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September 4, 2019

SEPTEMBER 4, 2019

REDWOOD CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Redwood City, California

APPROVED MINUTES OF BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

September 4, 2019

  1. Call to Order

President Dennis McBride called the special board meeting to order at 7:01 a.m. at the Redwood City School District (“RCSD”), 750 Bradford Street, Redwood City.

  1. Welcome

President Dennis McBride welcomed those present. The School Board dispensed with the recital of the pledge.

Present at the Special Board Meeting: President Dennis McBride, Vice-President Janet Lawson, Trustees María Díaz-Slocum, Alisa MacAvoy, Cecilia I. Márquez and Superintendent John Baker.

Others Present: Linda Montes, Wendy Kelly, Priscilla Aquino-Dichoso, Eva Orbuch, Aron Michalski, and Jason Gasilatus.

  1. Changes to the Agenda

There were no changes to the agenda.

  1. Approval of Agenda

The board approved the agenda as submitted, (Lawson/MacAvoy; 5-0).

  1. Oral Communication

None.

  1. Discussion Items

6.1 Discussion on Allocation of Measure H Funds when Passed in the November 2019 Election

Superintendent Baker opened the discussion about the allocation of Measure H funds when passed during the election of November 2019 by stating that the purpose of the discussion was to talk in depth about how Parcel Tax dollars would be spent once Measure H passes. Superintendent Baker added that funds raised under Measure H would authorize the School District to utilize those funds to attract and retain highly qualified teachers; support quality reading and writing skills in schools; maintain science, technology, engineering and math instruction; and reduce classroom sizes in kindergarten and first grade.

Chief Business Official Priscilla Aquino-Dichoso provided the School Board and Superintendent Baker with a presentation that included three different options for the way in which Parcel Tax funds would be distributed district-wide when passed.

Option A would be a distribution based on current allocation method. If the School Board voted on Option A, this would mean that there would be an allocation of $2,922,019 for district-wide use and $408,577 would be allocated for charter school use.

Option B would be a distribution based on enrollment only. If the School Board voted on Option B, this would mean that there would be an allocation of $2,943,374 to the Redwood City School District and $387,223 would be allocated to the charter schools.

Option C would be a distribution of 90/10 split between the Redwood City School District and the charter schools, with 90% being allocated to the Redwood City School District and 10% of the funds would be allocated to charter schools. If the School Board voted for Option C, this would mean that there would be an allocation of $2,997,537 for the Redwood City School District and $333,060 would be allocated to the charter schools.

School Board members felt that Option C seemed to be a better option when making a decision on how to allocate Measure H funds.

Trustee MacAvoy asked if Option C were chosen, what would happen if one of the charter schools closed? Would charter schools receive funds based on enrollment numbers and if so, what would happen in the event enrollment increased or decreased.

In response to Trustee MacAvoy’s questions, Superintendent Baker expressed that when he spoke to Dannis Woliver Kelley attorney, Janet Mueller, it was commented that depending on each year, the Redwood City School District could look at each year, analyze it and discuss what needs to change. Enrollment numbers, classroom sizes could be analyzed and changes could be made accordingly.

CBO Aquino-Dichoso added that the Business Department budgeted over $400,000 for the November 2019 election. CBO Aquino-Dichoso expressed that the Business Department is in the process of figuring out what the contribution would be from charter schools to cover a portion of the election’s cost.

Trustees MacAvoy, Díaz-Slocum, and Márquez and Vice-President Lawson agreed on having charter schools contribute a portion of the election’s cost for Measure H. President McBride declined to comment on the subject.

Speaker’s Cards:

  1. Eva Orbuch, representative from Innovate Public Schools, expressed her excitement about the Parcel Tax. Ms. Orbuch commented that she looks forward to doing outreach to obtain revenue and would like for the distribution of funds to be equitable. Ms. Orbuch commented that she did not attend the meeting in representation of charter schools; therefore, she would like for the Redwood City School District to reach out directly to them.
  1. Aron Michalski, charter schools’ representative, expressed his gratitude towards the Redwood City School District for including the charter schools. Mr. Michalski commented that there is a lot of variability each year in terms of student population and added that there is a way to distribute funds equitably amongst the Redwood City School District and charter schools.
  1. Jason Gasilatus, Redwood City Education Foundation Executive Director, addressed the School Board by stating that the Redwood City Education Foundation is working arduously on the campaign for Measure H. Mr. Gasilatus commented that RCEF has been able to identify $70,000 for Measure H. Mr. Gasilatus added that RCEF is encouraging people to donate and they are doing this by planning events for fund raising. Mr. Gasilatus further expressed that RCEF would like to receive support from City Council, Sequoia Union High School District and School Board member endorsements.

Superintendent Baker closed the discussion by stating he would contact Dannis Woliver Kelley attorney, Janet Mueller to discuss the conversation from the meeting and upon her advice, contact charter school representatives.

  1. Adjournment (Action Required)

The board adjourned the meeting at 8:14 p.m. (Márquez, Díaz-Slocum; 5-0).

Alisa MacAvoy, Clerk