Superintendent's Message: March 2026: Community Input Sought on 2026-27 LCAP Goals
Superintendent's Message: March 2026: Community Input Sought on 2026-27 LCAP Goals
Dear RCSD Community,
As we move into the spring, Redwood City School District (RCSD) is beginning the next phase of our Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) work, reviewing and refining our goals for the 2026–27 school year.
The LCAP is our three-year roadmap for improving student outcomes and ensuring that our work remains focused on student success. This year marks the final year of our current LCAP cycle, making this an important time to reflect on our progress and plan thoughtfully for what comes next.
Our current LCAP is grounded in three key goals:
1. Strengthening social-emotional support and school climate,
2. Improving outcomes for English Learners, and
3. Boosting academic growth in literacy and mathematics.
Through this work, we are seeing meaningful progress. Attendance is improving, suspensions have decreased significantly, and student growth in reading and mathematics is exceeding our annual targets on local assessments. We are also seeing continued gains for English Learners, including increased language development and more students reclassifying as fluent in English.
At the same time, we know there is more work to do. We remain focused on addressing persistent gaps in attendance and academic outcomes for some student groups, and on ensuring that strong instructional practices are consistently implemented across all schools.
This month, we began our community engagement process to help guide the next phase of this work. You may have received invitations as district staff have already started reaching out to families, students, and staff to gather input. These perspectives are essential in shaping our priorities and ensuring that our plan reflects the needs and experiences of our community.
We are grateful to everyone who takes the time to share their voice. Your input directly informs how we invest resources, strengthen programs, and support students across our district.
Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to our schools. Together, we will build on our progress and continue creating strong, supportive learning environments for every student.
With appreciation,
John Baker
Superintendent
Other Recent Superintendent Messages:
![Graduation Cap]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1714426660/rcsdk8net/zsafmzu9pjkdrk8rxzxa/SuperintendentDrJohnBaker.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1714426660/rcsdk8net/zsafmzu9pjkdrk8rxzxa/SuperintendentDrJohnBaker.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1714426660/rcsdk8net/zsafmzu9pjkdrk8rxzxa/SuperintendentDrJohnBaker.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1714426660/rcsdk8net/zsafmzu9pjkdrk8rxzxa/SuperintendentDrJohnBaker.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1714426660/rcsdk8net/zsafmzu9pjkdrk8rxzxa/SuperintendentDrJohnBaker.png","width":1500}])
For me, this season carries special meaning. I am preparing to help turn the tassels for my final class of RCSD graduates.
![Superintendent Dr. John Baker]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1732304050/rcsdk8net/dmvd2hpql6novcafrsob/SuperintendentsMessage.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1732304050/rcsdk8net/dmvd2hpql6novcafrsob/SuperintendentsMessage.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1732304050/rcsdk8net/dmvd2hpql6novcafrsob/SuperintendentsMessage.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1732304050/rcsdk8net/dmvd2hpql6novcafrsob/SuperintendentsMessage.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1732304050/rcsdk8net/dmvd2hpql6novcafrsob/SuperintendentsMessage.png","width":1500}])
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.
![A picture of Dr. Baker and Dr. Rubalcaba]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1772255975/rcsdk8net/uts7a9rlyqauvpvvc3kh/2026SuperintendentTransition.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1772255975/rcsdk8net/uts7a9rlyqauvpvvc3kh/2026SuperintendentTransition.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1772255975/rcsdk8net/uts7a9rlyqauvpvvc3kh/2026SuperintendentTransition.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1772255975/rcsdk8net/uts7a9rlyqauvpvvc3kh/2026SuperintendentTransition.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1772255975/rcsdk8net/uts7a9rlyqauvpvvc3kh/2026SuperintendentTransition.png","width":1500}])
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.
Chronic absenteeism means missing 10% or more of school days, and it adds up quickly—even when the absences are excused. Doctor’s appointments, family celebrations, and vacations all matter, but if they happen during the school day, they still count toward a student being chronically absent and thus lost instructional time.