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November 20, 2019

NOVEMBER 20, 2019

REDWOOD CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Redwood City, California

APPROVED MINUTES OF BOARD OF EDUCATION SPECIAL MEETING

November 20, 2019

  1. Call to Order

President McBride called the special board meeting to order at 6:59 p.m. at the District Office, Redwood City School District (“RCSD”), 750 Bradford Street, Redwood City.

Present at the meeting: President McBride, Vice-President Lawson, Trustee MacAvoy, Trustee Márquez and Superintendent Baker. 

Trustee Díaz-Slocum was absent from the board meeting. 

Others Present: Linda Montes, Wendy Kelly, Antonio Pérez, Will Robertson, Don Dias, Annabelle Vitali, Leslie Stafford, Carol Anne Bauman, Shana Hackworth, Michael Bergeron, John Crawston, Diane Coleman, Emerson Swan, Maritza Leal, and many others that did not sign in.

  1. Welcome

2.1 Welcome

2.2 Pledge of Allegiance

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

  1. Changes to the Agenda

President McBride requested to move Consent Item 10.13 to Action due to a sentence that was edited.

President McBride requested to pull from the agenda Consent Item 10.15 and agendize it for a future board meeting.

President McBride commented that there were edits made to Action Item 11.1. Action Item 11.1 remained under Action.

  1. Approval of Agenda

4.1 Approval of Agenda

The board approved the agenda as amended, (Lawson, Márquez; 4-0).

4.2 Report Out on Closed Session 11.13.19

President McBride reported that no decision was made and the Closed Session item was only an informational item. 

  1. Oral Communication

Maritza Leal, Innovate Public Schools Parent Leader, addressed the School Board and Superintendent Baker by thanking them for all of their hard work. Ms. Leal thanked the Superintendent for visiting Rocketship and commented that his visit was very important to the Rocketship community. Ms Leal commented that it was imperative for the Rocketship community that Superintendent Baker witness the challenges they’re facing with the lack of a playground.

  1. School/Community Reports

6.1 Bond Program Update

Will Robertson, RGM and Associates Program Manager for Measure T Bond Program, provided the School Board with an update of the bond program construction throughout various school sites in the district.

6.2 Transaction Summary of 2019 General Obligation Bonds, Election of 2015 (Series 2019C, 2019C-1 and 2019C-2)

Superintendent Baker commented that the Redwood City School District voters approved Measure T back in November 2015, for a total authorization amount of $193 million to fund district-wide facility projects. The 2019 Bonds mark the final issuance from Measure T, comprised of both tax-exempt and taxable bonds, which were sold on Wednesday, October 2, 2019 for a total amount of $66 million. Proceeds from the sale will be used as follows: Series 2019C bonds will fund construction and modernization of District facilities; Series 2019C-1 will fund construction, furnishing and/or equipping of closed school sites that are, or are currently planned to be leased to private, non-governmental entities during the bond repayment period; and Series 2019C-2 bonds will finance technology upgrades at the Redwood City School District sites.

  1. Bond Program Consent Items (Action Required)

The board approved the Consent Items (Lawson/MacAvoy; 4-0), taking the following action:

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

7.2 Recommendation re: Approval of 909 Roosevelt Avenue Site Flooring Abatement Proposal with Coastwide Environmental

7.3 Recommendation re: Approval of Additional DSA Legacy Closeout Support Proposals with HED Architects

President McBride (Ayes)

Vice-President Lawson (Ayes)

Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Díaz-Slocum (Absent)

Trustee Márquez (Ayes)

  1. Action Items (Bond Program Items Only)

No Bond Program Action Items.

9. Discussion Items

9.1 Redistricting to the Woodside Elementary School District

Mr. Michael Bergeron, President of the Woodside Hills Home Owners Association Governing Board, addressed the School Board and Superintendent Baker with a discussion item pertaining to 255 homes that are currently in the town of Woodside, which are part of the Redwood City School District and would like to redistrict into the Woodside Elementary School District.

Mr. Bergeron commented that the Woodside Hills Home Owners Association community has authorized the Home Owners Association Governing Board to pursue redistricting the 255 homes into the Woodside Elementary School District.

President McBride, while he did not have to, he recused himself because he is a voting member of the San Mateo County Committee on School District Organization, which will decide this issue if Woodside Hills Home Owners Association Governing Board goes forward with this.

Trustee MacAvoy thanked Mr. Bergeron for attending the School Board meeting and for his cooperation. Trustee MacAvoy commented that she is concerned that the Redwood City School District could transition to Basic Aid in the next couple of years; thus, losing the funding from the property tax of those 255 homes could be a financial burden on the school district. Trustee MacAvoy expressed that she understood that the residents of the Woodside Hills Home Owners Association would like to preserve a tight knit community; however, she invited families to visit Redwood City School District schools.

Trustee MacAvoy also shared her concern and reiterated her opposition to segregating communities and emphasized that the Redwood City School District has a diverse community. Trustee MacAvoy further commented that the School Board would engage in further discussion once the Redwood City School District officially receives the Woodside Hills Home Owners Association Governing Board’s petition, but at least at this point, Trustee MacAvoy said she would not be in favor of approving the redistricting of those 255 homes.

Trustee Márquez commented that if the 255 homes redistrict to Woodisde, there would be no way of knowing if all those families choose schools within the Woodisde Town boundaries.

Vice-President Lawson commented that if the 255 homes redistrict, the Redwood City School District would lose property tax funding, if the Redwood City School District becomes a Basic Aid district in the future. And, she also said that the RCSD would lose Parcel Tax dollars.

