<\/p>\n
A Sacramento County Grand Jury says the Natomas Unified must address higher suspension and absenteeism rates for students with disabilities within 90 days.<\/p>\n
Sacramento Bee file<\/p>\n
The Sacramento County Grand Jury says the Natomas Unified School District is not adequately serving students with disabilities, with Black students facing disproportionate impacts.<\/p>\n
The report, released Tuesday, says the jury found that students with disabilities in the district face high rates of absenteeism and suspensions. The district\u2019s special education suspension rate in 2024-25 was 10.9% \u2014 about twice the state average of 5.4%.<\/p>\n
Among students with disabilities, Black students were hit harder, with the report saying they were more likely to miss school and face harsher discipline.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Grand Jury has found \u2026 that African American\/Black students tend to receive more severe punishments by suspensions at some Natomas schools,\u201d the report states, while also citing the California Department of Education\u2019s finding that Natomas Unified overidentified Black students as \u201cemotionally disturbed.\u201d<\/p>\n
The report, however, says the grand jury did not find evidence that Natomas failed to provide support where it could, describing special education teachers and instructional aides as \u201ccaring people who want the best for their students\u201d despite facing \u201ca daunting challenge educating students and managing caseloads.\u201d<\/p>\n
The report outlines the financial challenges districts face in meeting special education costs, noting that state and federal funding does not cover all expenses and districts often must draw from their general funds to fill the gap.<\/p>\n
\u201cNeglecting special education requirements carries a high risk of potentially costly legal action against the District,\u201d it says. \u201cSchool districts that run short of special education funding have limited options since state and federal mandates do not allow them to cancel services.\u201d<\/p>\n
The grand jury required the district to formally respond within 90 days. The jury\u2019s recommendations include holding listening sessions with Black families and community leaders, conducting monthly individualized education program audits and updating the district\u2019s special education service plan.<\/p>\n
NUSD did not respond to The Sacramento Bee\u2019s request for comment.<\/p>\n
Twin Rivers and Sacramento City face similar concerns<\/p>\n
Tuesday\u2019s report notes that neighboring districts, especially Twin Rivers and Sacramento City Unified, also struggle with similar issues.<\/p>\n
\u201cTwo other districts, Twin Rivers and Sacramento City, seem to struggle as much as Natomas in many areas, such as chronic absenteeism, academic test scores and suspension rates,\u201d the report states. The test scores refer to state English and math proficiency rates among special education students.<\/p>\n
The report does not include findings and recommendations for the neighboring districts, or the required 90-day response.<\/p>\n
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