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January 24, 2019

JANUARY 24, 2019

REDWOOD CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Redwood City, California

APPROVED MINUTES OF BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

January 24, 2018

  1. Call to Order

President Dennis McBride called the special meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. at the Redwood City School District (“RCSD”), 750 Bradford Street, Redwood City.

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

  1. Welcome

President Dennis McBride welcomed those present. The School Board dispensed with the recital of the pledge.

  1. Changes to the Agenda

No changes were made to the agenda.

  1. Approval of Agenda

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

  1. Oral Communication

None.

 

  1. Action Items

6.1 Recommendation re: Approval of Preliminary Proposal of Facilities to Connect Community Charter School

The School Board approved the Preliminary Proposal of Facilities to Connect Community Charter School (MacAvoy, Díaz-Slocum; 5-0).

President McBride (Ayes)

Vice-President Lawson (Ayes)

Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

Trustee Márquez (Ayes)

6.2 Recommendation re: Approval of Preliminary Proposal of Facilities to KIPP Excelencia Charter School

Superintendent Baker commented that there had been a conversation with the Director of the Bond Program Don Dias and Director of Facilities Martín Cervantes about placing both KIPP and Connect at the Fair Oaks School campus.

In reference to Superintendent Baker’s comment, Trustee Lawson asked what would happen to the school library.

In response to Trustee Lawson’s question, Superintendent Baker replied that the library materials belong to the Redwood City School District and many of those books and materials would be transferred to Taft School. Superintendent Baker further added that some book duplicates and materials would be transferred to other school sites.

Furthermore, Trustee MacAvoy commented that Library Technicians are sorting and reviewing books.

The School Board approved the Preliminary Proposal of Facilities to KIPP Excelencia Charter School (Díaz-Slocum, MacAvoy; 5-0).

President McBride (Ayes)

Vice-President Lawson (Ayes)

Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

Trustee Márquez (Ayes)

6.3 Recommendation re: Approval of Preliminary Proposal of Facilities to Rocketship Redwood City Prep Charter

Superintendent Baker stated that Rocketship Redwood City Prep Charter School is currently at Kennedy Middle School and Rocketship has expressed their desire to have their own school site. Superintendent Baker commented that DWK Attorney, Janet Mueller recommended that the Redwood City School District seek the professional advice of a company located in San Francisco that specializes in real estate’s fair market value.

Superintendent Baker expressed that there are two options available to house Rocketship Redwood City Prep Charter School: 1. Remain at Kennedy Middle School or, 2. Determine the fair market value for the Orion School site and offer the site as an option at fair market value.

Trustee MacAvoy expressed that she felt most comfortable that a discussion and decision of where to house Rocketship Redwood City Prep Charter School be determined through the 7-11 Committee. Trustee MacAvoy further added that she felt extremely uncomfortable with offering Orion School as a site to Rocketship before engaging in a discussion with the community.

Superintendent Baker reiterated that the School Board did not have to go through the 7-11 process to make a decision on the offered use of facilities to Rocketship Redwood City Prep Charter School.

Trustee MacAvoy expressed her concern about the community’s response to offering Orion School to Rocketship Redwood City Prep Charter School. Trustee MacAvoy added that she understood that a shared campus, such as Kennedy Middle School and Rocketship Redwood City Prep Charter School is difficult for students, staff and principals, but preferred that a decision be delayed until the community has had an opportunity to discuss.

Trustee Díaz-Slocum commented that Kennedy Middle School students deserve a balanced and equitable education. Trustee Díaz-Slocum expressed her support at having Rocketship Redwood City Prep Charter School lease at the Orion School site for one-year at fair market value.

Superintendent Baker commented that DWK Attorney Janet Mueller had expressed that typically when charter schools request facilities at an entire school, they are seeking to lease for a 3-5 year period. Superintendent Baker commented that if the Redwood City School District enrollment increases, RCSD is able to break the lease. Superintendent Baker reiterated that Rocketship Redwood City Prep Charter School is looking for a multi-year lease.

Trustee Díaz-Slocum commented that when Rocketship Redwood City Prep Charter School first approached the Redwood City School District with their petition, they assured the School District it would be a temporary lease, as they had purchased land to build their own school site.

Vice-President Lawson commented that she would like for further discussion concerning Rocketship Redwood City Prep Charter School to go through the 7-11 Committee. Trustee Lawson reiterated that the Redwood City School District must be cautious of which school is placed on the Orion School site. Trustee Lawson expressed her discomfort at placing Rocketship Redwood City Prep Charter School at the Orion School site.

President McBride stated that leaving Orion School empty would result in loss of revenue for the School District. President McBride further added that he did not believe a 7-11 Committee discussion would be necessary.

Vice-President Lawson further commented that she felt it would be best to keep Rocketship Redwood City Prep Charter School at Kennedy Middle School for an additional year, in order to fully discuss and determine what would be the best option for the Orion School site space. Furthermore, Vice-President Lawson expressed that she did not feel comfortable offering the entire Orion School site to Rocketship Redwood City Prep Charter School.

Trustee Márquez commented that perhaps the Redwood City School District would lose additional students if Rocketship Redwood City Prep Charter School were to move to Orion School, but the number would not be significant considering that Orion School is a small school site. Trustee Márquez expressed her support in offering Rocketship Redwood City Prep Charter School a one-year lease at Orion School.

Superintendent Baker commented that the 7-11 Committee would offer recommendations, but would not make decisions.

The School Board approved the Proposal to lease the Orion School site for 1 year (Díaz-Slocum, Márquez; 3-2).

President McBride (Ayes)

Vice-President Lawson (No)

Trustee MacAvoy (No)

Trustee Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

Trustee Márquez (Ayes)

  1. Adjournment (Action Required)

The board adjourned the meeting at 8:47 a.m. (Lawson, MacAvoy; 5-0).

Alisa MacAvoy, Clerk