Recent news articles state: Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency on Monday ahead of winter storms and high tides that could wreak havoc on the state. 

Forecasters predict that much of California could have above-average precipitation and temperatures this winter. The potential storms could pile on top of El Niño-induced higher sea levels and record-high king tides.

---------------------------------------

A strong school district is a lot like a well-built home. You do not wait until the storm arrives to check the roof, reinforce the foundation, or make sure everyone knows what to do in an emergency.

You prepare while the skies are clear.

For a school board, preparation happens through governance. It happens by asking thoughtful questions, adopting policies, monitoring finances, supporting our employees, listening to students and families, and ensuring the district has strong systems in place when challenges arise.

Each MUSD Board agenda demonstrates how we are doing that work while Building a Culture of We.

Strengthening Our Financial Foundation

Financial stewardship is one of the Board's most important responsibilities. At our September 8 meeting, we accepted the District's 2025–26 Unaudited Actuals.

Budget reports may not generate the same excitement as our recognition ceremonies,  student performance or championship game, but they strengthen the foundation beneath everything we believe in for our students. Responsible fiscal oversight ensures MUSD maintains programs, employees, facilities, and student services when economic conditions become uncertain.

Preparing for storms also means ensuring new opportunities and safe places where students learn. Our September 22 agenda included science camp, solar repairs, repairs to the Milpitas High School pool boiler, and energy benchmarking.

Strong governance requires us to keep our eyes on both the future and the infrastructure that supports our students today.

Building Stronger Supports Around Students

Not every storm is financial or physical. Sometimes the storm is a student struggling academically. Sometimes it is a multilingual learner working to master a new language while learning grade-level content. Sometimes it is a family navigating a difficult transition. Sometimes it is an educator working to reach a student who needs additional support.

Our September 8 agenda included a report on Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, High-Impact Tutoring, and English Learners.

These conversations matter because resilient school systems don't simply respond after students fall behind. They develop systems that identify needs and connect students with appropriate support.

That is an important part of our Educational Roadmap and of Building a Culture of We—recognizing that student success is shared work.

Establishing Clear Guardrails

Preparing for difficult situations also requires clear expectations.

During September, the Board considered policies involving mobile communication devices. The mobile communication device policy returned for a second reading on September 22. We heard student board member voices, teacher voices and community voices on the pros and cons.

Board policy establishes guardrails. Our Superintendent and professional staff then implement those policies throughout the district.

Good governance means creating a strong framework before circumstances test it.

Preparing Students for the Storms We Cannot Predict

Preparation isn't only about protecting what we have. It is also about preparing students for what comes next. On September 22, the Board approved revitalizing the AirPoint Center as a community, environmental education, public safety, and workforce learning center.

That represents another kind of preparedness. Our students will enter a world shaped by changing technologies, artificial intelligence, environmental challenges, evolving careers, and new economic opportunities. We will prepare them with knowledge, adaptability, leadership skills, real-world experiences, and connections to opportunity.

Our responsibility is to prepare young people to navigate different types of storms.

Our Community Is Part of Our Strength

Perhaps our greatest source of resilience isn't a policy, facility, or budget line.

It's people.

Teachers and classified employees. Administrators. Students. Parents and caregivers. Alumni. First responders. Businesses. Nonprofits. Volunteers. Civic organizations. Community partners. Our September agendas included employee recognition, student board representative reports, public comment, collective bargaining matters, and opportunities for community participation. That is what Building a Culture of We looks like.

We build relationships when the skies are clear so those relationships are strong when challenges arrive. I encourage our community: don't wait for a storm to get involved.

Attend a Board meeting. Volunteer at a school. Attend a football game, volleyball match, performance, competition, or student celebration. Mentor a student. Support an educator. Share your professional expertise. Ask how your business or organization can partner with MUSD. Most importantly, listen to our students.

Strong governance is measured by whether we have built the financial foundation, policies, student supports, facilities, partnerships, and community relationships necessary to withstand them AND continue moving forward. That's responsible governance. That's Building a Culture of We.

We prepare together. We weather the storms together. We move forward together.

Chris Norwood