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August 10th, 2022 - Regular Session

REDWOOD CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Redwood City, California

APPROVED MINUTES OF BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

August 10, 2022

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

1.         Call to Order

President Díaz-Slocum called the Closed Session to order at 6:33 p.m.

 

1.2       Recommendation re:  Adoption of Resolution 1, Authorizing Electronic Meetings of the Board of Trustees During a State of Emergency Pursuant to Government Code Section 54953(e).

The School Board adopted Resolution 1, Authorizing Electronic Meetings of the Board of Trustees During a State of Emergency Pursuant to Government Code Section 54953(e) (Lawson, Márquez; 3-0)

 

Trustee MacAvoy (Absent)

Trustee Wells (Absent)

Trustee Lawson (Ayes)

Vice-President Márquez (Ayes)

President Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

 

1.1       Roll Call

Present at the Closed Session Meeting: President María Díaz-Slocum, Vice-President Cecilia I. Márquez; Trustees Janet Lawson; and Superintendent Baker. 

 

Others Present: Peter Ingram, Consultant, and Clarissa Canady, Legal Counsel. Trustee MacAvoy and Trustee Wells officially arrived to the meeting after the 1.2 vote was taken.

 

2.         Oral Communication on Closed Session Items Only

None.

 

3.         Closed Session – 6:30 p.m.

The School Board went into Closed Session at 6:36 p.m.

 

3.1       Conference with Real Property Negotiators (Gov. Code, § 54956.8)

Property: 750 Bradford Street, Redwood City, CA 94063

Agency Negotiator: John R. Baker, Superintendent; Peter Ingram, Property Consultant; and Clarissa Canady, Attorney for District.

Negotiating Parties: The Sobrato Organization and Redwood City School District.

Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment of Property Exchange Agreement

 

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

4.1       Roll Call

 

Others Present during the Regular Board meeting: Wendy Kelly, Liz Wolfe, Rick Edson, Erin Kekos, Will Robertson, Don Dias, Blake Boehm, Joy Kummer, Janet Mueller, and 17 others.

 

4.2       Report out on Closed Session from August 10, 2022

President Díaz-Slocum reported the School Board met with the consultants and received an update regarding Real Property negotiations.

 

5.         Welcome

5.1       Welcome

President Díaz-Slocum welcomed those present.

 

6.         Changes to the Agenda

Trustee MacAvoy requested to move Action Item 14.1 to under the Bond Program Action Items.

 

7.         Approval of Agenda

The School Board approved the agenda as amended, (MacAvoy, Márquez; 5-0).

 

8.         Oral Communication

None.

 

9.         School/Community Reports

 

9.1       Measure T Bond Program Progress Update

Will Robertson provided an update on construction completion at all the main project school sites. The Garfield and its rear parking lot, as well as Orion Alternative are the two new construction completions. The bond team is nearing DSA certifications at Garfield, Orion and Taft.

 

Trustee Lawson commented the timing of the completion is great because it was done before the start of the school year.

 

President Márquez thanked the team for the update pictures of the school sites.

 

10.       Bond Program Consent Items

The School Board approved the Bond Program Consent Items (Lawson, Márquez; 5-0) taking the following action:

 

10.1     Recommendation re:  Approval of Bond Program Consent Items

10.2     Recommendation re:  Approval of Measure T Bond Program Tracking List of Items Under $20k

10.3     Recommendation re:  Approval of Proposal for Rock Removal on the Temporary Parking Lot with Duran & Venables at Taft Community School

10.4     Recommendation re:  Approval of Proposal for Clearing and Grubbing, Installation of an Irrigation and Automatic Watering System and Hydroseed Control with Scapes, Inc. at Taft Community School

10.5     Recommendation re:  Approval of Proposal for Asphalt Seal and Striping with Duran & Venables at Garfield Community School

10.6     Recommendation re:  Approval of Proposal for Fencing and Gate Adjustment with Galeb Paving, Inc. at Garfield Community School

10.7     Recommendation re:  Approval of Proposal for Soil Preparation, Ripping, Tilling and Placement of Sod with Scapes, Inc. at Orion Alternative School (Formerly, John Gill School)

