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June 10, 2020

JUNE 10, 2020

REDWOOD CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Redwood City, California

APPROVED MINUTES OF BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

June 10, 2020

REGULAR BOARD MEETING VIA TELECONFERENCE

  1. Call to Order

President Lawson called the regular board meeting to order at 7:00 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: Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Wendy Kelly.

  1. Welcome

2.1 Welcome

2.2 Pledge of Allegiance

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, Antonio Pérez, Patricia Ortiz, Patricia Pelino, Andrea Garen, Martin Cervantes, Itzel Ramírez, Gonzálo Cordova, and many others.

  1. Changes to the Agenda

Trustee McBride requested that the Bond Program Action Items 9.1 through 9.4 be moved to the Bond Program Consent Items.

  1. Approval of Agenda

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

  1. Oral Communication

None. 

  1. Community/Staff Recognition
  • Update on the RCSD and National Urban Alliance Collaborative

The Redwood City School District and the National Urban Alliance began collaborative work in January 2019. With the support of the National Urban Alliance, issues of equity became the focus of ongoing professional learning experiences with site and district leaders, classroom teachers and site staff, and Staff Development personnel.

The National Urban Alliance works with districts to provide school leaders and staff with professional development incorporating current research from cognitive neuroscience on learning, teaching and leading. The work includes building the capacity of all staff to advocate community-wide responsibility to realize the full learning potential of all students.

The Redwood City School District developed a plan with the National Urban Alliance to address the Essential Question of the Collaborative: How does Belief in the Learner manifest itself in District policy and practices? The essential question stemmed from an analysis of district English Language Arts Data from the State Assessment that indicated out of the 884 students in Standard Not Met, 800 were Latino students. RCSD committed to exploring policies and practices that led to these results.

The National Urban Alliance facilitated many conversations across the district and reflections regarding assessment practices, instructional practices and beliefs and attitudes toward all students. The conversations led to extensive training regarding effective instructional practices from the perspective of a Pedagogy of Confidence, based on the fearless expectation that all students are capable of high intellectual performances when provided High Operational Practices that motivate self-directed learning and self-actualization. The members of the National Urban Alliance shared with the School Board ways in which these processes are reflected across instructional practices for all students. 

The School Board, Superintendent Baker and Administration thanked members of the National Urban Alliance for their collaboration and support of the Redwood City School District. 

  • Measure T Citizen’s Bond Oversight Committee FY 2018/19 Annual Report

Michael Bolander, Chair of the Measure T Oversight Committee provided the School Board and Superintendent Baker with a summary of the annual report and expressed that the Redwood City School District’s expenditures match the ballot language. Mr. Bolander reiterated that the School District has spent the Measure T Bond dollars in accordance to the Measure T ballot language. 

The School Board and Superintendent Baker thanked Mr. Bolander and the Measure T Oversight Committee for their invaluable support and dedication to the Redwood City School District.

  1. Public Hearing

7.1 Discussion of the COVID-19 Executive Order Operations Written Report

Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Linda Montes presented to the School Board the Covid-19 Executive Order Operations Written Report and commented that all LEAs were required to write a report. The Executive Order has requested that the Redwood City School District report all the changes. Ms. Montes commented that she had an LCAP meeting, which was to inform the California Department of Education of any changes. Ms. Montes added that there has been a slight reduction in the LCAP Concentration Funding. Ms. Montes thanked Director of Communications, Jorge Quintana. Ms. Montes expressed that support has been offered to foster youth and has continued to distribute meals, following all social distance guidelines. Ms. Montes added that the Redwood City School District was continuing to enroll new comer students, even during Covid-19.

Trustee McBride requested if the online form could be updated.

In response to Trustee McBride’s request, Ms. Montes mentioned she would update the form as soon as possible.

7.2 Proposed Preliminary Budget for 2020-21

Chief Business Official Priscilla Aquino-Dichoso provided the School Board with a presentation on the Preliminary Budget for 2020-21.

