending space at that school and the current enrollment priorities.

One of the main challenges facing the Board is reconciling the SAATF’s emphasis on neighborhood schools with school choice and socio-economic diversity. The Board felt that diversity is an issue for schools and any attempt to address it by the EPTF would be welcome. The Trustees also noted that while neighborhood schools are a priority, there should be some flexibility for school choice. Board members were not concerned about school size and would continue to support current schools even if enrollment dropped dramatically for several years. Grandfathering of students within changing boundaries had limited support – perhaps only for a year or two. The District will share these overall guidelines with the EPTF at their first meeting.

DACA

The Trustees adopted a resolution asking that legislation be enacted at the federal level to continue the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program by March 2018.  The MVWSD Board “calls upon the United States Congress, including all members of the California delegation, to work with President Donald J. Trump to enact legislation prior to March 2018 that would, at a minimum, continue the existing DACA program and provide DACA recipients with a pathway to permanent residence and eventually to US Citizenship.”

— Devon Conley, Observer

Lisa McLain League News, Mountain View City Council, Observer Reports

Mountain View City Council Meeting October 2017

After a two month summer recess, the Mountain View City Council resumed meeting in September.

Upon reconvening the Council on September 5th, Mayor Rosenberg read a moving tribute to Julie Lovins, the longtime Observer of the Council on behalf of the Los Altos-Mountain View League. The tribute was prepared by Julie’s brother, Amory, and is available in the video recording of the September 5, 2017 City Council meeting on the City website.

North Bayshore Precise Plan – Final Policy Direction

On September 26th, the Council provided policy direction for the last time on the North Bayshore Precise Plan. Although the Council had previously been divided on the issue of the appropriate mechanism to monitor traffic impacts of new development in the area, there was unanimous agreement on the robust monitoring and enforcement programs devised by City staff. This includes biannual trip counts to ensure that the “trip cap” (the maximum number of vehicles traversing into and out of North Bayshore during peak hours, based on the vehicle capacity of San Antonio Road, Rengstorff Avenue, and Shoreline Boulevard) is not hit. If the number of vehicles traveling down any of those three “gateways” into North Bayshore exceeds the trip cap, then the City stops issuing building permits, effectively prohibiting new development in the area.

Additionally, the Council supported policy language in the Precise Plan intended to promote the development of a local school in North Bayshore. All proposed residential development projects will be required to submit a Local School District Strategy, which may include land dedication for a new school, additional funding for school development, or other innovative strategies.

The Council also removed a mechanism that would have allowed proposals for additional office space, exceeding the 3.6 million square feet of office space studied in the Environmental Impact Report for the North Bayshore Precise Plan. During the study session, a representative from Google challenged this decision, saying that Google would not build any housing at all if it did not have the ability to develop additional office space beyond the 3.6 million currently allowed. However, Google has since rescinded its “ultimatum” and has indicated that it supports the effort to build housing in North Bayshore, despite the removal of the provision for potentially more office space.

Affordable Housing Priorities and Strategic Framework

In a lengthy study session on September 12th, the Council discussed a comprehensive strategy to address the housing affordability crisis. Although no formal actions were taken, the Council expressed support for a variety of measures recommended by City staff, including approval of an investment strategy for the projected $78 million generated by affordable housing fees on new development over the next several years. $50 million is proposed to be allocated to develop 350 to 400 affordable homes for low-income households, and $28 million will be allocated to fund 200 to 250 permanent supportive housing units or rapid rehousing for the homeless. Additionally, strategies to provide housing for moderate income people (often referred to as housing for the “missing middle”), increase the number of ownership housing units built, and strengthen affordable housing programs to produce more affordable units were broadly supported by the Council. Staff anticipates returning to Council next year to refine and prioritize the programs and strategies.

Regulation of Commercial Marijuana Activities

In November 2016, Proposition 64 was approved by California voters, legalizing recreational marijuana activity. Noting that 68% of Mountain View voters supported the ballot measure, the Council directed staff to develop an amendment to the Zoning Code to permit and regulate commercial marijuana activity, including delivery and sale of cannabis products. Staff will return with a temporary moratorium of all commercial marijuana activity until the development of a regulatory framework is complete in order to avoid a regulatory gap. In the absence of any local law, the state becomes the sole regulatory body of marijuana-related activities.

Environmental Sustainability Task Force 2

On September 5th, the Council provided direction on the scope and deliverables for the newly established Environmental Sustainability Task Force (ESTF). The ESTF was first convened in 2008 and concluded with a major report providing a number of recommendations pertaining to climate change, water use, waste reduction, energy, land use, transportation, and other sustainability activities. This second Task Force is charged with analyzing how Mountain View can achieve its aggressive greenhouse gas reduction goals over the next 10 years and assisting with community education and outreach efforts. The new ESTF will prepare a report and present its findings to the Council in the summer of 2018.

City Clerk Retiring

City Clerk Lorrie Brewer announced that she would be retiring at the end of this year after over six years of service to the City. On September 26th, the Council initiated the process of searching for her successor. A candidate is anticipated to be appointed by the Council early next year.

