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December 9, 2020

DECEMBER 9, 2020

REDWOOD CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Redwood City, California

APPROVED MINUTES OF BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

December 9, 2020

REGULAR BOARD MEETING VIA TELECONFERENCE

  1. Call to Order

President Lawson called the closed session meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. via Zoom Teleconference Meeting. 

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

Others Present: Attorney Janet Mueller and Dominic Dutra from 3-D Strategies.

  1. Oral Communication on Closed Session Items Only

None.

3. Closed Session 6:00-7:00p.m.

3.1 Conference With Real Property Negotiators Property: Adelante School site, 3150 Granger Way, Redwood City Agency Negotiators: Dominic Dutra, 3D Strategies; Janet Mueller, DWK Negotiating parties: RCSD and Spring Education/Stratford School Under negotiation: Price and terms of payment

4. Reconvene to Regular Session at Approximately 7:00p.m.

4.1 Roll Call

4.2 Report Out on Closed Session from 12.9.20 President Lawson reported that the School Board met with negotiators to receive an update. An agreement between RCSD and Stratford Schools will be drafted soon.

  1. Welcome

5.1 Welcome

President Lawson welcomed those present. The School Board dispensed with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Others Present During the Regular Board Meeting: Wendy Kelly, Linda Montes, Priscilla Aquino-Dichoso, Don Dias, Will Robertson, Jorge Quintana, Antonio Pérez, Kyle Brumbaugh, Liz Wolfe, Shannon Cody, and many others.

  1. Changes to the Agenda

There were no changes made. 

  1. Approval of Agenda

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

  1. Oral Communication

None. 

  1. Community/Staff Recognition
  • Recognition of School Board Members

The School Board recognized Trustee McBride for 17 years of service as a School Board member for the Redwood City School District. All School Board members and Superintendent Baker expressed their utmost appreciation for Trustee McBride’s commitment, dedication, leadership, and support of the Redwood City School District schools.

President Lawson was also recognized for leading the School Board during a challenging year. The School Board and Superintendent Baker thanked President Lawson for her outstanding leadership as School Board President.

  1. School/Community Reports
  • Citizens’ Measure U Oversight Committee Year Three Report for 2019-2020

Chief Business Official Priscilla Aquino-Dichoso and Janet Borgens, Chair of the Citizens’ Measure U Oversight Committee addressed the School Board by stating that the Redwood City School District has utilized the Measure U Parcel Tax funds in accordance to the ballot language. 

The School Board and Superintendent Baker thanked CBO Aquino-Dichoso and the entire Measure U Oversight Committee for their support of the Redwood City School District.

  1. Bond Program Consent Items (Action Required)

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

11.1 Recommendation re: Approval of Picnic Tables and Umbrella Proposal for Hoover School with Park Planet

11.2 Recommendation re: Approval of CDC Building Pad Height Reduction, Compaction, and Off Haul Proposal for Garfield School with Enviroplex

11.3 Recommendation re: Approval of Touchless Plumbing Fixture Replacement Construction Management (CM) Fee Proposal for Adelante Selby Spanish Immersion School, McKinley Institute of Technology, North Star Academy, and Roy Cloud School with Kitchell

11.4 Recommendation re: Approval of Child Day Care (CDC) Low Voltage Proposal for Hoover School with Atlas Pellizzari

11.5 Recommendation re: Approval of Security Camera and Intrusion Systems Rough-In Proposal for Hoover and Roosevelt Schools with Siemens

11.6 Recommendation re: Approval of Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) and Surge Protector Proposal for All Open Schools with CDWG

11.7 Recommendation re: Approval of Measure T Bond Program $20K and Under Items Tracking List

11.8 Recommendation re: Approval of School District Requested Additional Site Work Proposal for Hoover School with Galeb

11.9 Recommendation re: Approval of Touchless Plumbing Fixture Replacement Construction Agreements for Garfield School, Orion Alternative (Formerly John Gill School), and Taft School with Ciari and Hoover School with Dinelli

11.10 Recommendation re: Approval of School District Requested Additional Site Work Proposal for McKinley Institute of Technology with Cal Pacific

11.11 Recommendation re: Approval of Legacy Project Closeout Proposals for 3150 Granger Way Site (Formerly Adelante School) with WLC

11.12 Recommendation re: Approval of Garfield Community School New Buildings, Modernization and Sitework Project Bid Package, Change Order #1 with HO.C. McDonald

11.13 Recommendation re: Approval of Taft Community School New Buildings, Modernization and Sitework Project Bid Package D, Change Order #1 with Dinelli Plumbing

President Lawson (Ayes)

Vice-President MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

Trustee Márquez (Ayes)

Trustee McBride (Ayes)

12. Bond Program Action Items (Action Required)

None.

