January 18, 2023
REDWOOD CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Redwood City, California
APPROVED MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
January 18, 2023
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
1. Call to Order
President Márquez called the Closed Session to order at 6:31 p.m.
1.1 Roll Call
Present at the Closed Session Meeting: President Cecilia Márquez, Vice-President Janet Lawson; Trustees Mike Wells, Alisa MacAvoy, and David Weekly; and Superintendent Baker.
Others present during the Closed Board meeting: Deputy Superintendent Wendy Kelly, and CBO Rick Edson
2. Oral Communication on Closed Session Items Only
None.
3. Closed Session – 6:30 p.m.
The School Board went into Closed Session at 6:31 p.m.
3.1 RCTA Negotiations
4. Reconvene to regular session at approximately 7:00 p.m.
4.1 Roll Call
Others present during the Regular Board meeting: Assistant Superintendent Liz Wolfe, Will Robertson, Lupe Guzman, John-Michael Gomez, Josh Griffith, Ixchel Baltazar, and many others.
4.2 Report Out on Closed Session from January 18, 2023
President Márquez reported the School Board received information. No action was taken.
5. Welcome
President Márquez welcomed those present.
6. Changes to the Agenda
Trustee MacAvoy requested moving action items 12.2-12.6 to consent.
7. Approval of the Agenda
The School Board approved the agenda as amended (MacAvoy, Wells; 5-0).
Trustee Weekly (Ayes)
Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)
Trustee Wells (Ayes)
Vice-President Lawson (Ayes)
President Márquez (Ayes)
8. Oral Communication
None.
9. Bond Program Consent Items
The School Board approved the Bond Program Consent Items (Lawson, MacAvoy; 5-0) taking the following action:
9.1 Recommendation re: Approval of Bond Program Consent Items
9.2 Recommendation re: Approval of Proposal for Mobile Robotics Tables with Campbell Keller for Kennedy Middle School
9.3 Recommendation re: Approval of New Buildings, Modernization and Sitework, Bid Package G, Change Order #20 to the Agreement and Allowance Expenditure Directives #3 and #4 with Sausal Corporation for Orion Alternative School (Formerly John Gill School)
9.4 Recommendation re: Approval of Agreement and Supporting Proposal for Districtwide State Funding Consultant Services with Williams and Associates
Trustee Weekly (Ayes)
Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)
Trustee Wells (Ayes)
Vice-President Lawson (Ayes)
President Márquez (Ayes)
10. Discussion Items
10.1 School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA) Report: Hoover School
Hoover School administrators Lupe Guzman, John-Michael Gomez, Josh Griffith, and Ixchel Baltazar reported to the School Board an update of their school’s Single Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA) report. The purpose of the SPSAs is to coordinate all educational services at the school. Hoover School’s administrators reported on their goals to reduce student absentee rates, improve reclassification rates, and demonstrate one year’s growth in ELA and Math state assessments. The Hoover team also reported on their actions to achieve their goals. Additionally, they shared with the School Board the kind of support they would like to receive from the district and School Board that will aid them in their work. Lastly, the Hoover team also presented the School Board with a PowerPoint presentation regarding an overview of the “street data” they gathered and what they are doing as a community to ensure the staff, families, and students feel Hoover School is a supportive environment.
Speaker’s Cards:
Kevin Sugar, a Hoover School teacher, thanked the School Board. He shared that he started teaching at Hoover in 2008 and took a moment to express his appreciation for the current administration and the incredible work they are doing with the students. He is grateful for the outstanding atmosphere created at the school this year. He noted there are always issues when it comes to education, but overall, he feels it is a pleasure to come to work this year.
Kristy Herrera thanked Kevin, the speaker before her, because he echoed what she wanted to say. Kristy shared she has been at the school district for 21 years, and the last few years have been very rough. Kristy mentioned feeling hopeful and is grateful to the current Hoover administrative team for bringing the staff and community together. She mentioned it is a joy to go to work and she is committed to staying there until she retires.
Trustee Weekly requested a copy of the “street data” PowerPoint. Additionally, he expressed excitement over the Socratic seminars and would like to learn more about them.
Trustee MacAvoy thanked the Hoover School administrative team for both PowerPoint presentations. She appreciated all the photos from the “street data” slides because they are proof of the work that is happening at the school. Both presentations help demonstrate how much the team really cares for the students, families, and staff. Trustee MacAvoy expressed her appreciation for the team's focus on bringing the staff together and providing support. She also noted she was pleased to learn the school is moving towards a restorative approach.
Trustee Wells thanked the Hoover admin team for being the first to present and for all the work that is being done at Hoover School. He stated that some of the common themes that stood out to him from the presentation were: inclusion, creating safe spaces, and joy. Additionally, Trustee Wells expressed excitement over the significant improvement in the attendance rate. Furthermore, he acknowledged there needs to be a conversation on what can be done at the district level to support the school. Lastly, he questioned if other strategies were working, besides the PLCs, to help provide professional development for teachers.
In response, Principal Lupe Guzman shared a few ways the site admin team tries to make time for teachers to collaborate to succeed in classroom management and create a close community.
