March 20, 2024

REDWOOD CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Redwood City, California

APPROVED MINUTES OF BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

March 20, 2024

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

1.         Call to Order

Vice President Wells called the Closed Session to order at 6:30 p.m.

 

1.1           Roll Call

Present at the Closed Board meeting: Vice-President Mike Wells; Trustees Alisa MacAvoy, David Weekly, and Cecilia Márquez; and Superintendent Baker

 

Others present during the Closed Board meeting: Deputy Superintendent Wendy Kelly

 

Absent during the Closed Board meeting: President Janet Lawson

 

2.         Oral Communication on Closed Session Items Only

None.

 

3.         Closed Session – 6:30 p.m.

 

3.1       RCTA Negotiations Update

 

4.         Reconvene to Regular Session at Approximately 7:00 p.m. - 2 min

The School Board reconvened for the regular session at 7:06 p.m.

 

4.1       Roll Call

Present at the Regular Board meeting: Vice-President Mike Wells; Trustees Alisa MacAvoy, David Weekly, and Cecilia Márquez; and Superintendent Baker

 

Others present during the Regular Board meeting: CBO Rick Edson, Assistant Superintendent Anna Herrera, Deputy Superintendent Wendy Kelly, Director of Community Schools and Partnerships Michelle Griffith, Albert Lowe, Liz Calderon, Jackie Campos, Cynthia Cardona, Enrique Calderon, Gil Guzman, Itzel Gloria, and many others.

 

Absent during the Regular Board Meeting: President Janet Lawson

 

4.2       Report Out on Closed Session from March 20, 2024

No action was taken. The Closed Session will reconvene after the regular board meeting.

 

5.         Welcome

Vice President Wells welcomed those present. Vice President Wells and Superintendent Baker requested a moment to honor Principal Lupe Torres-Khalil. Superintendent Baker provided information regarding The Celebration of Life event scheduled at Garfield Community School on April 6th, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

 

6.      Changes to the Agenda

Trustee Márquez requested to move Consent Items 10.5, Approval of E-Rate Bid Process for Redwood City School District WAN Service, and 10.6, Approval of E-Rate Bid for Redwood City School District Internet Service to after Action Item 11.1.

 

7.      Approval of the Agenda

The School Board approved the agenda as amended (MacAvoy, Márquez; 4-0).

 

Trustee Márquez (Ayes)

Trustee Weekly (Ayes)

Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)

Vice-President Wells (Ayes)

President Lawson (Absent)

 

8.         Oral Communication

Chris Robell addressed the School Board to express his concern about the district's actions regarding the bond money that was floated nine months ago. He disagrees with the district's decision to withdraw funds from the Measure S bond without utilizing them right away. Additionally, he requested that the district opt for an auction process rather than a negotiated sale process when floating future bonds.

 

9.         School/Community Reports

 

9.1       Community Schools and Expanded Learning Program Board Report

Michelle Griffith, Albert Lowe, and Cynthia Cardona presented to the School Board about the Community Schools' work, updates, and Theory of Action initiatives and next steps. Liz Calderon and Jackie Campos presented the CCSPP grant first-year update and next steps. Enrique Calderon and Gil Guzman reported on the Expanded Learning programs.

 

Vice President Wells thanked Michelle Griffith and her team for the presentation and their dedicated efforts.

 

Trustee Márquez praised the Community Schools Department team for their collaborative efforts. She sought clarification on how data was being collected and Ms. Griffith responded.

 

Trustee Weekly commended the Community Schools Department team for their Theory of Action initiative, expressing appreciation for their proactive approach. However, Trustee Weekly emphasized the importance of substantiating their efforts through data demonstrating student learning outcomes.

 

Trustee MacAvoy thanked the Community Schools Department team for their unwavering dedication. Trustee MacAvoy reflected on the program’s evolution over time, highlighting the remarkable growth. She expressed appreciation for all the efforts in advancing the mission of Community Schools.

 

Vice President Wells praised the work of the community schools. Trustee Wells inquired about the duration of the CCSPP grant, what year the district was currently in, and the duration of the ELOP Grant to which Ms. Griffith answered.

 

Superintendent Baker, similarly to Trustee MacAvoy, reflected on the Community Schools program’s evolution over time. He expressed his utmost gratitude for the team’s collective efforts.

