Aaron Gildengorin

The School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA) for Lynwood Elementary School outlines a strategic roadmap to increase student achievement by maximizing resources and aligning with Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) and Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requirements. Key strategic pillars include expanding multi-tiered academic, behavioral, and social-emotional supports with a specific focus on English Learners and Hispanic students; establishing an inclusive, culturally responsive, and safe learning environment to prioritize student well-being and mental health; and fostering a culture of caring, belonging, and inclusivity through meaningful positive student and family engagement.

The board meeting included presentations on reading strategies at Loma Verde Elementary School and a public hearing regarding the sufficiency of instructional materials under the Williams Act. Resolutions were passed to confirm the sufficiency of instructional materials and to approve local assignment notifications for staff. The board reviewed and approved numerous policy updates and administrative regulations across various series including personnel, business, student welfare, and facilities management. Further actions included the ratification of investment reports, the disposal of obsolete equipment, approval of professional service contracts for recruitment and construction inspection, and the acceptance of a grant for the California Community Schools Partnership Program.

The board discussed several key agenda items, including labor negotiations with the Novato Federation of Teachers and the California School Employees Association. Presentations covered data metrics from Lu Sutton Elementary, an ecological advisory report, and updates on the TK-12 Dual Language Immersion program. The board approved notices of layoff for classified personnel at Lynwood Elementary, designated weeks for certificated and classified personnel recognition, and reviewed a new job description for the Student Support Coordinator position. Additionally, the board ratified various memorandums of understanding related to administrative credentialing and vocational technical education, approved painting contracts, and handled facility naming documentation and property disposal.

The committee reviewed and discussed the potential designation of the Meadow Park Annex and San Andreas parcels as surplus property. The discussion included presentations on NUSD enrollment trends and future projections to determine if these properties are required for educational growth. Staff provided analysis on the financial and educational feasibility of maintaining these sites, noting that existing facilities are sufficient for current and projected enrollment needs.

The Board of Education discussed and approved several items, including settlements regarding special education litigation, updates to administrative regulations for instructional series, and a comprehensive budget reduction and stabilization plan. Construction and facility projects were addressed, including roof repairs at Rancho Elementary and HVAC and fire alarm modernizations at Novato High School, as well as kitchen improvement projects at multiple elementary schools. The Board also reviewed and updated various district policies covering school websites, complaint procedures, campus safety, and student security, and authorized the disposal of obsolete assets and textbooks.