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January 16, 2019

JANUARY 16, 2019

REDWOOD CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Redwood City, California

APPROVED MINUTES OF BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

January 16, 2019

  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 McBride, Vice-President Janet Lawson, Alisa MacAvoy, María Díaz-Slocum, Cecilia I. Márquez and Superintendent Baker.

Others Present: Linda Montes, Wendy Kelly, Antonio Pérez, Leslie Stafford, Nathan Edelman, Larry Broussard, Richard Porter, Lupe Zarazua, Richard Imperiale, Margarita Hernández, María Martínez, Kim Levelo, Whitney Wood, Sheila Valles, Tanaya Mills, Chipol Sahai, Lisa Wasalooski, Kate Varges, Julie Tao, Stacey Ciraulo, and Karen Bettencourt.

  1. Welcome

2.1 Welcome

2.2 Pledge of Allegiance

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

  1. Changes to the Agenda

Trustee MacAvoy requested to move Action Items 10.1 and 10.2 to Consent.

President McBride requested to move Information Items 12.1 and 12.2 to follow Item 4, Approval of Agenda.

  1. Approval of Agenda

The board approved the agenda as submitted, (Díaz- Slocum, MacAvoy; 5-0).

**Note: Per President McBride, Information Items 12.1 and 12.2 were moved to after the Approval of Agenda.

12.1 Information on Financial Audit Report for RCSD for 2017-18 School Year

12.2 Information on Redwood City School District GASB 75 Valuation

Nathan Edelman, CPA and partner at Vavrinek, Trine, Day & Co., addressed the School Board and Superintendent Baker by commenting that RCSD’s financial statement is clean and accurate. Mr. Edelman added that the ADA has significantly declined; nonetheless, the fund balance has remained healthy.

President McBride thanked Mr. Edelman on behalf of the School Board and Superintendent Baker for his presentation.

  1. Oral Communication

None.

  1. Community/Staff Recognition

6.1 Recognition of Hoover Community School

President McBride, School Board and Superintendent Baker recognized Larry Broussard, Richard Porter, Lupe Zarazua, Richard Imperiale, Margarita Hernández, María Martínez, and María Lourdes Tinoco for their tremendous hard work, leadership, and support of Hoover Community School.

President McBride, the entire School Board, and Superintendent Baker presented Larry Broussard, Richard Porter, Lupe Zarazua, Richard Imperiale, Margarita Hernández, María Martínez, and María Lourdes Tinoco with a Certificate of Recognition for their countless hours of support and dedication to Hoover Community School.

  1. School/Community Reports

7.1 Bond Program Update

The Bond Program update was rescheduled for the February 6th board meeting.

7.2 Hoover School Report

Principal Ramiro Carranza and Assistant Principal Lupe Guzmán updated the School Board on Hoover’s programs and activities. Principal Carranza and Assistant Principal Guzmán presented the School Board with a Power Point presentation that demonstrated Hoover’s SEAL Program, technology integration, literacy, math, reading, extracurricular activities, physical education, enrichment and parent engagement.

Principal Carranza and Assistant Principal Guzmán thanked their staff, teachers, students and parents for supporting Hoover Community School.

School Board Trustees and Superintendent Baker expressed their utmost thanks to Principal Carranza, Assistant Principal Guzmán, teachers, staff, students and parents at Hoover Community School for all their hard work and dedication.

  1. Discussion Items

8.1 Discussion re: Placement of Orion School at John Gill School

Superintendent Baker opened the discussion about the placement of Orion School at John Gill School by stating that a letter was being drafted regarding the Orion School. Superintendent Baker commented that the Orion School community was adamant about preserving their alternative status, in addition to their parent participation model.

Superintendent Baker added that there would be new language surrounding the parent participation model expectation. Superintendent Baker commented that legal counsel is providing advice on this matter. Superintendent Baker stated that Orion School has demonstrated their commitment to preserve their alternative education code and has also sought the advice of legal counsel on the matter.

Superintendent Baker further expressed that administration is also working diligently with both CSEA and RCTA unions to ensure that all transitions occur accordingly.