7.3 2020-21 Statement of Reasons of Excess Reserves

7.4 First of Two Public Hearings: School Attendance Boundary Change for Neighborhood Schools 

**Per Trustee McBride, this agenda item was tabled for the June 17th board meeting.

7.5 Public Hearing for Permanently Renaming the 170 Selby Lane in Atherton site, currently on file with the California Department of Education as Selby Lane Elementary School, as Adelante Selby Spanish Immersion School

Speaker’s Cards: Susanne Ruiz-Dunlap, RCSD teacher, thanked the naming committee and thanked Superintendent Baker for his leadership. Ms. Ruiz-Dunlap commented that Superintendent Baker honored the voice of the community. Ms. Ruiz-Dunlap commented that she would like to keep the name Adelante Selby Spanish Immersion School.

Michelle Smith, RCSD parent, commented that the Adelante Selby community is back where they were 3 months ago. Ms. Smith expressed that as a community, they gave their voice 3 months ago. Ms. Smith commented that she is voicing the frustration of so many parents she has spoken to. Ms. Smith reiterated that there’s already a mistrust between the community and the School District.

Jonathan Cantú, community member, commented he was disappointed in the process of selecting a name for Adelante Selby.

Chris Rozon, echoed Ms. Michelle Smith’s and Jonathan Cantú’s comments. Ms. Rozon thanked the School Board and Superintendent Baker for their hard work on this matter.

The School Board thanked the renaming committee for the Adelante Selby site and thanked Superintendent Baker for his hard work. Superintendent Baker commented that the Adelante Selby Spanish Immersion School name would be placed on the June 24th agenda for final approval. 

  1. Bond Program Consent Items (Action Required)

****Per Trustee McBride, requested that Bond Program Action Items 9.1 through 9.4 be moved to Consent. 

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

8.1 Recommendation re: Approval of Administration Portable Electrical Proposal at Roosevelt School with Aram

8.2 Recommendation re: Approval of Administration Portable Site Work at Roosevelt School with Dryco

8.3 Recommendation re: Approval of New Gymnasium and Modernization Project Package G, Change Order #3 at Hoover Community School with Beals Martin, Inc.

8.4 Recommendation re: Approval of Building E Casework Modernization Project, Change Order #1 at Roosevelt Elementary School with Fremont Millwork Co.

8.5 Recommendation re: Approval of Modernization Project, Change Order #1 at North Star Academy with Cal-Pacific Construction

8.6 Recommendation re: Approval of Covid-19 Safety Compliance Officer Proposal at Adelante Selby School, Hoover School, Taft School

8.7 Recommendation re: Approval of Covid-19 Safety Compliance Officer Proposal at 2950 Fair Oaks Site, Henry Ford School, and Kennedy School with The Safety Guys

8.8 Recommendation re: Approval of IDF and Fiber Upgrades Proposal at Adelante Selby School and Roosevelt School with Vanden Bos

9.1 Recommendation re: Approval of Lunch Shelter Proposal at Roosevelt School with Park Planet

9.2 Recommendation re: Approval of Modernization Project, Change Order #2 at Kennedy Middle School with Cal-Pacific, Inc. Change Order #2

9.3 Recommendation re: Approval of Modernization Project, Change Order #2 at Henry Ford Elementary School with Cal Pacific, Inc.

9.4 Recommendation re: Approval of Project Inspector Amendment #6 at Hoover Community School with Inspectacon

President Lawson (Ayes)

Vice-President MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

Trustee Márquez (Ayes)

Trustee McBride (Ayes)

9. Bond Program Action Items (Action Required)

All Bond Program Action Items were moved to Bond Program Consent.

10. Discussion Items

  • Discussion on Covid-19

Superintendent Baker, Assistant Superintendent Liz Wolfe, and Assistant Superintendent Wendy Kelly provided the School Board with an overview of the professional development that has taken place in order to enhance distance learning, an update on the distribution of technology and meals, and an update on the safety protocols in reference to cleaning and disinfecting of sites. 

  1. Consent Items

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

11.1 Recommendation re: Approval of February 28th Board Minutes 

11.2 Recommendation re: Approval of March 11th Board Minutes 

11.3 Recommendation re: Approval of March 18th Board Minutes 

11.4 Recommendation re: Approval of April 1st Board Minutes (Emergency Meeting) 

11.5 Recommendation re: Approval of April 1st Board Minutes (Regular Meeting) 

11.6 Recommendation re: Approval of April 15th Board Minutes 

11.7 Recommendation re: Approval of April 22nd Board Minutes 

11.8 Recommendation re: Approval of May 6th Board Minutes 

11.9 Recommendation re: Ratification of Warrant Register, May 1, 2020-May 31, 2020 

11.10 Recommendation re: Approval of Agreement between Redwood City School District and Dannis Woliver & Kelley 

11.11 Recommendation re: Approval of Contract for the Implementation of Effective School Solutions (ESS) 

11.12 Recommendation re: Approval of Master Contracts for Non-Public School (“NPS”)/Non-Public Agency (“NPA”) 

11.13 Recommendation re: Approval of Local Interagency Agreement(s) to Provide Teacher Interns and Student Teachers 

President Lawson (Ayes)

