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December 12, 2018

DECEMBER 12, 2018

REDWOOD CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Redwood City, California

APPROVED MINUTES OF BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

December 12, 2018

  1. Call to Order

President McBride called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. at the District Office, Redwood City School District (“RCSD”), 750 Bradford Street, Redwood City.

Present at the meeting: President Dennis McBride, Vice-President Janet Lawson, Alisa MacAvoy, Cecilia I. Márquez, and Superintendent Baker.

Others Present: Linda Montes, Wendy Kelly, Antonio Pérez, Leslie Stafford, Kyle Brumbaugh.

Absent: Trustee María Díaz-Slocum

  1. Welcome

2.1 President McBride welcomed those present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

2.2 Pledge of Allegiance

  1. Changes to the Agenda

Trustee MacAvoy requested to move Action Items 8.2 through 8.11 to Consent.

  1. Approval of Agenda

The board approved the agenda as amended, (MacAvoy, Márquez; 4-0).

  1. Oral Communication

Yesenia Lombera, parent at Mandarin Immersion Program at John Gill School, commented that Principal Rivera is an asset to John Gill. Ms. Lombera commented that Ms. Rivera is able to manage two critical programs and has also hired great teachers. Ms. Lombera added that Ms. Rivera has been a great support system for nervous parents and has been sensitive and understanding to families’ needs. Furthermore, Ms. Lombera added that Ms. Rivera leads a dynamic and thriving community, which permits teachers and students to believe in themselves. Ms. Lombera added that she served in the Superintendent’s Advisory Committee and commented that none of the decisions made for the future of the Redwood City School District were made lightly. Ms. Lombera reiterated that the positive note of the resizing plan is to invest more in the programs that are thriving. Ms. Lombera encouraged the School Board to support the two programs at John Gill School, under Principal Rivera’s leadership.

Bret Baird, P.E. Teacher at Kennedy Middle School, addressed the School Board by stating that he would like to meet with administrators to determine if he is doing something wrong to show him how things need to be done. Mr. Baird commented that students are great and so are their families; however, he feels that other teachers also need to reach out to their families.

Hester Chen, parent at Mandarin Immersion Program at John Gill expressed her support for Principal Rivera’s leadership. Ms. Chan commented that Principal Rivera has done a great job running two programs and hiring some of the best teachers out there. Ms. Chen also mentioned that Principal Rivera highly encourages parent participation. Ms. Chen expressed that there are numerous families interested in the Mandarin Immersion Program at John Gill.

Diana Fu, parent at Mandarin Immersion Program at John Gill, thanked the School Board, Superintendent Baker, and Dr. Linda Montes for helping the program grow. Ms. Fu commented that Principal Rivera has been instrumental in the development and growth of the Mandarin Immersion Program at John Gill. Ms. Fu stated that many families come to the Mandarin Immersion Program from other schools within the Redwood City School District, private schools and neighboring districts. Ms. Fu added that she, as well as the rest of the John Gill and Mandarin Immersion Program are excited to welcome the Orion Community. Ms. Fu stated that despite of its gains, John Gill needs a lot of support to adjust to the changes. Ms. Fu commented that Principal Rivera is great at making sure that all teachers obtain the resources they need to teach successfully. Ms. Fu expressed that Principal Rivera is an excellent leader and an asset to the John Gill community.

Mariaelena Gaona, teacher at Fair Oaks School, expressed that she attended the board meeting because she felt that her students are in danger. Ms. Gaona commented that a parent attended the last board meeting and commented on an incident that occurred involving her son who was diagnosed with diabetes. Ms. Gaona expressed that the student’s sugar level dropped. In addition, Ms. Gaona commented that another student received an electric shock using a Chromebook. Ms. Gaona commented that the student fell to the floor and once the student recovered, he was sent to the office. Ms. Gaona expressed that at 2:30pm, the office had not yet contacted the student’s family. Ms. Gaona was told that she could not contact the student’s parents. Ms. Gaona expressed that confidentiality puts students in danger. Ms. Gaona asked why is it that staff waits so long to contact parents? Ms. Gaona urged the School Board to do something before a students gets injured.