Furthermore, Superintendent Baker commented that he has read emails and letters diligently and the announcement of the leadership at Orion/John Gill would be made on Friday, January 18th.

Trustee MacAvoy asked the Superintendent about the name of the school and if Orion School was going to preserve their name or if they would move forward in changing the name of the school?

In response to Trustee MacAvoy’s question, Superintendent Baker replied that if Orion School chooses to change their name, they would have to come forth at a School Board meeting to present it as an action item.

Trustee MacAvoy thanked everyone for being so engaged during the process and added that she loves the program model of Orion School and her, as well as the School Board, are committed to working collaboratively to assure a smooth transition.

Trustee Díaz-Slocum recommended that administration preserve a record of Orion School’s transition to John Gill School for the School District’s records.

Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Wendy Kelly commented that she spoke to a few Orion School parents and teachers. Assistant Superintendent Kelly added that Assistant Superintendent Linda Montes would spearhead a few trainings to assure a smooth transition for teachers and staff.

President McBride stated that he has received numerous emails about office staff and asked Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Wendy Kelly what was the process like for them?

In response to President McBride’s question, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Wendy Kelly replied that the timeline for Certificated Staff was slightly different from the Teacher’s Union. Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Wendy Kelly commented that there are bumping rights involved also, which makes the process a bit more challenging.

Oral Communication on Discussion Item: Placement of Orion School at John Gill School

Kim Levelo, parent at Orion School, left the meeting.

Whitney Wood, parent at Orion School, thanked the School Board and Superintendent Baker for all the work that has been put into the placement of Orion School at John Gill School. Ms. Wood reiterated that the process has been reassuring and there has been an extensive discussion about Orion School moving to John Gill School. Ms. Wood expressed her gratitude and thanked the School Board and Superintendent Baker one more time.

Sheila Valles, parent at Orion School, stated that her husband attended many of the board meetings and commented that both are very inspired about the alternative status of the school. Ms. Valles thanked the School Board and Superintendent Baker for their hard work.

Tanaya Mills, parent at Orion School, commented that Orion School is a great place for students and Orion would not be the same without its teachers, staff and administration.

Chipol Sahai, parent at Orion School, commented that he and his wife have been extremely involved at Orion and added that Principal Guaspari has been great!

Lisa Wasalooski, parent at Orion School, commented that if Orion School does not have a leader that understands the parent participation model, it would make it extremely difficult for Orion School to become successful in the future.

Kate Varges, parent at Orion School, thanked the School Board and Superintendent Baker for the countless hours of work. Ms. Verges commented that all Orion parents would like for the parent participation model to thrive. Ms. Verges added that she is thankful that Principal Guaspari is teaching students about conflict resolution and respect for their peers, teachers, and administrators. Ms. Verges reiterated that Principal Guaspari is a great role model and Orion School is a wonderful place for students to grow and learn.

Julie Tao, parent at Orion School, thanked the School Board and Superintendent Baker for their time and effort and for being available to speak to parents. Ms. Tao asked the School Board and Superintendent Baker how would the School District revisit the conversation with the John Gill School community? Ms. Tao expressed that moving forward, it would be most beneficial if the School Board and Superintendent Baker addressed both the John Gill and Orion communities as one.

Stacey Ciraulo, parent at Orion School, thanked the School Board and Superintendent Baker and expressed her appreciation that things are moving forward. Ms. Ciraulo recommended that moving forward, both John Gill and Orion communities be involved in the discussion of implementation strategies. Ms. Ciraulo added that Principal Guaspari would be an excellent administrator to lead the Orion Alternative Program at John Gill.

Karen Bettencourt, parent at Selby Lane School, thanked the School Board and Superintendent Baker for all their hard work. Ms. Bettencourt commented she had sent a letter of support to Superintendent Baker to keep Principal Warren Sedar as principal at Selby Lane School. Ms. Bettencourt commented that she obtained over 100 signatures in support to keep Principal Sedar at Selby Lane. Ms. Bettencourt further added that Mr. Sedar has been an outstanding leader at Selby Lane School.

