Skip To Main Content

November 18, 2020

NOVEMBER 18, 2020

REDWOOD CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Redwood City, California

UNAPPROVED MINUTES OF BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

November 18, 2020

REGULAR BOARD MEETING VIA TELECONFERENCE

  1. Call to Order

President Lawson called the closed session meeting to order at 6:02 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: Deputy Superintendent Wendy Kelly and Counsel Steven Werth.

  1. Oral Communication on Closed Session Items Only

None.

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

3.1 Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation (Government Code § 54956.9(d)(1)) Case Name Unspecified: Disclosure would jeopardize existing settlement negotiations 3.2 CSEA Negotiations Update 3.3 RCTA Negotiations Update

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

4.1 Roll Call

4.2 Report Out on Closed Session from 11.18.20 President Lawson reported that the School Board received information during the Closed Session and no action was taken for 3.1, 3.2, and 3.3. 

  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, Antonio Pérez, Liz Wolfe, Shannon Cody, Mary Kahn, Betty Momjian, Maria Stockton, Catherine Stuart, Lucy Wicks, Dr. Shashank Joshi, Dr. Amy Gerstein, Vicki Harris, Kritin Geiser, Steve Adelsheim, Itzel Ramírez, Gonzálo Cordova, 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. School/Community Reports
  • Bond Program Update

Will Robertson, Program Manager with RGM Kramer, Inc – RCSD Measure T Bond Program Team provided the School Board and Superintendent Baker with a summary of all the construction and renovation projects throughout the School District. Mr. Robertson provided updates on Clifford School, Garfield School, Henry Ford School, Kennedy Middle School, Orion Alternative, Roosevelt School, Roy Cloud School, Adelante Selby Spanish Immersion School, and Taft Community School.

  1. Bond Program Consent Items (Action Required)

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

10.1 Recommendation re: Approval of Touchless Plumbing Fixture Replacement Construction Agreement for Adelante Selby Spanish Immersion School with NV Heathorn and Roosevelt School with Kearny Plumbing

10.2 Recommendation re: Approval of Henry Ford Elementary School Modernization Project with Cal Pacific, Inc., Change Order #5

10.3 Recommendation re: Approval of Clifford Elementary School Modernization Project with Cumiskey Construction, Change Order #1

10.4 Recommendation re: Approval of Hoover Community School New Gymnasium and Modernization Project Package G with Beals Martin, Inc., Change Order #5

10.5 Recommendation re: Approval of McKinley Institute of Technology Modernization Project with Cal-Pacific Construction Deductive, Change Order #4

10.6 Recommendation re: Approval of Orion Alternative School (Formerly John Gill Elementary School) Modernization and New Building Project Bid Package B with MK Pipelines, Change Order #2

10.7 Recommendation re: Approval of Taft Community School New Buildings, Modernization and Sitework Project Bid Package D with Atlas/Pellizzari Electric, Changes Order #3

10.8 Recommendation re: Approval of Taft Community School New Buildings, Modernization and Sitework Project Bid Package G with Beals Martin, Change Order #3

10.9 Recommendation re: Approval of 2950 Fair Oaks Avenue Site Modernization Project with FE Controls Corporation, Change Order #3

10.10 Recommendation re: Approval of 2950 Fair Oaks Avenue Site Modernization Project with FE Controls Corporation, Change Order #2

10.11 Recommendation re: Approval of Kennedy Middle School Modernization Project with Cal-Pacific Construction, Change Order #5

10.12 Recommendation re: Approval of Roy Cloud School Modernization and Barrier Removal Project with Mar Con Builders, Change Order #1

10.13 Recommendation re: Approval of Orion Alternative School (Formerly John Gill Elementary School) Modernization and New Building Project Bid Package D with Vanden Bos Electric, Change Order #1

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

10.15 Recommendation re: Approval of California Environmental Air Quality (CEQA) Construction Oversight Add Service Proposal for Orion Alternative School (Formerly John Gill School) with SCS Engineers

