Dr. Tracy Smith Superintendent

Inconsistent use of available security-related resources and the lack of enforcement of smartphone restrictions contributed to a failure to prevent physical injury of students leading up to, and during, a 2024 fight at Sinaloa Middle school. Response: We have two responses to Finding 1. Partially Disagree with the “inconsistent use of available security-related resources…” The Novato Unified School District has partnered with North Bay Security Group (NBSG) for over 10 years and has maintained a strong working relationship with the Novato Police Department (NPD) since 2017 when NUSD reinstated the School Resource Officer (SRO) program through a partnership with NPD. Since that time, the district, NBSG and NPD representatives have held regular joint meetings; over the past few years, these meetings have been monthly. School administrators are trained on when, and how, to contact NBSG or the NPD. Decisions are based on NUSD established security procedures, collective expert experience and annual training as it applies to each individual situation. Agree with “the lack of enforcement of smartphone restrictions…” Beginning in June 2024, NUSD created an Electronic Device Committee to review and recommend cell phone guidance for each grade level: elementary, middle and high. The Committee met twice and developed cell phone use guidance that was distributed to all families at the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year. Since the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year, cell phone use at the elementary and middle school levels is non-existent during the school day. Staff have seen a reduction in cell phone use and, through consistent implementation of the cell phone guidance, there has been an 11% decrease in cell phone infractions when compared to the 2023-2024 school year. Anecdotally, staff has also seen an increase in student interactions and socializing. Engage. Inspire. Empower. BOARD OF TRUSTEES: Chandra Alexandre, Debbie Butler, Diane Gasson, Julie Jacobson, Magali Limeta, Greg Mack, Abbey Picus www.NUSD.org June 10, 2025 Page | 3 Novato Unified School District Response to the Marin County Grand Jury Report “Feeling Safe at School – Let’s Get Educated” Adherence to the guidance on cell phone use at the high school level is more complex due to the increased need for academic flexibility, student independence, and the varying expectations across classroom environments. At this age, supporting student agency and autonomy is a careful balance—one that is essential to fostering a developmentally appropriate high school experience. NUSD, in collaboration with high school administrators, is actively working to ensure consistent and effective implementation of the guidance while honoring the unique needs of high school students. At Sinaloa Middle School, site leadership and staff have reinforced efforts to limit cell phone access during instructional time, resulting in a noticeable decrease in distractions. The district continues to assess and enhance safety measures to ensure they are applied consistently and effectively across all campuses, with a focus on preventing incidents and supporting a safe learning environment for all students. While no system is fail proof, the district continues to evaluate and reinforce its safety practices to ensure consistent application and effectiveness across all campuses.

Inconsistent application of the Novato Unified School District’s Discipline Matrix resulted in an initial recommendation for harsher discipline than required for some students involved in a 2024 fight at Sinaloa Middle school. Response: Agree. The Discipline Matrix has been revised to create a more accessible and user-friendly tool, now formatted on a single page, for ease of reference. This updated version has been implemented at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Site administrators were directly involved in reviewing and refining the matrix to ensure clarity and consistency in its application districtwide.

A lack of familiarity with the Novato Unified School District’s Discipline Matrix and other conduct policies among staff of Novato Unified School District’s high schools resulted in the belief by nearly a third of staff that the rules around hurting other people (for example, bullying, hitting, and pushing) are not clear. Response: Agree. The Discipline Matrix has been revised into a more streamlined, one- page format to improve clarity and ease of use. This updated tool has been implemented at all levels—elementary, middle, and high school—and was developed collaboratively with site administrators. To increase staff familiarity and consistency in application, the matrix is regularly reviewed during site leadership and staff meetings. Engage. Inspire. Empower. BOARD OF TRUSTEES: Chandra Alexandre, Debbie Butler, Diane Gasson, Julie Jacobson, Magali Limeta, Greg Mack, Abbey Picus www.NUSD.org June 10, 2025 Page | 4 Novato Unified School District Response to the Marin County Grand Jury Report “Feeling Safe at School – Let’s Get Educated”

The lack of a publicized process by the Novato Unified School District Board of Trustees for follow-up after members of the public comment during Novato Unified School Board of Trustees meetings has resulted in the perception that these comments are not considered. Response: Agree. Beginning in January 2025, the Novato Unified School District Board of Trustees implemented formal Board Meeting Protocols to strengthen public engagement and follow-up. At each Board meeting, the Board President now reads a statement outlining the process for addressing public comments including that the Superintendent and staff respond to each individual who makes a public comment via email within 48 hours. These steps have been put in place to ensure that community input is acknowledged, considered, and documented. Beginning with the May 20, 2025, board meeting, the Public Comment section of the Agenda reads, “The Board shall take no action or discussion on any item not appearing on the posted agenda, except as allowed by law (Education Code 35145.5, Government Code 54954.2). The Superintendent and staff will respond to speakers within 48 hours.”