Novato Charter School leader resigns under unexplained circumstances

The head of Novato Charter School has resigned after spending several weeks on leave.

Justin Tomola’s resignation took effect on Oct. 16, according to the school. Robin Lee, the charter school board president, confirmed the resignation on Monday but declined to discuss why Tomola left.

Tomola, who was hired at the K-8 school in July 2023, had been on leave since Sept. 23, according to an email the school sent to parents. It said he would “not be accessible by phone or email.”

“The board recognizes people may have questions, but we cannot provide further details at this time,” the email said.

The school has not yet hired a replacement. In the interim, assistant director Aimee Landers and administrator Nikki Lloyd are running the school, according to another email from the board.

“The NCS board is committed to ensuring a smooth transition, and maintaining the high standards of our Distinguished School,” it said.

Tracy Smith, superintendent of the Novato Unified School District, said her district is the authorizing agency for Novato Charter School. However, she said the district does not get involved in its operations, just the finances and Local Control Accountability Plan.

Smith said she trusted the charter school leaders to handle the transition and any questions about Tomola’s departure.

“We have a strong working relationship with Novato Charter and feel confident in their ability to move through these concerns,” Smith said.

According to a profile Tomola published online, he worked at several school posts in the North Bay prior to coming to Novato, mostly in Sonoma County.

His job prior to Novato Charter School was at Live Oak Charter School in Petaluma, where he was executive director from July 2019 to July 2023.

Before that, he had a one-year stint as a principal in the Windsor Unified School District and spent two years as an assistant principal in the Cotati Rohnert Park Unified School District.

Novato Charter School, which is in the Hamilton neighborhood, has 269 students and 31 full-time classroom teachers, according to Lee. Tomola’s annual salary was $144,404, Lee said.

Tomola could not be reached for comment.