Paul Zugnoni, parent at Mandarin Immersion Program at John Gill School, addressed the School Board by stating that as a San Carlos resident, he was at first skeptical about making the decision to place his son in the Mandarin Immersion Program. Mr. Zugononi further explained that after touring the campus with Principal Rivera, it was clear to him how much Principal Rivera embraces the program. Mr. Zugnoni added that the students’ emotional health is a top priority for Principal Rivera and students are noticeably happy. Mr. Zugnoni’s wife, Ms. Zugnoni added that she was thrilled to see her son being featured in the promotional video for the Mandarin Immersion Program and seeing that her son looked genuinely happy in the video.

  1. School/Community Reports

6.1 Bond Program Update

Will Robertson, Project Manager, addressed the School Board with a bond program update.

6.2 Public Report, 2017-18 Annual Developer Fee Report

Chief Business Official Aquino-Dichoso commented that on July 1, 2017, the Redwood City School District started the fiscal year with a fund balance of $8,767,763. In addition, the Redwood City School District closed the 2017-18 fiscal year with $10,086,959 in ending fund balance.

6.3 Citizens’ Measure U Oversight Committee Year One Report for 2017-2018

Don Gibson, Measure U Oversight Committee member addressed the School Board with the Committee’s comments regarding the Year One Report for 2017-2018.

Mr. Gibson commented that the report has been fully reviewed by parents, community members and business owners and everything in the report seems to be in order. Mr. Gibson expressed that when reviewing the report, members of the committee made sure that the funds were spent according to the ballot language.

All board members thanked members of the Measure U Oversight Committee for meeting and thoroughly reviewing the report.

6.4 California School Dashboard

Dr. Linda Montes addressed the School Board with a Power Point presentation on the California School Dashboard.

Dr. Montes stated that the California School Dashboard shows how each district and school are performing on the state and local indicators included in the California school accountability system. Dr. Montes reiterated that there are new color-coded gauges as an easy reference to performance indicators. Green is the target, red and orange means there is work that needs to be done.

6.5 Review of Evaluations of Actions and Services for Single Plan for Student Achievement 2018-2019

Dr. Linda Montes commented that she had an opportunity to review the Single Plan for Student Achievement with principals to assure that the Title I funds are being spent according to the guidelines.

School Board members thanked Dr. Montes for all her work on the SPSAs.

  1. Consent Items

The board approved the Consent Items (Márquez/Lawson; 4-0), taking the following action:

Consent Items (Action Required)

**** Note: Trustee MacAvoy requested that Action Items 8.2 through 8.11 be moved to Consent.

7.1 Recommendation re: Ratification of Warrant Register, November 1, 2018-November 30, 2018

7.2 Recommendation re: Approval of MOU with United Through Education Program

7.3 Recommendation re: Approval of Additional Vendor to be Included with Non-Public School (“NPS”)/Non-Public Agency (“NPA”) Master Contract

7.4 Recommendation re: Approval of NPS/NPA Contracts

8.2 Recommendation re: Nominations for 2019 CSBA Delegate Assembly

8.3 Recommendation re: Approval of Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger Customer Acceptance Agreement with PG&E for 6 Sites

8.4 Recommendation re: Approval of Hoover School Topographic Construction Staking Add Service with Kier and Wright

8.5 Recommendation re: Approval of Orion School Modernization Scope Reduction and Cost Estimates

8.6 Recommendation re: Approval of Roy Cloud School Topographic Title Report Add Service with Kier and Wright

8.7 Recommendation re: Approval of Reclassification of Classified Employees

8.8 Recommendation re: Approval of Board Policy and Administrative Regulations 5116.1 – Intradistrict Open Enrollment

8.9 Recommendation re: Approval of Board Policy and Administrative Regulations 5131.2 – Bullying

8.10 Recommendation re: Second Discussion and Approval of Board Policy and Administrative Regulations 5157 – Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer+ (LGBTQ+)

8.11 Recommendation re: Approval of Increase of TK-8th Grade Teacher Substitute Rate

President McBride (Ayes)

Vice-President Lawson (Ayes)

Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Díaz-Slocum (Absent)

Trustee Márquez (Ayes)

 

  1. Action Items

8.1 Recommendation re: Approval of the 2018-2019 First Interim Budget Report for RCSD – attachment The School Board approved 2018-2019 First Interim Budget Report for RCSD (McBride, MacAvoy; 5-0).