—Lucas Ramirez & Julie Lovins, Observers

Lisa McLain Bullis Charter School, League News, Observer Reports

Bullis Charter School Board Meeting September 2017

SEPTEMBER 11, 2017

   Of particular interest to our Leaguers were the following three items on this Regular Board Meeting agenda:

  1. Report on Strategic Plan Action Team goal VI: We will positively impact more students through the strategic sharing and replication of our education model via Action Plan #1: “Open a nearby school in Santa Clara County that serves a high number of Free and Reduced Lunch Program-eligible students.” BCS has been researching other schools and districts who might be interested in having a second Bullis Charter School in their area. The search committee has widened their parameters to San Mateo County. The goal is to start an application process by March of 2019 and open the new school in fall of 2019. They are particularly looking at school districts from which they draw a lot of applicants already. It was noted that there are 1,000 students on the wait list for BCS. As part of this presentation the board members revisited a chart titled “Charter Governance Options” showing three different models. Discussion ensued about which model is better suited for BCS at this point in time in light of their desire to expand to a second school. This agenda item will come back to the board for further reports.
  2. Facilities and Settlement Agreement with LASD update: Leaguers will remember that as part of the “Five Year Plan” between BCS and Los Altos School District there was an agreement for representatives from each entity to commence quarterly meetings to share information and requests. At tonight’s board meeting we heard the report of this latest quarterly meeting. A “big picture” takeaway is that people from both entities share that they are glad they are having these meetings and working together, and agreed that they are a good use of their time. A more nuts and bolts report followed describing the types of items that BCS requests of LASD at this point in time of their working relationship. For example, BCS kindergarten teachers want grass in their play area. LASD shared that they are going ahead with their solar projects over the parking lots of their schools, so folks should be aware of temporary loss of parking spaces. At this quarterly meeting the participants set the dates of their meetings for this school year.
  3. Speaking of the “Five Year Plan,” available at this meeting were the original agreement documents dated June and July of 2014. At this meeting the board selected their team members to work on the next steps of this agreement. Long-time BCS board members Francis La Poll and Andrea Eyring will be joined by newer board member Rich Ying on this committee. Doing the math, the Five Year Plan is in effect until 2019, so BCS and LASD are more than half way through it, hence the need for next steps planning. This agenda item will come back to the board for further reports.

— Ellen Wheeler, Observer

Lisa McLain League News, Los Altos City Council, Observer Reports

Los Altos City Council Meetings September 2017

September 12, 2017

The City Council was asked to introduce and waive further reading of the Density Bonus Regulations ordinance and adopt the local density bonus regulations developed by the Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC) – currently 38 units/acre. The ordinance gives incentives to developers to build more affordable housing. The applications can be rejected because of 1) specific, adverse impact on public health and safety on the physical environment, 2) contrary to state or federal laws, or 3) don’t result in actual cost reductions to provide affordable housing or rent.

Even though, of the twelve public comments, ten supported the density bonus regulations, the council vote split 2-2 on the ordinance decision because council member Jean Mordo was absent. Chris Jordan, City Manager, said to carry forward the decision to the next meeting, Jean Mordo could cast a vote to break the tie. Deliberation was carried forward to September 26, 2017.

In addition, the council introduced further readings to the ordinance that pertains to the Commercial Thoroughfare (CT) zone district. Previously, PTC had recommended and the council had enacted a moratorium on the CT zone running along El Camino Real until November 14, 2017. Decisions must be made by then or the plans go back to the PTC.

Many amendments are reflected in the PTC design – among them access and screening of refuse collection, setback requirements, and height limit modifications. Decision on the CT zoning ordinance was diverted by debate on housing height limits, 30 or 45 feet was preferable, although 45 to 47 feet are in the plan. Chris Diaz, new City Attorney, warned that setting limits at 30 feet would initiate trouble from the state Housing and Community Development department (HCD). The council decided to hold deliberation over until September 26 meeting.

September 26, 2017

City Council raised the Density Bonus Regulations. Council member Jean Mordo, absent at previous meeting, is comfortable with including the pre-approved menu of items that are part of the development applicant’s design choices – then, the possibilities are known exactly. Two public comments agreed with Mordo, but one person suggested that putting affordable housing downtown may not benefit retail and restaurants. The council should keep the economy in mind when making decisions. After much discussion over details of the document, the suggestions by council members Jeannie Bruins, Jan Pepper, and Lynette Lee Eng were added to the document and a second reading will be adopted on October 10, 2017.

Ten public comments were heard on the ordinance for Commercial Thoroughfare zone district which must be decided by November 2017. The ordinance is difficult and complicated, and most comments addressed problems with the items that must be included for the ordinance to be accepted by the state’s housing element law. Council members debated the item about height limits and mechanical parking, whether to challenge the items that the council doesn’t like, and whether to have an outside study to further understand the conflicts in the ordinance. Since the first ordinance took over one year to finalize, the city would not meet the time limit by further study, and the entire project would have to start again. Jon Biggs, Community Development Director, suggested that the staff could show the council what a project would look like, including parking and driveways, to alleviate concerns. Again, possible changes to the wording were suggested and a second reading and possible adoption would be held over to October 10.

