Novato Unified School District Superintendent's Weekly Update - January 22, 2021

Novato CA

23 January, 2021

2:09 PM

Description

Press release from the Novato Unified School District: January 22, 2021 Dear NUSD Family, A special thanks to each of you for taking some time to read this letter. I know we share a lot of information each week and I appreciate the time you commit to it. Topics included in today's update are: Vaccination Update 7-11 Committee Process and Update YouthTruth Survey Virtual Learning Academy newsletters Vaccination Update January 17 was a very exciting day as we took a huge first step towards getting our employees vaccinated. Marin County Educators have been divided into four priority levels to receive vaccinations. This prioritization process was completed at the County level. The priorities are: Priority I: All food service workers; employees providing in-person instruction and services in the Special Day Class including teachers and paraprofessionals/1:1 aides; bus drivers; custodial staff working in person; employees over 65 years of age Priority II: All other employees working in-person Priority III: All other employees working remotely/distance learning Priority IV: Trustees and all other ancillary personnel The vast majority of our Priority I employees were vaccinated on Sunday, January 17. Others who were unable to schedule an appointment on Sunday or who were unable to make their appointments have been given additional dates to receive vaccinations this week. We do not, yet, have any additional information on when Marin County will be in a position to vaccinate interested Priority II employees, but we will support these employees by communicating information about dates and times as soon as we have additional information. 7-11 Committee Process and Update We appreciate the fifty plus community members who expressed an interest in being a member of the NUSD 7-11 Committee. Narrowing our recommendation down to 11 members and 4 alternates who met the legally mandated requirements was exceedingly difficult. Our recommendation will be brought to the Board on January 26. Once the committee members are approved, the committee will meet from February to May to make critical recommendations to the Board. To everyone who submitted their name for this important committee, thank you! In summary, the 7-11 Committee will make a formal recommendation to the Board of Trustees around small school closures/consolidations, possible uses for the property if any schools are closed, and potentially possible uses of other District properties. We are committed to both inclusion and transparency in this process. To that end, the committee's proceedings and deliberations will be open to the public and all minutes and recordings will be published on our district website. Over the past several years, we have made significant budget reductions due to declining student enrollment and the declining revenues which come with that. We have also explored school closure. This committee's important work aligns with each of our district goals, but specifically our goal of fiscal responsibility. Our ability to meet our educational promise to NUSD students is dependent on our long-term financial stability. Our 7-11 Committee will work collaboratively and proactively to understand the overall impact of small schools, underutilized facilities and unused facilities on the district's budget and examine potential solutions. It is anticipated that the committee will make at least one recommendation to the NUSD School Board in May 2021. If they recommend school closure, and if that recommendation is approved by the Board, then school closure would take place one year later, after the 2021-2022 school year. This will give us more than a year to thoughtfully implement the plan. You can find additional information on the 7-11 Committee here. YouthTruth Survey Thanks to the generosity of the Marin Community Foundation and the Peter E. Haas, Jr. Family Fund, NUSD has given the YouthTruth Survey to students in grades 3-12, families and staff for the past three years. The survey results are shared and reviewed by all school site councils, district staff, the Board of Trustees and are available to staff and families. This year the YouthTruth Survey will launch on Monday, January 25, and will close on Friday, February 12. Given everything that this past year has brought us, it's important we hear from our community and one way is through this survey. Students and staff will have the opportunity to participate during a class time or staff meeting. Families will receive information and a link to the survey beginning on January 25. I encourage everyone to share their voice through this survey Virtual Learning Academy Newsletters Here are links to the Virtual Learning Academy newsletters: Elementary – January 21, 2021 Middle School – January 21, 2021 The daily decisions and sacrifices many Marin County residents are making are beginning to show in our County's Covid data which can be seen here. While we have a ways to go, we are heading in the right direction. Sincerely, Kris Cosca This press release was produced by the Novato Unified School District. The views expressed here are the author's own.