October 26, 2022
REDWOOD CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Redwood City, California
APPROVED MINUTES OF BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
October 26, 2022
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
1. Call to Order
President Díaz-Slocum called the Closed Session to order at 6:30 p.m.
Present at the Closed Session Meeting: President María Díaz-Slocum, Vice-President Cecilia I. Márquez; Trustees Janet Lawson, Mike Wells, and Alisa MacAvoy; and Superintendent Baker.
Others present: Peter Ingram, Consultant
2. Oral Communication on Closed Session Items Only
None.
3. Closed Session – 6:30 p.m.
3.1 Conference with Real Property Negotiators (Gov. Code, § 54956.8)
Property: 750 Bradford St, Redwood City, CA 94063
Agency Negotiators: John Baker, Superintendent, Peter Ingram, Consultant and Clarissa Canady, Legal Counsel
Negotiating parties: Redwood City School District and The Sobrato Organization Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment of Property Exchange Agreement
4. Reconvene to Regular Session at Approximately 7:00 p.m.
4.1 Roll Call
4.2 Report out on Closed Session from October 19th, 2022
The School Board met to discuss the Superintendent’s annual evaluation. No action was taken.
4.3 Report out on Closed Session from October 21st, 2022
The School Board received information from staff. No action was taken.
4.4 Report out on Closed Session from October 26th, 2022
The School Board received an update form the consultants. No action was taken.
5. Welcome
President Díaz-Slocum welcomed those present.
Others Present during the Regular Board meeting: Wendy Kelly, Liz Wolfe, Rick Edson, Erin Kekos, Bronia Whipp, Cathy James, Gonzalo Cordova, and others.
6. Changes to the Agenda
Trustee Wells requested to move action items 11.2 and 11.3 to consent.
7. Approval of the Agenda
The board approved the agenda as amended, (Wells, Márquez, 5-0).
8. Oral Communication
None.
9. Discussion Items
9.1 First Reading and Discussion of Board Policy 3320 - Claims and Actions Against the District
9.2 First Reading and Discussion of Board Policy 3516.5 - Emergency Schedules
9.3 First Reading and Discussion of Board Policy 5141 - Health Care and Emergencies
Deputy Superintendent Wendy Kelly reviewed the aforementioned policies and commented on some of the updates that had been made. There were no comments or questions.
10. Consent Items (Action Required)
The School Board approved the Consent Items (Lawson, Wells; 5-0), taking the following action:
10.1 Recommendation re: Approval of Consent Items
10.2 Recommendation re: Approval of October 12th Board Minutes
10.3 Recommendation re: Approval of October 19th Board Minutes
10.4 Recommendation re: Acceptance of Donations
11.2 Recommendation re: Approval of Addendum to 2022-23 Measure U
Application for North Star Academy
11.3 Recommendation re: Approval of Personnel Changes for 2022-2023
Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)
Trustee Wells (Ayes)
Trustee Lawson (Ayes)
Vice-President Márquez (Ayes)
President Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)
11. Action Items
11.1 Recommendation re: Adoption of Resolution 17, Authorizing Electronic Meetings of the Board of Trustees During a State of Emergency Pursuant to Government Code Section 54953(e)
The School Board adopted Resolution 17, authorizing electronic meetings of the Board of Trustees during a state of emergency pursuant to Government Code Section 54953(e) (Márquez, Wells; 5-0).
Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)
Trustee Wells (Ayes)
Trustee Lawson (Ayes)
Vice-President Márquez (Ayes)
President Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)
12. Board and Superintendent Reports
12.1 Report from Board Members and Superintendent
Superintendent Baker reported attending the CSBA dinner and the Redwood City Together in-person meeting. Dr. Baker also had a conversation with Rich Ginn concerning Special Education (SPED) and the costs districts incur. The hope is to be able to speak with Legislature to mitigate the costs or get the state to pay more for SPED. Additionally, Superintendent Baker attended the Administrators Meeting with the School Principals and the Garfield ribbon cutting ceremony.
Trustee Wells reported attending the CSBA dinner and Garfield’s ribbon cutting ceremony. He also met with a few parents from Roosevelt, Kennedy, and Adelante-Selby.
Vice-President Márquez reported attending the Garfield ribbon cutting ceremony. She also attended the Child and Nutrition Services (CNS) committee meeting. She noted the CNS team has made positive noticeable changes to the meals that are served at schools. CBO Rick Edson added another key point worth mentioning are the wellness evaluations being done at the schools which will help gather information on what foods the students are or are not eating.
Trustee Lawson reported briefly attending the RCSD RCTA meeting. She noted Dr. Baker and Wendy Kelly also attended the meeting. Trustee Lawson also attended the Wellness committee meeting with Trustee MacAvoy. Trustee Lawson reported attending the Garfield Ribbon cutting ceremony and the Redwood City Together meeting.
Trustee MacAvoy reported attending the CSBA dinner, as well as a few other meetings that Trustee Lawson and Superintendent Baker had already mentioned. Additionally, Trustee MacAvoy also attended the North Star 25th Anniversary event and the Roy Cloud Community Festival. Trustee MacAvoy also attended a CSBA Safety webinar and learned about additional resources that can be provided by the state if additional assistance is needed. Lastly, Trustee MacAvoy also attended the Chamber Government Relations meeting in which she learned about the emergency ordinance that was just implemented by the city and a chamber networking event.
