Novato Unified School District

NUSD URBAN LEGENDS

Have you heard a NUSD rumor?
Do you want the facts????
Do you have a question???

Send an e-mail to: cbenz@nusd.org

Urban Legend #2 (2007-08) date posted: June 28, 2007

I have heard and read many conflicting stories regarding the closure of MSAT. What are the facts?

See Below

The Novato Unified School District Board of Trustees has always been supportive of school choice for the families and students here in Novato as evidenced by the variety of alternative programs that are offered. The K-8 Charter School has been in operation for 11 years and the K-8 Charter and NUSD have had a positive working relationship throughout that time. The Board and district welcomed the development of a high school charter and approved MSAT’s original charter in 2001.

Some facts to consider:

In December 2006, trustees voted unanimously to renew MSAT’s charter for 5 years
Trustees approved two Prop 39 offers (Hamilton South and College of Marin) for MSAT facilities on April 5, 2007 by a 7-0 vote of the board
On May 1, 2007, trustees authorized staff to spend up to $25,000 to cover architectural fees to pursue commercial space for MSAT – 7-0 in favor
May 15, 2007, Envision/MSAT accepted the Hamilton South Prop 39 offer for in-district students and requested rental space for out of district students.
On May 31, 2007, MSAT met with NUSD staff to select modulars to place on Hamilton South campus to house Novato residents enrolled at MSAT. In addition, MSAT requested a two-story module to house their out-of-district students.
On June 1, 2007, MSAT submitted their 2007-08 budget to NUSD
On June 1, 2007, MSAT announced to their staff that they were closing
On June 4, 2007, MSAT announced to parents and students that they were closing
On June 21, 2007, NUSD notified the California Department of Education that they believe MSAT is closing
On June 28, 2007, NUSD received official notification from Envision Schools that they were closing MSAT

For more information:

Urban Legend #1 (2007-08) date posted: June 28, 2007

I was told by a Pop Warner coach that you can’t be on the Novato HS turf field unless you have a permit. Is this true?

True – See Below

An approved facilities use agreement must be on file with the district before a group may use the field. Facilities use agreements may be obtained at the front desk at NUSD District at 1015 Seventh St.

Individual community members may walk the track or walk on the fields, but users with permits have priority.

The NUSD artificial turf fields are a valuable community asset, but they require proper care and use. Unfortunately we have had issues with vandalism and have thus found it necessary to more closely monitor use of the fields.