September 11, 2024
REDWOOD CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Redwood City, California
APPROVED MINUTES OF BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
September 11, 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, Eric Van Pelt 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 (MacAvoy, Weekly; 5-0).
Trustee Márquez (Ayes)
Trustee Weekly (Ayes)
Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)
Vice-President Wells (Ayes)
President Lawson (Ayes)
5. Oral Communication
None.
6. Bond Program Discussion Items
6.1 Measure S Bond Program Priorities: HVAC Discussion
Eric Van Pelt, Bond Program Manager at VPCS, presented additional information to the School Board on options, timelines, and processes for implementing HVAC systems at school sites.
Trustee Weekly expressed appreciation for being heard on important issues, particularly related to HVAC upgrades. Weekly expressed his support for using heat pumps over gas-powered systems due to their efficiency in cooling and the district's focus on long-term, sustainable solutions. Weekly also suggested integrating any roof work with future solar panel installations to avoid unnecessary expenses. Overall, Trustee Weekly expressed gratitude for the discussion and the attention to the concerns.
CBO Rick Edson provided clarification to Trustee Weekly's inquiry regarding the need for carbon monoxide detectors. He clarified that while CO detectors are only required for gas-powered HVAC systems, CO2 detectors are necessary for all types of systems, including electric heat pumps, as they monitor overall air quality.
Vice President Wells thanked Van Pelt for the presentation and asked about the temporary solutions discussed at the previous board meeting. He mentioned that some ideas were previously dismissed due to noise concerns. Wells also noted that the district is still in the information-gathering stage and asked when the projects would begin, and Van Pelt responded.
Trustee MacAvoy expressed appreciation for the presentation and requested the slides to be reviewed in more detail and to be added to the public agenda. She emphasized her support for electric heat pumps, noting their benefits for climate action, community support, and potential cost offsets with solar energy. She also suggested that the timeline for current projects be aligned with updates to the Facilities Master Plan to avoid unnecessary expenses. Additionally, she proposed considering portable classrooms with heating and cooling units for outdated classrooms slated for demolition, to avoid investing in temporary upgrades. MacAvoy highlighted the need for careful coordination to avoid wasting funds and praised the architect's awareness of these issues.
Trustee Márquez thanked Eric Van Pelt for the presentation and noted that her concerns had already been addressed. She emphasized the importance of ensuring that work on old buildings and conduits is done in classrooms that will not be demolished or remodeled. She also asked if QKA’s assessment was focused only on the first three schools, and Van Pelt responded.
CBO Edson elaborated on Van Pelt’s response. Edson explained that an initial assessment will be conducted across all school sites to identify the top five school sites, narrowing them down to a smaller list. This list will then be reviewed to select one to three schools for HVAC upgrades. He emphasized that the final selection will consider future facility master plan initiatives to avoid investing in buildings that might be demolished. Edson explained the timeline for summer projects and stressed the need to order equipment and secure contractors early.
President Lawson highlighted Trustee Weekly's mention of solar reflective coating, referencing an article she read about school districts using this method to reduce temperatures at their sites. She noted that many schools are adopting it, and it can lower temperatures by 10 degrees or more, which she considers significant.
7. Discussion Items
7.1 Discussion on Budget Renewal Initiative
Superintendent Baker presented an overview of the Budget Renewal Initiative to the School Board, highlighting its purpose in shaping the district’s financial future and preserving the quality of education while upholding transparency and community involvement.
Vice President Wells expressed his support for the plan, highlighting its focus on transparency, community engagement, and clear objectives. He appreciated the established timeline, the scheduled meetings, and the communication deliverables, which set expectations for what will be on the website. Wells noted that having these details in place prevents confusion or unmet expectations down the line, ensuring clarity from the start. Vice President Wells also recognized Trustee Márquez for her valuable representation.
Trustee MacAvoy expressed her support for the plan, confirming that information will be included in both the principal's and superintendent's newsletters. She appreciated the mix of in-person opportunities and the survey option for gathering input, acknowledging that not everyone can attend meetings. MacAvoy is excited to see the platform in action, comparing it to a more advanced Google Spreadsheet, which would help synthesize and analyze data. She also expressed her willingness to participate in the forums and thanked Trustee Márquez for her bilingual contributions, wishing there were more bilingual board members.
President Lawson and Trustee Márquez volunteered to be part of the Budget Renewal Initiative committee.
Trustee Weekly expressed satisfaction with the plan, noting that the board's emphasis on transparency and community engagement was clearly heard and reflected in the approach. He praised the flexible ways to connect with the community on their own terms and emphasized the importance of reaching out not only to school site councils but also to PTOs to ensure broad communication. Weekly stressed the need for consistent, repeated messaging to ensure that everyone is aware of the process, even to the point of over-communication. He also highlighted the value of using updated topic pages and websites to keep the public informed.