President Díaz-Slocum reported meeting with Hoover School parents to discuss safety around Hoover school and the proposal of opening a gun shop at Roosevelt Plaza.
13. Information
13.1 Empowered Digital Lead Learners Program Presentation
Assistant Superintendent Liz Wolfe presented Cathy James and Bronia Whipp who have been the technology integration coaches for the past few years. Cathy and Bronia presented their work and what they have been doing in Staff Development to empower teachers. Cathy and Bronia have trained teachers in the use of technology which has now turned into an expanded program in which teachers learn to take charge of their own learning in the same way we want the students to do.
Trustee Wells thanked Bronia and Cathy for presenting the work being done. He mentioned there is a link between student outcomes and professional development. He credited Dr. Baker and the cabinet for its focus on Professional Development in the district.
Trustee MacAvoy also thanked Cathy and Bronia for their work. Trustee MacAvoy shared that the silver lining with Covid is that it pushed the district to look at digital and individualized learning. She also expressed that she likes how the district has taken the lead in professional development teacher-to-teacher.
Trustee Lawson echoed the previous comments and thanked Cathy and Bronia for the presentation.
Vice-President Márquez thanked Bronia and Cathy. She expressed appreciation for all Staff Development and all teachers for what they are doing to better support students.
President Díaz-Slocum echoed the previous comments. She also commented that we must remember that one of the most important persons in a child’s life is their teacher, and she has seen how much support Cathy and Bronia have given teachers to make them feel more confident and empowered. She thanked Dr. Baker for making sure there are always funds available to continue supporting teachers.
Dr. Baker commented on the work that had been done back in 2015 and 2016 regarding collaboration, communication, and creative thinking. He praised Bronia and Cathy for sharing their work at the symposium and would like for them to also present their work to other superintendents in neighboring districts. He thanked both of them for all of the work they are doing.
13.2 Recognition of Certificated Employee(s)
President Díaz-Slocum shared with the School Board that Trustee Wells reminded her it was Principal’s Month. She thanked all the principals and vice principals on behalf of the School Board.
Deputy Superintendent Wendy Kelly presented certificates to Bronia and Cathy to recognize their commitment to the RCSD Staff Development department and for seeking better outcomes for both staff and students. Recently Ms. Whipp and Ms. James presented at the STEAM Conference in Anaheim California on their newest program, the Empowered Digital Learners Program.
13.3 Recognition of Classified Employee(s)
Deputy Superintendent Wendy Kelly, along with the School Board and Superintendent Baker recognized the Child Nutrition Services Department (CNS) staff for all of their hard work. Throughout the pandemic, the CNS department worked diligently to ensure RCSD students who were learning from home continued to have access to meals.
Trustee Wells noted that the Superintendent’s Newsletter highlighted a lot of the work the CNS department is doing to provide quality meals to students by using fresh ingredients. He also noted the week of October 17 was National School Lunch Week.
President Díaz-Slocum also echoed the same sentiment. She agrees that the CNS department continues to work very hard despite all the challenges it faced during the pandemic. She thanked the CNS department for all of their work.
13.4 Contract Update Information and Credit Card Summary
No questions or comments.
13.5 Redwood City School District Review of Connect Community Charter School's Unaudited Actuals for Fiscal Year 2021-22
President Díaz-Slocum commented she received a letter from the San Mateo County Office of Education regarding the unaudited actuals for the three charter schools that will be shared with the other Trustees.
13.6 Redwood City School District Review of KIPP's Unaudited Actuals for Fiscal Year 2021-22
No questions or comments.
13.7 Redwood City School District Review of Rocketship's Unaudited Actuals for Fiscal Year 2021-22
Trustee Wells thanked CBO Rick and his team for all the work they do in reviewing the charter school’s actuals.
CBO Rick commented Rocketship’s School Board approved the unaudited actuals.
Trustee MacAvoy also thanked Rick and his team for doing this extra work and going above and beyond.
President Díaz-Slocum echoed the same comments. She thanked Rick and his team.
13.8 Arts, Music, and Instructional Materials Discretionary Block Grant Plan
Superintendent Baker explained the money will be received now, and this is not a plan you have to create and get approved. However, if Prop 28 does pass, the school district will receive additional dollars for the Art and Music category. Dr. Baker confirmed they would not be supplanting. The district will be paying close attention to any information on what can be done with the Block Grant dollars.
14. Correspondence
President Díaz-Slocum received the letter from SMC Office of Education.
15. Other Business/Suggested Items for Future Agenda
President Díaz-Slocum requested to review the School Board School assignments and Board Committee assignments.
Superintendent Baker asked President Díaz-Slocum for clarification if she meant to review all of the assignments or just those pertaining to her.
President Díaz-Slocum answered since David Weekly, Trustee Elect, was coming on board he should have the opportunity to discuss with the other board members to see what committees he might be interested on.
Superintendent Baker reminded the School Board about the Orion Alternative Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.
16. Board Meetings Calendar
16.1 Changes to the Board Meetings Schedule
No changes were reported.
17. Adjournment (Action Required)
The Board adjourned the meeting at 8:13 p.m. (Wells, Márquez; 5-0).