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Natomas board approves 2025–26 comprehensive school safety plan with instructional continuity section
Summary
The Natomas Charter District board approved the 2025–26 comprehensive school safety plan after staff added an instructional continuity section required by recent state legislation; board members noted possible later revisions once the California Department of Education issues guidance.
The Natomas Charter District Board of Directors on Tuesday approved the district's 2025–26 comprehensive school safety plan after staff added a new instructional continuity section required by recent legislation.
District staff told the board that the main substantive addition to this year's plan is an instructional continuity plan that outlines steps the district would take if it had to suspend in-person instruction for an extended period. Petra (staff member) said the section lays out “in this many days, we will do this,” as a placeholder based on legislative requirements and that the California Department of Education (CDE) is expected to publish guidance that could prompt future changes.
The board heard several clarifying points during discussion. Staff said the cell-phone policy referenced in the draft had been updated to the version the board previously approved, a number of grammatical and membership updates were made to the site safety teams, and that dress-code language was revised to be more gender-neutral while still including terminology required by state education code. Board members asked about reunification procedures and noted the plan currently lacks a comprehensive reunification section; staff said they plan to expand that element next year after reviewing other districts' longer plans.
Petra told the board that the district must adopt a safety plan by the statutory deadline but that CDE guidance, expected after the March 1 deadline, could require returning the plan for another adoption. "We wanted to make sure we hit the legally required March 1 deadline," Petra said.
Board members asked technical and policy questions. One member pointed out that the template should reference NIMS (National Incident Management System); staff agreed to add the acronym. Another member asked how the district would assess whether apparel or jewelry is gang-related; staff said the district consults with school resource officers and local law enforcement for specific, current indicators.
After discussion, a motion to approve the 2025–26 comprehensive school safety plan passed on a roll call vote. The board did not record any "no" votes in the meeting transcript.
The plan will be posted digitally to district records and may be revised if CDE guidance requires additional components. Staff indicated future work to expand reunification procedures and to harmonize language across staff and student handbooks.
Ending: The board's adoption meets the state deadline while acknowledging the plan may be updated later in response to forthcoming state guidance. The district will provide the revised digital plan to the board and community and pursue additional clarifications on reunification and operational details.
