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February 5, 2020

FEBRUARY 5, 2020

REDWOOD CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Redwood City, California

APPROVED MINUTES OF BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

February 5, 2020

  1. Call to Order

President Lawson called the closed session meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. at the District Office, 750 Bradford Street, Redwood City. 

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

Others Present: Wendy Kelly, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources.

  1. Oral Communication on Closed Session Items Only

None.

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

3.1 CSEA Negotiations Update 3.2 RCTA Negotiations Update Closed Session convened at 6:00pm. 

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

4.1 Roll Call

4.2 Report Out on Closed Session from 2.5.20

Closed Session Item 3.1: President Lawson reported that the School Board received an update on RCTA negotiations and no action was taken.

Closed Session Item 3.2: President Lawson reported that the School Board received an update on CSEA negotiations and no action was taken.

  1. Welcome

5.1 Welcome

5.2 Pledge of Allegiance

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

Others Present During the Regular Board Meeting: Kevin Sugar, Shana Hackworth, Leslie Stafford, Anna Cencioso, José Talavera, Leslie Daniele, Sigrid McCarthy, Ann Berljafa, Vanessa Carbajal, Carol Mark, and Patricia Tellez. 

  1. Changes to the Agenda

Trustee McBride requested that a Staff Recognition be added subsequent to Community/Staff Recognition 9.2. 

  1. Approval of Agenda

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

  1. Oral Communication

Kevin Sugar, Hoover Teacher and RCTA President, addressed the School Board and Superintendent Baker by expressing the need for additional time to prepare for lesson planning and correcting homework. 

Carol Mark, Language Arts teacher at Clifford School, yielded her time to Mr. Sugar.

Kevin Sugar, Hoover Teacher and RCTA President, continued his comment about RCSD English Language Learner students needing additional resources during classroom time. Mr. Sugar encouraged the School Board and Superintendent Baker, once the Redwood City School District transitions on to Basic Aid funding, to provide additional resources for English Language Learner students. 

  1. Community/Staff Recognition

9.1 Recognition of Redwood City Community for Better Schools Measure H Committee Members and Volunteers 

President Lawson, the entire School Board and Superintendent Baker recognized the Redwood City Community for Better Schools Measure H Committee Members and Volunteers for their dedicated service and support throughout the Measure H Campaign.

On behalf of the School Board, President Lawson and Superintendent Baker presented a Certificate of Recognition to the Redwood City Community for Better Schools Measure H Committee Members and Volunteers.

School Board Trustees and Superintendent Baker expressed their utmost thanks to the Redwood City Community Schools Measure H Committee Members and Volunteers for their service to the Redwood City School District during the Measure H Campaign.

9.2 Recognition of Chief Business Official, Priscilla Aquino-Dichoso, per Trustee McBride’s request

Trustee McBride recognized and thanked CBO Aquino-Dichoso for her hard work and support during the bond financing process.

The entire School Board and Superintendent Baker thanked CBO Aquino-Dichoso for her tremendous support and hard work during the bond financing process. 

  1. Bond Program Consent Items (Action Required)

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

10.1 Recommendation re: Approval of Kennedy Middle School Administration Building and Parking Lot Project Change Order #6 with Beals Martin

President Lawson (Ayes)

Vice-President MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

Trustee Márquez (Ayes)

Trustee McBride (Ayes)

  1. Bond Program Action Items (Action Required)

No Bond Program Action Items.

  1. Consent Items

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

12.1 Recommendation re: Ratification of Warrant Register, January 1, 2020 – January 31, 2020

12.2 Recommendation re: Approval of Addendum #2 to 2019-20 Measure U Application for Taft Community School

12.3 Recommendation re: Approval of Field Trip Request to Yosemite National Park, McKinley Institute of Technology

President Lawson (Ayes)

Vice-President MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

Trustee Márquez (Ayes)

Trustee McBride (Ayes)

13. Action Items (Action Required)

13.1 Recommendation re: Approval of Joint Use Agreement with Anna Cencioso LLC DBA Touchstone Learning at Hawes School Site

The School Board approved the Joint Use Agreement with Anna Cencioso LLC DBA Touchstone Learning at Hawes School Site (MacAvoy/Díaz-Slocum; 5-0).