10.8     Recommendation re:  Approval of New Buildings, Modernization and Sitework Project Bid Package G Change Order #16 with Sausal Corporation for Orion Alternative School

10.9     Recommendation re:  Approval of Proposal for Asphalt Seal and Striping with Dryco at Taft Community School

10.10   Recommendation re:  Approval of Turnkey Security Camera and Intrusion System Change Order #1 with Siemens at the Maintenance, Operations, and Transportation (MOT) Yard

 

11.       Bond Program Action Items (Action Required)

 

11.1     Recommendation re:  Adoption of Futility Resolution 3, Approval of Maker Space Project Change Order #2 with Castillo Plumbing & Construction at Kennedy Middle School

The School Board adopted Resolution 3, Approval of Maker Space Project Change Order #2 with Castillo Plumbing & Construction at Kennedy Middle School (Márquez, Lawson; 5-0).

 

Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Wells (Ayes)

Trustee Lawson (Ayes)

Vice-President Márquez (Ayes)

President Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

 

14.1     Recommendation re:  Adoption of Resolution 2, Ordering a School Bond Election on November 8, 2022, Requesting Consolidation with other Measures Occurring on November 8, 2022, and Authorizing Necessary Actions in Connection Therewith

Superintendent Baker presented Resolution 2, Ordering a School Bond election on November 8, 2022.

 

Janet Mueller commented her team shared a draft resolution at the June 29th board meeting. She recapped on the various components of calling a bond measure. Janet Mueller shared the new updates on the Resolution draft that were made to better align with what the community was requesting from the Redwood City School District (RCSD).

 

Trustee MacAvoy shared she was very happy with the results of the full package.

 

Trustee Wells expressed that the resolution does a great job at explaining what the needs of our district are.

 

Vice-President Márquez thanked everyone who worked on the bond measure. She also emphasized that the ballot text does explain that no money will be used towards school administrators.

 

Blake Boehm explained Measure T was a phased approach to the district’s facilities needs. A single measure would not be enough to get through all the existing needs at all the school sites.

 

Joy Kummer echoed Blake’s comments.

 

Trustee MacAvoy shared it was great to hear the Measure T update because it serves as evidence that the job will get done, and it was done under budget and under the proposed time. It is important to continue now with the next phase, because there is a continued need in the district and overtime costs do go up. Trustee MacAvoy thanked the bond team.

 

Speaker’s Cards:

 

Chris Robell, a Redwood City resident, thanked the trustees. He shared he has spoken with dozens of residents who are against the bond measure. He stated it is a terrible time for new taxes and he would much rather prefer a parcel tax over a bond measure. He asks that the School Board consider the changing economy and the decline in enrollment.

 

Caterina Schweidenback, the mother of a rising 1st grader at Adelante-Selby commented she has had an overall fantastic experience at the Redwood City public schools. She noted that the facilities do need improvements. She is in favor of having a centralized kitchen to serve healthier meals for the students. Healthier meals can help students focus in school. Overall, she is in favor of the bond measure ballot.

 

Jessica Shade voiced her support for the RCSD school bond. The funds provided by the bond are critical for our school district which would help improve the health and safety needs of the facilities. The bond could help fund the central kitchen which would give RCSD opportunities to provide more fresh, healthy meals. Updating the school infrastructure provides many positive outcomes.

 

Jessica Meunier expressed her excitement for the bond measure. She is the parent of a rising 1st grader. She loves the learning she has done of RCSD, but acknowledges there is room for improvement, in particular, the school meals. It is very helpful for parents to have the meals provided. She is in favor of the central kitchen and updated safety standards. She is very happy that the work of the previous measure was done on time and on budget.

 

Elmer Martinez, community volunteer and former Roosevelt student, is in support of the bond measure. He commented that there are critical facility updates needed to meet current health, safety, and educational measures. The bond measure will help fund these needs. He thanked everyone for all of the work they do for the students.

 

Iliana Harryson the parent of an incoming TK and 1st grader at Orion Alt. School. She shared her belief that strong schools are a cornerstone of a strong community that fosters the growth of healthy children. She also shared that teachers, students, and parents are all very excited for the new building funded by Measure T. She also expressed excitement over the possibility of a centralized kitchen to improve the quality of the food children eat.

