 January is School Board Recognition Month, where we salute our MUSD Board of Education Trustees who aid in supporting student success by establishing our mission, vision, policy priorities, budget and benchmarks. This year we are highlighting each of our trustees.
Name: Minh Ngo Current School Board Title: Board President Years on School Board: 4 and counting Past School Board Titles w/years: 2023 Board Vice President, 2022 Board Clerk, 2019-2021 Trustee Professional Occupation: Director of Agency Standards of the San Francisco Office in the nation’s largest mutual life insurance company. How long have you lived in Milpitas? 10 years Did you attend MUSD schools? No Do you have any children who currently attend or attended MUSD schools? All 3 of my children currently attend Alexander Rose Elementary as a 5th, 2nd, and Kinder. What motivated you to want to join the MUSD Board of Education? I grew up in a public education environment. My father is a retired night custodian from a public elementary school and often setup and cleaned up Board meetings. I remember him telling me how important decisions were being made in those meetings. When it came to my children’s educational journey, I wanted to invest my time in building a learning community that provides successful pathways for their generation. What do you feel is the most important part of being on the school board? The collective goal is to enhance the educational opportunities for our learners. The path to a collective goal takes time through engagement with students, teachers, staff members, parents, administrators, and the community. What are you most proud of during your term on the school board? Seeing the development of the Randall World Languages School. However, there is still more to come as the work isn’t finished yet. What is your favorite pastime? Being a father and spending time with my children. Tell us something about yourself that we may not know: I competed in several Northern California Dragon Boat races. Won a bronze medal once.  January is School Board Recognition Month, where we salute our MUSD Board of Education Trustees who aid in supporting student success by establishing our mission, vision, policy priorities, budget and benchmarks. This year we are highlighting each of our trustees.
Name: Robert Jung Current School Board Title: Trustee Years on School Board: 3 Past School Board Titles w/years: Trustee, 2016-2018 Professional Occupation: Retired, previously engineer, manager, private investor, social entrepreneur How long have you lived in Milpitas? 20+ yrs Did you attend MUSD schools? No Do you have any children who currently attend or attended MUSD schools? My son and daughter (Class of 2012 and 2019 respectively) attended Sinnott, Weller, Randall, Rancho, and MHS. What motivated you to want to join the MUSD Board of Education? My successes to date are due to the educational opportunities that I received. It is clear to me that education is the “ true equalizer” and I want to give back to the community by helping to create those opportunities for our future generation. What do you feel is the most important part of being on the school board?
What are you most proud of during your term on the school board?
What is your favorite pastime?
Tell us something about yourself that we may not know: I enjoy playing Magic the Gathering among other card games.January is School Board Recognition Month, where we salute our MUSD Board of Education Trustees who aid in supporting student success by establishing our mission, vision, policy priorities, budget and benchmarks. This year we are highlighting each of our trustees.  January is School Board Recognition Month, where we salute our MUSD Board of Education Trustees who aid in supporting student success by establishing our mission, vision, policy priorities, budget and benchmarks. This year we are highlighting each of our trustees.
Name: Kelly Yip-Chuan Current School Board Title: Board Vice President Years on School Board: 5+ Past School Board Titles w/years: 2023-Present Board Vice President, 2022-2023 Board Clerk, 2021-2022 Board President, 2020-2021 Board Vice President, 2019-2020 Board Clerk, 2018-2019 Board Trustee Professional Occupation: Real Estate/Mortgage Broker & Notary Public How long have you lived in Milpitas? Since 2008 Did you attend MUSD schools? No Do you have any children who currently attend or attended MUSD schools? Yes, currently my three daughters are attending MUSD- Kaylana is a senior at MHS, Carissa is a freshman at MHS, Karina is a 7th grader at TRMS What motivated you to want to join the MUSD Board of Education? Having served in various PTAs, School Site Council, CBAC and being a substitute teacher for many years motivated me to do more. Being an involved parent gave me some insights into what's going on at the school. Being a teacher in the classroom gave me a different perspective. I have different viewpoints and experiences that could benefit the district. What do you feel is the most important part of being on the school board? Listening to the needs of our district and finding ways to address them through our mission, vision, policies and resources. Each of the board members have a unique and valuable background we bring to the table to collaborate and find solutions. What are you most proud of during your term on the school board? There are so many things to be proud of serving in one of the finest districts. Notably, the recent inauguration of the MUSD Innovation Campus marks a significant milestone, and I am excited for the groundbreaking ceremony of our upcoming MHS Performing Arts Center. MUSD creates pathways that empower students to succeed in their chosen field. I am also proud of our MUSD team. To be successful in carrying out our mission, vision, policies, and ultimate objectives, you need to have a team of hard working and dedicated individuals. I am also super proud of our Superintendent Cheryl Jordan for being recognized as ACSA State Superintendent of the Year. Witnessing this historic achievement together with our entire board in Sacramento was truly a memorable experience. What is your favorite pastime? Traveling, playing volleyball, going to the gym, binge-watching all my favorite shows (Law & Order SVU, Chicago Fire, Quantum Leap, AGT) that I missed during my busy schedule. Tell us something about yourself that we may not know: I have over 50+ first cousins just on my mom's side.  January is School Board Recognition Month, where we salute our MUSD Board of Education Trustees who aid in supporting student success by establishing our mission, vision, policy priorities, budget and benchmarks. This year we are highlighting each of our trustees.
