Novato Unified School District Regular Board Meeting 9/1/2026

The Novato Unified School District held a regular board meeting on September 1, 2026, where key discussions focused on budget challenges related to declining student enrollment. The CFO presented detailed data showing a significant enrollment drop over recent years, which impacts the district's funding despite increases in per-student allocations and cost-of-living adjustments (COLA). The board discussed the fiscal implications of potentially closing schools to address budget deficits, noting that while closing a school saves some administrative costs, many fixed costs remain, and teacher staffing must still align with student numbers. The district faces a $6.5 million deficit requiring cuts beyond staffing reductions. Additionally, the board approved the final revised Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) for 2025-2027 after technical corrections. Public comments included concerns about communication and coaching staff terminations, but no direct procurement or contract awards were discussed.