[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6233036,"mediaKeyId","3425437-2470f0bccbb1b0aa4b55ed4e32ae86f7","parentId",3425437,"title","District survey finds students value ethnic studies but see less rigor; trustees ask for follow-up","audioSeconds",1970,"startMs",5224000,"endMs",7194000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3425437-2470f0bccbb1b0aa4b55ed4e32ae86f7&start=5224&end=7194","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3425437-2470f0bccbb1b0aa4b55ed4e32ae86f7/thumbnail_5224000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6233036/California/District-survey-finds-students-value-ethnic-studies-but-see-less-rigor-trustees-ask-for-follow-up","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6233036-340adf363472a3f67edbeb942dd681fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157840&Signature=ilyLVmuzSIXig5UZ5Q7pBWVUmJ5rYY0FMsvMFPZYdWRiZOBAfEolWk1RQI6ZUikbX-QaGIQtgrTwdR2iK8FrqinUeGbWn-chvi~ogrs9kXgNHyuJW70jgZ1Y2bAQgPQv201lVyPumQh4GaWoz6bQnrsCCiuAqnR4jWOFPl3OmusftG-flMGjb6vEu6e0jxHWPE5lPTCGKP9wtBR2SNxSK0lbsiusZAFN3BpXADbPPYVoZnDRR~cSIqhECJ8-1RRrfMIwaOGguSXa-WgDxoBCrhaLMnCJVXIKRe3pDIY0GGFG0RNqLodPwl~RBaoBQsUU-wIyKMh~nlQj2qASvHiQpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mountain View-Los Altos Union High","date","2025-05-21T15:23:58.65Z","article","A Hanover Research survey presented to the Mountain View-Los Altos board on May 19 found students generally reported positive experiences in both freshman English and the district's new ethnic studies course, but the survey also showed students rated English as more rigorous.

Tara from the district's research contractor summarized the findings: students reported strong gains in understanding other cultures and identities in ethnic studies (77% of ethnic-studies respondents said they learned about others' cultures and identities), and many students said the course presented multiple perspectives. At the same time, the survey found fewer students said ethnic studies was \"appropriately challenging\" (about 45%) compared with English (about 67%), and fewer students rated ethnic studies as similar in workload or reading/writing demands to other courses.

The district asked Hanover to survey ninth- and tenth-graders about their course experiences; staff noted the ninth-grade cohort included many students who had taken the new ethnic-studies curriculum as freshmen while tenth-graders had different comparative experiences. Hanover recommended the district (1) explore ways to increase academic rigor in ethnic studies and align learning objectives with measurable skills, (2) intentionally foster community-building practices the course already promotes, and (3) continue to monitor and follow up with interviews or additional data to understand \"why\" students answered as they did.

Trustees and the public responded in the meeting. Trustee Katherine said the findings support keeping ethnic studies as a requirement while the district studies improvements: \"Keep requiring it,\" she said, adding the board should follow Hanover's recommendations to assess and improve rigor. Several public commenters also spoke in favor of ethnic studies as a graduation requirement and described real-world benefits: a parent who worked at the World Bank said HGAP and ethnic-studies-style curriculum bring global perspectives students otherwise might not see.

Board members asked staff to return with options for follow-up research and instructional adjustments; no immediate policy change was put to a vote. Hanover noted a majority of students who had taken ethnic studies preferred it to remain a semester course (64% in the survey), a finding trustees said they want to explore further with teachers before making changes to course length or graduation requirements.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","MVLA Board Meeting: May 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","District-commissioned survey showed students reported strong gains in perspective-taking and understanding others in ethnic studies, while many students said the course felt less academically rigorous than English; trustees asked staff to study rigor and possible semester options.","taxTitle","Mountain View-Los Altos Union High, School Districts, California","taxId",65606,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6233042,"Parents and students protest reassignment of Los Altos therapeutic special-education teacher",2177,3772000,5949000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3425437-2470f0bccbb1b0aa4b55ed4e32ae86f7&start=3772&end=5949","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3425437-2470f0bccbb1b0aa4b55ed4e32ae86f7/thumbnail_3772000.jpg","/articles/6233042/California/Parents-and-students-protest-reassignment-of-Los-Altos-therapeutic-special-education-teacher","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6233042-81bb7b16047a07de74a4f745cec0712a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157840&Signature=abUaXTOd4~6cOXSdV4P-D2aoyL4~gZvRrWzi338vR7VHholxASYizL1gLfv9~eluCM9GyeRqJIh89X6hPR8FcGDdG2oTVQnXE0tqgpqmvK3cgALEufdIo~96MoqVPVWzAgE-lfXTszOc6znBrwekTmurwTq6x3E~B5X2r~B6A8SHDRQESPlvcB1xVmbdqfIeN5uZnKcMppk67bSaqpwWZSoblRkwbtjp2cIHXhgn8uGZFWiPR~AIX~ZfdFzN-CCc0Yhh6BEZeKnyFNfSzu5nviJLiiZLhYT9dP4DBhdsLukenCaV9w3ByhoT8fxhJx9UUOWXog0xbzVBcb0XSEoMNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple students, parents and colleagues addressed the board May 19 to oppose a district staffing decision that will place Dr. Persephone Hintlian at Mountain View High next school year.

