Community Cornerstone from Supt. Dr. Tracy Smith - August 10, 2026

Posted Date: 08/10/26 (11:45 AM)

Community Cornerstone

from Superintendent Dr. Tracy Smith

August 10, 2026

Dear NUSD Community,

Our school sites are busy preparing for the return of our students and families. We are beyond excited for the 2026-27 school year. Our first day of school is Thursday, August 20th. See here for the bell schedules for each school site. Over the next week or so, you will be hearing from your site principals offering more detailed protocols and expectations for a safe start to the school year.

Over the summer, our Human Resources department and principals have been busily filling positions for this upcoming school year. We have another set of talented educators and staff joining our district in direct service to our students.

We want to give a shoutout to our facilities and maintenance teams who have been completing key summer projects, supporting summer school programs, and managing larger facility projects. See below for a list of many of the projects that district staff and contractors have been working on throughout the summer to prepare our schools for the 2026–27 school year.

For the last two years, this newsletter has been focused on our highest priority: student safety. This priority continues. Your site principal will be sharing more specifics, but our continued key areas of focus are:

No Cell Phone/Personal Devices on Campuses (except during breaks/passing periods at the high schools)
Anti-Hate Speech Protocols
Parent/Guardian Volunteer Requirements for on-campus participation
Social Media Education and Awareness for students and parents
Understanding and the use of the Discipline Matrix for responding to student behaviors on campuses
Appropriate use of eBikes/eScooters

Our team is also pleased to share our work in regard to the academic program focus areas for this school year. The five main areas of continued focus are listed below. We plan to provide you with key progress points along the way.

Proficiency-Based Education
Mathematics
Early Literacy
Interventions and Supports
English Learners
Technology use in the classrooms and Artificial Intelligence

We are all so excited to have students, staff, and families back on our campuses soon. Thank you for your continued partnership,

Warmly,

Dr. Tracy Smith

Superintendent

NUSD Summer Projects Progress Update. . .

District staff and contractors have been working all summer to prepare our schools for the 2026–27 school year. Key Summer projects include:

Rancho Elementary School: The roofing project is wrapping up and is scheduled for completion by August 13.
Novato High School: HVAC installation in the three remaining campus buildings is scheduled to be completed before school reopens on August 20. Fire alarm upgrade work will continue after hours and is expected to be completed in early January 2027.
San Marin High School: Improvements to the Mini Gym are underway and are scheduled for completion in September.
Loma Verde Elementary School: Installation of a new mini-pitch is included among the summer campus improvements.
Shade Structures: Installation at Olive Elementary and Pleasant Valley Elementary is imminent, including associated paving and drainage work. The remaining shade structure at Lu Sutton Elementary is scheduled for installation later this year.
Playgrounds: Playground surface replacements are planned at Lu Sutton and Olive elementary schools.
Kitchen Modernization: Projects at Olive and San Ramon elementary schools are progressing and are scheduled for completion in early November. Kitchen projects at Rancho and Lu Sutton elementary schools are awaiting state approval, with construction schedules to follow.
Accessibility Improvements: A new main entrance ramp and railing are being completed at San Ramon Elementary to improve campus access. Restroom upgrades are also underway at Loma Verde, Hamilton and San Ramon.
District Office Improvements: The District Office received a significant exterior transformation this summer. Damaged siding was repaired, and the building was repainted through an in-house effort led entirely by Maintenance team member Jim Eyler.
Campus Preparation: Grounds maintenance, irrigation repairs, tree work and general campus cleanup are taking place throughout the District.
Custodial Work: Classrooms, offices, restrooms and common areas are receiving deep cleaning and preparation for the return of students and staff.
Transportation: School buses and support vehicles are being inspected and prepared, while transportation routes are being finalized for the new school year.

San Marin High Project

Improvements to the San Marin Mini Gym will be completed in September.

Loma Verde Project

Installation of a new mini-pitch (enclosed sports usage area) at Lomo Verde Elementary.