Novato Unified, Neighborhood Group Settle Stadium Lights Dispute

NOVATO, CA — The ongoing dispute between a local school district and a neighborhood group over stadium lights is over.

The Novato Unified School District earlier this month settled a legal dispute with a neighborhood group over the use of stadium lights at San Marin High School.

The "Coalition to Save San Marin High School” (CSSM) launched a Change.org petition in which it argued the use of the lighting system for games and practices would impact the quality of life residents of the northwest Novato neighborhood enjoy.

"This will totally alter the character of Northwest Novato. If San Marin H.S. gets lights, Novato H.S. will demand them too. Neither neighborhood was designed for this kind of evening activity," the petition said.

The school’s lighting system at issue cost $1.6 million to install.

Tony Franceschini, a San Marin football coach and athletics booster spearheaded a fundraising drive that paid for the project, The Marin Independent Journal reported.

The settlement allows San Marin to use the stadium lights and sound system for athletic games and practices once a stipulated judgment is submitted to the Court and a final order is issued and the revised Administrative Regulations (ARs) are adopted by the Board of Trustees.

The adoption of the revised AR’s is expected to occur by the time school starts in August.

“On behalf of the Novato Unified School District, we’re very pleased to reach an agreement with the CSSM,” Board President Ross Millerick said in a statement.

“In the past two months, CSSM has been willing to allow both the football and soccer teams the use of the lights for their senior night and last game.

“San Marin, and NUSD, demonstrated the value we place on our neighbors and the willingness to compromise so all succeed. Both parties demonstrated good faith, good will, trust, and tremendous commitment to a negotiated settlement.”

The neighborhood group’s Mike Joly called the deal a “win-win” for all parties involved.

“The Coalition to Save San Marin wants to thank the NUSD Trustees, Superintendent and counsel as well as CSSM members and counsel for vigorous pursuit of this settlement these last 8 months,” Joly said in a statement.

“This settlement is a win-win for all parties - students, neighbors, parents, the Court, sports boosters, and all in our SMHS and Novato community. The Settlement is a reminder that good people can move through dialogue and action from disagreement to solution based on mutual respect and benefit.”

“All of us must now commit ourselves to make this settlement work for the mutual benefit of our whole San Marin & Novato communities.”