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November 4, 2020

NOVEMBER 4, 2020

REDWOOD CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Redwood City, California

APPROVED MINUTES OF BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

November 4, 2020

REGULAR BOARD MEETING VIA TELECONFERENCE

  1. Call to Order

President Lawson called the closed session meeting to order at 6:10 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: Director of Special Education Patricia Pelino, Deputy County Counsel Rosendo Padilla, and County Counsel Lisa Cho.

Trustee Díaz-Slocum joined the meeting at 7:15pm. 

  1. Oral Communication on Closed Session Items Only

None.

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

3.1 Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation. Gov. Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) – Two Potential Cases

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

4.1 Roll Call

4.2 Report Out on Closed Session from 11.4.20 President Lawson reported that the School Board received information in the Closed Session and no action was taken. 

  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, Patricia Ortiz, Patricia Pelino, Andrea Garen, Martin Cervantes, 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, (MacAvoy, Márquez; 4-0).

  1. Oral Communication

None. 

  1. Bond Program Consent Items (Action Required)

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

9.1 Recommendation re: Approval of Taft Community School New Buildings, Modernization and Sitework Project Bid Package B Sanco Pipelines Change Order #2

9.2 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

9.3 Recommendation re: Approval of Picnic Table Purchase and Installation Proposal for Roosevelt School with Park Planet

9.4 Recommendation re: Approval of Special Testing and Inspection Agreement Project Authorization Forms (PAFs) for Various Sites with Ninyo and Moore

9.5 Recommendation re: Approval of Classroom Moving Services Proposal for Roosevelt School with Chipman

9.6 Recommendation re: Approval of Surveying and Staking Agreement Project Authorization Forms (PAFs) for Garfield and Roosevelt Schools with Kier and Wright

9.7 Recommendation re: Approval of Toilet Partition Proposal for Roy Cloud School with Service Metal

9.8 Recommendation re: Approval of Interim Housing Removal Asphalt Repair Proposals for Henry Ford School and Kennedy Middle School with Dryco

President Lawson (Ayes)

Vice-President MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Díaz-Slocum (Absent)

Trustee Márquez (Ayes)

Trustee McBride (Ayes)

10. Bond Program Action Items (Action Required) None.

11. School/Community Reports

11.1 Presentation of Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment Program (BTSA)/Induction

Michelle Griffith, Director of Induction/TOSAs and Erin Kekos, Director of Human Resources presented on the Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment Program (BTSA)/Induction, which is a program second tier of the teacher credentialing system and provides a comprehensive support to eligible beginning teachers; primarily the understanding of the California Standards for Teaching Profession. It provides support for the candidate (new teacher) in developing, assessing and reflecting on their professional growth goals that will be completed within 60 days of the beginning of the program. The objectives of the program are: “Just in time” support for the candidate as they move through their school year; the application of knowledge and skills acquired in the pre-service program; development of the habits of mind expected in the teaching profession; meeting the learning needs of students, and teacher retention.

Currently, there are 34 teachers who are participating in the RCSD General Education BTSA/Induction Credentialing Program for the 2020-21 school year. Upon successful completion of the two-year program, candidates will be eligible for a Professional Clear Credential. These teachers meet weekly with their Mentor for guidance and support. Currently, there are 20 seasoned teachers participating as teacher mentors and who are also recommended by Site Administration. The Induction program provides ongoing training and support for Mentors that includes: coaching and mentoring, goal setting, best practices in adult learning, support for individual mentoring challenges, reflection on mentoring practice, and opportunities to engage with mentoring peers in professional learning networks, and program processes designed to support candidate growth and effectiveness.

The School Board and Superintendent Baker thanked Ms. Griffith and Ms. Kekos for their presentation and support of the program.

Superintendent Baker thanked the School Board for their continued support of having the program active for so many years.

12. Discussion Items

  • Discussion on Covid-19

Superintendent Baker and the School Board continued a discussion about distancing learning and the plan to return to in person learning. 

Public Comments: 

Catherine Stuart, RCSD parent, addressed the School Board by stating that she would like to continue with distance learning until there is a vaccine available. Ms. Stuart also expressed her concern in regards to not being able to secure a place in the Mandarin Immersion Program if her child continues with distance learning. Ms. Stuart added that she would like for her child to receive interactive Mandarin Immersion Program classes. 

In response to Ms. Stuart’s comment, Superintendent Baker replied that he has not received survey results back. Superintendent Baker expressed that all survey results need to be submitted in order to determine which teachers and staff will return. 

Indra Hernández submitted a speaker’s card; however, she was unable to unmute her microphone in order to speak to the School District. 

The School Board and Superintendent Baker thanked parents, teachers and staff for their comments and questions. 