 

Superintendent Baker wanted to make sure the public knew that Measure T came on time and emphasized “underbudget.”

 

President Díaz-Slocum also mentioned money was saved from the previous bond, as well.

 

Blake Boehm added, that previously, some of the 2002 bonds were refinanced, thus saving money, and will continue to look out for other future opportunities to refinance.

 

Trustee Wells noted it was well known a phase 2 would be needed to complete the list of projects needing to be done at the various sites. He really likes how the ballot language allows for prioritization on projects that need to be done. He noted the state of CA does not provide reliable source of funding for school facilities. Passing local bond measures provide that guaranteed source of local funding to maintain and improve the local schools.

 

The School Board adopted Resolution 2, Ordering a School Bond Election on November 8, 2022, Requesting Consolidation with other Measures Occurring on November 8, 2022, and Authorizing Necessary Actions in Connection Therewith (Lawson, Wells; 5-0).

 

Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Wells (Ayes)

Trustee Lawson (Ayes)

Vice-President Márquez (Ayes)

President Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

 

12.       Discussion Items

 

12.1     Discussion of School Assignments and School Board Committee Assignments for Board Members for the 2022-23 School Year

Superintendent Baker presented the Draft School Assignments and School Board Committee Assignments for the 2022-23 school year for the School Board to review and discuss.

 

All board members approved the School Assignment rotation as it is.

 

Regarding the School Committees, all Trustees will stay in the same committees.

 

Trustee Lawson noted BTSA is now named Induction and requested to add the Chamber San Mateo County Education Committee.

 

Trustee Lawson and Trustee Wells will form part of the Chamber San Mateo County Education Committee.

 

The NSA Forward Committee was removed from the list.

 

Superintendent Baker will follow up on whether to keep or remove the Stanford University/RCSD Committee.

 

12.2     First Reading and Discussion of updated Board Policy 9270 - Conflict of Interest Code

Superintendent Baker presented the need for a revision on the Board Policy 9270 – Conflict of Interest. This review is in connection with the Form 700 filings that are done every year.

 

Trustee MacAvoy asked if this was to add any new members to the list.

 

In response, Superintendent Baker commented a couple of directors are being added to the list and the Assistant Superintendent.

 

13.       Consent Items

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

 

13.1     Recommendation re:  Approval of Consent Items

13.2     Recommendation re:  Approval of June 15th Board Minutes

13.3     Recommendation re:  Approval of June 22nd Board Minutes

13.4     Recommendation re:  Approval of June 29th Board Minutes

13.5     Recommendation re:  Approval of Agreement between the Redwood City School District and Legarza Sports for PE Enrichment Program at North Star Academy for the 2022-23 School Year

13.6     Recommendation re:  Approval of Agreement between Redwood City School District and the St. Francis Center of Redwood City (Siena Youth Center) for the Fiscal Year 2022-23

13.7     Recommendation re:  Approval of Agreement between Redwood City School District and Casa Circulo Cultural for the Fiscal Year 2022-23

13.8     Recommendation re:  Approval of Agreement between Redwood City School District and Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula (BGCP) for the Fiscal Year 2022-23

13.9     Recommendation re:  Approval of Agreement between Redwood City School District and the City of Redwood City Parks and Recreation (Reach) for the Fiscal Year 2022-23

13.10   Recommendation re:  Approval of Agreement between Redwood City School District and National Urban Alliance (NUA) for Professional Development

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

13.12   Recommendation re:  Approval of Measure T Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee Membership

13.13   Recommendation re:  Denial of Claim

13.14   Recommendation re:  Warrant Register, June 24, 2022 - June 30, 2022

13.15   Recommendation re:  Warrant Register, July 1, 2022 - July 31, 2022

 

Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Wells (Ayes)

Trustee Lawson (Ayes)

Vice-President Márquez (Ayes)

President Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

 

14.       Action Items

14.2     Recommendation re:  Adoption of Resolution 4, Approval of Education Code Options for Teaching Assignments

 

Deputy Superintendent Wendy Kelly presented of the Ed. Code options to allow fully credentialed teachers to work outside of their credential to teach an additional course. Each individual has university credits on the content.