10.16 Recommendation re: Approval of Asphalt Replacement Design Project Authorization Form for Clifford School with Kier and Wright

10.17 Recommendation re: Approval of Plumbing Fixture Replacement Architect Construction Administration Services Proposal for Various Sites with HED

10.18 Recommendation re: Approval of Interim Housing Electrical Disconnect Proposal for Kennedy Middle School with Fusion Electric

10.19 Recommendation re: Approval of New Gymnasium Furniture Proposals for Hoover School with Virco and RDI

10.20 Recommendation re: Approval of Backup Power Design Agreement for Multi-Use Buildings (MUB) at Clifford and Roy Cloud Schools and Food Storage at Hoover School with HED

10.21 Recommendation re: Approval of Touchless Plumbing Fixture Replacement Construction Agreement for Clifford and Henry Ford School with NV Heathorn

President Lawson (Ayes)

Vice-President MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

Trustee Márquez (Ayes)

Trustee McBride (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 the plan to return to in person learning. 

Deputy Superintendent Wendy Kelly provided the School Board and Superintendent Baker with information regarding the Redwood City Teachers Association MOU and the California School Employees Association MOU.

Furthermore, Shannon Cody, 4th grade teacher at Clifford School; Mary Kahn, Special Education teacher at Hoover Community School; and Betty Momjian, teacher at Taft Community School spoke about their experience as pilot teachers during the in person learning plan. All three teachers expressed how much they have enjoyed working with their students, despite the challenges centered around safety precautions. 

The School Board and Superintendent Baker thanked all teachers for their great work and support, especially to the teachers who agreed to participate in the pilot program for in person learning.

Speaker’s Cards:

Maria Stockton, CSEA President, addressed the School Board and Superintendent Baker by reflecting on the dedication and hard work of the Classified Staff. Ms. Stockton added that the Classified Staff have played an important and key factor in keeping the Redwood City School District afloat. Ms. Stockton commented that she has not heard Classified Staff be recognized for their hard work and leadership during the stay at home order. Ms. Stockton reiterated that without the Classified Staff’s help, the Redwood City School District would not be able to move forward. 

Catherine Stuart, Mandarin Immersion Program parent, thanked the School Board and Superintendent Baker for allowing her to speak. Ms. Stuart stated that her child would not be returning to in person learning until there is a vaccine available.

  • Presentation from Stanford University on Research and Mental Health Support

Lucy Wicks, Assistant Vice President of Government Affairs at Stanford University; Dr. Amy Gerstein, Executive Director of the John W. Gardner Center for Youth and their Communities; Vicki Harrison, Program Director of the Center for Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing; Steven Adelsheim, Director of the Stanford Center for Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing; Dr. Shashank Joshi, Professor of Psychiatry, Pediatrics and Education; Daniel Schwartz, Dean of the Graduate School of Education and the Nomellini-Olivier Professor of Educational Technology; and Megan Swezey Fogarty, Associate Vice President of Community Engagement provided the Redwood City School Board and Superintendent Baker with a PowerPoint presentation which outlined the research on mental health. All the aforementioned presenters, provided information about the collaboration between the Redwood City School District and Stanford University to provide resources and support with families in need of mental health support. 

The School Board and Superintendent Baker thanked the entire Stanford University team for their great work and support of the Redwood City School District for numerous years. 

  • Discussion of Board Policy 4116 – Probationary/Permanent Status

Deputy Superintendent Wendy Kelly thanked President Janet Lawson and Vice-President MacAvoy for their collaborative work in the Policy Committee. Deputy Superintendent Kelly commented that the AR’s on the aforementioned board policy would be retracted and the final board policy along with the corrected ARs will be presented on December 9th for final School Board approval. 