  1. Consent Items

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

13.1 Recommendation re: Approval of September 16th Board Minutes

13.2 Recommendation re: Approval of September 23rd Board Minutes

13.3 Recommendation re: Approval of September 30th Board Minutes

13.4 Recommendation re: Approval of October 2nd Board Minutes

13.5 Recommendation re: Approval of Agreement between the Redwood City School District and United Through Education, Inc. (Orion Alternative Mandarin Immersion, Roosevelt School, Taft Community School)

13.6 Recommendation re: Approval of Agreement between the Redwood City School District and United Through Education, Inc. (5th through 8th grade students)

13.7 Recommendation re: Approval of Agreement between the Redwood City School District and Redwood City PAL (Redwood City Community Schools)

13.8 Recommendation re: Approval of Addendum to 2020-21 Measure U Application for Orion Alternative Mandarin Immersion

13.9 Recommendation re: Approval of Addendum to Agreement between Redwood City School District and National Urban Alliance

13.10 Recommendation re: Approval of Board Bylaw 9323 – Meeting Conduct

13.11 Recommendation re: Approval of Board Policy 5141.5 – Mental Health

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: Approval of a Return to In-Person Teaching and Learning with a Staggered Start as of Tuesday, January 19, 2021

The School Board approved the return to in-person teaching and learning with staggered start as of Tuesday, January 19, 2021 (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: Adoption of Resolution 13, Resolution Declaring Intent to Lease Surplus Property – attachment

The School Board adopted Resolution 13, resolution declaring intent to lease surplus property (Díaz-Slocum/Márquez; 5-0).

President Lawson (Ayes)

Vice-President MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

Trustee Márquez (Ayes)

Trustee McBride (Ayes)

14.3 Recommendation re: Approval of Personnel Changes The School Board discussed and approved the Board Policy 6157 – Distance Teaching and Learning (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

15.1 Report from Board Members and Superintendent

Trustee Díaz-Slocum did not have a report.

Trustee McBride reported attending a presentation for parents regarding the Garfield Community School modernization project. Trustee McBride commented that Principal Torres-Kahlil had done a wonderful job! Furthermore, Trustee McBride reported attending the virtual Kent Awards Ceremony. Trustee McBride also attended a meeting regarding the workforce housing project together with Vice-President MacAvoy and Superintendent Baker. Trustee McBride also attended a virtual meeting with Assemblymember Kevin Mullin and his team. 

Vice-President MacAvoy reported attending a Superintendent’s Coffee meeting. Vice-President MacAvoy commented that parents had great questions and excellent comments. Furthermore, Vice-President MacAvoy attended a Superintendent’s Advisory Committee meeting and a Policy Committee meeting together with President Lawson.

Trustee Márquez attended the County Committee on School District Organization on Monday. Trustee Márquez commented that there were many topics discussed, one of them being the 2020 Census results and possible modifications to the evaluation of the School Board election of trustees per district.

President Lawson reported attending many of the same meetings as other school board members. 

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

  1. Information
  • Information Regarding the Teacher Residency Program for Special Education Teachers with San Mateo County Office of Education and Alder Graduate School of Education

The San Mateo County Office of Education, in conjunction with Alder Graduate School of Education, is offering a special education teacher residency program for the 2021-2022 school year. Teacher residents will participate in a rigorous teacher preparation program through the lens of equity and inclusion. Teacher residents will be recruited from the Redwood City Community to pursue a teaching credential and Master’s degree.

Teacher Residents will:

-Earn a Master’s Degree and Teaching Credential in one year.

-Apprentice four days a week with an expert teacher in RCSD.

-Attend seminars with program instructors one day a week at the San Mateo County Office of Education

-Engage in critical conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion with a mentor, instructors, and peers.

-Receive priority consideration for a full-time teaching position upon completing the program.

-Do all of this at a cost that is affordable and includes financial support.

-A living stipend will be paid from the San Mateo County Office of Education to Teacher residents. The district contribution to participate in this program is $5,000 for each Teacher resident. 

Teacher Resident Mentors will:

-Welcome a teacher resident into their classroom for the 2021-2022 school year.

-Partner with the teacher resident through weekly coaching, lesson planning, assessment review, California Standards for the Teaching Profession (CSTP) review, classroom management in order to support the resident’s growth as an educator, similar to a typical student teaching experience but more comprehensive.

-Attend a residency mentor seminar at San Mateo County Office of Education one Friday per month in which the resident will serve as a substitute teacher for the mentor.

-Receive a $2,000 stipend for being a mentor.

The purpose of this program is to attract and retain special education teachers to our district. Special Education teaching positions are historically hard to fill and often filled by contracted workers. By reaching out to our local communities to participate in the Teacher Residency program, we are hopeful that we will be able to hire teacher residents into Special Education teaching positions at the conclusion of the program (for the 2022-2023 school year).

  • Contract Update Information and Credit Card Summary

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

  • San Mateo County Office of Education Review of 2019-20 Unaudited Actuals for Redwood City School District and Connect, KIPP and Rocketship Charter Schools

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

  1. Correspondence

All board members reported receiving many emails regarding parent surveys.

  1. Other Business/Suggested Items for Future Agenda

Superintendent Baker commented that there would be an email sent to School Board members to coordinate a board meeting to welcome our new school board member. 

  1. Board Agenda Calendar

19.1. Changes to the Board Agenda Schedule

There were no changes to the schedule of board agenda items.

  1. Adjournment (Action Required)

Trustee McBride requested to adjourn the board meeting in memory of Mr. Tom Mohr. Mr. Mohr was a true public servant. Mr. Mohr has been a champion of education. Mr. Mohr has unselfishly given his time to mentor and be a true friend to many people in the County, including the Redwood City School Board. Mr. Mohr was a friend to the Redwood City School District. After his retirement from the SMUHSD as its longtime Superintendent in 2004, Mr. Mohr served as president at Cañada College for six years and as a trustee of the San Mateo County Community College District for four years until his retirement in 2018. He chaired the Redwood City Chamber of Commerce Education Committee for many years. 

The board adjourned the meeting at 9:28 p.m. (McBride/Díaz-Slocum; 5-0).

María Díaz-Slocum, Clerk