Novato Unified School District

Purpose and Scope

California State law requires that an Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee (ICOC) be appointed by the Board of Trustees within 60 days of certification of the election results being entered into the minutes, which occurred on January 17, 2017. The NUSD Board of Trustees appointed the ICOC on March 7, 2017.

The duties of the committee include:

Actively reviewing and reporting on the proper expenditure of taxpayers’ money for school construction in accordance with voter-approved projects.
Advising the public as to whether the school district is in compliance with the requirements of Article XIIIA, Section 1(b)(3), which provides that:
- Bond revenues are expended only for the purposes set out in Measure G,
- That no bond revenues are used for any teacher or administrative salaries or other school operating expenses, and
- An annual independent financial audit and independent performance audit is performed.
Informing the public at least annually in a written report concerning the expenditure of bond proceeds.

The committee does not:

Participate in the bond sale and issuance process or make decisions concerning the timing, terms or structure of a bond issuance.
Determine how bond funds shall be spent, or the prioritization of projects.
Select contractors or consultants for bond projects or participate in the negotiation or bid process.

Please contact Joshua Braff, Chief Financial Officer, with any questions at [email protected] or 415 493-4260.

APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

Interested in Joining?

The Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee is currently accepting applications for membership. If interested, please fill out an application and return it to the Chief Financial Officer, NUSD District Office, 1015 Seventh Street, Novato, CA 94945.

More Info

The purpose of the Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee is to inform the public concerning the expenditure of bond revenues.
The committee shall be comprised of individuals who either live or work within the boundaries of the district.
No employee, official, vendor, contractor, or consultant of the district shall be appointed to the committee.
Historically, the committee meets four times per year.

Members of the Committee

The following community members were approved for appointment to the ICOC by the NUSD Board of Trustees.

Members:

Mike Joly
Dale Kline
Dean Moser
Kim Stahley
Brian Whitlow
Chandra Alexandre (Trustee, non-voting)
Greg Mack (Trustee, non-voting)

The committee consists of at least seven (7) members each serving a term of two (2) years and for no more than three (3) consecutive terms. The committee exists until all the bond proceeds have been expended.

The ICOC meets approximately four times a year, and all meetings are open to the public. The agenda, meeting dates, minutes of prior meetings and materials presented during the meetings are available here on the district website.

If you would like to email the ICOC, they can be reached at [email protected]

INDEPENDENT CITIZENS’ OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE

All Meetings are held at the District Office, 1015 Seventh Street, Novato, CA 94945

2025-26 Meeting Dates – February 24, 2026, March 19, 2026, and April 30, 2026