 

10.       Consent Items

The School Board approved the Consent Items (MacAvoy, Weekly; 4-0), taking the following action:

 

10.1     Recommendation re:  Approval of Consent Items

10.2     Recommendation re:  Approval of the February 28 Board Meeting Minutes

10.3     Recommendation re:  Approval of the March 6 Board Meeting Minutes

10.4     Recommendation re:  Approval of the Agreement between Redwood City School

District and Aequor Healthcare Services for a SPED Teacher for the 2023-2024 School

Year

10.7     Recommendation re:  Approval of the Redwood City School District

Transportation Services Plan

10.8     Recommendation re:  Approval of the Agreement between Redwood City School

District and PowerSchool Analytics

10.9     Recommendation re:  Approval of Amendment to the Interagency Agreement for

Dietetics Programs

10.10   Recommendation re:  Approval of Amendment No. 3 for the agreement between

the Redwood City School District and One Life Counseling for the 2023-2024 School

Year

 

Trustee Márquez (Ayes)

Trustee Weekly (Ayes)

Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)

Vice-President Wells (Ayes)

President Lawson (Absent)

 

11.       Action Items

 

11.1     Recommendation re:  Approval of the 2023-24 Second Interim Budget Report for RCSD

Chief Business Official Rick Edson reviewed the Second Interim Budget Report with the

School Board and Superintendent Baker.

 

Trustee Weekly inquired if there was a sense of the magnitude of the funds set to expire. This information would assist the district in initiating communication with the community about the size of the future budget cuts. Superintendent Baker provided insights. Trustee Weekly also inquired about the Measure S funds and CBO Edson responded.

 

The Trustees and Superintendent Baker thanked CBO Edson and his team in the Business Department for all of their efforts.

 

The School Board approved the 2023-24 Second Interim Budget Report for RCSD (Weekly, MacAvoy; 4-0).

 

Trustee Márquez (Ayes)

Trustee Weekly (Ayes)

Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)

Vice-President Wells (Ayes)

President Lawson (Absent)

 

10.5     Recommendation re:  Approval of E-Rate Bid Process for Redwood City School

District WAN Service

 

CBO Edson clarified Trustee Márquez’s question regarding the title of the agenda item and the financial impact.

 

The School Board approved the E-Rate Bid Process for Redwood City School

District WAN Service (Márquez, Weekly; 4-0).

 

Trustee Márquez (Ayes)

Trustee Weekly (Ayes)

Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)

Vice-President Wells (Ayes)

President Lawson (Absent)

 

10.6     Recommendation re:  Approval of E-Rate Bid for Redwood City School District

Internet Service

 

CBO Edson answered Trustee Márquez’s question regarding the internet’s access

point of entry location.

 

The School Board approved the E-Rate Bid for Redwood City School District

Internet Service (Márquez, Weekly; 4-0).

 

Trustee Márquez (Ayes)

Trustee Weekly (Ayes)

Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)

Vice-President Wells (Ayes)

President Lawson (Absent)

 

12.       Board and Superintendent Reports

 

12.1     Report from Board Members and Superintendent

Trustee Márquez reported attending the Superintendent’s Advisory Council meeting. CBO Rick Edson joined Trustee Márquez and Superintendent Baker’s weekly meeting.

 

Trustee Weekly reported he met with a few community members to discuss ongoing budget items, and he engaged in discussions regarding the 24-25 SY and beyond at Orion Mandarin Immersion. Furthermore, he met with the dental board and is waiting for recommendations. Trustee Weekly also reported attending the LCAP Advisory Committee meeting and a budget meeting.

 

Trustee MacAvoy had nothing to report.

 

Vice President Wells reported attending the LCAP Meeting and the Parcel Tax Measure U Committee meeting.

 

Superintendent Baker reported attending the Superintendent Advisory Council meeting, and Measure U Committee meeting, and did some work over the weekend related to Garfield School matters.

 

13.       Correspondence

Trustee MacAvoy reported that the trustees received emails about budget concerns and budget-cut matters.

 

Vice President Wells noted receipt of an email, although the sender had already voiced their concerns during the meeting. Additionally, he received emails addressing budget cuts and staff discussions regarding caseloads.

 

Trustee Weekly received correspondence from a vendor regarding Mandarin Immersion online programs.

 

14.       Other Business/Suggested Items for Future Agenda

Trustee Weekly requested to add an item to the agenda to discuss future plans for Orion.

 

Superintendent Baker notified the trustees that he would like to schedule a Board retreat to discuss the 24-25, 25-26, and 26-27 school year budget, plans for Orion, and other important district matters.

 

Trustee MacAvoy suggested looking at all school site populations, enrollment, and classroom capacity.

 

15.       Board Meetings Calendar

 

15.1     Changes to the Board Meetings Calendar

None.

 

16.       Adjournment

The School Board adjourned the meeting at 9:10 p.m. (MacAvoy, Weekly; 4-0).

 

The School Board reconvened for the Closed Session at 9:15 p.m.

 

3.1       RCTA Negotiations Update

The School Board Adjourned the Closed Session at 9:40 p.m.