Vice-President Lawson thanked the Hoover team for the presentation. She mentioned the joy at the school is clear and underscored by the teachers who spoke at the meeting. Also, she expressed her happiness over the school moving towards restorative justice practices. Furthermore, she praised the team for improving student attendance. Trustee Lawson commented that knowing what kind of support the school needs from the School Board and the district office is very significant. It is a topic the School Board needs to consider. Lastly, she stated she is the Vice-President of the Historic Union Cemetery Association Board, and the board is actively working on putting together a field trip curriculum for any teachers who might be interested.
President Márquez thanked the Hoover team for the presentation. She feels it is very beneficial to hear what is happening at the school sites. She praised Lupe for her work. President Márquez asked what classes students are taken out of for math or reading intervention.
In response, Principal Guzman stated that in primary school, student classes are divided into homogenous groups to receive instruction at their level. For middle school, a part-time ELD teacher pulls students out during one of their school periods.
President Márquez wondered if there can be a possibility of teachers developing an ELD curriculum as she believes the teachers might know what is best for the students. She applauded the Hoover team for creating a sense of community and building morale at the school. Additionally, she praised Lupe's idea that “less is more.” President Márquez also believes quality precedes quantity in the work that the school is doing.
Superintendent Baker commented about when he met with Lupe to offer her the principal role and is grateful that she accepted the position. He acknowledged it would be a challenging role. He expressed gratitude to the Hoover staff, the Vice-Principals, the teachers, and the community school coordinator. Lastly, he commended Lupe for her work in building through an equity lens and building community at the school. It hasn’t been a complete school year, but the difference is notable.
11. Consent Items
The School Board approved the Consent Items (Wells, MacAvoy; 5-0), taking the following action:
11.1 Recommendation re: Approval of Consent Items
11.2 Recommendation re: Approval of the Agreement between Redwood City School
District and After School Music Academy, LLC for the Fiscal Year 2022-2023
11.3 Recommendation re: Approval of the MOU between The San Mateo County
Office of Education (SMCOE) and the Redwood City School District (RCSD) to provide
Unity Day Training
11.4 Recommendation re: Approval of the Agreement between The Speech Pathology
Group dba SPG Therapy & Education and the Redwood City School District (RCSD) for
the 2022-2023 school year
12.2 Recommendation re: Approval of Annual Developer Fee Report - Fiscal Year
2021-22
12.3 Recommendation re: Approval of Agreement between the City of Redwood City
and the Redwood City School District to Renew Redwood City Together Partnership for
Fiscal Years 2022-24
12.4 Recommendation re: Approval of Rocketship Redwood City Prep Charter
School Preliminary Space Proposal for the 2023-24 school year
12.5 Recommendation re: Approval of Connect Community Charter School
Preliminary Space Proposal for the 2023-24 school year
12.6 Recommendation re: Approval of KIPP Excelencia Community Prep (“KIPP”)
Charter School Preliminary Space Proposal for the 2023-24 school year
Trustee Weekly (Ayes)
Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)
Trustee Wells (Ayes)
Vice-President Lawson (Ayes)
President Márquez (Ayes)
12. Action Items
12.1 Recommendation re: Adoption of Resolution 22, Resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Redwood City School District Certifying all Proceedings in the November 8, 2022 General Obligation Bond Election
Trustee Wells thanked Redwood City voters for supporting Measure S. He is excited to see what local funding can do to improve the experience of Redwood City School District students and staff or anyone who engages with district properties.
The School Board adopted Resolution 22, Resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Redwood City School District certifying all proceedings in the November 8, 2022 General Obligation Bond election (Wells, Weekly; 5-0).
Trustee Weekly (Ayes)
Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)
Trustee Wells (Ayes)
Vice-President Lawson (Ayes)
President Márquez (Ayes)
13. Board and Superintendent Reports
13.1 Report from Board Members and Superintendent
Trustee MacAvoy reported attending a virtual town hall put together by Redwood City Together. The topic discussed revolved around childcare needs and after-school care.
Trustee Wells reported attending the final logo committee meeting.
Trustee Weekly reported that he toured Garfield and Taft. Trustee Weekly reported he plans to tour the charter schools as well.
Vice-President Lawson reported attending the logo committee meeting.
President Márquez had nothing to report.
Superintendent Baker had nothing to report.
14. Information
14.1 Quarterly Williams Report, 2nd Quarter, October 2022 through December 2022
No questions or comments.
14.2 Contract Update Information and Credit Card Summary
No questions or comments.
14.3 Information on San Mateo County Investment Fund - November 2022
No questions or comments.
15. Correspondence
Trustee MacAvoy reported that the board members received an invitation to the Mandarin Immersion Lunar New Year celebration event.
16. Other Business/Suggested Items for Future Agenda
None.
17. Board Meetings Calendar
17.1 Changes to the Board Meetings Calendar
No changes.
Superintendent Baker reminded the board members about the special board meeting on Friday, 1/20 at 11:30am.
18. Adjournment
The board adjourned the meeting at 8:44 p.m. (MacAvoy, Wells; 5-0).