Grand jury flags disparities for Black students with disabilities in Natomas
The Sacramento County Grand Jury says the Natomas Unified School District is not adequately serving students with disabilities, with Black students facing disproportionate impacts.
The report, released Tuesday, says the jury found that students with disabilities in the district face high rates of absenteeism and suspensions. The district’s special education suspension rate in 2024-25 was 10.9% — about twice the state average of 5.4%.
Among students with disabilities, Black students were hit harder, with the report saying they were more likely to miss school and face harsher discipline.
“The Grand Jury has found … that African American/Black students tend to receive more severe punishments by suspensions at some Natomas schools,” the report states, while also citing the California Department of Education’s finding that Natomas Unified overidentified Black students as “emotionally disturbed.”
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 “caring people who want the best for their students” despite facing “a daunting challenge educating students and managing caseloads.”
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.
“Neglecting special education requirements carries a high risk of potentially costly legal action against the District,” it says. “School districts that run short of special education funding have limited options since state and federal mandates do not allow them to cancel services.”
The grand jury required the district to formally respond within 90 days. The jury’s recommendations include holding listening sessions with Black families and community leaders, conducting monthly individualized education program audits and updating the district’s special education service plan.
NUSD did not respond to The Sacramento Bee’s request for comment.
Twin Rivers and Sacramento City face similar concerns
Tuesday’s report notes that neighboring districts, especially Twin Rivers and Sacramento City Unified, also struggle with similar issues.
“Two 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,” the report states. The test scores refer to state English and math proficiency rates among special education students.
The report does not include findings and recommendations for the neighboring districts, or the required 90-day response.
