Abbey For Novato
Great schools for all of Novato’s kids.
Re-Elect Abbey Picus
Four years of experience.
When I first ran for school board, I knew there was a lot to learn. Four years later, I understand far more about how our district works, where our schools are strongest, and where the challenges are most serious.
Great schools, real challenges.
Novato has incredible educators, strong programs, and schools worth being proud of. We also face difficult decisions around curriculum, inclusion, student support, staffing, and a budget that requires careful choices.
This work is personal.
With three kids of my own in NUSD schools, as a teacher, and as a longtime Novato community member, these decisions are never abstract to me. They affect the students, families, and educators I know and care about every day.
Showing up matters.
I meet with parents, listen to teachers, hear from students, study the issues, and do the work required before casting a vote. I want to know where things are working well, where families are struggling, and where we need to make changes.
I’m here to keep doing the work for Novato’s students and schools.
The Issues
Financial Stability:
California’s public school funding structure is broken. Rising operating costs, the impact of Prop 13 on property taxes, and declining enrollment across California have created serious financial pressures for NUSD. As a trustee, I have approved close to $10 million in cuts over the past four years, but the funding available to our schools remains inadequate. With the loss of Measure G last June, NUSD is facing an additional $6.5 million in cuts for the 2027–28 school year. My experience as a trustee, a classroom teacher, and a parent of NUSD students gives me a deep understanding of these challenges and how to help our district not just fail, but thrive.
Equity & Inclusion:
Novato’s diverse community is one of our greatest assets, and it is our job as a district to make sure every student has what they need to succeed. I have been a fierce advocate for equitable access to curriculum, for curriculum that reflects the diversity of our community, for fair and unbiased disciplinary practices, and for school experiences that are safe and inclusive. I am especially proud of the new inclusive play structures at our elementary schools and the intervention and support strategies helping improve outcomes for multilingual learners.
Academic Rigor & Specialty Programs:
NUSD’s schools offer exceptional academic curriculum and specialty programs. Programs like Dual Immersion at Lynwood Elementary, STEM at San Marin, and MSA at Novato High are part of what makes NUSD unique and a gem in our community. As a trustee, I have celebrated the teachers and staff who make these programs successful and worked closely with administrators and teachers to support new English Language Arts curriculum, refine our Proficiency Based Education grading practices, and strengthen other academic initiatives.
Wellness:
As a trustee, I am committed to creating schools that support students’ emotional wellness as well as their academic growth. Research confirms what so many of us already know: students cannot learn if they are struggling emotionally. NUSD also operates with fewer counselors and psychologists than many neighboring school districts, which puts additional pressure on the staff responsible for supporting students. I have advocated for stronger wellness and counseling programs, supported Social Emotional Learning in our classrooms, and worked to create healthy, safe school communities for our kids.