Speakers described Dr. Hintlian as a cornerstone of Los Altos High's therapeutically enhanced special education program and said the reassignment was announced to families with little time to plan. \"They've been the difference between my child surviving Los Altos High School and thriving,\" parent Ron Nagy said in public comment, describing his child's progress under Dr. Hintlian. Several students spoke about personal gains in safety, resilience and academic progress tied to Dr. Hintlian's teaching and case management.

Parent Pam Omura said she received notice only two days earlier and called Dr. Hintlian \"a PhD-level teacher whose expertise is unmatched by any other special ed teacher on campus,\" saying the reassignment has caused \"an immense amount of anxiety\" for students who consider Dr. Hintlian their primary advocate on campus. A student, Ella Murrah, said Dr. Hintlian created a classroom where vulnerability was treated as a strength and urged the board to reconsider assigning the teacher off-site.

District staff did not announce a board action reversing the reassignment at the May 19 meeting. Trustee discussion recognized the emotional stakes for vulnerable students; several trustees asked staff to consider transition planning and the classroom caseload implications for next year. Trustee comments and public speakers repeatedly emphasized the need for a meaningful, carefully timed transition so students currently on Dr. Hintlian's caseload are not left without their primary supports at a critical point in the school year.

The board did not take a separate, formal vote on the reassignment during the meeting. Families asked for reconsideration and for the district to provide a clear transition plan, case-load adjustments, and faster communication when staffing changes affect highly vulnerable students.","Families and students told the board that moving Dr. Persephone Hintlian off Los Altos High with little notice would harm vulnerable students' progress; parents asked the board to reconsider and called for a transition plan.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6233045,"Students and teachers urge board not to drop AP Human Geography as tenth-grade option",2721,3154000,5875000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3425437-2470f0bccbb1b0aa4b55ed4e32ae86f7&start=3154&end=5875","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3425437-2470f0bccbb1b0aa4b55ed4e32ae86f7/thumbnail_3154000.jpg","/articles/6233045/California/Students-and-teachers-urge-board-not-to-drop-AP-Human-Geography-as-tenth-grade-option","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6233045-8aa58a001496d7bb9d578d76d94d13bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157840&Signature=YesH0Zp3rumOyQlIgQXgHy8mXoz4x0HWd2W6r5SW1b2hV7uWXn1owawrOJt-tP8ohj~jD12fRhshWQMe~VChk2MoKXNAAP0mfBnsbXIBkaVO5IRKtVs76B-f2LDhzQcGHNfsyIs3rs3p5aVWfSipz1urgpBJe9hTozn-xR-S4o~2OaryzopWLZc0M-MseyCKxgs2ZH46D5w0aJ204~JYlG6j87USypgQDbFitXSFzKIsqi7FNLrx4KUuablFEbfTi~6GsVlkzdLKQsKyVXxinTaomRm5zxOO3F5TPPAyRHG4yhOcEMOWOl-AeC4Nsj5M6Z3VrkEtgCJ8WAkpaDMN4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A sustained series of public comments at the Mountain View-Los Altos board meeting on May 19 urged trustees not to remove AP Human Geography (HGAP) or other AP options from the district's tenth-grade world studies pathway.

Teachers, students and alumni described the course as a popular, accessible AP option that helps first-time AP students build skills and confidence. \"AP Human Geography...accomplishes just that,\" Los Altos social studies teacher Anna Pugh told the board, describing the class's support scaffolding for underrepresented students. Multiple students and former students said HGAP introduced them to critical modern topics such as population dynamics, migration and development and prepared them for later AP courses.

Teacher and department leaders presented data and testimony claiming HGAP increases AP participation among AVID, Latinx, special education and lower-income students and that those students often go on to take additional AP classes. Los Altos social studies teachers also said the course is validated by UC and other college-course approval processes.

Many speakers addressed recent reporting and rumors about the district considering removal of AP Human Geography or AP European History as world studies options. Superintendent Eric Volta and trustees clarified that prior board study sessions were informational and that no formal elimination decision had been made. Trustee Vadim (first name only in the public record) reminded reporters and staff that, \"The only time a board can agree on something collectively is when the board has it on an agenda item and the board votes on it.\" (paraphrase of public comments recorded in the transcript.)

Students and community members described close personal impacts: \"HGAP solidifies my love for understanding the community and the world around me,\" junior Leah Veliga said, and several students credited HGAP with changing their educational trajectories. Former students also said the class is often the first AP course for sophomores and gives them the skills (reading, writing, data analysis) to succeed later.