Trustee MacAvoy suggested that, in addition to budget cuts, the district should explore potential revenue sources. She recommended engaging the Redwood City Education Foundation (RCEF), which has historically supported the entire district, to help with fundraising efforts beyond individual school sites. She also proposed encouraging PTAs and PTOs to think collectively for the district, especially for critical needs like mental health services. Additionally, she suggested adding a section in the survey for parents, staff, and the community to share ideas for grants, foundations, or wealthy individuals who could support the schools. MacAvoy even mentioned the potential of AI generating ideas for additional funding sources.
8. Consent Items
The School Board approved the Consent Items (Wells, MacAvoy; 5-0), taking the following action:
8.1 Recommendation re: Approval of Consent Items
8.2 Recommendation re: Approval of the August 28 Board Meeting Minutes
8.3 Recommendation re: Approval of School Assignments and Committee
Assignments for Board Members for the 2024-2025 School Year
8.4 Recommendation re: Approval of the Agreement between the Redwood City
School District and Illustrative Math for the 2024-2025 School Year
8.5 Recommendation re: Approval of Local Interagency Agreement(s) to Provide
Education and Training to Credential and License Candidates
8.6 Recommendation re: Approval of Agreement between the Redwood City School
District and JTG2023 for the 2024-2025 School Year
8.7 Recommendation re: Ratification of Warrant Register, August 1, 2024 - August
31, 2024
Trustee Márquez (Ayes)
Trustee Weekly (Ayes)
Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)
Vice-President Wells (Ayes)
President Lawson (Ayes)
9. Action Items
9.1 Recommendation re: Adoption of Resolution No. 4, Approval of Education Code and Title V Options for Teaching Assignments 2024-2025 School Year
No questions or comments.
The School Board adopted Resolution No. 4, Approval of Education Code and Title V Options for Teaching Assignments 2024-2025 School Year (Wells, Márquez; 5-0). The Education Code Options and Title V for Teaching Assignments were approved for the following teachers:
Name Location Title ED Code/
Title 5
AGAN, ASON CLIFFORD YEARBOOK T5 80005 (b)
AGUILAR FIGUEROA, IRMA KENNEDY STUDY HALL T5 80005 (b)
ARELLANO, KARINA GARFIELD MTSS TOSA T5 80020.4
BERLJAFA, ANN T DISTRICT OFFICE PROF DEV COACH: SEAL T5 80020.4
BERNDT, ESTHER M ADELANTE MTSS TOSA T5 80020.4
BROWN, WENDI A ROOSEVELT MTSS TOSA T5 80020.4
BUHAY, JON FRANCIS TAFT SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST EC 44831
CHILTON, STACEY CLIFFORD MTSS TOSA T5 80020.4
CHO, ANNIE HOOVER MTSS TOSA T5 80020.4
CULLUM, SARAH M DISTRICT OFFICE PROF DEV COACH: MIDDLE SCHOOL T5 80020.4
EAKIN, WHITNEY B DISTRICT OFFICE PROF DEV COACH: LITERACY T5 80020.4
FERNANDEZ-PAWAR, ANGELES MCKINLEY MTSS TOSA T5 80020.4
HAVEY, JACOB J NORTH STAR CURRICULUM TOSA T5 80020.4
HINOJOSA, KAREN M NORTH STAR MTSS TOSA T5 80020.4
IBARRA GONZALEZ, MARIBEL ORION/TAFT MTSS TOSA T5 80020.4
IBARRA, FAVIOLA TAFT SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST EC 44831
JAMES, CATHERINE A DISTRICT OFFICE TECHNOLOGY RESOURCE TEACHER T5 80020.4
JOHNSON, ANGELA CLIFFORD/ N. STAR SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST EC 44831
KALOGERIAS, ANASTASIA ROOSEVELT SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST EC 44831
KLEIN, KENDALL A DISTRICT OFFICE PROF DEV COACH: MIDDLE SCHOOL T5 80020.4
KLEIN, MEGAN CLIFFORD SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST EC 44831
KUZNIA, RILEY HOOVER SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST EC 44831
LOWENTHAL, LINDSAY ROOSEVELT SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST EC 44831
PAEZ, ALMA E MCKINLEY CURRICULUM TOSA T5 80020.4
PAYNE, AMANDA ROY CLOUD SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST EC 44831
PICETTI, CHRISTY HENRY FORD SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST EC 44831
PULIDO-LOPEZ, LAURA P DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF DEVELOPMENT COACH T5 80020.4
STAMATES, ANASTACIA M DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF DEVELOPMENT COACH T5 80020.4
SUGAR, KEVIN M DISTRICT OFFICE TEACHER ON SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT T5 80020.4
