December 17, 2024
REDWOOD CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Redwood City, California
APPROVED MINUTES OF BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
December 17, 2024
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
1. Call to Order
President Lawson called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
1.1 Roll Call
Present at the Regular Board meeting: President Janet Lawson, Vice-President Mike Wells; Trustees Alisa MacAvoy, David Weekly, and Cecilia Márquez; and Superintendent Baker
Others present during the Regular Board meeting: Trustee-elects David Li and Jennifer Ng Kwing King; CBO Rick Edson, Assistant Superintendent Anna Herrera, Deputy Superintendent Wendy Kelly, Jenny Tran (remote), Jorge Quintana, Gonzalo Cordova, and many others.
2. Welcome
President Lawson welcomed those present.
Superintendent Baker commended Trustee Alisa MacAvoy and President Janet Lawson for their dedication and many years of service to the Redwood City School District. Their shared contributions have strengthened the district and ensured students have access to exceptional opportunities no matter the challenges.
Speaker’s Cards:
Dennis McBride thanked President Lawson for her nine years of dedicated service to the Redwood City School District. He highlighted her experience as a school board member, commended her advocacy efforts, and praised her integrity.
Mario Rendon, a representative from Congressman Kevin Mullin’s office, highlighted the importance of public service and commended Janet Lawson for her perseverance and dedication as a board trustee.
Joan Dentler, representing California State Senator Josh Becker and Assemblymembers Diane Papan and Marc Berman, presented President Lawson with a resolution recognizing her dedication and service as a member of the RCSD School Board of Trustees. Dentler also noted that Trustee MacAvoy had previously received a resolution at an earlier celebration but took the opportunity to speak and commend both trustees for their service.
Lori McBride praised Trustee Alisa MacAvoy, emphasizing her outstanding qualities and extensive community involvement through volunteer work and various organizations.
Mario Rendon expressed gratitude to Trustee MacAvoy for her service and presented her with a Congressional Record dated December 22, 2024.
Dennis McBride commended Trustee MacAvoy for her 17 years of dedicated service as a Board Trustee. He also expressed gratitude to her family for their unwavering support, which enabled her to continue making significant contributions to the community.
Marissa MacAvoy, Trustee MacAvoy’s daughter, shared her pride and described Trustee MacAvoy as an incredible mom, school board member, and person.
President Lawson reflected on her journey and involvement with the district that ultimately led her to become a Trustee. She expressed gratitude to her husband, mother, and sons for their support throughout her tenure. Additionally, she commended the Board, Superintendent Baker, and all RCSD staff for their contributions.
Trustee MacAvoy expressed her deep appreciation for all the support she has received. She gave a heartfelt acknowledgment to her late father for his involvement in the community and shared that her mother had been both a school volunteer and a school board member. Emphasizing that education is the most important priority, she thanked the current Board, Superintendent Baker, staff, and community and warmly welcomed the new school board members.
Vice President Wells, along with the Board of Trustees, presented President Lawson with a token of appreciation in recognition of her leadership.
3. Oath of Office
Re-elected Trustee Mike Wells, along with Trustee-Elects David Li and Jennifer Ng Kwing King, were sworn into office by taking their Oaths of Office.
5. Reception
The School Board recessed the meeting at 7:59 pm to celebrate outgoing Board Members Trustee MacAvoy and Trustee Lawson and reconvened at 8:15 p.m.
4. Annual Board Officer’s Rotation
4.1 President of the Board of Trustees
4.2 Vice President of the Board of Trustees
4.3 Clerk of the Board of Trustees
4.4 Secretary to the Board of Trustees (Superintendent)
4.5 Representative to San Mateo County Committee on School District Organization
4.6 Liaison to California School Boards Association and the San Mateo County School Boards Association
The School Board reorganized as follows:
President of the Board of Trustees: Mike Wells
Vice President of the Board of Trustees: David Weekly
Clerk of the Board of Trustees: Cecilia Márquez
Secretary to the Board of Trustees (Superintendent): John R. Baker, Superintendent
Representative to San Mateo County Committee on School District Organization: Jennifer Ng Kwing King
Liaison to California School Boards Association and the San Mateo County School Boards Association: David Li
6. Changes to the Agenda
The reception was moved before the Annual Board’s Officer’s rotation.
7. Approval of the Agenda
The School Board approved the agenda as amended (Weekly, King; 5-0).
Trustee Li (Ayes)
Trustee King (Ayes)
Trustee Márquez (Ayes)
Vice President Weekly (Ayes)
President Wells (Ayes)
8. Oral Communication
None.
9. School/Community Reports
9.1 Report on Local Indicator Measurement for the California Dashboard
Assistant Superintendent Anna Herrera and Jenny Tran, Coordinator of Data Analysis & Accountability, provided the School Board with a report on the district’s academic performance as reflected in the California Dashboard. This tool evaluates how local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools address student needs as part of the state’s accountability system. It highlights performance on state and local measures, enabling districts to identify strengths, challenges, and areas for improvement. The data presented showcased RCSD’s progress in English Learner performance, reductions in chronic absenteeism and suspension rates, performance in English Language Arts and Mathematics, and outlined strategies for continued academic growth.
The School Board asked clarifying questions and made comments regarding the data presented. No action was taken.
10. Discussion Items
10.1 Discussion of School Assignments and Committee Assignments for Board Members for the Remainder of the 2024-25 School Year
The School Board reviewed and discussed school and committee assignments for Board Members for the remainder of the 2024-25 school year.
11. Consent Items
The School Board approved the Consent Items (Weekly, Li; 5-0), taking the following action:
11.1 Recommendation re: Approval of Consent Items
11.2 Recommendation re: Approval of Addendum to the 2024-25 Measure U
Application for Roosevelt School
11.3 Recommendation re: Approval of Annual Developer Fee Report - Fiscal Year
2023-24
Trustee Li (Ayes)
Trustee King (Ayes)
Trustee Márquez (Ayes)
Vice President Weekly (Ayes)
President Wells (Ayes)
12. Action Items
12.1 Recommendation re: Approval of the 2024/25 First Interim Budget Report for RCSD
CBO Rick Edson provided the School Board and Superintendent Baker with the 2024-25 First Interim Budget Report for RCSD. The First Interim Report incorporates adjustments to revenues, expenditures, and fund balances from July 1 through October 31, 2024.
The School Board Trustees expressed their appreciation to CBO Rick Edson and the Business Department staff for their hard work and dedication in preparing the report.
The School Board approved the 2024/25 First Interim Budget Report for RCSD
(Weekly, Márquez; 5-0).
Trustee Li (Ayes)
Trustee King (Ayes)
Trustee Márquez (Ayes)
Vice President Weekly (Ayes)
President Wells (Ayes)
13. Board and Superintendent Reports
13.1 Report from Board Members and Superintendent
Trustee King reported visiting Clifford School.
Vice President Weekly had nothing to report.
Trustee Márquez had nothing to report.
Trustee Li had nothing to report.
Superintendent Baker reported visiting Henry Ford.
President Wells reported attending the Winter Holiday Breakfast.
14. Correspondence
None.
15. Other Business/Suggested Items for Future Agenda
None.
16. Board Meetings Calendar
16.1 Changes to the Board Meetings Calendar
Superintendent Baker announced that there will be an offsite meeting with the School Board Trustees on January 10th, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
17. Adjournment
The School Board adjourned the meeting at 9:56 p.m. (Weekly, King; 5-0).