Name: Chris Norwood Current School Board Title: Milpitas Unified School District Governing Board Trustee Years on School Board: 10 Past School Board Titles w/years:
Professional Occupation: Educational Services How long have you lived in Milpitas? A long time Did you attend MUSD schools? Joseph Weller Elementary School, Thomas Russell Middle School, Milpitas High School Do you have any children who currently attend or attended MUSD schools? Yes, John Sinnott Elmentary School, Rancho Milpitas Middle School, Milpitas High School, San Jose City College - Milpitas Extension What motivated you to want to join the MUSD Board of Education? (3 parts) Part 1: I have always been motivated to serve my community. Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the Most Powerful Weapon in the World.” Milpitas raised me to have a unique, faith-based, multicultural and inclusive lens. I graduated from Milpitas High in 1983 and began supporting different schools in MUSD in various capacities in 1986. I volunteered in classrooms, coached boys and girls basketball at MHS and Calaveras Hills HS, donated for field trips, volunteered to chaperone field trips, hosted free math, AP Computer Science prep, Cyber Security camps and more. Part 2: I first became interested in political office in 2008 when Barack Obama was elected. My dad was still alive and I saw how proud he was to be living in a moment he thought he would never see. I have never seen him so proud. In 2011, my dad died from cancer and he wasn’t supposed to. In 2014, I was inspired by former MUSD school board members from that era and proceeding, City of Milpitas former and current elected officials, the previous Superintendent, Milpitas residents, and community members who had children in Milpitas schools. I didn’t want to do it. I said “No" quite a few times. I am grateful for those around me who are persistent. Part 3: I ran for Milpitas High School Associated Student Body (ASB) President in 1983 as a Senior, lost, and never forgot. What do you feel is the most important part of being on the school board? The most important part of being on the school board is recognizing a school board member wears “multiple hats." The first hat is we are one of 5 governing officials for the school district as a whole with specific fiduciary duties and responsibilities defined by the education code and other applicable laws. We do not run the district, we govern how the district runs through the development of policies, procedures, resolutions, etc. The second hat is we are a community listener/learner/leader and have been selected to represent the voices of the entire community in the Milpitas public education arena. There is a lot to learn about public education and all of the different voices within. The third is we are also critical decision makers and our (almost volunteer) work is extremely time consuming, requires a commitment to lots of reading, making (life changing) votes in short periods of time, and constant reflection. What are you most proud of during your term on the school board? I am entering my 3rd term on the school board. Each term has been a learning experience of service, expanding my knowledge of education, politics, community, budgeting, negotiations, effective communications and relationships. I am most proud of how often each board unanimously agreed on the decisions made on behalf of the MUSD and how we figured out how to work together as a successful team. Successful teams aren’t supposed to always agree or get along. I am proud of being recognized as the California State School Board Member of the Year in 2020 and Superintendent Cheryl Jordan being recognized as the ASCA State Superintendent of the Year in 2023. While I don’t do this for recognition, I recognize the community value of these types of prestigious opportunities. I am hopeful it has opened doors for Milpitas being a destination for high performing education leaders who deeply care about impact, new funding opportunities, partnerships and more. I am also proud of being an integral part of creating the future roadmap for education in the Milpitas Unified School District for years to come. During my first term (2014-2018), there was the return of the Milpitas Elementary Olympics which began in 1977, beginning of Love4Literacy, selection of Superintendent Jordan, board meeting recognitions of students, expanded technology budget to move to 1:1 devices for students, increased attention in grant writing, SJCC Community College - Milpitas Extension opening, Mabel Mattos Elementary School opening, and donations from community partners. During my second term (2018-2022), we revitalized relationships with city, county, state and federally elected officials, began a deep dive into building inclusive practices for our neurodiverse students (still a work in progress), MUSD EducatEveryWhere for MUSD students and food/mask/vaccine distribution to Milpitas residents in response to COVID-19, refinancing older bonds for lower interest rates to decrease taxpayer burdens, additional of athletic track fields at both middle schools, updating Maintenance, Operations & Transportation (MOT) and student nutrition facilities, broke ground for MUSD Innovation Campus and completed Mabel Mattos Elementary School. In my 3rd term (2022 - present), so far we opened the MUSD Innovation Campus and will be breaking ground on the MHS Performing Arts Center. The MHS Performing Arts Center was something promised to the community before my term on the school board and I’m excited to see it happen. Our arts programs have grown significantly over the years. We’ve raised several million dollars through relationships and I would like us to continue to minimize taxpayer burden whenever possible. And while I am proud of what’s been accomplished, there is so much more work to be done! What is your favorite pastime?