Vice-President MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

Trustee Márquez (Ayes)

Trustee McBride (Ayes)

12. Action Items (Action Required)

12.1 Recommendation re: Approval of Facilities Use Agreement between RCSD and Rocketship Redwood City Prep Charter School

The School Board approved the Facilities Use Agreement between RCSD and Rocketship Redwood City Prep Charter School (McBride/Díaz-Slocum; 5-0).

President Lawson (Ayes)

Vice-President MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

Trustee Márquez (Ayes)

Trustee McBride (Ayes)

12.2 Recommendation re: Adoption of Resolution 29, The Education Protection Account for Fiscal Year 2020-21

The School Board adopted Resolution 29, The Education Protection Account for Fiscal Year 2020-21 (Díaz-Slocum/MacAvoy; 5-0).

President Lawson (Ayes)

Vice-President MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

Trustee Márquez (Ayes)

Trustee McBride (Ayes)

12.3 Recommendation re: Adoption of Resolution 30, Year-End Budget Transfer

The School Board adopted Resolution 30, year-end budget transfer (McBride/Díaz-Slocum; 5-0).

President Lawson (Ayes)

Vice-President MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

Trustee Márquez (Ayes)

Trustee McBride (Ayes)

12.4 Recommendation re: Adoption of Resolution 31, Temporary Interfund Transfer (Loan)

The School Board adopted Resolution 31, temporary interfund transfer (loan) (Díaz-Slocum/Márquez; 5-0).

President Lawson (Ayes)

Vice-President MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

Trustee Márquez (Ayes)

Trustee McBride (Ayes)

12.5 Recommendation re: 2020-21 Statement of Reasons of Excess Reserves

The School Board approved the 2020-21 statement of reasons of excess reserves (MacAvoy/McBride; 5-0).

President Lawson (Ayes)

Vice-President MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

Trustee Márquez (Ayes)

Trustee McBride (Ayes)

  1. Board and Superintendent Reports

13.1 Report from Board Members and Superintendent

Trustee Díaz-Slocum reported participating in a lot of online graduations. Trustee Díaz-Slocum expressed that she misses attending graduations. Trustee Díaz-Slocum and Trustee McBride attended budget meetings. Trustee Díaz-Slocum and Trustee McBride attended an Innovate Public Schools meeting with parents. Trustee Díaz-Slocum expressed disappointment and she felt it was a scripted meeting. 

Trustee Márquez reported participating in virtual graduation ceremonies.

Vice-President MacAvoy reported watching graduation and promotion ceremonies and commented it had been a great experience! Vice-President MacAvoy reported attending an Innovate Public Schools meeting, together with Trustee Márquez. Vice-President MacAvoy mentioned that parents from KIPP and Rocketship who are part of Innovate Public Schools need to reach out directly to their own School Board. Furthermore, Vice-President MacAvoy reported attending a California School Boards Association Climate Passport, in addition to an LCAP meeting.

Trustee McBride thanked Gónzalo and Itzel, Redwood City School District interpreters for attending the long board meetings. 

President Lawson attended an LCAP meeting, a Measure T Bond Oversight Committee meeting, a San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce meeting, Senator Hill’s roundtable on the state budget and also attended virtual graduation ceremonies. 

Superintendent Baker commented that he participated in many of the same meetings as board members. Superintendent Baker announced that Redwood City 2020 had a new director. 

  1. Information

None.

  1. Correspondence

President Lawson mentioned there were many emails received regarding the renaming of Adelante/Selby and the school boundaries. 

  1. Other Business/Suggested Items for Future Agenda

None.

  1. Board Agenda Calendar
  • 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 10:50 p.m. (McBride/Díaz-Slocum; 5-0).

María Díaz-Slocum, Clerk