Several speakers asked the board to rely on teacher expertise and evidence when considering curriculum changes rather than on small, vocal parent groups. A long-serving teacher, Roger Kim, asked the board to \"trust the educators of this district. Trust that we have done the evidence, done the research and looked at the evidence creating the best courses to prepare students for their futures.\"

Board members did not take immediate formal action on the curriculum in the meeting. Trustees asked staff to follow up, and several trustees urged clarity in public communications to avoid confusion about what, if anything, was under formal consideration.","Dozens of students, alumni and teachers told the board they want AP Human Geography and other AP world-history options preserved; speakers said the course broadens access to AP classes and helps historically underserved students succeed.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6233050,"Board approves expanded Measure E work at Mountain View, holds Los Altos to smaller scope",2414,5791000,8205000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3425437-2470f0bccbb1b0aa4b55ed4e32ae86f7&start=5791&end=8205","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3425437-2470f0bccbb1b0aa4b55ed4e32ae86f7/thumbnail_5791000.jpg","/articles/6233050/California/Board-approves-expanded-Measure-E-work-at-Mountain-View-holds-Los-Altos-to-smaller-scope","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6233050-d61155c568279a021c427c1ed32a579c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157840&Signature=DIeNUY7WPiKx5Kt5PKBavMTKVYGlX3-GwIFWH~Z-POALxKzzje0VgFygyjGmaNppv2iurDYtXQNritgiT1bgT1DkfzkDdFyzbDpbHSfU3FIfDlAdkYpplNoy8h9~8xmdd~ei8bMiZGQf0FY0KpiinNSuVKWFN60BlibGrb64siofNrQ8VSyT~9dU1utXZR6cKD3D8zRmbzIX4EjK5pe3WfmKn-ca5JSoMrRtUwHUt0kZ7AOJLJBPhHVKDSlbBvvA1mUuqR2xgpq5ZH9UGzEpxpz4IxfyCZGrwisBZ60nCTEMgZnpXfc3OkFzLAOK4rpYFsc01J4LO6tMpRp25IzcuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District Board of Trustees voted May 19 to move forward on an expanded Measure E gym modernization at Mountain View High School and to limit work at Los Altos High School to a smaller original-scope package.

Trustees approved a motion to authorize design work for Mountain View items 1 through 14 (with two items removed) and Los Altos items 1 through 5 (original scope only), after staff said the pair of projects together are currently estimated at $31 million in construction and soft costs and could be started concurrently in mid-2026.

Board members said the decision balanced equity between campuses and the practical limits of renovating an older building. Superintendent Eric Volta and project staff told the board the district has about $43.8 million available today to apply to remaining Measure E projects, including roughly $7.9 million in remaining local bond funds plus about $35.9 million already received from the state School Facility Program (SFP). If the board proceeds with both gym projects at the current estimate, staff said roughly $12.8 million would remain for other projects; staff also noted the district has approximately $27 million in potential future SFP eligibility that has not yet been awarded.

The board heard a detailed presentation from district construction staff and the architect team (QKA) covering scope options for both gyms. Options discussed included new lobbies, improved ticketing and storage, HVAC and ADA upgrades, replacement/added bleachers, new hoops and electrical/lighting improvements, acoustical panels and AV upgrades. Staff said adding bleachers at either gym would not allow either facility to seat the full student body (about 2,200), and some proposed bleacher additions were dropped after site committees judged the benefit limited.

Trustee Catherine moved the winning motion that directed staff to advance Mountain View's expanded scope (items 1'14 with two items removed on the motion) and Los Altos's original-scope items 1'5 only; the motion was seconded by student trustee Alex and passed unanimously, 5-0. The motion text recorded on the transcript: \"I make a motion that we do the list, Mountain View 1 through 14 minus 13, which you already took out and 9, which you already took out. And we do Los Altos 1 through 5 of original scope only.\" (moved by Catherine; seconded by Alex).

District staff said the current timetable anticipates schematic design finishing in the coming months, agency approval and construction documents to follow, and a projected move-in in fall 2027 if the projects proceed on the current schedule. Staff cautioned that doing the two gyms sequentially instead of concurrently could raise the second project's cost by 5% to 10 percent. The board discussed but removed a planned Los Altos lobby expansion (about $1.365 million construction cost cited by staff, before soft costs) to preserve funds for future, larger modernization work at that vintage building.

The district's construction manager also reminded the board that some work'such as restroom ADA upgrades and certain HVAC or code-driven replacements'may be required even under a smaller scope. Trustees asked staff to return refined budgets and to proceed with the site committee design process under the approved direction.

The vote concluded the presentation and gives staff direction to continue design and cost refinement for Mountain View's expanded scope and the smaller Los Altos package.

The board did not take separate action on other Measure E items during the meeting.","The Mountain View–Los Altos board directed architects to advance an expanded gym modernization at Mountain View High and a smaller set of upgrades at Los Altos High, approving a motion that applies the district's remaining bond and state facility funds toward the projects.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

District survey finds students value ethnic studies but see less rigor; trustees ask for follow-up

Parents and students protest reassignment of Los Altos therapeutic special-education teacher

Students and teachers urge board not to drop AP Human Geography as tenth-grade option

Board approves expanded Measure E work at Mountain View, holds Los Altos to smaller scope