This framework includes development of a governance handbook, a set of annual board priorities directly aligned to the priorities of the district and the superintendent’s annual performance evaluation, a strong set of board policies and regulations, and a shared set of operational and behavioral norms.
“For us, this award is a powerful validation of our core belief that strong governance is central to a school district’s ability to educate children,” said Napa Valley USD Board President Eve Ryser, joined onstage by the rest of the board and Superintendent Rosanna Mucetti. “Our work is built on a foundational governance framework … that keeps our focus singular: our students.”
That focus is emphasized through the district’s three key priorities:
Evidence-based, high-quality TK-12 literacy instruction with an emphasis on early literacy and intervention. The board has created a districtwide focus on literacy for all students, supporting large-scale literacy training for teachers and adopting a variety of curriculum programs to ensure equitable access to a viable, standards-based curriculum across subject areas and grade levels. The board monitors reading achievement levels three times a year using districtwide TK-12 benchmark data during its board meetings.
Innovation and alignment of career readiness. Napa Valley USD developed a career and college readiness framework and built a vertical articulation of career readiness from middle to high school. It is currently developing and implementing bell and master schedules that support flexible, adaptable and sustainable pathway access and completion.
Developing an understanding of where to access student achievement data, its value, and how to utilize it to drive decision-making in student learning. A districtwide system and culture of using student data, based on an aligned, comprehensive assessment system, has been established to identify and break down barriers to student achievement.
These experiences have allowed district leaders to stay focused on student needs amid challenging circumstances, she said.
“We are deeply committed to continuous growth. This dedication to training ensures that even when external pressures rise, our board remains focused on data-driven student-centered decision-making, always ready to advocate with intention for our students at every level,” Ryser explained. “We believe so strongly in prioritizing governance that it is written into our strategic plan. Our commitment to good governance has supported us through some difficult and complex decisions. Every trustee and superintendent in the room today knows that external pressures on our school systems are ever present. Insufficient funding, declining enrollment trends and federal policy overhauls can leave trustees faced with what feel like impossible choices. But when a team has a strong foundation in effective governance, its members are positioned to make difficult decisions and to do hard things.”
For example, declining enrollment has forced the district to close schools, but leaders were able to successfully integrate impacted students and families into other school communities, she said.
Ryser said the district is “extremely fortunate to have such a high functioning and visionary superintendent” in Mucetti, who has worked with the governance team to ensure Napa Valley USD remains financially stable so that the district can be “proactive instead of reactive in an uncertain and sometimes volatile funding environment.
“We are deeply grateful to CSBA for being a steadfast partner through the governance, training and consulting services they provide,” Ryser said. “Our disciplined commitment to strengthening effective governance has enabled us to navigate complex and challenging issues as a unified board. This level of alignment and clarity has allowed us to support our district team in advancing student achievement, expanding opportunities for all students, and delivering on our promise of excellence.”
The honor is part of CSBA’s Golden Awards program, which includes the Golden Bell and Golden Quill awards, and awardees are inducted into the Golden Gavel Hall of Fame. Previous awardees include Encinitas Union School District (2022), Visalia USD (2023) and Buena Park Elementary School District (2024). Governance teams were judged on their ability to focus on learning and achievement for all students, communicate a common vision, govern effectively, apply an equity lens to guide decision-making, and commit to ongoing training to be an informed and effective team.