Redwood City School District (RCSD) Superintendent Dr. Baker has finalized recommendations as part of the district’s Budget Renewal Initiative. These proposals aim to proactively address the expiration of one-time federal and state funds, which have provided critical support to public schools in recent years as a result of the pandemic.

The Budget Renewal Initiative Committee convened with Superintendent Dr. Baker for their third and final meeting on Thursday, November 14. During the session, the committee reviewed results of the community survey, which ran for about a month and closed on November 11. Nearly 2,000 stakeholders—including families, staff, and community members—participated in the survey. The Superintendent also shared updates on two initial recommendations and introduced additional proposals that may be presented to the School Board in December.

Update: The District community survey is now closed. 

At the recent Redwood City School District (RCSD) Board of Trustees Study Session, Superintendent Dr. John Baker delivered an update on the Budget Renewal Initiative, detailing the district’s ongoing efforts to align its budget with long-term financial sustainability.

RCSD invites all families, staff, and community members to attend the upcoming Board of Trustees Study Session on Wednesday, October 30, at 6:00 pm, where budget reductions for the 2025-26 school year will be discussed. Superintendent Dr. Baker will provide an update on the Budget Renewal Initiative Process. 

On October 24, 2024, the Budget Renewal Initiative Committee held its second meeting, focusing on aligning RCSD's budget with long-term financial realities as temporary federal and state funds from the COVID-19 pandemic expire in totality. Superintendent Dr. Baker is spearheading efforts to stabilize the budget and prevent disruptions in services by implementing necessary adjustments, including a proposed reduction of 7.0 FTE in district and school site administration for a projected savings of $1.5 million. The committee reviewed enrollment data, noting ongoing declines that necessitate staffing reductions, while also discussing the district’s financial status as a "basic aid or community-funded" entity, which does not directly tie revenue to student enrollment. They emphasized the need for flexibility in service reductions to prioritize equity and success for all students, recommending that school principals and site councils be involved in resource allocation to better address their schools' unique needs.

The Budget Renewal Initiative Committee held its first meeting on Thursday, October 10, with the goal of reviewing the district’s recent financial history, outlook, and reviewing possible budget adjustments. The committee’s discussions focused on analyzing financial projections, understanding program costs, and examining potential impacts on staffing and resources across the district. The committee’s insights will help inform the district’s future financial decisions.

Update: The application for committee membership is now closed

Update: The application for committee membership is now closed

Redwood City School District (RCSD) invites parents, staff, and community members to take an active role by applying to join the committee. The committee will evaluate potential budget adjustments and make recommendations while studying community feedback. 

The application window closes September 20, 2024, at 5:00 pm. 

During the September 11, 2024, Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. John Baker presented an overview of the Budget Renewal Initiative process to the Board of Trustees.