Novato Unified School District has laid out a three-step plan to cut $6.5 million from its 2027-28 budget. Chief Financial Officer Joshua Braff presented it to trustees on Oct. 20, the Marin Independent Journal reported.
The timeline
- Trustees will consider the cuts in three phases: Nov. 17, Dec. 1 and Dec. 15.
- If all three pass, the district expects a "positive" budget certification by Dec. 15, the deadline for its first interim report to the Marin County Office of Education. A positive certification means the district can pay its bills and keep reserves above the 3% minimum.
- Staff in affected programs will be told before each phase so they can speak at the meetings.
- Braff said the proposals will include layoffs but did not say which positions. Layoff notices must go out by the state's March 15 deadline.
Why the gap
Measure G, a supplemental parcel tax on the June ballot, got 66.01% yes votes, just short of the two-thirds needed, the IJ reported. It would have added $249 a year to the existing $251 Measure A parcel tax and raised about $4 million a year. The district says it has already paused hiring for vacant non-essential positions, found one-time savings, and begun a cost-benefit review of its specialized programs.
The district is still deciding whether to try again. The filing deadline for the next ballot, March 2, is Dec. 1.