13. Discussion Items

  • Discussion on Covid-19

Superintendent Baker and the School Board continued a discussion about distance learning, the plan to return to in person learning, and tracking and tracing COVID cases. 

Deputy Superintendent Wendy Kelly and Assistant Superintendent Liz Wolfe provided the School Board and Superintendent Baker with a presentation on tracking and tracing COVID cases. 

Speaker’s Cards:

Catherine Stuart, Mandarin Immersion Program parent, addressed the School Board and Superintendent Baker by stating the importance of teaching students’ playground etiquette. Ms. Stuart expressed that the playground should be a bully free zone. 

Sonia Presotto, RCSD parent, asked the School Board and Superintendent Baker why are teachers not returning to in person learning?

In response to Ms. Presotto’s question, Superintendent Baker expressed that Administration asked teachers to complete a survey. Superintendent Baker added that many teachers expressed concern about the rise in COVID-19 cases and many teachers would like to return when there is a vaccine available. Superintendent Baker commented that there was a total of 91 teachers that expressed they would return when a vaccine is available; however, Superintendent Baker stated that the district cannot find 91 substitutes.

13.2 First Reading and Discussion of Board Policy 5131.8 – Mobile Communications Devices

Deputy Superintendent Wendy Kelly thanked President Lawson and Vice-President MacAvoy for their time and reading through Board policies. 

Trustee Márquez asked Deputy Superintendent Kelly if parents would be notified that students could not use their cellphone outside of school, per Board Policy.

In response to Trustee Márquez’s question, Deputy Superintendent Kelly mentioned that the aforementioned information would be made available in the Parent Handbook. 

Trustee McBride asked if the student owns an Apple iWatch, would the same rules apply as a cellphone?

In response to Trustee McBride’s question, Deputy Superintendent Kelly confirmed that the same rules apply as a cell phone. 

  1. Consent Items

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

14.1 Recommendation re: Approval of November 18th Board Minutes

14.2 Recommendation re: Second Reading and Approval of Board Policy and Administrative Regulations 5141.22 – Infectious Diseases

14.3 Recommendation re: Second Reading and Approval of Board Policy 4116 – Probationary/Permanent Status

14.4 Recommendation re: Approval of Agreement between Redwood City School District and One Life Counseling

14.5 Recommendation re: Approval of Addendum to 2020-21 Measure U Application for North Star Academy

14.6 Recommendation re: Approval of Addendum to 2020-21 Measure U Application for Taft Community School

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

14.8 Recommendation re: Approval of Local Interagency Agreement(s) to Provide Education and Training to Credential Candidates

14.9 Recommendation re: Ratification of Warrant Register, November 1, 2020 – November 30, 2020

President Lawson (Ayes)

Vice-President MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

Trustee Márquez (Ayes)

Trustee McBride (Ayes)

15. Action Items (Action Required)

15.1 Recommendation re: Approval of Response to Grand Jury Request – “Ransomware: It is Not Enough to Think You Are Protected”

The School Board approved the the Response to the Grand Jury Request – “Ransomware: It is Not Enough to Think You Are Protected” (McBride/Díaz-Slocum; 5-0).

President Lawson (Ayes)

Vice-President MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

Trustee Márquez (Ayes)

Trustee McBride (Ayes)

15.2 Recommendation re: LCFF Budget Overview for Parents

The School Board approved the LCFF Budget Overview for Parents (Díaz-Slocum/Márquez; 5-0).

