The Novato Unified School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously on June 21, 2016, to place a $222 million facilities measure on the November 8, 2016, ballot as NUSD is committed to continuing a strong, high-quality educational program for the students in all of its public schools.
Beginning in January 2016, the District met with parents, teachers, students and community members and conducted a thorough facilities planning process to identify the upgrades and improvements needed at each school site in order to meet basic safety and accessibility standards, to meet the District’s goals for supporting current academic standards, and to address specific priorities at individual school sites. More than 35 meetings were held at schools sites across the district.
Through this process, the District recognized the need to upgrade and improve classrooms, labs, instructional technology and educational facilities to support engaging, hands-on learning experiences in subjects including science, engineering and math as well as specialized classrooms, instructional and performance spaces are also needed to support Novato’s award-winning programs in arts and music.
In addition, school video surveillance and security systems will also be improved and upgraded to ensure student and staff safety at all schools.
Completing the identified upgrades and improvements will ensure that all local students receive instruction in 21st century classrooms, labs and school facilities that support modern curriculum, provide a well-rounded education, and give students the skills they need for college, career, and the competitive global economy.
A Bond Project List was developed and can be found in Resolution 22-2015-2016 that was approved by the Board on June 21, 2016 (attached).
The cost of the facility improvement measure will not exceed the legal limit of $60 per $100,000 in assessed (not market) property value. While the State of California has been restoring general funding to school districts back to the 2007-08 level through the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), this funding is for teacher salaries and student programs. The LCFF funding is not intended for school building improvements or construction of new school buildings.
All funds would be used locally to upgrade and improve NUSD schools and an independent citizens’ oversight committee would be required. Funds could only be used for projects identified in the legally binding project list and not for other purposes such as administer salaries. Accountability measures for the bond would include Annual Performance Audits, Annual Financial Audit and an Annual Report to the Board.
More information can be found at nusd.org/facilities-bond-measure-implementation/