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February 10, 2021

FEBRUARY 10, 2021

REDWOOD CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Redwood City, California

APPROVED MINUTES OF BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

February 10, 2021

REGULAR BOARD MEETING VIA TELECONFERENCE

  1. Call to Order

President MacAvoy called the closed session meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. via Zoom Teleconference Meeting. 

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

Others Present: Deputy Superintendent Wendy Kelly.

  1. Oral Communication on Closed Session Items Only

None.

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

3.1 Consideration of Employee Request for Unpaid Leave of Absence (4 cases)

3.2 CSEA Negotiations Update

3.3 RCTA Negotiations Update

4. Reconvene to Regular Session at Approximately 7:01p.m.

4.1 Roll Call

4.2 Report Out on Closed Session from 2.10.21

President MacAvoy reported that the School Board received information during Closed Session from the Administration and accepted their recommendation. 

  1. Welcome

5.1 Welcome

President MacAvoy 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, Jorge Quintana, Antonio Pérez, Kyle Brumbaugh, Liz Wolfe, Catherine Stuart, Itzel Ramírez, Gonzálo Cordova, and many others.

  1. Changes to the Agenda

Trustee Wells requested to move Action Items 14.3 and 14.4 to Consent. 

  1. Approval of Agenda

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

  1. Oral Communication

Sue Jorgenson, librarian at Taft Community School, addressed the School Board and Superintendent Baker by expressing that the funds allocated to libraries in order for librarians to purchase materials and reading resources for students has been limited and inconsistent. Ms. Jorgenson added that her site principal has offered support, but commented that the support district-wide for librarians is not available. Ms. Jorgenson urged the School Board and Superintendent Baker to offer additional resources for librarians so they can provide students with additional resources and reading materials.

President MacAvoy expressed that the School Board and Superintendent Baker would further discuss the allocation of funds for district-wide libraries during the Closed Session - Budget Negotiations Update on Friday of the same week.

  1. School/Community Reports
  • Virtual Winter Concert (Clifford School, McKinley Institute of Technology, and North Star Academy)

President MacAvoy addressed the School Board, Superintendent Baker and members of the public by introducing Carol McNamara, the Redwood City School District music teacher. 

Ms. McNamara thanked the School Board and Superintendent Baker for taking an opportunity to share her students’ music during the board meeting. Ms. McNamara said it was amazing to have been able to record the songs with the entire orchestra, despite meeting virtually. Ms. McNamara commented that she is conducting synchronous classes and has been able to find ways to play music with her students. 

The two songs showcased during the board meeting were: Gypsy Dance, performed by 7th grade students from Clifford School and North Star Academy and Telemann Sinfonia, performed by 8th grade students from Clifford School, MIT, and North Star Academy.

President MacAvoy, the entire School Board and Superintendent Baker thanked Ms. McNamara and her students for a wonderful music presentation!

  1. Bond Program Consent Items (Action Required)

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

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

10.2 Recommendation re: Approval of Adelante Spanish Immersion School New Administration and Campus Modernization Project ICC General Contractors, Change Order #4

10.3 Recommendation re: Approval of Electric Vehicle (EV) Bus Charging Infrastructure Design and Oversight California Energy Commission (CEC) Grant Add Service Proposal for Maintenance Yard at 601 James Avenue Site with Sage Renewables

10.4 Recommendation re: Approval of Picnic Table Purchase and Installation Proposal for Clifford School with Park Planet

10.5 Recommendation re: Approval of Program Advisor Consultant Agreement with Group Garrett

10.6 Recommendation re: Approval of Project Inspector Agreement Amendment #7 for Various Sites with Inspectacon

President MacAvoy (Ayes)

Vice-President Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

Trustee Márquez (Ayes)

Trustee Lawson (Ayes)

Trustee Wells (Ayes)

11. Bond Program Action Items (Action Required)

None.

12. Discussion Items

  • Discussion on Covid-19

Superintendent Baker and the School Board continued a discussion about distance learning and an update of the reopening plan. 

Assistant Superintendent Liz Wolfe, provided the School Board and Superintendent Baker with a PowerPoint presentation, which provided further information about in-person learning, distance learning, and an update of the reopening plan. 

