Natomas Unified Settled Discrimination Case

The school district agreed to a two-year reform plan following an investigation into its disciplinary practices.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Special Education

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a school facade silhouette, evoking institutional accountability and policy reform. — The California Department of Justice settled a discrimination case with Natomas Unified School District, mandating a two-year disciplinary reform and training plan. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The California Department of Justice settled a discrimination case with the Natomas Unified School District regarding disproportionate disciplinary actions. The district will now implement a two-year remediation and staff training plan to address these findings.

Why it matters

The settlement addresses findings that students of color and those with disabilities faced disproportionate rates of discipline. By reaching an agreement, the district aims to avoid the costs of potential litigation while revising its internal policies.

Black students were nearly four times more likely to be suspended or expelled than their white peers between 2018 and 2024. Additionally, students with disabilities represented 14% of the population but faced 25% of all disciplinary incidents.

The players

California Department of Justice

This is the state government agency responsible for enforcing civil rights laws and protecting students from discrimination in educational environments.

Natomas Unified School District

This is a public school district serving students in Sacramento that has agreed to a two-year remediation plan following state oversight.

Sacramento City Unified School District

This is a neighboring school district that previously entered into a similar discrimination settlement with state authorities in 2023.

The details

Investigators found violations of student privacy laws and noted the improper use of suspensions for willful defiance. While the Natomas Unified School District denied wrongdoing, it has committed to providing regular progress reports to the attorney general and discussing policy changes at annual back-to-school nights.

Discipline data for the investigation was analyzed from 2018 to 2024.
A similar settlement was reached by Sacramento City Unified in 2023.
The attorney general's investigation concluded in September 2025.
The Natomas Unified settlement was announced in October 2026.

Culture Shift

This settlement follows the pattern set by the 2023 Sacramento City Unified School District discrimination settlement, highlighting a trend of increased state-level oversight in local school discipline. These actions reflect a broader shift toward greater accountability for equity in public school administration.

Parents and students can expect changes to school disciplinary procedures and new training requirements for staff over the next two years. Families may see these updates discussed directly during upcoming annual back-to-school nights.

The takeaway

Schools must ensure that discipline is applied equitably to avoid state intervention and legal costs. Parents should review their district's student conduct handbooks to understand their rights regarding suspension policies and privacy protections.