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MDUSD's Adult Education program will present an "Educating Together 2025: Partnering with Parents for Success" conference (formerly known as the annual Parent Conference) from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, September 27, 2025 at the Loma Vista Adult Center, 1266 San Carlos Avenue in Concord.

The FREE event will include workshops for parents, caregivers and teens; giveaways and a community resource fair.

Lunch is included and free childcare will be provided during the event for children ages 3-10; no diapers.

Event schedule: 

• Registration (on site only): 8-8:30 a.m.
• Welcome: 8:30-8:40 a.m.
• Workshops: 8:45 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Lunch and Community Resource Fair: 12-1 p.m.

For more information on Adult Education programs and classes, visit mdae.mdusd.org.

Discover new ways to support your child's learning and well-being at this dynamic event designed especially for parents and guardians. Through interactive workshops led by educators and experts, you'll explore topics that matter most. There’s something for every age group, from early childhood to high school.

This is your opportunity to engage directly with teachers, collaborate with fellow parents, and gain practical tools to strengthen your role as your child’s most important teacher.

Don’t miss the Community Resource Fair immediately following the workshops! Meet local professionals and explore valuable resources in education, parenting, child development, health, and more—all in one place.

Let’s come together to empower every student through strong family-school partnerships. We can’t wait to see you there!

Educating Together 2025 Workshops (Some Spanish and Dari translation available)

Session 1 8:45-10:15 a.m.

Session 2 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

WORKSHOPS FOR PARENTS/CAREGIVERS INCLUDE:

Online Safety: What Every Parent Needs to Know (Both Sessions)

From Plan to Progress: Understanding the IEP Process (Session 1 only)

Still Needed, Still Involved: The Parent’s Role in Secondary School Success (Both Sessions)

Experience Dyslexia: An Immersive Workshop (Session 2 only)

Your child’s Language Journey: ELPAC & Reclassification Explained (Both Sessions)

Your Future, Your Plan: College & Career Readiness + The College Now Program (Both Sessions)

Big Feelings, Better Responses: Managing Anger as a Team (Both Sessions)

Together We Learn: Helping Newcomer Families Connect with School (Both Sessions)

Strong Hearts, Calm Minds: SEL and Emotional Regulation for Students (Both Sessions)

and more!!

NEW!!! WORKSHOPS FOR TEENS:

The Inside Scoop: Middle School from Real Teens The Inside Scoop: Middle School from Real Teens (Session 1 only)

Ask a High Schooler: A Guide to What’s Next (Session 1 only)

and more!!

Please see the attached flyers in English, Spanish and Dari for more information.

 

MDUSD MAKES NEW OFFICIAL PROPOSAL TO MDEA:
2.3% SALARY INCREASE (EQUAL TO STATE COLA) FOR 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR
FULLY PAID HEALTH & WELFARE BENEFITS FOR EMPLOYEES AND FAMILIES
FOR THREE YEARS THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2028

DISTRICT ALSO AGREES TO CLASS SIZE REDUCTIONS IN KINDERGARTEN AND
MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL MATH CLASSES

MDEA REJECTS NEW DISTRICT PROPOSAL; PARTIES WILL REQUEST
RELEASE FROM MEDIATION AND PROCEED TO FACT-FINDING

August 26, 2025

Introduction: Bargaining teams for the Mt. Diablo Unified School District and Mt. Diablo Education Association met for their fourth mediation session on August 26, 2025 over a successor collective bargaining agreement to begin on July 1, 2025. The parties have been exchanging off-the-record mediation proposals in an effort to move closer to settlement. 

The District provided MDEA with a new official proposal (which is not a confidential mediation proposal) on August 26, 2025 which is its “Last Best Offer” to resolve negotiations and avoid proceeding to the next step of the impasse process (fact-finding). The District’s offer reflects its continuing commitment to student learning and achievement, fiscal responsibility, positive labor relations, and long-term stability, while striving to offer competitive compensation and a positive working environment for all employees.

A summary of the District’s new official offer follows.

2.3% SALARY INCREASE (EQUAL TO STATE COLA) FOR 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR

The District proposes to increase unit member salaries by 2.3% for the 2025-2026 school year, retroactive to July 1, 2025. This is equal to the percentage Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) increase granted by the state to the District for the 2025-2026 school year. 

The District proposes to reopen negotiations in both the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 school years over potential additional increases to salary schedules.
 
