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September 12, 2018

SEPTEMBER 12, 2018

REDWOOD CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Redwood City, California

APPROVED MINUTES OF BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

September 12, 2018

  1. Call to Order

President Díaz-Slocum 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 Board Meeting: President María Díaz-Slocum, Vice-President Dennis McBride, Janet Lawson, Alisa MacAvoy, Hilary Paulson and Superintendent John Baker.

Others Present: Linda Montes, Wendy Kelly, Priscilla Aquino-Dichoso, Dave Paliughi, Antonio Pérez, Leslie Stafford, Karen Donnelly, Jana Kiser, Liz Shuller, Ginny Miller-Bowen, Maria Stockton, Eneida Manriquez, Yvonne DiSalvo, Christine Castro, Leslie Stafford, Andrea Garen, Sigrid McCarthy, Eneida Manriquez, Karen Donnelly.

  1. Welcome

President Díaz-Slocum welcomed those present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

  1. Changes to the Agenda

Trustee Paulson requested Action Items 9.1, 9.3, 9.5 be moved to Consent.

  1. Approval of Agenda

The board approved the agenda as amended, (MacAvoy, McBride; 5-0)

  1. Oral Communication

Bret Baird, PE Teacher at Kennedy Middle School, provided the School Board with an update on students’ improvement with their behavior and physical activity.

  1. School/Community Reports

6.1 Bond Program Update

There was no Bond Program update.

6.2 RWC2020 Report

Jana Kiser, Redwood City 2020 Executive Director provided the School Board with a presentation providing information about the role of RWC2020 in the Redwood City community. Ms. Kiser presented information detailing collaborations, projects, innovation, resources, programs, community trainings and engagement, health and wellness.

The School Board and Superintendent Baker thanked Ms. Kiser for her detailed presentation and great collaboration with the Redwood City School District.

  1. Discussion Items

7.1 First Reading and Discussion of Board Policy 6174 – Education for English Learners

Linda Montes commented that some of the changes that were made to Board Policy 6174 dealt with formative assessment.

7.2 First Reading and Discussion of Board Policy 5157 – Sexual Orientation Gender Identity

Trustee Paulson commented meeting with the Policy Committee for three hours. Trustee Paulson expressed that it was a team effort putting together a board policy that blended with bullying and discrimination policies. Trustee Paulson added that there was specific language that was reviewed and added.

Trustee Lawson commented that there was a lot of work that was put into the policy. Trustee Lawson added that RCSD set the precedent for other districts to refer to RCSD’s policy.

Trustee MacAvoy commented that a lot of work was put into this board policy and added that she had emailed the California School Boards Association and had not received a response regarding a template addressing sexual orientation and gender identity. Trustee MacAvoy expressed that this board policy is a tribute to all the parents and staff that worked collaboratively and arduously.

Vice-President McBride thanked the Policy Committee, parents and staff involved in putting this policy together.

Liz Shuller, ESL professor at Cañada College, commented that she, together with the Policy Committee made sure to address every level for an evolving community of students. Ms. Shuller further expressed that the Policy Committee made sure this policy embodied a place where students feel accepted and especially a place that can create a sense of belonging. Ms. Shuller commented that she looks further to the next meeting in order to make additional changes to the policy to present it to the School Board at a future board meeting for approval.

Superintendent Baker commented that Linda Montes would provide additional meeting dates to review the policy one more time before presenting it to the School Board for approval.

7.3 First Reading and Discussion of Board Policy 5131.2 – Bullying

Karen Donnelly, RCSD parent, addressed the School Board by expressing that one of her children is currently navigating through an issue of bullying. Ms. Donnelly commented that on the board policy, she did not find a definition of bullying. Ms. Donnelly added that she would like for the School District, as well as school sites to develop a road map, which provides families and students’ information of available resources and what to do in case of bullying.

In response to Ms. Donnelly’s comment, Superintendent Baker added that he would meet with principals and seek the support of outside entities with the purpose of creating a road map and a plan for principals, teachers, and administrators to follow.

Chris Castro, former RCSD teacher and current RCSD parent, addressed the School Board by commenting that her daughter has also experienced bullying. Ms. Castro expressed that it would be great if a policy were developed where bullying issues could be resolved at the school site level.

In response to Ms. Castro’s comment, Superintendent Baker commented that some parents have come to the District Office to fill out a Uniform Complaint form. Superintendent Baker commented that parents come to the District Office when they feel unsatisfied with the way things were resolved at the school site level. Superintendent Baker added if any modifications would be made to the Uniform Complaint, those modifications must be reviewed by County Counsel.