President Lawson (Ayes)

Vice-President MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

Trustee Márquez (Ayes)

Trustee McBride (Ayes)

15.3 Recommendation re: Approval of the 2020-21 First Interim Budget Report for RCSD

The School Board approved the 2020-21 First Interim Budget Report for RCSD (Díaz-Slocum/Márquez; 5-0).

President Lawson (Ayes)

Vice-President MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

Trustee Márquez (Ayes)

Trustee McBride (Ayes)

15.4 Recommendation re: Acceptance of California School Employees Association Chapter V Sunshine Proposal for 2020-21 and Demand to Bargain – 2020-21 Calendar

Speaker’s Card: Maria Stockton, CSEA President, addressed the School Board by expressing that her term as CSEA President was coming to an end. Ms. Stockton commented that she looks forward to enter into negotiations with the School District and reminded the School Board and administration that CSEA seeks a fair and equitable contract.

The School Board approved the Acceptance of California School Employees Association Chapter V Sunshine Proposal for 2020-21 and Demand to Bargain – 2020-21 Calendar (MacAvoy/Díaz-Slocum; 5-0).

President Lawson (Ayes)

Vice-President MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

Trustee Márquez (Ayes)

Trustee McBride (Ayes)

15.5 Recommendation re: Governing Board’s Initial Proposal for Negotiations with the California School Employees Association, Chapter V for 2020-21

The School Board approved the Governing Board’s Initial Proposal for Negotiations with the California School Employees Association, Chapter V for 2020-21 (Díaz-Slocum/Márquez; 5-0).

President Lawson (Ayes)

Vice-President MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

Trustee Márquez (Ayes)

Trustee McBride (Ayes)

15.6 Recommendation re: Discussion and Approval of Board Policy 6158 – Independent Study

The School Board discussed and approved Board Policy 6158 (MacAvoy/Márquez; 5-0).

President Lawson (Ayes)

Vice-President MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

Trustee Márquez (Ayes)

Trustee McBride (Ayes)

  1. Board and Superintendent Reports

16.1 Report from Board Members and Superintendent

Vice-President MacAvoy reported attending the virtual California School Boards Association Annual Education and Trade Conference, in addition to the Delegate Assembly and CSBA Board of Directors meeting. 

Trustee Márquez reported attending the virtual Superintendent’s Advisory Committee meeting. 

Trustee Díaz-Slocum reported attending a virtual Budget Committee meeting with Trustee McBride and Superintendent Baker.

Trustee McBride reported attending two Bond Program meetings with President Lawson and Superintendent Baker. Furthermore, Trustee McBride also attended a virtual Measure U Oversight Committee meeting. Trustee McBride acknowledged and thanked Olivia Acosta, Patti Knight, and CBO Aquino-Dichoso for doing a great job in organizing the Measure U Oversight Committee meeting. Trustee McBride also attended the virtual Adelante/Selby play. Trustee McBride commented that all the students that participated in the play were participating from their own home via Zoom. Furthermore, Trustee McBride along with Vice President MacAvoy met with attorneys to discuss the workforce housing project. Trustee McBride expressed receiving a bill from the County Election’s Office for $70,000-$90,000. Trustee McBride commented that he will reach out to the County Election’s Office concerning the exorbitant bill.

President Lawson reported attending the Chamber Education Committee meeting. Furthermore, President Lawson along with Vice-President MacAvoy attended a Coffee with the Superintendent event. President Lawson also attended the California School Boards Association Annual Education Trade Conference. President Lawson commented that the CSBA Conference was great and the general session speakers were fantastic!

Superintendent Baker reported attending many of the same meetings as the board members. 

  1. Information

None.

  1. Correspondence

None.

  1. Other Business/Suggested Items for Future Agenda

Vice-President MacAvoy proposed to agendize an Equity Session. 

  1. Board Agenda Calendar

19.1. Changes to the Board Agenda Schedule

There were no changes to the Schedule of Board Agenda Items.

  1. Adjournment (Action Required)

President Lawson proposed to adjourned the board meeting in honor of Trustee McBride for 17 awesome years of service! A video showcasing Trustee Dennis McBride’s years of service was played to adjourn the board meeting (MacAvoy/Díaz-Slocum; 5-0).

Cecilia Márquez, Clerk