TALAVERA BALLON, MARIELA R DISTRICT OFFICE EL SPECIALIST - BILINGUAL T5 80020.4
TITUS, BENJAMIN A DISTRICT OFFICE TEACHER ON SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT T5 80020.4
TORRES, PAUL S DISTRICT OFFICE NEWCOMER TOSA T5 80020.4
URE, ALEXANDER ORION SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST EC 44831
WENZEL, JENNIFER M ROY CLOUD MTSS TOSA T5 80020.4
WHIPP, BRONIA C DISTRICT OFFICE TECH INTEGRATION COACH T5 80020.4
WHITLA-PINTO, BRENDA NORTH STAR WRITING LEGOS EC 44256 (b)
WONG, JODY W TAFT RLC TOSA PRESCHOOL T5 80020.4
WU, YI HUNG ORION MANDARIN TOSA T5 80020.4
YANG, PEGGY W HENRY FORD MTSS TOSA T5 80020.4
Trustee Márquez (Ayes)
Trustee Weekly (Ayes)
Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)
Vice-President Wells (Ayes)
President Lawson (Ayes)
9.2 Recommendation re: Adoption of Resolution No. 5, Resolution in favor of California Proposition 2, Public School Facilities Bond Measure
No questions or comments.
The School Board adopted Resolution No. 5, Resolution in favor of California Proposition 2, Public School Facilities Bond Measure (MacAvoy, Wells; 5-0).
Trustee Márquez (Ayes)
Trustee Weekly (Ayes)
Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)
Vice-President Wells (Ayes)
President Lawson (Ayes)
9.3 Recommendation re: Second Reading and Approval of Board Bylaw 9223 - Filling Vacancies
The School Board approved Board Bylaw 9223 - Filling Vacancies (MacAvoy, Weekly; 5-0).
Trustee Márquez (Ayes)
Trustee Weekly (Ayes)
Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)
Vice-President Wells (Ayes)
President Lawson (Ayes)
9.4 Recommendation re: Approval of Response to the 2023-2024 Grand Jury Report: "Assessing and Reporting Internal Controls in San Mateo County Agencies and School Districts"
The Trustees expressed their support for the response to the 2023-2024 Grand Jury Report.
The School Board approved the response to the 2023-2024 Grand Jury Report: "Assessing and Reporting Internal Controls in San Mateo County Agencies and School Districts" (Weekly, Wells; 5-0).
Trustee Márquez (Ayes)
Trustee Weekly (Ayes)
Trustee MacAvoy (Ayes)
Vice-President Wells (Ayes)
President Lawson (Ayes)
10. Board and Superintendent Reports
10.1 Report from Board Members and Superintendent
Vice President Wells reported attending the Citizens Bond Oversight Committee meeting.
Trustee MacAvoy reported attending Back to School Night at Roosevelt and Roy Cloud. MacAvoy also participated in a Workforce Housing meeting and met with a local developer interested in helping fund the Workforce Housing project. Additionally, MacAvoy attended the San Mateo County School Board Association board meeting. MacAvoy noted there will be a new board member orientation meeting on January 11th.
Trustee Weekly shared that he attended Back to School Night at Orion and suggested using similar events as opportunities to complete mass fingerprinting for parent volunteers, set them up with WhatsApp channels, collect their contact information, and handle other tasks where in-person engagement with parents would benefit the district.
Trustee Márquez had nothing to report.
President Lawson reported attending the Workforce Housing Committee meeting.
Superintendent Baker reported visiting school sites for Educational Rounds, during which cabinet members meet with principals to discuss and address Tier 1, 2, and 3 supports.
11. Information
11.1 2024-25 Adopted Budget & LCAP for Connect Community Charter School and RCSD's Fiscal Oversight Review Letter
Trustee MacAvoy expressed her appreciation for the business department's efforts in overseeing the charter schools and all the work they do in that capacity.
11.2 2024-25 Adopted Budget & LCAP for Rocketship Redwood City and RCSD's Fiscal Oversight Review Letter
No questions or comments.
11.3 2024-25 Adopted Budget & LCAP for KIPP Excelencia Community Prep Charter School and RCSD's Fiscal Oversight Review Letter Information
No questions or comments.
12. Correspondence
None.
13. Other Business/Suggested Items for Future Agenda
None.
14. Board Meetings Calendar
14.1 Changes to the Board Meetings Calendar
Superintendent Baker informed the School Board regarding the October 30th Board Study Session.
14. Adjournment
The School Board adjourned the meeting at 8:27 p.m. (Weekly, Wells; 5-0).