FULLY PAID HEALTH & WELFARE BENEFITS FOR EMPLOYEES AND FAMILIES
FOR THREE YEARS THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2028

The District proposes to pay one hundred percent (100%) of Kaiser premiums for single, employee plus 1, and family plans for the next three calendar years through December 31, 2028. For the 2026 benefit plan year, it is equivalent to $36,468 annually per bargaining unit member for the Kaiser family plan. Once the District’s payment level is established for 2028, this will become the new, ongoing base effective January 1, 2029, and the District will pick up a major portion of any increases after that date. 2028, this will become the new, ongoing base effective January 1, 2029, and the District will pick up a major portion of any increases after that date.

DISTRICT ALSO AGREES TO CLASS SIZE REDUCTIONS IN KINDERGARTEN AND
MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL MATH CLASSES

In response to MDEA proposals, the District’s new offer agrees to reduce contractual class size maximums in kindergarten and middle/high school math classes, effective beginning with the 2026-2027 school year.

The District’s new offer addresses language in other areas of the contract that have been under discussion throughout negotiations. To view the complete new District offer, please click here.

MDEA REJECTS NEW DISTRICT PROPOSAL; PARTIES WILL REQUEST
RELEASE FROM MEDIATION AND PROCEED TO FACT-FINDING

After considering the District’s proposal, MDEA informed the District that it did not accept the new offer and would request the mediator to release them to fact-finding. The District will join MDEA in this request.

The District remains committed to reaching an agreement that addresses the primary interests of our staff and serves our students and the greater District community.

This week's MDUSD Friday Letter highlights:

• Mt. Diablo High School teacher Dr. David Pintado's East Bay CPR internship program,
• Silverwood Elementary teacher Elizabeth Swanson's TK classroom featured in CalMatters article,
• Concord High School quarterback Juan Gonzalez named a Bay Area top preseason quarterback,
• All five MDUSD high school football teams featured in the Bay Area News Group's preseason coverage,
• School Social media spotlights showcasing new libraries at Meadow Homes and Mt. Diablo Elementary, classroom activities at El Monte and Rio Vista; strong community involvement at middle and high schools,
• Staff Social Media Highlights from Holbrook Language Academy, Northgate HS and Valley View MS;
• And more!

You can read it here. 

 

For the past seven years, Mt. Diablo HS Patient Care pathways teacher Dr. David Pintado has offered a unique opportunity to a few students - working yearlong as paid interns in his East Bay CPR training business. Pintado's classroom has been authorized by the American Heart Association and other health safety organizations as a CPR and First Aid certification site, where East Bay CPR instructors train District employees, as well as to community health an law enforcement professionals, in First Aid and Basic Life Support skills.

Pintado, who is one of two 2025-26 District Teachers of the Year, teaches his students these same skills and provides training that enables them to earn these certifications themselves in his classes, including two Dual Enrollment courses in which they earn college credits through Diablo Valley College (DVC). His interns also get behind-the-scenes experience helping to prep, disinfect and store equipment such as CPR manikins, AEDs, anti-choking training devices and even a golf cart style vehicle used to transport equipment around the campus to the Sports Medicine Room, locker rooms and sports fields and facilities. They can also learn from watching instructors conduct CPR training sessions in the classroom after school, and participating in the Concord Emergency Preparedness Fair on Sept. 4 and Asian Health Services Basic Life Support Certification sessions in late September.
 
MDHS students Armando Soto and Jocelyne started their internships on Aug. 18, donning MDHS Student scrub tops and medical gloves before handling the medical equipment, after Pintado explained their duties. At the same time, East Bay CPR instructors Victor Gonzalez and Corena Melendez were training the school's new Baseball Coach William Duby in CPR and First Aid so he could obtain his required certification. An MDHS Class of 1984 alum who is in the school's Hall of Fame for Baseball, Football, Basketball and Track, Duby said he has received similar training about six times in the past. "I think this is great," he said. "This is the most in-depth training I've had."

Both Armando and Jocelyne, who have taken Pintado's Sports Medicine class in the past, were excited to be chosen for the internship, along with their classmate Joshua Gallardo, who was absent on Monday. Armando, a sophomore, is a wrestler and football player who wants to become a sports trainer. Jocelyne, a senior, plays soccer and tennis and wants to become an ultrasound technician. They said their classes sparked an interest in pursuing medical careers and the internship training they are receiving helps them to better understand the importance of nutrition, hydration, exercise, safety and health certifications. 

