October 23, 2024
REDWOOD CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Redwood City, California
APPROVED MINUTES OF BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
October 23, 2024
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
1. Call to Order
President Lawson called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:00 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: CBO Rick Edson, Assistant Superintendent Anna Herrera, Deputy Superintendent Wendy Kelly, Patrinia Redd (Director of Health and Wellness), Phoebe Reid-Chambers (Lead Nurse), Lisa Cox (Lead Nurse), and others.
2. Welcome
President Lawson welcomed those present.
3. Changes to the Agenda
None.
4. Approval of the Agenda
The School Board approved the agenda as submitted (Weekly, Márquez; 5-0).
Trustee Márquez (Ayes)
Trustee Weekly (Ayes)
Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)
Vice-President Wells (Ayes)
President Lawson (Ayes)
5. Oral Communication
None.
6. School/Community Reports
6.1 2024-2025 Health and Wellness Report
Patrinia Redd (Director of Health and Wellness), along with Lead Nurses Phoebe Reid-Chambers and Lisa Cox, presented an overview of the 2023-2024 school year and shared updates on plans for the 2024-25 school year. They discussed key goals for the Health and Wellness Department, which include engaging teachers, parents, students, and the community in promoting health-enhancing behaviors, using data to refine services, increasing family and community involvement at school sites, and highlighting Sequoia Healthcare District's support for the Redwood City School District.
Trustee Márquez thanked Patrinia and the Wellness team for all they do for the students’ wellbeing. Márquez asked whether the vision and hearing screenings are conducted for all students or if they prioritize unduplicated pupils (those in specific high-need groups) before screening the rest of the students in the district, and Cox answered. Moreover, Márquez thanked Trustee Weekly for his suggestion on dental sealant programs.
Trustee Weekly thanked the Wellness team for their presentation and expressed appreciation for having his suggestions considered. Weekly requested an explanation for the public on the roles of LVNs (Licensed Vocational Nurses), RNs (Registered Nurses), and RN Leads (Registered Nurse Leads), and Cox and Reid-Chambers explained. Weekly asked if the district's health needs were significantly different from those of other districts. Redd responded that the district has a high demand for hands-on support and extensive outreach efforts, particularly to inform newcomer families, who are new to the country, about available resources. Weekly also asked if there was a follow-up on students referred for services to ensure they received the support needed, whether COVID vaccines were still required in the immunization schedule, and if parents had the option to review the Puberty Talk curriculum before the lessons. The Wellness Department team addressed all his questions.
Trustee MacAvoy expressed appreciation for the presentation and emphasized how schools can be a safety net for families. MacAvoy also asked the trustee-elects and remaining trustees to consider being part of the Wellness Committee. Moreover, she acknowledged the continued collaboration and support of the Sequoia Healthcare District. Trustee MacAvoy inquired about the number of staff participating in the Staff Wellness program, noting the staff can only be as present and available as they are healthy. MacAvoy also raised awareness of the Cañada College Athletic Center staff discount secured by Patrinia. Additionally, MacAvoy suggested that the Parent Venture videos be showcased at events to raise awareness of this opportunity to the families. Trustee MacAvoy also expressed concern about early childhood tooth decay, highlighting the prevalence of sugary drinks/food among young children and the need for more preventative measures. She suggested focusing on nutrition and dental protection before cavities develop and emphasized the importance of parent education to prevent tooth decay, possibly through partnerships with community organizations.
Vice President Wells expressed his utmost gratitude to Patrinia, Lisa, Phoebe, the district’s LVNs and RNs, and all staff involved in ensuring the health and wellness of students and staff. Moreover, Wells expressed appreciation for all of the partnerships, including the Sequoia Healthcare District and Redwood City Together, for their services and funding that help address the students’ needs. Wells asked whether the state of California provided funding for the mandated vision and hearing screenings, and Patrinia responded that it did not.
President Lawson and Superintendent Baker expressed deep gratitude for the presentation and the hard work the Health and Wellness Department contributes to the district. They both acknowledged Patrinia for the positive changes and growth she has brought to the department.
7. Discussion Items
7.1 First Reading and Discussion of Board Policy 5113 - Absences & Excuses
Deputy Superintendent Wendy Kelly addressed several questions from the trustees regarding BP 5113. She clarified that the first version of the attachment had a formatting issue, which has since been resolved. Kelly also provided clarification on how attendance is tracked for independent study, noting that there are issues that the team is aware of and that they will work on finding a solution.