Tell us something about yourself that we may not know: “I was cut from my high school basketball team in my sophomore year of high school, came back to coach at MHS several years later, and was a part of the Milpitas High School Boys Varsity Basketball team Central Coast Section (CCS) Championship Coaching Staff. I don’t have to win one way or the other. I just have to keep trying until I do.” January is School Board Recognition Month, where we salute our MUSD Board of Education Trustees who aid in supporting student success by establishing our mission, vision, policy priorities, budget and benchmarks. This year we are highlighting each of our trustees.  January is School Board Recognition Month, where we salute our MUSD Board of Education Trustees who aid in supporting student success by establishing our mission, vision, policy priorities, budget and benchmarks. This year we are highlighting each of our trustees.
Trustee Profile #1 Name: Dr. Anu Nakka Current School Board Title: Board Clerk Years on School Board: 1 Past School Board Titles w/years: Trustee 2023 Professional Occupation: Entrepreneur How long have you lived in Milpitas? 23 Years Did you attend MUSD schools? No Do you have any children who currently attend or attended MUSD schools? Yes. Older daughter is a graduate of Milpitas HS 2023 (K-12). Younger daughter is currently a Freshman at MHS What motivated you to want to join the MUSD Board of Education? Working with various PTA/PTSAs helped me to understand parents, students and teachers issues, potential solutions and opportunities at Micro level. I wanted to bring that knowledge to Macro level. Being part of the MUSD Board of Education provides me that opportunity to facilitate and help all schools and students. What do you feel is the most important part of being on the school board? Understanding issues and being able to work on solutions helping every student in the district. What are you most proud of during your term on the school board? Inauguration of Innovation Campus and Initiation of Presidential Volunteer Service Awards for students What is your favorite pastime? Writing, Dancing Tell us something about yourself that we may not know: I am an artist.  Milpitas Unified School District secured a $1.5 million grant from the California Department of Public School Construction to help offset construction costs of the MUSD Innovation Campus, as announced by Chief Business Officer Wendy Zhang at the January 9, 2024 Board of Education meeting.
Zhang connected with state representatives prior to the Winter Break and received confirmation of the grant funds on the same day that MUSD’s Innovation team outlined course programming and scheduling for the 2024-25 school year. “It turned out that they had a grant available and were waiting to give it out, so I immediately scheduled a meeting with them,” said Zhang. “During that meeting, they committed $1.5 million to help offset the construction costs of our Innovation Campus. We will receive the $1.5 million in the next couple of weeks.” This additional funding comes on the heels of Assemblymember Alex Lee’s District 24 Office allocating $1.5 million to the Innovation Campus, which includes funding from the voter-approved Measure AA general obligations bond as well as a $750,000 investment from global technology leader KLA that has branded the KLA STEAM Lab on the E. Calaveras Campus. “Assistant Superintendent Zhang has brought us $1.5M closer to achieving our Capital Campaign goal of $18M,” said Superintendent Cheryl Jordan. “Our team inspires exceptional possibilities that are being realized as we continue to build the MUSD Innovation Campus and the learning opportunities it will provide for our middle school through adult learners” A first-of-its-kind high school through adult, early childhood education research and workforce development center–located on the site of the former Samuel Ayer High School–the MUSD Innovation Campus will be a hub for future-ready learners of all ages to connect with local businesses and partners within classrooms and labs tailored to provide a real-world education. The new facilities will support a wide variety of programming, including business entrepreneurship, robotics, virtual reality, Audio/Video production, coding, artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer science and virtual design and construction, as well as simulation for legal, financial, manufacturing and health career training. The MUSD Innovation Campus will provide dedicated space for MUSD’s Adult Education School, Calaveras Hills High School and additional facilities for Milpitas High School students. “Major global industries are requiring new skill sets to be successful. The MUSD Innovation Campus will provide our learners the opportunity to explore competitive future ready careers,” said Board of Education President Minh Ngo. “We have a phenomenal team at MUSD that continues to find opportunities to invest in our Milpitas learners.” With the completion of Phase 1 for the start of the 2023-24 school year, the MUSD Innovation Campus is set to ignite workforce pathways and early childcare research in our region and beyond in two additional phases. Phase 2 is well under way and slated to be completed in summer 2024, while the Phase 3 opening is estimated for fall 2025. MUSD continues to seek the support of individual financial partners to sponsor this first-of-its-kind bridge between local businesses, institutes of higher education, governance, and future-ready learners. For more information, please visit: https://www.musd.org/musd-innovation-campus-campaign.html. Through partnerships with community, colleges and universities, as well as local businesses, the MUSD Innovation Campus will provide training and education that support growing and emerging career fields and practical career simulation. This novel academic institution will prepare Milpitas students of all ages for the local – and global – job market. Upon full capacity, the 99,000 sq. ft. campus will consist of six new two-story buildings, as well as one modernized building complete with classrooms, learning labs, career simulation facilities, and STEAM labs. The campus is designed to provide environments for a wide variety of programming supported by flex spaces and outdoor learning quads. Each building will include sustainable materials, energy efficient lighting, all-electric mechanical systems, stormwater catchment and water-efficient landscaping. |
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING:
The governing board of Milpitas Unified School District will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, June 28, 2022. Media ResourcesArchives
October 2024
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