Superintendent Baker commented that once the Redwood City School District receives the official petition, County Counsel would immediately start working with the School Board and Administration to assist with the proper procedures.

  1. Consent Items (Action Required)

** Note: President McBride requested to move Consent Item 10.13 to Action due to a sentence that was edited.

President McBride requested to pull from the agenda Consent Item 10.15 and agendize it for a future board meeting.

The board approved the Consent Items (MacAvoy/Lawson; 4-0), taking the following action:

10.1 Recommendation re: Approval of July 11th Board Minutes

10.2 Recommendation re: Approval of October 30th Board Minutes

10.3 Recommendation re: Approval of November 6th Board Minutes

10.4 Recommendation re: Approval of Field Trip Request to Outdoor Education, Clifford School

10.5 Recommendation re: Approval of Field Trip Request to Yosemite National Park, Kennedy Middle School

10.6 Recommendation re: Approval of Field Trip Request to Año Nuevo, Orion Alternative and Mandarin Immersion Program at John Gill Campus

10.7 Recommendation re: Ratification of Warrant Register, October 1, 2019-October 31, 2019

10.8 Recommendation re: Approval of Agreement for Real Estate Consultant Services between the Redwood City School District and 3D Strategies

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

10.10 Recommendation re: Approval of Revisions to Board Policy and Administrative Regulations 4030 – Nondiscrimination in Employment

10.11 Recommendation re: Approval of Revisions to Board Policy 4119.11, 4219.11, and 4319.11 – Sexual Harassment

10.12 Recommendation re: Approval of Revisions to Board Policy 4119.21, 4219.21, and 4319.21 – Professional Standards

10.14 Recommendation re: Approval of Revisions to Board Policy 4119.24, 4219.24, and 4319.24 – Maintaining Appropriate Adult – Student Interactions

10.16 Recommendation re: Approval of Revisions to Board Policy and Administrative Regulations 5125.1 – Release of Directory Information

10.17 Recommendation re: Approval of Revisions to Board Policy 6170.1 – Transitional Kindergarten

10.18 Recommendation re: Approval of 2019-20 Measure U Application for Connect Community Charter School

President McBride (Ayes)

Vice-President Lawson (Ayes)

Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Díaz-Slocum (Absent)

Trustee Márquez (Ayes)

11. Action Items

10.13 Recommendation re: Approval of Revisions to Board Policy 4119.22, 4219.22, and 4319.22 – Dress and Grooming

The School Board approved the Revisions to Board Policy 4119.22, 4219.22, and 4319.22 – Dress and Grooming (Márquez/MacAvoy; 4-0).

President McBride (Ayes)

Vice-President Lawson (Ayes)

Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Díaz-Slocum (Absent)

Trustee Márquez (Ayes)

11.1 Recommendation re: Approval of Professional Development with National Urban Alliance Adjusted Contract Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Prek-5 Linda Montes commented that the adjusted contract amount had been reduced from $78,000 to $75,000 to be paid by an anonymous foundation.

The School Board approved the Professional Development with National Urban Alliance Adjusted Contract (Lawson/Márquez; 4-0).

President McBride (Ayes)

Vice-President Lawson (Ayes)

Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Díaz-Slocum (Absent)

Trustee Márquez (Ayes)

11.2 Recommendation re: Approval of Retirement Notification Incentive

The School Board approved the Retirement Notification Incentive (MacAvoy/Lawson; 4-0).

President McBride (Ayes)

Vice-President Lawson (Ayes)

Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Díaz-Slocum (Absent)

Trustee Márquez (Ayes)

  1. Board and Superintendent Reports

12.1 Report from Board Members and Superintendent

Trustee MacAvoy reported attending the Orion Author Illustrator Fair and commented it had been a great event! Trustee MacAvoy thanked Dr. Linda Montes and her staff for organizing the Reclassification Ceremony. Furthermore, Trustee MacAvoy reported having a lot of discussions and meetings in preparation for the upcoming California School Boards Association Board of Directors meeting, Delegate Assembly and Annual Conference.

Trustee Márquez reported attending the Reclassification Ceremony and commented it had been a great event! 

Vice-President Lawson reported attending the Bond Program Team meeting, in addition to the Reclassification Ceremony. 

President McBride reported attending a Measure U meeting, a Bond Program meeting, and the Philanthropy Day event honoring Kathy Kwan along with Trustee MacAvoy and Superintendent Baker. Furthermore, President McBride reported visiting Garfield School, Hoover Community School, Kennedy Middle School, Taft Community School, and Clifford School. President McBride expressed attending the Coffee with the Superintendent event at Clifford School. President McBride reported attending the Reclassification Ceremony and commented it had been a special event. President McBride thanked Linda and her team for an outstanding job.

Superintendent Baker commented he attended the Clifford School Coffee. Superintendent Baker expressed it had been a great event. Superintendent Baker added that he and Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources held their first lunch with teachers and Classified Staff at Clifford School and expressed it had been a wonderful event. Lastly, Superintendent Baker reported meeting with Peter Fortenbaugh from the Boys and Girls Club and reported discussing the summer programs for the next school year.

  1. Information

13.1 Information on San Mateo County Investment Fund – October 2019

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

  1. Correspondence

Vice-President Lawson reported receiving emails from Roy Cloud parents. 

President McBride reported receiving a letter from Betty Yee’s Office. President McBride requested from CBO Aquino-Dichoso to help summarize the letter to School Board members.

  1. Other Business/Suggested Items for Future Agenda

President McBride commented that the December 18th board meeting had been cancelled. 

  1. Board Agenda Calendar

16.1 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 8:26 p.m. (Márquez/MacAvoy; 4-0).

Alisa MacAvoy, Clerk