November 20, 2024
REDWOOD CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Redwood City, California
APPROVED MINUTES OF BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
November 20, 2024
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
1. Call to Order
President Lawson called the Closed Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
1.1 Roll Call
Present at the Closed Board meeting: President Janet Lawson, Vice-President Mike Wells; Trustees Alisa MacAvoy, David Weekly, and Cecilia Márquez; and Superintendent Baker
Others present during the Closed Board meeting: CBO Rick Edson, Peter Ingram, and Clarissa Canady
2. Oral Communication on Closed Session Items Only
None.
3. Closed Session - 6:00 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 7:01 p.m.
4.1 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: Assistant Superintendent Anna Herrera, Deputy Superintendent Wendy Kelly, CBO Rick Edson, Eliana Garcia, Peter Ingram, Clarissa Canady, Gonzalo Cordova, Principal Erin Kekos, Assistant Principal Jacob Havey, and many others.
4.2 Report Out on Closed Session from November 20, 2024
No action was taken.
5. Welcome
President Lawson welcomed those present.
6. Changes to the Agenda
None.
7. Approval of the Agenda
The School Board approved the agenda as submitted (MacAvoy, Weekly; 5-0).
Trustee Márquez (Ayes)
Trustee Weekly (Ayes)
Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)
Vice-President Wells (Ayes)
President Lawson (Ayes)
8. Oral Communication
None.
9. Public Hearing Regarding the Design-Build Agreement for the District Wide Lighting Retrofit Project
President Lawson opened the public hearing at 7:03 p.m.
Carl Landers addressed the School Board to express his opposition to the project and his reasoning behind it.
President Lawson closed the public hearing at 7:07 p.m.
10. Bond Program Consent Items
The School Board approved the Bond Program Consent Items (Wells, 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
Trustee Márquez (Ayes)
Trustee Weekly (Ayes)
Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)
Vice-President Wells (Ayes)
President Lawson (Ayes)
11. Bond Program Action Items
11.1 Recommendation re: Adoption of Resolution No. 9 and Approval of Energy Services Agreement Between Redwood City School District and Southland Industries for the Purpose of Construction, Installation of Energy Efficiency Measures (lighting retrofit) on District Sites
Jennifer Gibb, VPCS, addressed concerns raised during the public hearing, along with additional trustee questions and concerns about cost savings and how the project will enhance student learning.
The School Board adopted Resolution No. 9 and Approval of Energy Services Agreement Between Redwood City School District and Southland Industries for the Purpose of Construction, Installation of Energy Efficiency Measures (lighting retrofit) on District Sites (MacAvoy, Wells; 4-1).
Trustee Márquez (Ayes)
Trustee Weekly (Noes)
Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)
Vice-President Wells (Ayes)
President Lawson (Ayes)
12. School/Community Reports
12.1 Update on Workforce Housing Project Status
Peter Ingram, Consultant, reviewed RCSD’s efforts to address the community’s housing affordability challenges. The session included an overview of the current workforce housing project.
Public comment(s):
Erin Washburn, President of the Redwood City Teachers’ Association, addressed the School Board about Workforce Housing. They had some questions and also wanted to show their support for the Workforce Housing. The Board and Mr. Ingram answered Mx. Washburn's questions.
Ingram addressed the trustees' and community member questions and concerns, focusing on topics such as project financing, eligibility, and the development of policies for workforce housing.
The School Board did not take any action on this matter.
12.2 North Star Academy School Presentation for 2024-2025 School Year
Erin Kakoliris-Kekos, North Star Academy (NSA) Principal, and Jacob Havey, NSA Assistant Principal, presented school data highlighting the alignment of site-level performance with the goals outlined in the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) and the SPSA. The presentation covered successes, challenges, and site-specific actions to support district and site priorities in areas such as attendance and suspension, English learners, and academic performance in English Language Arts and Mathematics.
The School Board thanked the NSA leadership team for their presentation and had the opportunity to comment and ask clarifying questions. No action was taken.
13. Discussion Items
13.1 First Reading and Discussion of Board Policy and Administrative Regulation 6153 - School-Sponsored Trips
No questions or comments.
