We are respectfully asking the administration and school board to reconsider the new Drop-Off & Pick-Up Access Policy, which restricts parent presence and student access points. This increases student risks, harms transparency, trust, and the school community.

Below is our open letter to the school district and board of trustees:

Subject: Parent Concern Regarding Drop-Off & Pick-Up Access Policy

To: Natomas Unified School District and Board of Trustees

We, the undersigned parents and guardians of students in the Natomas Unified School District, are concerned about the recent change that prohibits parents from being on campus during drop-off and pick-up.

While we value and prioritize student safety, current research does not show that restricting parent and visitor access to school campuses improves safety outcomes. The Learning Policy Institute’s review of national school safety evidence found no studies demonstrating that measures such as controlled entry and visitor badging increase safety (Learning Policy Institute, 2023). Peer-reviewed research also indicates that adding more visible security measures often correlates with lower perceptions of safety among students and parents, which can harm reporting and trust (Kupchik & Ward, 2020).

When parents are present before and after school—especially when large numbers of students are on the blacktop—it increases adult supervision, awareness, and intervention when needed. Parents care deeply about the safety of their children and often step in to address unsafe situations. Removing this presence takes away an important layer of protection.

The CDC identifies school connectedness—the feeling that students are supported and cared for by their school community—as one of the strongest protective factors against violence, bullying, and victimization (CDC, 2023). Limiting family presence risks weakening that connection. Experts at RAND and the University at Buffalo also emphasize that there is little to no evidence that “hardening” measures alone reduce violence, and that effective safety strategies focus on relationships, communication, and a welcoming climate rather than exclusionary policies (RAND, 2021; Schreck et al., 2020).

Restricting parent access during drop-off and pick-up diminishes daily connections between families and the school environment, which research shows improves academic performance, behavior, and attendance. A 2023 meta-analysis by the American Psychological Association—reviewing 448 studies—found that students perform better when parents are visibly involved at school, including being welcomed to visit the campus and interact with teachers.

We have not been able to locate any formal, board-approved written policy authorizing this change in the district’s posted policies, administrative regulations, or other public documents. Families should have the opportunity to review such a policy, understand its reasoning, and know what safety concerns prompted it. We also request clarification on whether less restrictive measures were considered before implementing this blanket restriction.

Despite repeated requests for an explanation, the administration has only been able to provide vague or inconsistent reasons for implementing this policy, without citing specific incidents or data that justify such a sweeping change. This lack of transparency leaves many families feeling that the decision may be more about pushing parents away from campus life than genuinely enhancing safety. Such actions risk alienating the very community partners who contribute to a positive, safe, and supportive school environment.

We respectfully urge the district to reconsider or revise this policy to better balance student safety, accessibility, and parent engagement, and to communicate transparently with families about its rationale.

Sincerely,

Concerned Parents of Natomas Unified School District