New Trustees, Shared Vision: Advancing Excellence in Redwood City Schools

School boards in California are entrusted with several roles and responsibilities that are meant to elevate district performance, community voice, and accountability.

January is widely celebrated as School Board Recognition Month and Redwood City School District (RCSD) has much to celebrate. Working as a collaborative team, the five-member RCSD Board of Trustees, elected on a staggered basis and each serving four-year terms, serves as the governing body of RCSD.

Trustees establish direction, provide support, assure accountability, and elevate the voices and needs of students and the school district.

December saw the induction of two Trustees who are ready to take on new roles in support of RCSD’s mission to create a safe and supportive, inspirational and rigorous, joyful and inclusive environment for all learners.

David Li, newly appointed Area III Trustee, said he treasured his time in public school–both as a student and a teacher–and is hopeful that his background in education and other fields will provide a “unique perspective on the RCSD governance team.”

“I’m a firm believer in the importance of public schools as equal opportunity learning centers and community hubs,” he said. “When I learned of the vacancy on the RCSD Board, I was excited about the prospect of joining to help support the work our district does for our students and families.”

Li, who has worked as a math teacher, lawyer, and management consultant, is eager to see what accomplishments can be made in his four-year term.

“I’m looking forward to building and strengthening relationships across the community and seeing how far we can push toward our goals on student growth,” he said. “Many of the disruptions from the pandemic seem to be behind us now, and I think we have the tools and capabilities to achieve material growth in the next few years.”

Jennifer Ng Kwing King, newly sworn in Area I Trustee, said she was helping in her own son’s school and looking to make a broader impact when she saw the asks for an Area I representative.

“I talked to a few current board members to understand the role and felt like this was a good way I can be more involved,” she said. “I decided to jump in, learn, and see what I could do to help provide a good education to each child in Redwood City.”

Over the next four years, King, who works as a director in product and engineering management, said she wants to find what impacts learners and see what the School Board can do to support those needs while working together towards the district’s goals.

“As a working parent, I know how important access to healthy meals and quality afterschool programs are, so I’m looking forward to understanding what we currently provide and to continue advocating for more meals at school,” she said, adding that she also hopes to contribute to improving facilities to give children the best environment to learn and grow.

The Board of Trustees meeting typically takes place on Wednesday evenings and is accessible both virtually and in-person.

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New Trustees, Shared Vision: Advancing Excellence in Redwood City Schools

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