 

No questions from the School Board.

 

The School Board adopted Resolution 4, Approval of Education Code Options for Teaching Assignments (Lawson, Wells; 5-0). The Education Code Options for Teaching Assignments were approved for the following teachers:

 

Angela Ha: English EC 44256(b) – (6-8th Gr.)

Karen Hinojosa: Reading Intervention EC 44258.2 – (4-8th Gr.)

Morris White: Science EC 44258.2 – (7th Gr.)

 

Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Wells (Ayes)

Trustee Lawson (Ayes)

Vice-President Márquez (Ayes)

President Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

 

14.3     Adoption of Resolution 5, Sufficiency of Instructional Materials

No questions or comments from the School Board.

 

The School Board adopted Resolution 5, Sufficiency of Instructional Materials

(Wells, Márquez; 5-0).

 

Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Wells (Ayes)

Trustee Lawson (Ayes)

Vice-President Márquez (Ayes)

President Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

 

14.4     Approval of RCAA Compensation Proposal

Deputy Superintendent Wendy Kelly presented a proposal on behalf of the management group of Redwood City School District. The proposal is composed of two parts. First, the request to increase the health benefit allocation. Second, to make changes in the RCAA Salary schedule.

 

Trustee Márquez commented she would like to request time to discuss the equality between different staff groups for future negotiations.

 

Superintendent clarified this is a negotiated item.

 

President Díaz-Slocum also suggested there be a conversation about how to make it so our employees are receiving comparable benefits to the neighboring districts. It has been a challenge to recruit employees and our neighboring districts have different benefits.

 

Superintendent Baker added the groups had different ideas on how the money should be divided. Some groups preferred more money to be allocated towards benefits, and others towards salaries.

 

President Díaz-Slocum also mentioned how other districts would get money out of purse to save money and it might be an option worth exploring in the future.

 

The School Board approved the RCAA Compensation Proposal (MacAvoy, Márquez; 5-0)

 

Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Wells (Ayes)

Trustee Lawson (Ayes)

Vice-President Márquez (Ayes)

President Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

 

14.5     Approval of Local Assignment Options in Areas of Special Skill and Preparation Outside of Credential Authorization

Deputy Superintendent Wendy Kelly presented the Local Assignment Options to the Board to authorize teachers to teach outside of their credential, based on committee review. This would allow for teachers to offer exciting electives for the students.

 

President Díaz-Slocum thanked Liz because she had been waiting for those elective improvements.

 

The School Board approved Local Assignment Options in Areas of Special Skill and Preparation Outside of Credential Authorization for Caitlin McManus, Kathleen Murphy, and Lauren Tickel (MacAvoy, Lawson; 5-0).

 

Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Wells (Ayes)

Trustee Lawson (Ayes)

Vice-President Márquez (Ayes)

President Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

 

14.6     Approval of Revised Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP)

Assistant Superintendent Liz Wolfe presented the revisions made to the LCAP. The carry-over from the year before had not been taken into account. Additional $900K of funding was added to existing items.

 

Chief Business Official Rick Edson commented that the numbers will continue to shift, but the Business Department will work with Assistant Superintendent Liz Wolfe and her team in preparation of going through the 22-23 Fiscal Year and the Mid-Year report to make sure the numbers reflect the changes that were made. Mr. Edson also mentioned a lot of changes have happened in the LCAP and the reporting in the last couple of years with different standards of reporting and different requirements.

 

The School Board approved the Revised Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) (Márquez, Wells; 5-0).

 

Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Wells (Ayes)

Trustee Lawson (Ayes)

Vice-President Márquez (Ayes)

President Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

 

14.7     Approval of Provisional Internship Permit

Deputy Superintendent Wendy Kelly presented on the state approved emergency credential proposal for individuals who have a rich background in their BA degree and are working on their credentials.