  1. Consent Items

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

13.1 Recommendation re: Approval of October 7th Board Minutes

13.2 Recommendation re: Approval of October 21st Board Minutes

13.3 Recommendation re: Approval of November 4th Board Minutes

13.4 Recommendation re: Ratification of Warrant Register, October 1, 2020 – October 31, 2020

13.5 Recommendation re: Approval of Extension of Effective School Solutions (ESS) Program Contract at Clifford School and McKinley Institute of Technology

13.6 Recommendation re: Approval of Air Purifier Purchase Agreement for Districtwide Schools with Granger

President Lawson (Ayes)

Vice-President MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

Trustee Márquez (Ayes)

Trustee McBride (Ayes)

14. Action Items (Action Required)

14.1 Recommendation re: Annual Developer Fee Report – Fiscal Year 2019-20

The School Board approved the Annual Developer Fee Report – Fiscal Year 2019-20 (McBride/Díaz-Slocum; 5-0).

President Lawson (Ayes)

Vice-President MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

Trustee Márquez (Ayes)

Trustee McBride (Ayes)

14.2 Recommendation re: Second Reading and Approval of Board Policy 0415 – Equity

The School Board approved the second reading and approval of Board Policy 0415 (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

15.1 Report from Board Members and Superintendent

Trustee Díaz-Slocum thanked Director of Communications Jorge Quintana and Michelle Remond for their work in sending information to families regarding available resources. Trustee Díaz-Slocum also thanked Director of Technology Kyle Brumbaugh and Deputy Superintendent Wendy Kelly for their assistance in collecting books donated by the Friends of the Redwood City Library. Trustee Díaz-Slocum participated in 3 sessions of the Orion Alternative and Mandarin Immersion Book Fair. Trustee Díaz-Slocum commented it had been a great event, although she mentioned missing the in-person book fairs. Trustee Díaz-Slocum reported talking to parents about their concerns.

Trustee McBride reported attending the virtual Orion Alternative and Mandarin Immersion Program Book Fair. Trustee McBride commented it had been a great event and expressed missing the in-person books fairs. Trustee McBride reported meeting with Peter Tsai from The Sobrato Organization and attending a Workforce Housing subcommittee meeting with KNN. Trustee McBride also attended a Measure U Parcel Tax meeting and thanked the CBO Aquino-Dichoso, Olivia Acosta and Patti Knight for their hard work!

Vice-President MacAvoy commented that the Workforce Housing project is making great progress. Vice-President MacAvoy reported attending policy meetings and a Wellness Committee meeting with President Lawson and Andrea Garen. Vice-President MacAvoy commented that Andrea Garen had done a great job organizing the meeting. Vice-President MacAvoy attended the Hoover Community School Coffee with the Superintendent event and expressed that there were many great comments and questions from the parent community. Furthermore, Vice-President MacAvoy reported that she and Superintendent Baker met with the Mandarin Immersion Program parent community. Vice-President MacAvoy expressed that there were many great comments and questions from the Mandarin Immersion Program community.

Trustee Márquez did not have a report.

President Lawson reported attending many of the same events as other board members. President Lawson participated in an interview for the Induction Program with the Accreditation Team. 

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

Deputy Superintendent Wendy Kelly commented that the Induction Program is a two-year School District supported program. Deputy Superintendent Kelly expressed that the site accreditation team provided the final report and provided the Redwood City School District with glowing remarks! Deputy Superintendent Kelly added that the team was particularly impressed with the support of the School Board and LEA. 

  1. Information
  • Information on the San Mateo County Investment Fund – October 2020

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

  1. Correspondence

None.

  1. Other Business/Suggested Items for Future Agenda

Vice-President MacAvoy added that a reorganization meeting had been scheduled for December 11th at 8:30am. 

  1. Board Agenda Calendar

19.1. Changes to the Board Agenda Schedule

Trustee McBride commented that the incoming board member, Mike Wells is a great person! 

  1. Adjournment (Action Required)

The board adjourned the meeting at 9:20 p.m. (McBride/Díaz-Slocum; 5-0).

María Díaz-Slocum, Clerk