FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NUSD Welcomes New Staff

            (Novato, CA) … The Novato Unified School District Board is welcoming new staff for the 2023-2024 school year.

At the June 6, 2023, Board meeting, the Board of Trustees named Ms. Liz Seabury as Principal at Novato High School beginning on July 1, 2023.  Ms. Seabury is a qualified educator with 28 years of experience, most recently at the Tamalpais Union High School Districtserving as the Senior Director of Inclusion and Intervention.  Prior to this role, she served as Principal at Archie Williams High School for nine years.  During her career, she has served as Principal, Vice Principal, International Baccalaureate Coordinator, Professional Development Trainer, and Teacher.  She received her B.A. from the University of California, Santa Cruz, a Masters in Educational Leadership from California State University, San Jose, and an Educational Doctorate from the University of Southern California.  She is replacing Mark Brewer who left Novato High School earlier this year.

Also at the June 6, 2023, board meeting, Ms. Whitney McEachern was named Principal at San Jose Middle School. Ms. McEachern hasexcelled during her career at San Jose Middle School.  She joined the Novato Unified School District in 2009 and has served as an AVID Excel District Co-Coordinator, English Learner Site Coordinator, Literacy Coach, Instructional Coach, AVID Site Coordinator and Teacher. Most recently, Whitney has been serving as Assistant Principal. She received her B.A. from California State University, Chico, and her Masters in Educational Administration from California State University, San Francisco.  She is replacing Mike Casper who has taken on the role of Coordinator of Extended Learning Opportunities Programs in the district.

In May 2023, the Board of Trustees named Joshua Braff as new Chief Financial Officer beginning on July 1, 2023.  Mr. Braff is currentlythe Associate Superintendent Business Services at the Sonoma Valley Unified School District.  He has also served as the Finance Manager at the Alberta Cooperative Grocery in Portland, Oregon, and a Tax Analyst at Emptech in Torrance, California.  Joshua received a B.S. in Business Administration, Finance, from California State University, Los Angeles and a Masters in Business Administration from Western Governors University.  He is replacing Lois Standring who is leaving NUSD in June 2023.

In March 2023, Julie Synyard was named Executive Director of Secondary Education.  She will also be joining NUSD on July 1, 2023.  Julie has a B.A. from the University of California, San Diego, a Masters from St. Mary’s College in Moraga, and a Doctorate from the University of Southern California. Julie also studied abroad in Padua, Italy.  Julie has been a high school teacher with certification in Social Science and English, served as a high school vice-principal and principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent.  She is replacing Jennifer Larson who was named Principal at San Marin High School.

Also in March 2023, Lauren Menchavez was named Principal at Lynwood Elementary School, a dual languageimmersion school, and will also begin on July 1, 2023.  Lauren has a B.A. from Princeton University and Masters from Alliant International University. She has held various positions that put her excellent Spanish language skills to work to benefit families, staff, and students alike. Lauren has been a Dual Language Immersion (DLI) teacher, coach, academic dean, coordinator, and assistant principal. She has also studied in San Juan, Puerto Rico and Buenos Aires. She is replacing Karolina Gage who is leaving NUSD in June 2023.