Financial Update

Novato Unified School District (NUSD) is home to award-winning schools offering education to over 7,200 students in 13 neighborhood schools. Teachers and staff strive to provide an innovative and personalized learning experience for every student in a supportive environment to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful and productive citizens.

Ongoing Budgetary Challenges

Novato Unified School District receives the majority of its funding from the State of California. State budget forecasts, which the district uses to create its annual budget, are unreliable. Over the past three years, the State’s budget allotments have fallen short of what was forecasted, resulting in a $4 million funding gap in the NUSD budget. In addition to state budget cuts, the district is anticipating cuts to federal monies, further expanding the funding gap in its annual budget.

In the past two years, the district has made cuts totaling several million dollars to NUSD program budgets and resulting in the elimination of several staff members. These cuts were a result of expiring COVID funds (one-time monies) and cuts to the general operating fund. Any further cuts to the district’s budget may affect the classrooms and student learning.

Local Funding History in NUSD

For over 30 years, Novato voters have authorized a parcel tax measure for NUSD. This funding has enabled the district to keep highly qualified teachers in classrooms, support key academic programs, and fund the overall quality of District schools.

Most recently, Novato voters approved Measure A in 2023. Measure A currently costs property owners $251 per year and generates approximately $4.1 million annually to the NUSD budget. However, because the amount of the tax has not increased since 2009, the revenue of Measure A has not kept pace with inflation.

On February 25, 2026, the NUSD Board of Education unanimously voted to place Measure G, a local parcel tax measure, on the June 2, 2026 ballot. If passed by two-thirds of voters, Measure G will generate $4 million to fund academic programs. Measure G will cost homeowners $249 per parcel per year for 8 years. Funds from Measure G would be used to:

• Maintain quality academic instruction in core subjects like math, science, reading, and writing
• Attract and retain qualified teachers and counselors
• Support quality teaching in Novato schools

Mandatory Provisions

• All funds raised by Measure G would be controlled locally for NUSD schools only
• No funds could be taken by the State or the federal government
• None of the money could be used for administrators’ salaries
• Measure G requires an independent citizens’ oversight committee, annual audits and reports to the community
• Homeowners over the age of 65 would continue to be eligible for an exemption from the cost of Measure G 

Please contact Leslie Benjamin, Communications Director, at (415) 897-4259 or [email protected] with questions or to provide feedback.