May 5, 2021
REDWOOD CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Redwood City, California
APPROVED MINUTES OF BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
May 5, 2021
REGULAR BOARD MEETING VIA TELECONFERENCE
1. Call to Order
President MacAvoy called the Closed Session meeting to order at 6:00 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.
2. Oral Communication on Closed Session Items Only
None.
3. Closed Session 6:00-7:00pm
3.1 CSEA Negotiations Update
3.2 RCTA Negotiations Update
4. Reconvene to Regular Session at Approximately 7:00pm
4.1 Roll Call
4.2 Report Out on Closed Session from 5.5.21
President MacAvoy reported that the School Board received information from administration regarding both CSEA and RCTA negotiations.
5. 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, Will Robertson, Jorge Quintana, Antonio Pérez, Kyle Brumbaugh, Liz Wolfe, Gonzálo Córdova, Itzel Ramírez, and 57 attendees.
6. Changes to the Agenda
6.1 Changes to the Agenda
President MacAvoy moved Discussion Item 12.3 to Action.
President MacAvoy requested that Action Items 14.2 and 14.3 be moved to Consent.
7. Approval of Agenda
The School Board approved the agenda as amended, (Lawson, Márquez; 5-0).
8. Oral Communication
Erin Washburn, RCTA President, thanked the School Board and Superintendent Baker. Mx. Washburn expressed that it is a beautiful time of the year and commented that the Redwood City School District has done a wonderful job – from online instruction to staff development planning. Furthermore, Mx. Washburn expressed that they appreciate the focus on equity.
Indra Hernández, RCSD teacher, addressed that School Board and Superintendent Baker by thanking them for their leadership. Ms. Hernández thanked the Technology Department for their tremendous support. Ms. Hernández expressed that is has been amazing to see the Technology Department assisting everyone in the School District.
Jennifer Tanti, teacher at Clifford School, thanked the School Board, Superintendent Baker, and administration for all the wonderful support she has received during the pandemic. Ms. Tanti expressed that she is proud to be part of the Redwood City School District community.
9. Community/Staff Recognition
9.1 Recognition of Mildred “Millie” Cole
The School Board and Superintendent Baker, together with administration honored Mildred “Millie” Cole for her 100th birthday. Millie taught at Selby Lane School for 11 years. Millie has also been a lifelong Optimist Club member and helped coordinate the Octagon Club at various high schools in the Sequoia Union High School District.
The School Board and Superintendent Baker honored her with a crystal award to commemorate her 100th birthday and her incredible service to the Redwood City students and community.
10. Bond Program Consent Items (Action Required)
The Board approved the Bond Program Consent Items (Lawson/Wells; 5-0), taking the following action:
10.1 Recommendation re: Approval of Measure T Bond Program Tracking List of Items Under $20K
10.2 Recommendation re: Approval of Modernization Project for Clifford School with Cumiskey Construction, Change Order #2
10.3 Recommendation re: Approval of New Buildings Modernization and Sitework Project Bid Package C for Garfield Community School with Casey-Fogli, Change Order #1
10.4 Recommendation re: Approval of Domestic Water Line Replacement Proposal for Garfield Community School with MK Pipelines
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
12.1 Update on the 2020-21 Spring Reopening Plan and Discussion on Reopening Plan for the 2021-22 School Year
Superintendent Baker and the School Board continued a discussion about the reopening plan for in person instruction for the 2021-22 school year.
Assistant Superintendent Liz Wolfe, provided the School Board and Superintendent Baker with a PowerPoint presentation, which provided further information about in-person learning and an update of the reopening plan set for the 2021-22 school year.
Katherine Rivera, Orion Alternative School Principal, provided information about the students returning to in-person instruction and students remaining in full distance learning. Principal Rivera expressed that there are 124 students in the Mandarin Immersion Program that have returned to in person instruction. There are currently 18 students that remain in full distance learning. Furthermore, there are 159 students in Orion Alternative that have returned for in-person instruction. There are 120 students that remain in full distance learning.
Superintendent Baker stated that all schools will be holding in-person 8th grade graduations and 5th grade promotions. Furthermore, Superintendent Baker reiterated that all promotion and graduation events will follow the California Department of Public Health guidelines. Graduations will be held on June 8, 9, and 10th.
Superintendent Baker reiterated that all students, PreK through 8th grade are expected to return for in person instruction for the 2021-22 school year. Superintendent Baker stated that all school sites will follow the regular instructional schedule from the 2019-2020 school year. In addition, the Redwood City School District will continue to follow the Four Pillars outlined in the SMCOE Pandemic Recovery Framework.
Superintendent Baker explained that when students returned to in person instruction for the 2021-22 school year, there will continue to be a 3 feet physical distance between students and 6 feet between adults and students. Furthermore, Superintendent Baker expressed that large gatherings and mixing of groups should be avoided.