13.2 First Reading and Discussion of Board Policy 4157 - Employee Safety
No questions or comments.
13.3 First Reading and Discussion of Board Policy 4161 – Leaves
No questions or comments.
13.4 First Reading and Discussion of Board Policy 4261 – Leaves
No questions or comments.
13.5 First Reading and Discussion of Board Policy 4113.4 - Temporary Modified/Light-Duty Assignment
No questions or comments.
13.6 First Reading and Discussion of Board Policy 4213.4 - Temporary Modified/Light-Duty Assignment
No questions or comments.
13.7 First Reading and Discussion of Board Policy 4040- Employee Use of Technology
Trustee Weekly expressed a concern regarding the use of Open Artificial Intelligence.
13.8 First Reading and Discussion of Board Policy 4113 – Assignment
No questions or comments.
14. Consent Items
The School Board approved the Consent Items (MacAvoy, Weekly; 5-0), taking the following action:
14.1 Recommendation re: Approval of Consent Items
14.2 Recommendation re: Approval of June 21st Board Minutes
14.3 Recommendation re: Approval of the November 6 Board Meeting Minutes
14.4 Recommendation re: Approval of Addendum to the 2024-25 Measure U Application for Adelante Selby Spanish Immersion
14.5 Recommendation re: Approval of Addendum to the 2024-25 Measure U Application for Taft Community School
14.6 Recommendation re: Approval of Local Interagency Agreement to Provide Education and Training to Credential Candidates
Trustee Márquez (Ayes)
Trustee Weekly (Ayes)
Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)
Vice-President Wells (Ayes)
President Lawson (Ayes)
15. Action Items
15.1 Recommendation re: Adoption of Annual Organizational Meeting Date Set for December 17, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.
The School Board adopted the Annual Organizational Meeting Date Set for December 17, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. (Weekly, Wells; 5-0).
Trustee Márquez (Ayes)
Trustee Weekly (Ayes)
Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)
Vice-President Wells (Ayes)
President Lawson (Ayes)
15.2 Recommendation re: Adoption of Resolution No. 10 Authorizing Continued Funding Application for District California State Preschool Programs
The School Board adopted Resolution No. 10 Authorizing Continued Funding Application for District California State Preschool Programs (MacAvoy, Weekly; 5-0).
Trustee Márquez (Ayes)
Trustee Weekly (Ayes)
Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)
Vice-President Wells (Ayes)
President Lawson (Ayes)
16. Board and Superintendent Reports
16.1 Report from Board Members and Superintendent
Trustee Márquez reported attending a DELAC meeting.
Trustee Weekly reported attending the Orion Author and Illustrator Fair.
Trustee MacAvoy reported visiting several schools, including McKinley, Henry Ford, Adelante Selby, and Hoover. During these visits, she toured classrooms and school cafeterias. She also visited the San Mateo-Foster City School District, alongside Superintendent Baker to discuss Workforce Housing. Additionally, Trustee MacAvoy attended various events and meetings, such as the Orion Author and Illustrator Fair, two CSBA Committee meetings, a Chamber Education Leadership day where she presented on the school board panel and Workforce Committee meeting, and a CSBA Delegate working lunch, where California Senator Cortese was also present.
Vice President Wells visited the McKinley Institute of Technology (MIT) and Hoover school sites. Wells brought awareness to the food/gift drives being organized by the community schools.
President Lawson reported attending the Wellness Committee meeting and the Budget Renewal Initiative Committee meeting.
Superintendent Baker stated the events he attended were already mentioned.
17. Information
None.
18. Correspondence
President Lawson, Trustee MacAvoy, and other board trustees reported receiving emails and phone calls regarding the lighting project and Workforce Housing.
Trustee Weekly reported connecting with charter schools regarding facility needs, connected with the County Office of Education to set up a meeting to discuss district unification, and received an email from an MIT student interested in writing about the school's history.
19. Other Business/Suggested Items for Future Agenda
Trustee MacAvoy suggested adding a Pre-School Report to a future agenda.
20. Board Meetings Calendar
20.1 Changes to the Board Meetings Calendar
None.
21. Adjournment
The School Board adjourned the meeting at 9:17 p.m. (Weekly, Wells; 5-0).