May 22, 2024
REDWOOD CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Redwood City, California
APPROVED MINUTES OF BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
May 22, 2024
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
1. Call to Order
President Lawson called the Closed Session to order at 5:52 p.m.
1.1 Roll Call
Present at the Closed Board meeting: President Janet Lawson, Vice-President Mike Wells; Trustees Alisa MacAvoy and David Weekly; and Superintendent Baker
Others present during the Closed Board meeting: CBO Rick Edson, Peter Ingram, Janet Mueller, and Clarissa Canady.
Absent during the Closed Board Meeting: Trustee Cecilia Márquez
2. Oral Communication on Closed Session Items Only
None.
3. Closed Session - 6:30 PM (Closed to the Public)
3.1 CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS (Gov. Code, 54956.8) Property: 750 Bradford St, Redwood City, CA 94063 Agency negotiators: John Baker, Superintendent, Peter Ingram, Consultant, and Clarissa Canady, Legal Counsel, Negotiating parties: Redwood City School District and The Sobrato Organization Under negotiation: Price and terms of payment of Property Exchange Agreement
4. Reconvene to Regular Session at Approximately 7:00 PM
The School Board reconvened for the regular session at 7:08 p.m.
4.1 Roll Call
Present at the Regular Board meeting: President Janet Lawson, Vice-President Mike Wells; Trustees Alisa MacAvoy and David Weekly; and Superintendent Baker
Others present during the Regular Board meeting: Assistant Superintendent Anna Herrera, Deputy Superintendent Wendy Kelly, Chief Business Official Rick Edson, Jennifer Gib, Will Robertson, Jenny Tran, and others.
Absent during the Regular Board Meeting: Trustee Cecilia Márquez
4.2 Report Out on Closed Session from May 10, 2024
6.1 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9 (1 case)
The Board received information from legal counsel. No action was taken.
6.2 CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS Properties: Redwood City properties at 3150 Granger Way; 907 Roosevelt Avenue; 815 Allerton Street; 225 Clifford Avenue; 3790 Red Oak Way; 2223 Vera Avenue; 555 Ave del Oro; 2498 Massachusetts Avenue; 400 Duane Street Agency Negotiator: Rick Edson Negotiating Parties: Various tenants located at listed properties Under negotiation: price, terms of payment
The Board received information. No action was taken.
6.3 Public Employee Performance Evaluation, Title: Superintendent (§ 54957)
No action was taken.
6.4 RCTA Negotiations Update
The Board received information. No action was taken.
4.3 Report Out on Closed Session from May 22, 2024
No action was taken.
5. Welcome
President Lawson welcomed those present.
6. Changes to the Agenda
President Lawson requested moving discussion item 12.1 Discussion of the Board Meeting Calendar for the 2024-25 School Year, to the June 5, 2024 Board Meeting.
7. Approval of the Agenda
The School Board approved the agenda as amended (Wells, Weekly; 4-0).
Trustee Márquez (Absent)
Trustee Weekly (Ayes)
Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)
Vice-President Wells (Ayes)
President Lawson (Ayes)
8. Oral Communication
James Kang, the father of two Redwood City School District (RCSD) students, addressed the School Board to address his concern and disagreement with the current North Star Academy (NSA) admission process.
9. Bond Program Consent Items
The School Board approved the Bond Program Consent Items (MacAvoy, Wells; 4-0), taking the following action:
9.1 Recommendation re: Approval of Bond Program Consent Items
9.2 Recommendation re: Approval of Measure T Bond Program Tracking List of Items Under $20k
9.3 Recommendation re: Approval of Installation of Theatrical Lighting Fixtures LED with Musson at McKinley Institute of Technology
Trustee Márquez (Absent)
Trustee Weekly (Ayes)
Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)
Vice-President Wells (Ayes)
President Lawson (Ayes)
10. Bond Program Action Items
10.1 Recommendation re: Approval of the Contract with Quattrocchi Kwok Architects for Facilities Master Planning for Measure S District Wide
Jennifer Gibb, representing Van Pelt Construction Services (VPCS), addressed the board regarding the facility's Master Plan process and the upcoming contract approval for the project. She emphasized the importance of using an inquiry and data-driven approach to support the school's goals. The process starts with evaluating current facility conditions and growth opportunities within the district, and aligning this information with educational specifications to support the school's pedagogy and instructional needs. The Master Plan will guide facility improvements for the next 10 to 15 years, recognizing that more needs will be identified than current funding can address. An implementation plan will be developed to manage Measure S funds and leverage state funding for future projects.
Vice-President Wells thanked Ms. Gibb for the presentation and asked for clarification on the selection of QK Architects. He inquired about who made up the selection and the criteria used. He requested additional details on other evaluation factors and priorities. In response, CBO Edson confirmed that the same group evaluated the architect pool and briefed the school board on the selection process.
Trustee Weekly asked for confirmation that the expenditure does not commit the district to QK Architects beyond the preparation of the facility's master plan. Additionally, Trustee Weekly asked if the output will include a prioritized list of projects, rather than just a long wish list, to address as many priorities as possible. Ms. Gibb and CBO Edson addressed Trustee Weekly’s questions.
