The NUSD office at the corner of Grant Avenue and Seventh Street is the home of the superintendent, the business division, the human resources division and the instruction division. It has several conference rooms and a main public meeting room and serves as home to Novato Public Access Television.

Dr. Jan La Torre-Derby is the superintendent of this district, which oversees the progress of 8,000 students. The district's motto is "Achievement for All ... Our Call to Action." Goals for 2010–2011 included increasing college readiness, improving overall student achievement, addressing fiscal solvency, implementing grants and completing a consolidation study that could result in school closings.

The district, which comprises 16 schools, is supported by a nonprofit called School Fuel, a foundation that started in 2003 to supplement funding for the schools. More than $1 million has been donated and many programs and positions have been saved or restored.

In September 2010, Derby announced that she would retire at the end of the school year. The NUSD Board of Trustees—Maria Aguila, Debbie Butler, Cindi Clinton, Tom Cooper, Derek Knell, Ross Millerick and Shelly Scott—will be charged with hiring Derby's replacement.