President Lawson (Ayes)

Vice-President MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

Trustee Márquez (Ayes)

Trustee McBride (Ayes)

  1. Board and Superintendent Reports

14.1 Report from Board Members and Superintendent

Trustee Díaz-Slocum reported visiting Orion Alternative School and talked to students during their lunchtime and received feedback on things they liked and didn’t like. Furthermore, Trustee Díaz-Slocum visited Kennedy Middle School and saw the newly-built Family Center. Trustee Díaz-Slocum thanked Trustee McBride for the wonderful pictures he takes at events Trustee Díaz-Slocum is unable to attend. Trustee Díaz-Slocum closed her report by stating that she loves the way Orion Alternative School runs their library. Trustee Díaz-Slocum expressed that the collection was in great shape!

Trustee Márquez did not have a report.

Trustee McBride reported attending the Roosevelt School Reading Event, together with Trustee MacAvoy. Furthermore, Trustee McBride reported attending the San Mateo County Fighting Human Trafficking event. Trustee McBride reported attending the Mandarin Immersion Program New Year’s event. Trustee McBride also attended the North Star Academy Climate Strike, led by North Star Academy student Natalie Sue. Trustee McBride commented it had been a well-organized and great event! Trustee McBride reported attending the Aladdin play at Kennedy Middle School and expressed it had been a wonderful production! Lastly, Trustee McBride reported attending the Kennedy Middle School Square Bowl and commented it had been a fun event.

Trustee MacAvoy reported visiting Michelle Beutler’s classroom at Hoover Community School for Super Star Day and commented it had been a fun event. Trustee MacAvoy also reported meeting with Jason Galisatus from the Redwood City Education Foundation about a possible endowment fund. Trustee MacAvoy commented that Mr. Galisatus would like to meet with the rest of the Redwood City School District School Board. Trustee MacAvoy also reported attending an LCAP meeting with Board President Lawson and Assistant Superintendent Linda Montes. Furthermore, Trustee MacAvoy reported meeting with Armando Sánchez from Heart of America and Trustee McBride and Superintendent John Baker to discuss workforce housing. Trustee MacAvoy also attended the California School Boards Association board training and meeting last weekend. Lastly, Trustee MacAvoy visited Orion Alternative School and the Mandarin Immersion Program and commented that she had a great time with the students. 

President Lawson reported meeting with Assistant Superintendent Linda Montes to review the LCAP survey. President Lawson commented she attended several Coffee with the Superintendent events. President Lawson reported attending the Chamber Education Committee meeting.

Superintendent Baker reported organizing Coffee with the Superintendent events at Taft Community School, Adelante/Selby Spanish Immersion School, and Kennedy Middle School. Superintendent Baker commented that Taft Community School addressed an issue about gardening trucks parking around the Taft campus during Coffee with the Superintendent event. Superintendent Baker attended the Association of California School Administration Annual Superintendent’s Symposium and commented he attended a workshop on WorkForce Housing and Basic Aid funding for School Districts. Superintendent Baker also attended workshops on Special Education focusing on mental health, preschool and professional development and new laws on charter schools. 

  1. Information

15.1 RCSD review of Connect Community Charter School’s First Interim Financial Report for FY2019-20 and Audit Report for FY2018-19

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

15.2 RCSD review of KIPP’s First Interim Financial Report for FY2019-20 and Audit Report for FY2018-19

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

15.3 RCSD review of Rocketship’s First Interim Financial Report for FY2019-20 and Audit Report for FY2018-19

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

15.4. Contract Update Information and Credit Card Summary

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

  1. Correspondence

President Lawson reported receiving a letter regarding the 2020 Census. 

  1. Other Business/Suggested Items for Future Agenda

Superintendent Baker reported receiving a sample resolution from San Mateo County Supervisor, David J. Canepa about the 2020 Census. Superintendent Baker recommended that this agenda item be placed on the February 26th agenda. 

Superintendent Baker commented there would be a Special Session on March 25th

  1. Board Agenda Calendar

18.1 Changes to the Board Agenda Schedule

There were no changes to the board agenda schedule. 

  1. Adjournment (Action Required)

The board adjourned the meeting at 8:27 p.m. (MacAvoy/Díaz-Slocum; 5-0).

María Díaz-Slocum, Clerk