President McBride (Ayes)

Vice-President Lawson (Ayes)

Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Díaz-Slocum (Absent)

Trustee Márquez (Ayes)

  1. Board and Superintendent Reports

9.1 Report from Board Members and Superintendent

Trustee Márquez reported that she met with CBO Aquino-Dichoso to review RCSD’s First Interim Report.

Trustee Díaz-Slocum was absent, no report.

Trustee MacAvoy reported attending the RWC2020 President’s AdHoc Breakfast Committee meeting.

Trustee Lawson reported attending a Wellness Committee meeting with Trustee MacAvoy to review RCSD policies. Trustee Lawson thanked all Cabinet members for organizing the Holiday Breakfast.

President McBride reported attending the Bond Program Meeting and discussed the fire hydrant issue at John Gill and the construction at Kennedy Middle School. Furthermore, President McBride reported meeting with both Trustee Díaz-Slocum and CBO Aquino-Dichoso to review and discuss the First Interim Budget Report.

Superintendent Baker reported that staff has started working diligently on the transition piece. Superintendent Baker thanked Executive Director of Educational Services Linda Montes, Director of Communications Jorge Quintana, Director of Community Schools Pati Ortiz, and Director of Assessments and Student Services Antonio Pérez and Martha Ochoa for meeting and assisting parents with answering questions. Superintendent Baker expressed that many families are nervous and concerned about the upcoming changes. Superintendent Baker stated that there have been meetings with parents at Selby Lane, Hawes, John Gill, and Fair Oaks and commented that the meetings have had a positive outcome. Superintendent commented that every student that is in need of a new placement would be placed by the time we start winter break.

In response to Superintendent Baker’s board report, Trustee MacAvoy asked if families have had an opportunity to apply for their first school choice.

In response to Trustee MacAvoy’s question, Superintendent Baker commented that families have been able to apply for their first choice and have also had the opportunity to add two additional choices.

  1. Information

10.1 Receive Charter School Petition (KIPP Excelencia Charter School)

Superintendent Baker commented that he would meet with both Dr. Linda Montes and Wendy Kelly to discuss the logistics of KIPP’s presentation to the School Board in January 2019.

10.2 2018-19 First Interim Budget Report for Connect Community Charter School

10.3 2018-19 First Interim Budget Report for KIPP Excelencia College Preparatory

10.4 2018-19 First Interim Budget Report for Rocketship

Chief Business Official Aquino-Dichoso commented on Information Items 10.2 through 10.4 and expressed that she reviewed the budget reports for outstanding errors. CBO Aquino-Dichoso stated that Rocketship’s interim budget report had a few inconsistencies and number errors. CBO Aquino-Dichoso mentioned that Rocketship has been made aware of RCSD’s findings.

10.5 Contract Update Information and Credit Card Summary

There were no comments or questions from the School Board and Superintendent Baker.

  1. Correspondence

Trustee McBride reported receiving a few emails from parents at Orion School and John Gill School.

  1. Other Business/Suggested Items for Future Agenda

Trustee MacAvoy requested that future agenda items pertaining to updates on cafeteria work, 7-11 committee meetings, and a study session on Dashboard and Assessment be agendized for future board meetings.

  1. Board Agenda Calendar

17.1 Changes to the Board Agenda Schedule

Superintendent Baker commented that he would like to add a Closed Session meeting for the week of December 17, 2018.

  1. Adjournment (Action Required)

The board adjourned the meeting at 9:35 p.m. (Lawson/MacAvoy; 4-0).

Alisa MacAvoy, Clerk