Armando said he fell in love with sports medicine and would like to work with a college or professional athletic team. He is not playing football this year due to a knee injury he received during a non-school league game last year, in which he "strained everything." He said it's been nice talking to his doctors and understanding what the medial collateral ligaments are, as well as the biceps femoris tendon near the knee. "The most common injuries I see here from all sports are in the knees, wrists and shoulders," he said. Pintado suggested that Armando could consider studying Kinesiology or Sports Medicine at DVC, then transfer to a four-year college. He also recommended that Armando consider volunteering for the UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital program in Walnut Creek, which treats children with sports-related injuries.

Jocelyne said she plans to apply to volunteer at John Muir Health, which partners with MDUSD's patient care pathways. After graduation, she is considering enrolling in MDUSD's Adult Education program, a trade school or college. "Dr. Pintado is a really good teacher," she said. "One of the things I want to focus on in life is to always take every opportunity I get because we don't want to live with regrets."

Click here for more information about MDUSD Career Pathways programs.

 

This week's MDUSD Friday Letter spotlights:

• Elementary Campus Waste Sorting program featuring Valle Verde Elementary,
• Welcome to Student Board Member Alan Barrera Orellana,
• Northgate High School’s Levi Farrar performed in the prestigious National Youth Orchestra Jazz program at Carnegie Hall,
• The Concord Pioneer features the Ygnacio Valley High School InvenTeam for earning an MIT-Lemelson award for their innovative work; and Keirabella Brown of Concord High and James Voorhies of College Park as Pioneer Student Athletes;
• Social media highlights fron Bel Air, Gregory Gardens, Meadow Homes, and Valle Verde elementary schools, and Concord, Mt. Diablo, and Olympic High Schools and College Now
• Staff Social Media Highlights from Walnut Acres Elementary, Meadow Homes Elementary and Holbrook Language Academy;
• And more!

You can read it here.

 

In response to a state law (SB 1383) that requires businesses and schools to implement organic waste diversion, MDUSD is launching a new Campus Waste Sorting program this year at all elementary schools. The District will also pilot the program at some middle and high schools, then will expand the program districtwide in 2026-27. But the law is not the only reason we are doing this, says Alex Emmott, MDUSD's Food & Nutrition Services Director. "It’s totally the right thing to do, " she said. "It's something I’m really passionate about."

Valle Verde Elementary, which has been sorting food waste for several years as a campus program, is also committed to helping protect the environment by doing its part of cut down on waste that ends up in landfill. Principal Mignon Perkins and Custodian Douglas Herrera have been reminding students and staff about the importance of composting and recycling, as well as placing items that can't be composted or recycled into landfill bins. Next month, the school will receive a RecycleSmart assembly that will give students and staff more in-depth information about what belongs in which bin and how composting helps the community, Perkins said. After that, the school will establish a student "Green Team/Bin Monitoring Crew" to support waste sorting. Student Green Team members are rewarded with paper "Vikings" bucks they can use to purchase items at the school store, Perkins said. 

Every elementary school in the district has received three waste bins to be placed in eating areas with signage  providing guidance about what to place in the green (compost), grey (landfill) or blue (recycling) bins. The District's Food & Nutrition Services and Maintenance & Operations departments are teaming up to train staff on the program, then the bins are collected by municipal collection agencies.

At Valle Verde Elementary on Thursday, some students knew exactly where to place their waste, while others were confused because some items had recycle symbols on them (such as milk cartons and plastic cutlery), but the bin signs said they were landfill items. Emmott said milk cartons and plastic cutlery are NOT recyclable in MDUSD because the local companies do not have the capacity to recycle them. In fact, she said Valle Verde Elementary will soon begin piloting milk poured in cups instead of using cartons, to cut down on waste. 

Third-grader Hannah McMillan put her food waste into the green bin, then handed her cardboard lunch tray to Perkins, who stacked it neatly with the other trays for Herrera, who said it's easier to collect the trays this way because they take up more space if placed haphazardly in the bins, which would result in more bags of compost for him to haul to the waste pick up area. Third-grader Ellie Frenklakh, who was a Green Team member last year, said she hopes to join the group again this year because she wants to help the environment. "I sorted the trash and if it was in a different bin, I put it in the right bin," she said. "I also looked on the ground to see if there was any trash and threw it away." Fourth-graders Avery McShane and Adri Diaz stood in line to dispose of their waste from lunch brought from home as well as from the District. Avery put her store-bought popcorn packaging into landfill and Adri put her food waste in the compost. They agreed that it is important to do this to prevent the community and world from becoming polluted. Adri said her parents compost and recycle at home, so she it makes sense to do it at school, too.

