10:06Call to Order1min
1.1Roll CallProcedural
20:25Welcome1min
2.1Welcome by the School Board President, Cecilia MárquezProcedural
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31:25Changes to the Agenda1min
3.1Additions, Deletions, or Modifications to the AgendaDiscussion
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41:28Approval of Agenda (Action Required)1min
4.1Approval of AgendaAction
51:47Information2hr
5.1Update on Workforce HousingInformation
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Rationale: It is well documented that California’s affordable housing crisis is affecting the ability of school districts to recruit and retain a top-tier workforce. As some districts begin building workforce housing projects, they will realize a competitive advantage over districts in high-cost areas that do not offer a housing benefit. In June 2019, the Redwood City School District (RCSD) Board of Trustees unanimously approved a feasibility study. That decision set in motion a four-year process to determine if RCSD should commit to a new housing project, and under what circumstances. A housing needs survey of RCSD staff was conducted in Nov. 2020. Of the 360 employees who responded, 220 indicated that they were not homeowners and 165 expressed their interest in district-sponsored housing. Recently, the Board of Trustees determined that developing the current district office property in downtown Redwood City is a viable way for RCSD to address its affordable housing crisis. Please join us at Hoover Community School Gymnasium on Thursday, Nov. 2 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM to learn more about this initiative and hear what a local high school district has learned by building and operating its own apartment complex. Financial Impact: None at this moment. Submission for Approval Prepared by: John R. Baker, Ed.D., Superintendent Approved by: John R. Baker, Ed.D., Superintendent §
61:19:36Oral Communication
Chris R. (3min) — Raised legal concerns about using Prop 39 bond money for workforce housing under Article 13 of the California Constitution, questioned whether teachers actually want district housing, and suggested alternative funding mechanisms such as a parcel tax or housing vouchers.
Elizabeth Starks (3min) — A multilingual Redwood City resident and former ESL teacher who expressed support for retaining good teachers but emphasized the greater need for after-school spaces and resources for children left unsupervised in the community.
Maria Stockton (3min) — As leader of the classified union chapter, she defended the equal importance of classified staff, shared her own experience of rent increases outpacing raises, and expressed strong support for workforce housing to help staff who commute long distances remain in the community.
Lupe Guzmán (3min) — The principal of Hoover Community School expressed strong support for workforce housing, noting that staff who live in the community strengthen it and that housing stress causes new teachers to leave the district.
Mary (1min) — A visiting San Francisco school board member asked about the quality and durability of the construction and how the rental revenues flow relative to the bond repayment.
Janet Cochise (1min) — A parent in the district since 2008 described how school closures and teacher departures due to unaffordable housing have repeatedly disrupted her child's education, and raised concerns about inadequate student transportation.
Erin Washburn (2min) — President of the Redwood City Teachers Association confirmed that teachers do want workforce housing, sharing examples of colleagues whose lives improved with affordable housing and expressing support for the plan as a way to recruit and retain quality teachers.
6.1If you have public comment related to the Study Session item, please complete a Speakers Card (available at the entrance) and give it to the secretary.
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SPEAKING AT BOARD MEETINGS: The public is encouraged to speak to the Board on issues of concern whether or not the issue(s) is/are on the agenda. To address the Board, please complete a Speakers Card (available at the entrance) and give it to the secretary. Public comments are limited to 3 minutes per person per topic unless otherwise noted. §
71:57:45Adjournment (Action Required)1min
7.1Adjourn the MeetingAction
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