October 9, 2024
REDWOOD CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Redwood City, California
APPROVED MINUTES OF BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
October 9, 2024
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
1. Call to Order
President Lawson called the Regular Meeting to order at 4:00 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, Itzel Gloria, and others.
2. Welcome
President Lawson welcomed those present and extended her hopes for the health and safety of Florida residents in the path of Hurricane Milton.
3. Changes to the Agenda
President Lawson suggested moving item 10.1, Trustee Candidate Presentations and Appointment Continued, to after agenda item 8.1.
4. Approval of the Agenda
The School Board approved the agenda as amended (MacAvoy, Weekly; 5-0).
Trustee Márquez (Ayes)
Trustee Weekly (Ayes)
Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)
Vice-President Wells (Ayes)
President Lawson (Ayes)
5. Oral Communication
Pam Swint, a member of Kennedy's PTO, spoke to the School Board to express concern about the high temperatures in Kennedy School's classrooms. Swint highlighted the potential health risks these conditions pose for both students and teachers.
In response, Superintendent Baker and President Lawson explained that the School District has been discussing plans to install HVAC systems in the schools.
6. Consent Items
The School Board approved the Consent Items (Wells, Weekly; 5-0), taking the following action:
6.1 Recommendation re: Approval of Consent Items
6.2 Recommendation re: Approval of the September 25 Board Meeting Minutes
6.3 Recommendation re: Approval of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
between WestEd and the Redwood City School District for the 2024-2025 School Year
6.4 Recommendation re: Approval of the Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement
between One Life Counseling and Redwood City School District for the 2024-2025
School Year
6.5 Recommendation re: Ratification of Warrant Registers, September 1, 2024 –
September 30, 2024
Trustee Márquez (Ayes)
Trustee Weekly (Ayes)
Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)
Vice-President Wells (Ayes)
President Lawson (Ayes)
7. Action Items
None.
8. Trustee Candidate Presentations and Appointment
8.1 Area III Trustee Candidate Presentations and Appointment
The following candidates presented their responses to the School Board on the following key questions:
1. What is your vision for the future of our school district, particularly regarding academic achievement and student well-being? How would you implement this vision given the district’s financial constraints?
2. Can you describe a time when you advocated for equity in a professional or volunteer role?
3. How would you ensure that all community voices, including those from underrepresented groups, are heard in the Board’s decision-making process?
The candidates presented their responses in the following order:
1. Jazmin Dalton
2. Matthew Dupree
3. David Li
a. Trustee Weekly requested clarification regarding his role with Rocketship Schools, and Li responded.
The following candidates were not present at the meeting:
1. Spencer Brooks
2. Laurie Gross
10. Trustee Candidate Presentations and Appointment Continued
10.1 Area III Trustee Candidate Presentations and Appointment
The following candidates presented their responses to the School Board on the following key questions:
1. What is your vision for the future of our school district, particularly regarding academic achievement and student well-being? How would you implement this vision given the district’s financial constraints?
2. Can you describe a time when you advocated for equity in a professional or volunteer role?
3. How would you ensure that all community voices, including those from underrepresented groups, are heard in the Board’s decision-making process?
The candidates presented their responses in the following order:
1. Ralph Robinson
2. Thomas Rogerson
3. Aravind Somanchi
4. Luis Velasquez
5. Tina Yim
The Trustees thanked the candidates for applying.
9. Break
The School Board Recessed the meeting at 5:18 pm and resumed at 5:40 p.m.
10. Trustee Candidate Presentations and Appointment Continued
President Lawson called for a vote to appoint the Area III Trustee. The Trustees proceeded with a vote. The results of the first vote were as follows:
Trustee Márquez voted for Matthew Dupree.
Trustee Weekly voted for David Li.
Trustee MacAvoy voted for Thomas Rogerson.
Vice President Wells voted for Luis Velasquez.
President Lawson voted for David Li.
President Lawson called for a second vote to appoint the Area III Trustee. The results of the second vote were as follows:
Trustee Márquez voted for Matthew Dupree.
Trustee Weekly voted for David Li.
Trustee MacAvoy voted for Thomas Rogerson.
Vice President Wells voted for David Li.
President Lawson voted for David Li.
Trustee MacAvoy, for transparency purposes, noted that Thomas Rogerson and David Li were her top choices. Trustee MacAvoy changed her vote to David Li.
The final results were four votes for David Li.
The motion to appoint David Li as Area III Trustee was passed with a majority. David Li was officially appointed as a Redwood City School District Area III trustee, effective 10/09/2024. Li will formally join the School Board at the December 17, 2024, Board meeting.
11. Board and Superintendent Reports
11.1 Report from Board Members and Superintendent
Trustee MacAvoy reported attending the CSBA Board meeting, where key topics included the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Task Force, Proposition 2, and the Annual Education Conference. Additionally, MacAvoy participated in several other meetings, such as the 2X2X2 meeting with President Lawson, the Climate Summit 2024 for San Mateo County, and a Safe Routes to School meeting.
Vice President Wells had nothing to report.
Trustee Márquez reported attending the Spanish Superintendent’s Advisory Committee meeting at Hoover School, where the key topic discussed was the district’s budget.
President Lawson reported attending the 2X2X2 meeting and informed the School Board that Chief Kristina Bell provided an update on the Speed Limit Pilot project at Henry Ford and Roosevelt schools. Moreover, President Lawson shared she met with Trustee Márquez, Dr. Baker, and CBO Edson to review applications for the Budget Renewal Committee.
Trustee Weekly had nothing to report.
Superintendent Baker reported attending several meetings, including the Annual Coalition of Safe Schools hosted by the County Office of Education, an RCEF meeting focused on raising funds for schools, a meeting with parents to discuss screen use in schools, and the Spanish Superintendent’s Advisory Council meeting.
12. Information
None.
13. Correspondence
The Trustees reported receiving emails about hot classroom conditions.
Trustee Weekly mentioned receiving an email from a Roosevelt neighborhood resident expressing concern about the school bells ringing outside of regular school hours. Trustee Weekly noted that the issue with the bells ringing on the weekend has been resolved.
14. Other Business/Suggested Items for Future Agenda
None.
15. Board Meetings Calendar
15.1 Changes to the Board Meetings Calendar
None.
16. Adjournment
The School Board adjourned the meeting at 6:05 p.m. (Wells, Weekly; 5-0).