Mill Valley Schools Expand Middle School Options: A Community Concern

Mill Valley School District Explores New Middle School Locations

The Mill Valley School District is actively searching for alternative locations for its new middle school, a decision that emerges from community feedback highlighting environmental concerns. The expanded scope has led to a delay in the draft environmental impact report (EIR), initially expected in February but now slated for public review this summer, as confirmed by district superintendent Elizabeth Kaufman.

“We know the Mill Valley community is eager to see our proposed plans for the modernization of the Mill Valley Middle School,” Kaufman stated. “However, we want to design the best possible project for our students, parents, and the larger community — one that accounts for environmental, sea-level rise, and air quality concerns shared with us by parents.”

Community Voices Shine Through

Parents and community members have raised significant concerns about the current site on a former city burn dump and its proximity to the Sewerage Agency of Southern Marin plant, which regularly emits unpleasant odors. Additionally, flooding issues due to sea-level rise have amplified calls for relocation. While maintaining the existing site is still an option, the district has not yet outlined the new prospects for the middle school.

Board president Sharon Nakatani emphasized the importance of considering environmental conditions when evaluating potential sites. “The draft EIR will evaluate a variety of sites for interim and future use,” she explained, suggesting that the findings will assist the district in making an informed decision regarding the project moving forward.

Environmental Assessments Underway

Concurrent with the development of the draft EIR, the Mill Valley School District is conducting an environmental investigation of the current campus under the guidance of the California Department of Toxic Substances Control and Marin County Environmental Health Services. This assessment aims to evaluate the site’s condition and ensure past environmental issues are resolved before any redevelopment efforts commence.

District officials anticipate that findings from this preliminary endangerment assessment will be available for review simultaneously with the draft EIR, providing the community with comprehensive insights into the site's safety and viability for a modern school.

Funded by Measure G

The modernization project is expected to utilize funds from Measure G, a $194 million facilities bond approved by local voters in 2022. While this bond also covers improvements for the district’s five elementary schools, it will allocate a significant portion — at least $130 million — to replace or upgrade the middle school, frequently cited as an essential investment in the future of Mill Valley’s education infrastructure.

As the district navigates the complexities of environmental compliance and community sentiments, parents have formed groups like MVMS Modernization Mess to advocate for alternative sites that promise to provide a safer and more suitable learning environment. Comments on the group's website reflect a collective desire for proactive measures to foster an educational landscape aligned with Mill Valley’s healthy and eco-conscious culture.

Challenges in Site Selection

The search for new locations has encountered challenges, notably with potential sites like Edna Maguire Elementary, which have been ruled out. Particularly controversial was Friend's Field, which the district briefly considered but quickly discarded following strong opposition from local leaders and residents. Some community members even threatened legal action against alternative site proposals, indicating a highly engaged and sometimes contentious public discourse surrounding the new middle school’s future.

Regionally, the implications of this project extend beyond local educational institutions; they intersect with environmental advocacy, land use planning, and a commitment to sustainable development practices within the vibrant communities of Mill Valley, Tiburon, and Sausalito.

The Path Forward

As Mill Valley School District gears toward future steps, the inputs from community members are pivotal in shaping a proposal that balances modernization with environmental stewardship. “We understand the delays can be frustrating,” Kaufman acknowledged. “We must ensure we take the necessary time and steps to design a future middle school campus that meets 21st-century learning needs while promoting safety and ecological responsibility.”

In a town where community voices are influential in shaping educational policy, the broader conversation surrounding the Mill Valley Middle School modernization reflects the values and priorities of its residents. In this ever-evolving story, continuous engagement with stakeholders will be critical for guiding the district toward choices that secure a safe, innovative, and community-centric learning environment for the future.