12.2 Recommendation for Science Curriculum, Grades 6-8 Liz Wolfe, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, addressed the School Board by stating that science teachers have recommended Amplify curriculum for grades 6th through 8th. Assistant Superintendent Wolfe commented that a final recommendation would be presented to the School Board for approval at the following board meeting. 12.3 2021 Plan for Educational Services for Expelled Students Per President MacAvoy, this item was moved to Action.
13. Consent Items (Action Required)
The Board approved the Consent Items (Díaz-Slocum/Lawson; 5-0), taking the following action:
**Note: Trustee Wells requested that Action Items 14.2 and 14.3 be moved to Consent.
13.1 Recommendation re: Approval of April 14th Board Minutes (Study Session)
13.2 Recommendation re: Approval of April 14th Board Minutes (Regular Meeting)
13.3 Recommendation re: Approval of April 21st Board Minutes
13.4 Recommendation re: Approval of Agreement for Additional Mental Health Therapist at Kennedy Middle School with Effective School Solutions (ESS) Program
13.5 Recommendation re: Approval of Declaration of Obsolete Textbooks
13.6 Recommendation re: Ratification of Warrant Register, April 1, 2021 – April 30, 2021
14.2 Recommendation re: Approval of Classified General Leave Request(s)
14.3 Recommendation re: Approval of Reclassification of Classified Employee
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: Measure T Citizens Bond Oversight Committee – Membership and Duration/Term of Service
The School Board approved the Measure T Citizens Bond Oversight Committee – Membership and Duration/Term of Service (Díaz-Slocum/Wells; 5-0).
President MacAvoy (Ayes)
Vice-President Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)
Trustee Márquez (Ayes)
Trustee Lawson (Ayes)
Trustee Wells (Ayes)
12.3 Recommendation re: 2021 Plan for Educational Services for Expelled Students
Superintendent Baker addressed the School Board by commenting that the Plan for Educational Services for Expelled Students is an annual plan submitted to the San Mateo County Office of Education. Superintendent Baker reiterated that the Redwood City School District has not had any expulsions in 8-10 years.
The School Board approved the 2021 Plan for Educational Services for expelled students (Díaz-Slocum/Lawson; 5-0).
President MacAvoy (Ayes)
Vice-President Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)
Trustee Márquez (Ayes)
Trustee Lawson (Ayes)
Trustee Wells (Ayes)
15. Board and Superintendent Reports
15.1 Report from Board Members and Superintendent
Trustee Márquez commented she watched the Little Mermaid Junior musical. Trustee Márquez expressed it had been an excellent presentation!
Trustee Wells reported watching the Little Mermaid Junior musical. Trustee Wells also attended an LCAP Committee meeting.
Trustee Lawson reported that she and Vice-President Díaz-Slocum attended a meeting with the Mass Communications and Technology Committee. Trustee Lawson commented that the Mass Communications and Technology Committee is comprised of 16 administrators, District Office staff and parents. Trustee Lawson further added that the Committee heard proposals from 5 different vendors and the School District’s current vendor. Trustee Lawson expressed that Director of Technology Kyle Brumbaugh and Director of Communications Jorge Quintana reached out to two vendors, whom were great options.
Vice-President Díaz-Slocum reported attending a San Mateo County meeting where families were given information about the availability of meditation programs. Vice-President Díaz-Slocum expressed that this past year has been particularly hard for all families.
President MacAvoy reported watching the Little Mermaid Junior musical and thanked Trustee Wells’ daughter and the rest of the student cast for participating in such a wonderful production. President MacAvoy reported attending virtually two Coffee with the Superintendent events at Kennedy Middle School and North Star Academy. President MacAvoy thanked everyone who attended the Coffee with the Superintendent events. Furthermore, President MacAvoy attended an Equity Committee meeting, an LCAP meeting, and CSBA meetings.
Superintendent Baker reported attending many of the same meetings as School Board members. Superintendent Baker commented that he had a meeting with Madahi Cornejo, Supervisor Warren Slocum’s aide, to confirm a date where Superintendent Baker could address the North Fair Oaks’ community during a Facebook Live meeting to encourage families to have their children return to in-person instruction.
16. Information
16.1 Redwood City School District Review of Connect Community Charter School’s Second Interim Financial Report for Fiscal Year 2020-21
16.2 Redwood City School District Review of KIPP’s Second Interim Financial Report for Fiscal Year 202-21
16.3 Redwood City School Review of Rocketship’s Second Interim Financial Report for Fiscal Year 2020-21
16.4 Contract Update Information and Credit Card Summary
There were no comments and/or questions on Information Items, 16.1-16.4.
17. Correspondence
None.
18. Other Business/Suggested Items for Future Agenda
None.
19. Board Agenda Calendar
19.1 Changes to the Board Agenda Schedule
None.
20. Adjournment
The board adjourned the meeting at 8:27 p.m. (Márquez/Díaz-Slocum; 5-0).
Cecilia I. Márquez, Clerk