Trustee MacAvoy thanked everyone and recalled the previous facilities plan, noting how it divided priorities between school needs and mandated programs. She stressed the board's role in prioritizing safety issues and suggested a shorter timeline due to community demands while acknowledging the need for balance with high-priority tasks. She praised the current process and input received.
President Lawson responded to Trustee MacAvoy's comment by acknowledging the challenge of pushing up the planning and design phase, considering the summer schedule when families are on vacation.
The School Board approved the contract with Quattrocchi Kwok Architects for Facilities Master Planning for Measure S District Wide (MacAvoy, Weekly; 4-0).
Trustee Márquez (Absent)
Trustee Weekly (Ayes)
Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)
Vice-President Wells (Ayes)
President Lawson (Ayes)
11. School/Community Reports
11.1 Report on Recent Panorama Climate Survey: Spring Administration Results and Comparison to Fall Administration Results
Jenny Tran presented the 2023-24 school year Panorama Survey results to the School Board and Superintendent Baker. She compared the Spring survey results to the Fall survey results.
Trustee Weekly expressed gratitude for Jenny's data presentation, acknowledging the data collection and its importance for the board and the public. He noted concerns about the middle school survey results, highlighting that despite efforts to boost school spirit and belonging, the numbers reflect a downward trend.
In response to Trustee Weekly’s comments, Superintendent Baker recounted a recent visit to a middle school with the incoming principal. He informed the board that the new principal engaged with students to hear their thoughts and opinions. Superintendent Baker compared this direct interaction to survey results, noting that students often rush through surveys without much care. He emphasized that speaking directly to students provides better input than the survey.
Assistant Superintendent Anna Herrera added that many students expressed a desire for less screen time and more engaging classroom activities.
Trustee MacAvoy highlighted the usefulness of district-wide data but noted the importance of analyzing differences among individual school sites. She pointed out that there can be a 13 to 30% difference in responses between school sites. Trustee MacAvoy noted that school staff should review their specific school data and reflect and act on it as it would show students their input is valued and acted upon.
Vice President Wells noted that the survey results indicated a need for action regarding middle schools. He emphasized that strong adult-to-student relationships are crucial indicators of student success and well-being. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of investing in academics and expressed hope that the newly adopted curriculum will yield positive results.
President Lawson emphasized several previous comments and inquired whether the survey questions were tailored to different staff categories. Jenny Tran provided an answer.
12. Discussion Items
12.1 Discussion of the Board Meeting Calendar for the 2024-25 School Year
Item was moved to the June 5, 2024 board meeting.
13. Consent Items
The School Board approved the Consent Items (Wells, Weekly; 4-0), taking the following action:
13.1 Recommendation re: Approval of Consent Items
13.2 Recommendation re: Approval of the May 8 Board Meeting Minutes
13.3 Recommendation re: Approval of the May 10 Board Retreat Meeting Minutes
13.4 Recommendation re: Approval of the Agreement between the Redwood City
School District and Casa Circulo Cultural for the 2024 Summer Session
13.5 Recommendation re: Approval of the 2024 Educational Services to Expelled
Students Plan
13.6 Recommendation re: Approval of Agreement for Participation in the 2024-25
Outdoor Education Program between the Redwood City School District and the San
Mateo County Office of Education
Trustee Márquez (Absent)
Trustee Weekly (Ayes)
Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)
Vice-President Wells (Ayes)
President Lawson (Ayes)
14. Action Items
None.
15. Board and Superintendent Reports
15.1 Report from Board Members and Superintendent
Trustee MacAvoy reported attending the Workforce Housing prep meeting, the RCEF fundraising event, the Kent Awards Ceremony, the Induction Ceremony, the Superintendent Advisory Council meeting, and spent the weekend in Sacramento attending the California School Board Association (CSBA) and Delegate Assembly meetings. Trustee MacAvoy briefed the Board of Trustees on what was discussed at the CSBA meetings.
Vice President Wells reported attending the Kent Awards Ceremony and the Induction Ceremony. He also met with some Measure U Oversight Committee members, attended the final LCAP meeting, visited Orion for Principal's Coffee, and participated in Orion's Multicultural Travel Week.
Trustee Weekly reported attending the LCAP meeting and the Principal’s Coffee at Orion. He also met with some folks to discuss Artificial Intelligence (AI) announcements.
President Lawson reported attending the Kent Awards and Induction ceremonies. Furthermore, President Lawson attended the Workforce Housing Committee meeting. She also informed the School Board of Henry Ford’s new student-designed newspaper.
Superintendent Baker reported visiting a school site to introduce the new principal.
16. Information
None.
17. Correspondence
None.
18. Other Business/Suggested Items for Future Agenda
Trustee MacAvoy suggested adding a Board Study Session to discuss how AI is being used by staff at various levels.
19. Board Meetings Calendar
19.1 Changes to the Board Meetings Calendar
None.
20. Adjournment
The School Board adjourned the meeting at 8:27 p.m. (Weekly, Wells; 4-0).