Furthermore, Principals Warren Sedar, Al Rosell, Ramiro Carranza, and Sabrina Adler provided the School Board and Superintendent Baker with information regarding their in-person, hubs and pod’s attendance. Currently, Principal Sedar reported that there are 58 students receiving in-person instruction, 60 students receiving services from REACH, and there are 32 students in hubs. Principal Rosell commented that 141 students are receiving in-person instruction, 10 students are part of a Pod, and 29 students are in 2 hubs. Principal Carranza stated that there are 2 students in an SDC classroom receiving in-person instruction and there are 30 students in a primary class with a partner pod, who will receiving in-person instruction as of March 1st. Furthermore, Principal Carranza added that there are 80 students participating in pods and 30 students in hubs. Principal Adler at Kennedy Middle School indicated that there are 31 students participating in 6-8th grade pods, there are currently 28 students in the REACH Program and 30 students in 6-8th grade being taught in person. 

Teachers Suzanne Wood (Adelante Selby Spanish Immersion School), Abbey Wilkerson (Henry Ford School), Sasha Alquero (Hoover Community School), and Alfredo Oropeza (Kennedy Middle School) provided their own account of how in-person learning is going for their students. All teachers expressed that the students participating in in-person learning are happy to be back on campus and they have reported that being in school helps them concentrate better and complete their work in a timely manner, in addition to being able to see some of their friends and classmates. 

Parents Chuck Walter from Henry Ford School and Carolina Villaseñor from Hoover Community School, both thanked the teachers and administration for all of their hard work and leadership and for making the process of in-person learning easy and smooth. Both attested to the difference in-person learning makes in students. Both expressed that their children are thrilled to be back in school learning and have had a positive experience so far.

Speaker’s Cards:

Marisol Mendoza, instructional assistant at Henry Ford School, expressed that she recently learned that teachers were receiving an additional stipend for doing in-person teaching. Ms. Mendoza expressed that she believes Classified staff should also be receiving additional funds for at-risk work. Ms. Mendoza urged the School Board and Superintendent Baker to provide Classified staff adequate compensation for at risk work during Covid-19.

Michael Hofer, parent at Roy Cloud School, addressed the School Board and Superintendent Baker by asking that if the current plan for vaccines does not materialize, when will parents be notified of the School District’s plan and date to return to school?

In response to Mr. Hofer’s question, Superintendent Baker replied that Administration would need to see the survey results submitted by teachers in order to determine how many teachers are planning to return to in-person teaching. Superintendent Baker highlighted that it was important for parents to understand that in the event there were fewer teachers returning, the School District would need to modify their reopening plan. Superintendent Baker expressed that he expects for the School District to resume in-person learning this upcoming fall. 

Maria Stockton, staff member at Clifford School, addressed the School Board and Superintendent Baker by asking why has additional compensation not been offered to Classified staff who have also performed at risk work during Covid-19. Ms. Stockton invited the School Board and Superintendent Baker to tour the school sites to see the work performed by many Classified staff. Ms. Stockton asked the School Board and Superintendent Baker to invite Classified staff to provide their testimony on how their workload has affected their mental health.

  • Information and Discussion on 3150 Granger Way

Superintendent Baker addressed the School Board by stating that there have been many questions from the community surrounding 3150 Granger Way. Superintendent Baker added that the School District has been working closely with Stratford Schools and counsel during the last few months. 

Superintendent Baker stated that Stratford Schools has made the decision to not move forward with their lease agreement. Superintendent Baker expressed that he would provide further information about the lease of 3150 Granger Way to the School Board when it is made available by counsel.

  1. Consent Items

Note: Trustee Wells requested to move Action Items 14.3 and 14.4 to Consent.

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

13.1 Recommendation re: Approval of January 27th Board Minutes

13.2 Recommendation re: Approval of Board Policy 3530 – Risk Management

13.3 Recommendation re: Approval of Board Policy 4040 – Employee Use of Technology

13.4 Recommendation re: Approval of Addendum to 2020-21 Measure U Application for Clifford School

13.5 Recommendation re: Ratification of Warrant Register, January 1, 2021-January 31, 2021

14.3 Recommendation re: Approval of Personnel Report

14.4 Recommendation re: Approval of 2020-21 Certificated Seniority Report

President MacAvoy (Ayes)

Vice-President Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

Trustee Márquez (Ayes)

Trustee Lawson (Ayes)

Trustee Wells (Ayes)

14. Action Items (Action Required)

14.1 Recommendation re: Approval of the Tentative Agreement between the California School Employees Association Chapter V and the Redwood City School District Deputy Superintendent Wendy Kelly commented that the tentative agreement was brought to the School Board for approval in order to increase health benefits for classified staff. The School Board accepted the Tentative Agreement between the California School Employees Association Chapter V and the Redwood City School District (Lawson/Wells; 5-0).

