RCSD Board of Trustees Celebrates Retirements and Welcomes New Members

At its recent meeting, the Redwood City School District (RCSD) Board of Trustees celebrated the retirement of Trustees Janet Lawson and Alisa MacAvoy. The evening honored their combined 26 years of service and their lasting contributions to the district.

Trustee Lawson, who served for nine years, thanked the community, district staff, Superintendent Baker, her colleagues, and her family. She highlighted the supportive relationships on the Board, saying:

“Thank you to my Board colleagues, both current and former. This Board has a long history of camaraderie and respect for each other … It’s been such a joy to be part of such a cohesive, impactful, and intelligent group of people. Serving on this Board has been an incredible honor. I’ll carry with me all that I’ve learned over the past 9 years and look forward to continuing my commitment to public education and our Redwood City community for many more years.”

Trustee MacAvoy, who served for 17 years, reflected on the inspiration she drew from her parents, one of whom was a community college educator and the other a School Board member. She expressed gratitude to the community, staff, current and former Trustees, Superintendent Baker, and her family for their support throughout her tenure.

Superintendent Dr. Baker expressed his appreciation for the retiring Trustees:
“On behalf of the entire district and the community you’ve served so well, I thank you for your years of thoughtful leadership, advocacy, and heart. You have truly made a difference.”

The celebration included tributes from former Trustees and acknowledgments from representatives of Congressman Kevin Mullin, Senator Josh Becker, Assemblymember Diane Papan, and Assemblymember Marc Berman. A lawmaker’s staff member recalled how advice from both Trustees during the early days of COVID-19 shaped statewide policy.

In addition to honoring the retiring Trustees, the Board welcomed newly sworn-in members Jennifer Ng Kwing King and David Li. Trustee Mike Wells, beginning his second term, will serve as Board President, with Trustee David Weekly as Vice President and Trustee Cecilia Márquez as Clerk.

President Wells welcomed the new Trustees and shared his vision for the year ahead:

“As we move forward, we’re going to keep our focus where it belongs—ensuring that every student, regardless of which school they attend, the neighborhood they live in, or what kind of challenges they face, has access to an excellent education and the opportunity to thrive. I look forward to a productive and collaborative experience in the year ahead.”