Superintendent's Message: Celebrating 2025-26: Thank You, RCSD

As I retire, I do so with tremendous gratitude and confidence in the future of this district. RCSD is filled with caring people, talented educators, dedicated staff, and extraordinary students. The future is bright because of all of you.

As the Class of 2026 prepares to graduate, Superintendent John Baker marks a meaningful milestone as he participates in his final promotion and graduation ceremonies before retirement. In his message, he reflects on the accomplishments of RCSD students, celebrates their bright futures, and expresses gratitude for the opportunity to serve the community throughout his career.

Redwood City School District is beginning the next phase of its Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) work by reviewing and refining goals for the 2026–27 school year. Building on recent progress—including improved attendance, reduced suspensions, strong academic growth, and gains for English Learners—the district is now engaging families, staff, and students to help guide future priorities. Community input gathered through surveys and meetings will play a key role in shaping the next LCAP cycle and ensuring continued focus on equity and student success.

Redwood City School District’s February 2026 mid-year LCAP update highlights encouraging progress toward its 2027 goals, including improved attendance, reduced suspensions, strong student growth in reading and mathematics on local assessments, and continued gains for English Learners. The update also identifies areas for focused acceleration as the district continues strengthening supports and instructional practices to close equity gaps.

Superintendent Dr. John Baker and Incoming Superintendent Dr. Christian J. Rubalcaba express gratitude for families’ continued trust and partnership while outlining a thoughtful leadership transition ahead of July 1. They emphasize continuity for students and staff, highlight Dr. Rubalcaba’s relationship-centered leadership style and experience in inclusive and community-based education, and invite families to participate in upcoming opportunities to connect, listen, and help shape the district’s future together.

Thank you to the many families who thoughtfully plan vacations during scheduled school breaks, including winter break. Doing so helps ensure students are able to be present for learning when school is in session. When students miss school for vacations outside of these breaks, those absences are considered unexcused, and after three unexcused absences, a student is legally considered truant under state law.

In recent years, rising costs and unpredictable funding have made it harder for schools across California to sustain essential programs and services. Despite budgeting and earlier reductions, RCSD has had to scale back student supports such as counseling and academic intervention. Without a stable local funding source, RCSD risks losing additional hands-on programs in science, mathematics, reading, and writing—programs that spark discovery and confidence in our students.

This fall, we have been working with a district committee made up of parents, teachers, administrators, and union representatives to provide feedback and perspective on this important work. This process is about ensuring that, even as we make necessary budget reductions, our priorities remain centered on what matters most—supporting every student’s success.