Cristina Ryffel, school librarian at Orion Alternative, was named the recipient of the California School Library Association’s “I Love My Classified Library Staff Award.” The award honors classified library staff whose work strengthens school communities and supports student learning.

The Board of Trustees approved the appointment of Dr. Christian J. Rubalcaba as the District’s next Superintendent following a comprehensive, community-informed search process. Dr. Rubalcaba will begin his role on July 1, succeeding retiring Superintendent Dr. John Baker. Selected from a strong pool of candidates through a rigorous evaluation process that included community input and structured interviews, Dr. Rubalcaba brings extensive experience as a classroom teacher, school principal, and district leader across multiple Bay Area school districts. He is committed to listening, building strong relationships, and continuing RCSD’s work to support all students and families.

RCSD was ranked #22 statewide among California’s top 30 school districts by MoneyInc. One of only two districts in San Mateo County recognized, this honor reflects RCSD’s daily commitment to strong instruction, student support, and equitable outcomes.

Gilberto Guzmán, a longtime RCSD educator, has been honored with the SF-CESS Ally Award for his leadership and commitment to equity and student success. This recognition highlights his decades of advocacy for students and families and reflects the powerful impact of RCSD staff who lead with purpose and care.

The Board approved the 2026–27 instructional calendar at its January 14 meeting, setting key dates to help families plan ahead for the school year. The calendar includes the first and last days of school, holidays, conference weeks, and scheduled breaks that align with the Sequoia Union High School District. Families are encouraged to plan vacations and appointments during school breaks to support strong attendance and student success.

Redwood City School District is moving into the next phase of its districtwide solar energy expansion, with construction beginning this winter at Henry Ford and Taft schools and additional campuses starting this spring. The projects will bring clean, renewable energy to school sites while reducing long-term electricity costs and easing pressure on the district budget and local taxpayers. Construction schedules will roll out between January and July, with timelines coordinated to minimize disruption to school operations.

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.

At its December 17, 2025 meeting, the RCSD Board of Trustees approved the District’s $160.1 million 2025–26 First Interim Budget Report with a Positive Certification, confirming that the District is projected to meet its financial obligations this year and over the next two fiscal years. The report provides a snapshot of RCSD’s financial health based on actual activity through October 31 and updated multi-year projections. Trustees also discussed reserves, long-term stability, and the District’s Strategic Resource Alignment work, which focuses on responsibly adjusting programs and services to reflect a smaller district while continuing to serve students and families effectively.