Trustee MacAvoy added that perhaps there is more to be done at a classroom level, where students are taught about empathy. Trustee MacAvoy agreed that more needs to be done socially and emotionally at the school site level.

  1. Consent Items

Note: Per Trustee Paulson, Action Items 9.1, 9.3, 9.5 were moved to Consent.

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

8.1 Recommendation re: Approval of July 18th Board Meeting Minutes

8.2 Recommendation re: Approval of August 15th Board Meeting Minutes

8.3 Recommendation re: Approval of August 24th Board Meeting Minutes

8.4 Recommendation re: Approval of August 29th Board Meeting Minutes

8.5 Recommendation re: Approval of Field Trip Request to Marine Science Institute, Kennedy Middle School

8.6 Recommendation re: Ratification of Warrant Register, August 1, 2018-August 31, 2018

8.7 Recommendation re: Approval of Contract with Soliant Health, Inc. to Provide Psychologists for the 2018-2019 School Year

8.8 Recommendation re: Approval of NPS/NPA

President Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

Vice-President McBride (Ayes)

Trustee Lawson (Ayes)

Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Paulson (Ayes)

 

  1. Action Items

9.2 Recommendation re: Approval of 2017-2018 Unaudited Actuals Financial Statement CBO Aquino-Dichoso provided the School Board and Superintendent Baker a presentation on the unaudited actuals financial statement for 2017-2018.

The School Board approved the 2017-2018 unaudited actuals financial statement (Paulson, Lawson; 5-0).

President Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

Vice-President McBride (Ayes)

Trustee Lawson (Ayes)

Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Paulson (Ayes)

9.4 Recommendation re: Adoption of Resolution 7, Approval of Education Code Options for Teaching Assignments

The School Board adopted Resolution 7, approval of Education Code Options for teaching assignments (MacAvoy, Paulson; 5-0).

President Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

Vice-President McBride (Ayes)

Trustee Lawson (Ayes)

Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Paulson (Ayes)

9.6 Recommendation re: Approval of Provisional Internship Permit

The School Board approved the Provisional Internship Permit for the following individuals:

· Shirley Salazar Cano, Multiple Subject, Garfield School;

· Maribel Prado Parenti, Bilingual Teacher, Adelante Spanish Immersion School; (Paulson, MacAvoy; 5-0).

President Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

Vice-President McBride (Ayes)

Trustee Lawson (Ayes)

Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Paulson (Ayes)

 

  1. Board and Superintendent Reports

10.1 Report from Board Members and Superintendent

Trustee Lawson attended the Superintendent’s Advisory Council meeting. In addition, Trustee Lawson reported attending a Wellness Committee meeting and reported that she, together with Trustee Paulson, Linda Montes and Superintendent Baker met to discuss board policies.

Trustee McBride thanked the Policy Committee for all of their work on the policies presented to the School Board that evening for discussion. Trustee McBride reported attending the Superintendent’s Advisory Council meeting and commented that Linda Montes and Wendy Kelly had done a great job presenting. Trustee McBride also attended a budget meeting.

Trustee Paulson reported attending a State Board of Education meeting in Sacramento with the County Committee on School Board Organization.

Trustee MacAvoy thanked Trustee Paulson for all the years she has served in the County Committee on School Board Organization Committee.

President Díaz-Slocum reported attending morning coffees, together with Superintendent Baker and attending a budget meeting with Superintendent Baker, Trustee McBride and CBO Aquino-Dichoso.

Superintendent Baker reported that the morning coffees at school sites have been off to a great start! Superintendent Baker added that Chief Business Official Aquino-Dichoso has also attended the morning coffees to answer any questions pertaining to RCSD’s budget. Superintendent Baker added that he attended a meeting at Fair Oaks Community School and commented that Principal Thompson is doing a great job!

  1. Information

There were no items listed.

  1. Correspondence

President Díaz-Slocum reported receiving correspondence from the County Office of Education and the North Fair Oaks Council.

Superintendent Baker commented that President Díaz-Slocum would attend the North Fair Oaks Council meetings.

  1. Other Business/Suggested Items for Future Agenda

None.

  1. Board Agenda Calendar

13.1 Changes to the Board Agenda Schedule

Superintendent Baker commented he would attend the Superintendent’s Symposium the last week of January. Superintendent Baker and the School Board decided to cancel January 30th’s board meeting.

  1. Adjournment (Action Required)

The board adjourned the meeting at 9:45 p.m. (McBride/MacAvoy; 5-0).

Janet Lawson, Clerk