Emmott said she's optimistic that the program will be successful in MDUSD. "I think elementary schools are the easiest place to implement," she said. "If you can train kids from the time they’re young to start sorting, that’s usually the best way to get it to catch on." She admitted that it may not be easy to get buy-in from everyone Districtwide and that sorting mistakes will inevitably be made. "It really take those school level champions to make the shift and make it the expected thing to do," Emmott said. "It’s not a slam dunk yet. It’s a work in progress." The District's Waste Sorting Playbook is here. 

 

The MDUSD Board has delegated authority to the Superintendent to make personnel appointments, and hire and transfer employees during the summer months when the Board does not meet. The Board expects to ratify these personnel decisions at its Aug. 13th meeting. During the MDUSD Board's summer break, the District has made the following administrtor appointments, hires and personnel changes:

• Assistant Director, Special Education: Suzanne Williams*
• Principal at Monte Gardens Elementary: Alexander Bennett*
• Principal at Silverwood Elementary: Kai Dwyer*
• Principal at Ygnacio Valley Elementary: Steve Porras*
• Vice Principal at Oak Grove MS: Ethel Singletary Burton*
• Vice Principal at College Park HS: Nashon Williams
• Vice Principal at Concord HS: Mandy Loushin
• Program Specialist at Concord HS: Megan Estenson
• Program Specialist at Mt. Diablo HS: Liza Estupin Mendoza*
• Vice Principal at Ygnacio Valley HS: Laura Castillo*
• Vice Principal at Ygnacio Valley HS: Kevin Honey

*New hires

Previously, the Board made the following appointments for 2025-26 (click on names for more information):

District Administrators

• Chief of Human Resources: Ryan Sheehy
• Executive Director of Human Resources and Risk Management: Leanee Medina Estrada
• Director of Human Resources: Kesha Emmendorfer
• Director of Assessment, Research and Evaluation: Martha Thomas
• Director of Budget, Accounting and Fiscal Compliance: Brenda Barbera
• Director of Enrollment Services: Aurelia Buscemi
• Director of Student Services: Melissa Brennan
• Director of Technology and Innovation: Matthew Rosso
• Custodial and Operations Manager: Luis De La O

School Administrators

• Principal at Ayers Elementary School: Jennifer McCullough
• Principal at El Monte Elementary School: Gilberto Parada Jr. 
• Principal at Highlands Elementary School: Carrie Nerheim
• Principal at Pleasant Hill Elementary School: Ann McNamara Kim
• Principal at Walnut Acres Elementary School: Nicole Berglund
• Principal at Woodside Elementary: Madyson (Benz) Souza (appointed in April as Principal at site to be determined; site announced June 11)
• Principal at El Dorado Middle School: Jeanne Johnson
• Principal at Riverview Middle School: Veronica McLennan
• Principal at Valley View Middle School: Jamie Keith
• Principal at College Park High School: Dr. Ronald Richardson
• Principal at Prospect Continuation High School and Horizons Center for Independent Study: Megan O'Malley

On its Consent Agenda, the Board has also approved the following new administrator hires for the 2025-26 school year:

• Vice Principal, Cambridge Elementary: Brittany Rosenstrauch
• Vice Principal, Meadow Homes Elementary: Elizabeth Torres
• Vice Principal, Pine Hollow MS: Anthony Turner
• Vice Principal, Riverview MS: Kelly Ann Jacobs
• Vice Principal, Riverview MS: Tanya Voqui
• Vice Principal, Concord HS: Raymond Leonard
• Program Specialist, Oak Grove MS: Jill Grover
• Program Administrator, Social Emotional Educational Collaborative (SEEC): Sarah Cabezas
• Program Administrator, Wellness: Norma Lopez
• Social Work Specialist, Special Education: Marcela Ardema

We will update this list as new appointments and administrator hires are approved for 2025-26.

 

MDUSD was proud to celebrate the grand re-openings of three elementary schools that have been modernized over the past 18 months - Rio Vista Elementary in Bay Point, Mt. Diablo Elementary in Clayton and Meadow Homes Elementary in Concord. During three separate ribbon cutting ceremonies followed by tours of the schools on Aug. 5, Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark, school principals, District officials and contractors spoke to community members about the significant upgrades made possible by voter-approved Measure J construction bond funding. 