7.2 First Reading and Discussion of Board Policy 5145.6 - Parent/Guardian Notifications
The district will continue to look into different communication alternatives to ensure parents stay informed. Deputy Superintendent Kelly explained that Jorge, Director of Communications, responded to questions about how the district provides information, mentioning options like a recently launched podcast in Spanish for those who prefer audio over text.
Trustee Weekly acknowledged the district’s commitment to accommodating both English- and Spanish-speaking families and expressed hope that the district can expand its communication to include families who speak other languages.
7.3 First Reading and Discussion of Board Policy 6000 - Concepts and Roles
No questions or comments.
7.4 First Reading and Discussion of Board Policy 4033 - Lactation Accommodation
No questions or comments.
7.5 First Reading and Discussion of Board Policy 1113 - District and School Websites
The trustees expressed their gratitude to the Policy Committee.
8. Consent Items
The School Board approved the Consent Items (MacAvoy, Weekly; 5-0), taking the following action:
8.1 Recommendation re: Approval of Consent Items
8.2 Recommendation re: Approval of the October 9 Board Meeting Minutes
8.3 Recommendation re: Approval of Agreement between the Redwood City School
District and Redwood City Together to Renew the Partnership for Fiscal Years 2024-26
8.4 Recommendation re: Approval of Agreement between Puao Te'o Visual
Impairment and Redwood City School District for Visual Impairment Services
8.5 Recommendation re: Approval of the Agreement between Redwood City School
District and Aequor for a SPED Occupational Therapist for the 2024-2025 School Year
8.6 Recommendation re: Approval of Facilities Use Agreement Amendment No. 1
between Redwood City School District and KIPP Excelencia Community Prep
8.7 Recommendation re: Approval of Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement between
the Redwood City School District and Amergis Healthcare Staffing Inc. for an
Additional Behavior Technician for the 2024-25 School Year
8.8 Recommendation re: Approval of Personnel Report
Trustee Márquez (Ayes)
Trustee Weekly (Ayes)
Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)
Vice-President Wells (Ayes)
President Lawson (Ayes)
9. Action Items
None.
10. Board and Superintendent Reports
10.1 Report from Board Members and Superintendent
Trustee MacAvoy reported attending a Board Policy Committee meeting along with President Lawson.
Vice President Wells reported on the events he attended including visiting Garfield and a budget presentation at Kennedy.
Trustee Márquez reported attending a Redwood City Together meeting with Trustee MacAvoy. Other events Márquez attended were the DELAC meeting at Garfield School and the Budget Discussion at Hoover School.
Trustee Weekly had nothing to report.
President Lawson reported attending the Budget Renewal Initiative Committee meeting.
Superintendent Baker reported attending the Budget Meeting at Hoover and a School Site Council meeting at Orion School.
11. Information
11.1 Quarterly Williams Report, 1st Quarter, July 2024 through September 2024
No questions or comments.
11.2 Information on San Mateo County Investment Fund - September 2024
No questions or comments.
11.3 Redwood City School District Review of Connect Community Charter School's Unaudited Actuals for Fiscal Year 2023-24
No questions or comments.
11.4 Redwood City School District Review of KIPP's Unaudited Actuals for Fiscal Year 2023-24
No questions or comments.
11.5 Redwood City School District Review of Rocketship's Unaudited Actuals for Fiscal Year 2023-24
The trustees thanked CBO Rick Edson and his team for all the reviews.
11.6 Review the Human Resource Department's Hiring Season in Preparation for the 2025/2026 School Year
The trustees expressed appreciation for the new format used to provide information. Trustee MacAvoy inquired about more internship opportunities, and Deputy Superintendent Wendy Kelly provided a response.
12. Correspondence
Trustee Weekly reported receiving an email from the CSEA Union requesting more support in the Payroll office.
13. Other Business/Suggested Items for Future Agenda
None.
Superintendent Baker reminded the School Board about the Study Session happening on October 30, from 6 – 8:00 p.m. at the district office.
14. Board Meetings Calendar
14.1 Changes to the Board Meetings Calendar
None.
15. Adjournment
The School Board adjourned the meeting at 8:26 p.m. (Weekly, Wells; 5-0).