— Claire Noonan, Observer

Lisa McLain League News, Mountain View Whisman School District, Observer Reports

Mountain View Whisman School District August 2017

MVWSD Board Meeting, August 17, 2017

The Mountain View Whisman Board of Trustees met on August 17, 2017, for the first meeting of the 2017-2018 school year. The discussion focused on the District’s summer activities and upcoming actions this fall.

Enrollment Priorities Task Force (EPTF)

The District and the Board of Trustees began a review of enrollment priorities and grandfathering that will span the 2017-2018 school year, with a final decision on updating both expected in May- June. The twenty-six enrollment priorities used to assign students to schools are convoluted and confusing for families, and the most popular schools in the District, Huff and Bubb elementary, are suffering from overcrowding. New school boundaries adopted this summer will also go into effect in the 2019-2020 school year, raising questions about grandfathering of students and siblings at current school sites.

In the upcoming September meetings, the Board will review data on enrollment and provide direction to the new Enrollment Priorities Task Force (EPTF). The District is already working to make the enrollment lottery more transparent, but the EPTF will focus on updating the current twenty-six enrollment priorities and the District’s grandfathering policy in light of new school boundaries.

The District is gathering input through the EPTF, community focus groups, the online Thought Exchange process, community and Board meetings, and internally. To form the community focus groups, the District is reaching out to neighborhood associations in the communities most impacted by grandfathering policies. The eight focus groups will meet twice during the year.

The EPTF is forming now and is charged: “to provide recommendations on how to streamline the enrollment priorities administrative regulation; look at best practices in enrollment that could help mitigate the impact of future growth; and, provide a recommendation on grandfathering policy to help enact the new boundaries” with a hard deadline for grandfathering. The EPTF will include 1 parent or community member from each school site, 1 staff member from each school site, and two staff members from District administration. The parent/community member applicants are reviewed by the District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC) and the District Advisory Committee (DAC).

North Bayshore Development and Impact on MVWSD

The City of Mountain View is nearing the end of its environmental review of the North Bayshore Precise Plan. The plan includes 10,000 housing units and anticipates approximately 2,358 new students for MVWSD. To meet this increase in enrollment along with 842 new students from developments already under construction the District would need to build three additional neighborhood elementary schools and one middle school. These student numbers do not include the East Whisman area which is also undergoing development. Although the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for North Bayshore says that developers must pay fees to offset costs to the District, the construction costs of four new schools, not including land acquisition, are projected to exceed developer fees and state funding by $122 million.

Dr. Rudolph stressed to the Board that the EIR must address the increase in students  by requiring developers to provide land or take schools into account in developments. He also encouraged the Board to begin working with an architect now on a vision for new schools. The cost of land means the District may need to consider urban school models with a smaller footprint or included in larger developments with housing or even K-8 schools. The Board agreed to hold a Special Session to further discuss the North Bayshore plans before the City Council votes on the final EIR.

________________________________________________________________________

MVWSD Special Session, August 29th, 2017

On August 29th, the MVWSD Board of Trustees held a special meeting to further discuss the North Bayshore development and its impact on the District. Given a projected increase of 3,200 students in the development area, Dr. Rudolph called for the Board to:

  • Develop a communication package on the North Bayshore Precise Plan and share it with both the City Council and community members;
  • Send out a Request for Proposals (RFP) for architects to begin planning for growth in North Bayshore;
  • Form a Board subcommittee to create a North Bayshore Facilities Master Plan in the next twelve to eighteen months. This working group, similar to the Student Facilities Improvement Plan Committee of 2008-2009, should include District staff, parents, City staff, and business and community partners;
  • Over the next two years, also develop an East Whisman subcommittee and Facilities Master Plan; and,
  • Beginning in 2019, look at land acquisition, determine funding sources, finalize plans, start working on staffing formulas, and develop school boundaries for North Bayshore and eventually East Whisman.

District staff will continue meeting with city staff to discuss the North Bayshore Plan. The three new North Bayshore neighborhoods of Joaquin, Shorebird, and Pear are expected to add 946, 706, and 706 students respectively. 1,255 of the North Bayshore students will live in affordable housing units. The East Whisman Precise Plan is predicted to add 1,077 new students, making for a total of 4,086 students.

Construction of four new schools for the North Bayshore area is expected to cost $165.6 million. Developer fees of $16.6 million and state funding of $26.7 million leave the District with a $122.4 million shortfall, not including the cost of land in an area priced at $10-$15 million per acre. The constraints of funding and land availability mean the District may look to land sharing arrangements with the City around green space, a new library, or athletic fields. Urban school models of multiple stories, mixed use, or K-8 should also be explored.

Board members discussed the contents of a letter to the City Council that District staff will draft and bring to the next meeting for approval. The letter will state that the Board supports the development of affordable housing in Mountain View and wants to mitigate traffic impacts by locating neighborhood schools in North Bayshore. Trustees emphasized the need for a significant impact on schools to be included in the Environmental Impact Report for the North Bayshore Precise Plan, both in terms of land and financial shortfalls. The Board also stressed the importance of cooperative relationships between the city, developers, and the District in planning for the future.

— Devon Conley, Observer