These include the following highlights:

• Modernized classroom spaces including new flooring, ceilings, windows, tackboards, markerboards, etc.
• Interior and exterior paint
• Technology upgrades including updates to infrastructure, wireless access points, new emergency response systems (clock, bell, speaker systems), VoIP phone systems, security cameras and marquees
• Lighting upgrades including LED lights
• ADA accessibility upgrades
• HVAC upgrades, where needed, including the addition of air conditioning to multi-use buildings
• Flexible, modern, mobile furniture and storage
• Refreshed landscaping

Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark stressed that students are at the center of everything we do in the district and they and the school employees deserve the upgrades in classrooms that were built in the 1950s. Principals were grateful for the renovations and were excited to welcome back students on Aug. 6. "It's just fabulous," said Rio Vista Elementary Principal Janis Heden, thanking her staff for their flexibility and patience during construction. "We can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and boy, is it bright!"

Students who toured the "refreshed" campuses with their parents were thrilled with the brightly colored walls, furniture and playground blacktops, as well as the modern desks, student storage "cubbies," digital wall clocks and clean, bright classrooms. Rio Vista Elementary 4th-grader Yaneli Estreda grinned and shouted happily, as she opened a cupboard and found hidden cubbies, "There's new stuff here!" Fifth-grader Kassandra Ramirez, who is new to the school, enjoyed exploring the purple-themed "rocket" campus with her mom. "It's nice," she said. "I really like it. Purple is my second favorite color!" Her mom, Maria Fernandez said, "It's beautiful. Everything is new. I see a lot of space. I think kids will enjoy it."

At Mt. Diablo Elementary, Principal Sara Harris said, as she looked around her refurbished campus, "I am beyond words. I am speechless." Students and staff were also pleased. School psychologist Katy Dumapay appreciates the new furniture in her office, including colorful seats and a curvy table. "It's nice," she said. "It definitely fits the space and it's functional, so I'm looking forward to using it." Speech therapist Janelle Capinpin, who has worked at the school for 27 years, said: "To have these changes done, it's incredible!" Alina Loza, who finished 5th grade at the school in June, said she likes the dark blue, white and turquoise painted walls. "I think the new colors are really nice," she said. Siblings Reagan (3rd grade) and River (5th grade) Orcutt were also impressed. "It looks way better," River said. "It looks so different." Reagan agreed, adding: "Everything looks way nicer."

Meadow Homes Elementary students and staff also gave glowing reviews. "We have a beautiful community and a beautiful school," said Principal Leah Dubinsky. Fourth-grader Brianna Lopez said she liked the bright purple colors and her mom Leticia Navarro added: "I like everything," as they chatted with 4th grade teacher Jasmine Arevalo in her renovated classroom. "I'm glad to see the students enjoy it, and I'm looking forward to them bringing life back to the school," Arevalo said. Second grade teacher Teresa Gutierrez, who has been teaching for 20 years, said the renovations help teachers think about what today's students need. "We have a clean slate to educate 21st Century learners and not get stuck in our old ways," she said. First grade teacher Shanna Adin said she got used to the new furniture last year after the first phase of construction and now has a better idea of how to best configure it to meet here students' needs. "I love my space," she said. "It's nice and clean." The school also has a renovated Parent meeting room and Teachers' Lounge. 

District officials said they would like to modernize more schools, but would need voters to approve another bond measure to be able to accomplish this, since the money from Measure J will be exhausted after current projects in the works are completed. Executive Director of Maintenance, Operations and Facilities Melanie Koslow will present a report on Summer Construction projects at the Aug. 13 Board meeting. 

The renovations also attracted the attention of local news reporters. Click here to an ABC news report on the renovations and click here to see an NBC report on the renovations and first day of school at Bancroft Elementary in Walnut Creek. 

Contractors that partnered with MDUSD on these projects were: 6D PMCM program, project and construction management; 19Six Architects; and Arntz Builders, Inc.  

 

This week's Friday Letter features:

• A Welcome Back message from Dr. Clark,
• A Spotlight on the modernization of 3 elementary schools;
• Superintendent discusses back to school highlights on KTVU;
• Board provisionally appoints Brian Lawrence as Area 4 trustee;
• Student news featuring College Park HS student Mathys Joseph, Six MDUSD Contra Costa County Health Interns from College Park, Mt. Diablo and Olympic high schools;
• School news featuring Foothill MS recognized as a NOAA Ocean Guardian School, and Pleasant Hill MS welcomes students with fun activities;
• Social Media highlights featuring the first day of school for students and staff;
• And more!

Click here to read it.