 

The School Board approved the Provisional Internship Permit (Lawson, Márquez; 5-0). The Provisional Internship Permit was approved for the following teachers:

 

David Hopper (STEAM/Enrichment Teacher)

Alma Jimenez (2nd/3rd Gr. Spanish Bilingual Teacher)

Lauren Tapang (TK Teacher)

 

Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Wells (Ayes)

Trustee Lawson (Ayes)

Vice-President Márquez (Ayes)

President Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

 

14.8     Approval of Personnel Changes for 2022-2023

Deputy Superintendent Wendy Kelly presented a request for position changes for the 2022-23 School Year due to staffing needs.

 

The School Board approved the Personnel Changes for 2022-23 (Márquez, Lawson; 5-0).

 

Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Wells (Ayes)

Trustee Lawson (Ayes)

Vice-President Márquez (Ayes)

President Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

 

14.9     Classified General Leave Request(s)

Deputy Superintendent Wendy Kelly presented a classified general leave request for the duration of the school year. This staff holds a unique role. The recommendation is to not approve the leave request because the CSEA contract does not allow the district to hire temporary employees or contractors for these roles.

 

President Díaz-Slocum clarified the motion would be to not approve the request.

 

Vice-President Márquez asked since it is different for Certificated employees, is this negotiated as part of their contract? Has any other classified employee ever questioned why Classified employees do not have the same rights as Certificated staff.

In response to the Trustee Márquez question, Deputy Superintendent Wendy Kelly answered no one has questioned the difference in HR nor CSEA has brought this item up to be negotiated of reconsidered. It is rare to have a request for unpaid leave. Due to this unique situation, the staff member would be forced to resign and reapply later if the situation changes.

 

The School Board approved the staff recommendation to not approve the Classified General Leave Request(s) (Márquez, Wells; 5-0).

 

Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)

Trustee Wells (Ayes)

Trustee Lawson (Ayes)

Vice-President Márquez (Ayes)

President Díaz-Slocum (Ayes)

 

15.       Board and Superintendent Reports

 

15.1     Report from Board Members and Superintendent

Trustee Lawson reported attending a Workforce Housing meeting with Trustee MacAvoy and Superintendent Baker, and a bond team meeting with CBO Rick Edson and Superintendent Baker.

 

Trustee Márquez had nothing to report.

 

Trustee Wells reported meeting with a few parents over the summer.

 

Trustee MacAvoy reported visiting the summer school at Roosevelt and had a wonderful tour. She praised the dedication of the teachers and principals. She thanked all the staff, Liz Wolfe, Wendy Kelly and the whole team for making it happen. She also attended a few bond and workforce housing meetings, and met with a few parents over the summer.

 

President Díaz-Slocum mentioned meeting with some parents and answering a few of their questions.

 

Superintendent Baker reported the principals came back and attended virtual meetings for Professional Development (PD). He also met with teachers virtually. Superintendent Baker also commented, on the next board meeting there will be more discussion on Covid. As covid continues the protocols have changed and more information will be received from Jorge on Friday. The district no longer has Bay PLS, and will resume using the antigen test kits. Superintendent Baker also mentioned he and his colleagues will deliver bagels on Monday. Furthermore, registration and the business office are working diligently to make sure all information is collected for this school year. Registration and School of Choice will now be overseen by Jorge.

 

16.       Information

 

16.1     Quarterly Williams Report, 4th Quarter, April 2022 through June 2022

No questions or comments.

 

16.2     Information on San Mateo County Investment Fund - June 2022

No questions or comments.

 

17.       Correspondence

 

Trustee MacAvoy reported receiving a few questions regarding the bond and a few parents had questions on other things.

 

President Díaz-Slocum had the same experience as Trustee MacAvoy.

 

18.       Other Business/Suggested Items for Future Agenda

Superintendent Baker commented the School Board will receive the Schedule of Board Agenda Items at the next board meeting.

 

Vice-President Márquez asked if this was the correct section to bring up the discussion regarding Agenda Item 14.4?

 

In response, Superintendent Baker suggested talking about it offline at the individual meetings, which can later be brought up to Deputy Superintendent Wendy Kelly and CBO Rick Edson for further discussion because it is a negotiated item.

 

19.       Adjournment

The board adjourned the meeting at 8:32 p.m. (Márquez, MacAvoy; 5-0).