Novato Unified Schools Closed Friday Due To North Bay Wildfires

NOVATO, CA – All Novato Unified School District schools and the district office will be closed Friday due to the impacts of the North Bay wildfires on staff members and the unhealthy air quality, district officials said.

All public schools in Marin County are reporting they will be closed. Additionally, Marin County Athletic League has canceled all sporting events for the weekend, including Novato High School's homecoming activities.

<< Related: North Bay Wildfires Close Schools In Marin County >>

More than 200 Novato Unified staff members live in the areas impacted by the wildfires.

Also See: California Wildfires Are Causing Problems Well Beyond The Fires' Edge

"The loss of life and property is devastating, and we currently have many staff members in danger of being evacuated from their homes, including many of our staff members who live in Petaluma and were recently advised that they should prepare for possible evacuation," Superintendent Jim Hogeboom said in a statement posted on the district's website.

A number of Novato teachers and staff members are unable to work Friday because of personal health or safety related issues, Hogeboom said. Over the past week, the district's substitute teacher pool has also decreased as substitutes were affected by the wildfires.

"We will not be able to provide coverage for many of our classrooms," Hogeboom said.

<< Novato Prepared To Open Shelters For Wildfire Evacuees >>

Classes have also been canceled in case the district is asked to provide space for a shelter, Hogeboom said.

"We will keep a skeleton crew here at the district office tomorrow to monitor the situation, but otherwise the entire district will be closed," he said.

Classes are expected to resume on Monday.

Also see:

• Northern California Wildfire Latest: Death Toll Climbs, Acres Burn
• Red Flag Warning, Wind Advisory Issued For North Bay
• Wildfires Cause 'Unprecedented Levels' Of Air Pollution In Bay Area
• SMART Continues Free Train Service Through Sunday

Photo: The sun shines through smoke and haze from wildfires over Santa Rosa, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017. Photo by Jeff Chiu/Associated Press