Trustee MacAvoy commented that Superintendent Baker would make the principal leadership announcement on Friday, January 18th. Trustee MacAvoy expressed that while some people would be excited about the announcement, others would be disappointed. Trustee MacAvoy commented that the School District has a lot of great leaders and we need to support them. Trustee MacAvoy reiterated that she was confident the love for RCSD schools would continue.

  1. Consent Items

**Note: Trustee MacAvoy requested that Action Items 10.1 and 10.2 be moved to Consent.

The board approved the Consent Items (Díaz-Slocum/Lawson; 5-0), taking the following action:

9.1 Recommendation re: Replacement of Child Nutrition Services Equipment – attachment

9.2 Recommendation re: Approval of Agreement between United Through Education, Inc. and Redwood City School District (Fair Oaks School)

9.3 Recommendation re: Approval of Agreement between United Through Education, Inc. and Redwood City School District (Hoover School)

9.4 Recommendation re: Approval of Agreement between United Through Education, Inc. and Redwood City School District (John Gill School)

9.5 Recommendation re: Approval of the Agreement between the San Mateo County Health System and Redwood City School District

10.1 Recommendation re: Approval of Application for Exemption from the Required Expenditures for Classroom Teacher’s Salaries

10.2 Recommendation re: Approval of Request for Allowance of Attendance because of Emergency Condition (J13A)

President McBride (Ayes)

Vice-President Lawson (Ayes)

Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

Trustee Márquez (Ayes)

  1. Board and Superintendent Reports

11.1 Report from Board Members and Superintendent

Vice-President Lawson reported that she and Trustee MacAvoy attended the Meet RCSD Night event. In addition, Trustee Lawson reported attending the North Star Academy’s Blue Ribbon event. Trustee Lawson also attended the 17th District Luncheon and the Reclassification Ceremony. Furthermore, Trustee Lawson attended the RWC2020 meeting.

Trustee MacAvoy reported attending the RWC2020 meeting and commented that one of the topics of discussion was data linking. Trustee MacAvoy added that she attended many of the same events as Trustee Lawson. Trustee MacAvoy thanked all administrators and staff that organized and participated in the Meet RCSD Night event and the Reclassification Ceremony.

Trustee Díaz-Slocum did not have a report.

Trustee Márquez reported attending the Meet RCSD Night and commented that she spoke to some parents throughout the event. Trustee Márquez also added that she attended the Reclassification event.

President McBride reported that there were 280 students who participated in the Reclassification Ceremony. President McBride thanked Dr. Linda Montes and her staff for organizing a great event. President McBride commented that students and their parents were extremely happy! Furthermore, President McBride reported attending the San Mateo County Committee on School Board Organization meeting and the 17th District PTA Luncheon.

Superintendent Baker reported attending most of the same events as board members.

  1. Information

12.1 Information on Financial Audit Report for RCSD for 2017-18 School Year

12.2 Information on Redwood City School District GASB 75 Valuation

Information Items 12.1 and 12.2 were moved to the beginning of the board meeting and were discussed after the Approval of the Agenda.

12.3 Information on the Financial Audit Report for KIPP Excelencia Community Prep for 2017-18 School Year

There were no comments/questions from Superintendent Baker and School Board members.

12.4 Information on the Financial Audit Report for Connect Community Charter School for 2017-18 School Year

There were no comments/questions from Superintendent Baker and School Board members.

  1. Correspondence

School Board members reported receiving many emails from parents.

  1. Other Business/Suggested Items for Future Agenda

Superintendent Baker announced that there would be a board meeting on January 24th regarding the preliminary proposals of facilities to charter schools.

All board members confirmed that the special board meeting on January 24th would start at 8:00am.

  1. Board Agenda Calendar

15.1 Changes to the Board Agenda Schedule

There were no changed to the board agenda schedule.

  1. Adjournment (Action Required)

The board adjourned the meeting at 9:55 p.m. (Díaz-Slocum/Lawson; 5-0).

Alisa MacAvoy, Clerk