President MacAvoy (Ayes)

Vice-President Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

Trustee Márquez (Ayes)

Trustee Lawson (Ayes)

Trustee Wells (Ayes)

14.2 Recommendation re: Governing Board’s Initial Proposal for Negotiations with Redwood City Teachers Association for 2021-22

Deputy Superintendent Wendy Kelly commented that each year, the aforementioned declaration is brought to the School Board for consideration in advance and for approval.

The School Board approved the Governing Board’s Initial Proposal for Negotiations with Redwood City Teachers Association for 2021-22 (Díaz-Slocum/Márquez; 5-0).

President MacAvoy (Ayes)

Vice-President Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

Trustee Márquez (Ayes)

Trustee Lawson (Ayes)

Trustee Wells (Ayes)

  1. Board and Superintendent Reports

15.1 Report from Board Members and Superintendent

Vice-President Díaz-Slocum did not have a report.

Trustee Wells reported attending a Bond Program Committee meeting. In addition, Trustee Wells also attended his first Equity Policy Committee meeting. Furthermore, Trustee Wells attended Henry Ford School’s PTA meeting. Trustee Wells commented it had been great to meet parents virtually! 

Trustee Lawson reported attending an Equity Committee meeting, in addition to attending a couple of Workforce Housing meetings, Chamber Education meeting, a Bond Program Committee meeting, and Policy Committee meeting. Trustee Lawson also attended the Meet and Greet at Clifford School, hosted by SEPTAR. Trustee Lawson commented the Meet and Greet had been a wonderful meeting! Trustee Lawson, together with President MacAvoy attended a state accreditation meeting for voting to approve the Induction Program at the Redwood City School District for another 7 years.

Trustee Márquez reported attending a Superintendent’s Advisory Council meeting. 

President MacAvoy reported attending some of the same events as fellow board members. President MacAvoy highlighted the accreditation meeting for the Induction Program and commented it is a real gem in the Redwood City School District. President MacAvoy thanked Trustee Lawson for serving in the BTSA Committee. President MacAvoy further added that she has participated in many meetings about equity and will provide an update to the School Board and Superintendent Baker on Friday during the School Board retreat. In addition, President MacAvoy attended a few workforce housing meetings with The Sobrato Organization and also met virtually with Peter Ingram. Lastly, President MacAvoy attended a few CSBA board meetings, SEPTAR meetings and a Cafecito at Hoover Community School. President MacAvoy thanked Leslie Stratford for organizing the SEPTAR virtual meetings. 

Superintendent Baker reported attending many of the same meetings as the board members. Superintendent Baker commented that he met with members of the Stanford University team to further discuss offering services to the Redwood City School District for mental health. Superintendent Baker expressed that he would have a more extensive update for the School Board at the next board meeting.

  1. Information

16.1 Contract Update Information and Credit Card Summary

No comments or questions from the School Board or Superintendent Baker.

16.2 RCSD Review of Connect Community Charter School’s First Interim Financial Report for FY2020-21

No comments or questions from the School Board or Superintendent Baker.

16.3 RCSD Review of Connect Community Charter School’s Audit Report for FY2019-20

No comments or questions from the School Board or Superintendent Baker.

16.4 RCSD Review of KIPP’s First Interim Financial Report for FY2020-21

No comments or questions from the School Board or Superintendent Baker.

16.5 RCSD Review of KIPP’s Audit Report for FY2019-20

No comments or questions from the School Board or Superintendent Baker.

16.6 RCSD Review of Rocketship’s First Interim Financial Report for FY2020-21

No comments or questions from the School Board or Superintendent Baker.

16.7 RCSD Review of Rocketship’s Audit Report for FY2019-20

No comments or questions from the School Board or Superintendent Baker.

  1. Correspondence

President MacAvoy reported receiving many emails from parents regarding the in- 

person learning plan. 

  1. Other Business/Suggested Items for Future Agenda

President MacAvoy reported receiving many emails from parents.

  1. Board Agenda Calendar

19.1 Changes to the Board Agenda Schedule

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

  1. Adjournment (Action Required)

The board adjourned the meeting at 9:57 p.m. (Lawson/Márquez; 5-0).

Cecilia I. Márquez, Clerk