10:13Call to Order1min
1.1Roll CallProcedural
20:26Welcome1min
2.1Welcome by the School Board President, Janet LawsonProcedural
32:41Changes to the Agenda1min
3.1Additions, Deletions, or Modifications to the AgendaDiscussion
42:41Approval of Agenda1min
4.1Approval of AgendaAction
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53:14Oral Communication
5.1If you have public comment related to a Regular Board Meeting item, please post it on the links available under Public Content prior to the Regular Board Meeting or immediately upon the meeting opening.Information
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Public Comment Links: English: https://forms.gle/Hg1fBw6sYvZErNnq6 Spanish: https://forms.gle/FVdqY3Yn1JwXQUAR9 §
63:14Consent Items1min
6.1Approval of Consent ItemsAction
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6.2Approval of the 2023-2024 Certificated Seniority ReportAction (Consent)
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Rationale: The Certificated Seniority Report lists all certificated probationary and tenured staff in order of date of seniority. Temporary teachers are not listed on the Seniority Report. Financial Impact: None Submission for Approval Prepared by: Wendy Kelly, Deputy Superintendent Approved by: John R. Baker, Ed.D., Superintendent Our adopted rules of Parliamentary Procedure, Robert’s Rules, provide for a consent agenda listing several items for approval of the Board by a single motion. Most of the items listed under the consent agenda have gone through Board subcommittee review and recommendation. Documentation concerning these items has been provided to all board members and the public in advance to assure an extensive and thorough review. Items may be removed from the consent agenda at the request of any board member. §
6.3Approval of the 2023-2024 Classified Seniority ReportsAction (Consent)
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Rationale: The Classified Seniority Report lists all probationary and tenured staff in order of date of seniority. Financial Impact: None. Submission for Approval Prepared by: Wendy Kelly, Deputy Superintendent Approved by: John R. Baker, Ed.D., Superintendent Our adopted rules of Parliamentary Procedure, Robert’s Rules, provide for a consent agenda listing several items for approval of the Board by a single motion. Most of the items listed under the consent agenda have gone through Board subcommittee review and recommendation. Documentation concerning these items has been provided to all board members and the public in advance to assure an extensive and thorough review. Items may be removed from the consent agenda at the request of any board member. §
6.4Ratification of Warrant Registers, February 1, 2024 - February 29, 2024Action (Consent)
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Rationale: Education Code Section 42631 states that all payments from funds of a school district shall be made by written order of the governing board of the district. The attached report consists of expenditures from various funds in the amount of $8,298,217.70 for the period February 1, 2024, through February 29, 2024. Financial Impact: The total disbursement from the San Mateo County Treasurer's Office amounts to $8,298,217.70 and represents actual expenditures for all funds. Submission for Approval Prepared by: Rick Edson, Chief Business Official Approved by: John R. Baker, Ed.D., Superintendent Our adopted rules of Parliamentary Procedure, Robert’s Rules, provide for a consent agenda listing several items for approval of the Board by a single motion. Most of the items listed under the consent agenda have gone through Board subcommittee review and recommendation. Documentation concerning these items has been provided to all board members and the public in advance to assure an extensive and thorough review. Items may be removed from the consent agenda at the request of any board member. §
7Action Items30min
7.12:41:31Approval of Agreement between the Redwood City School District and TeamCivX and Godbe Research to conduct a Parcel Tax Measure Feasibility StudyAction
Chris Rebel (2min) — Raised concerns about asking the community to fund both a parcel tax for staff and future bonds for buildings given already heavy tax burdens, and urged the board to be transparent about its prioritization and long-term plans.
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Rationale: The Governing Board of the Redwood City School District (RCSD) acknowledges its responsibility to ensure a high-quality education in a safe learning environment for each RCSD student. Recognizing that additional funds are occasionally necessary to fulfill this obligation, the Board is contemplating the inclusion of a parcel tax on the November 2024 ballot for voter approval. With the conclusion of the one-time COVID funds, the School District faces financial constraints to maintain critical services currently provided to students. These services support the district with: Ensuring all students are reading at or above grade level by the end of second grade. Supporting all students in meeting and excelling in district benchmarks. Reducing the number of long-term English learners. Recognizing, retaining, and recruiting high-quality staff. Maintaining the district’s school counseling program Expanding and strengthening partnerships to increase access to preschool, and before and after-school summer programs. Team CivX is a professional consulting firm that provides ballot measure electoral feasibility, public outreach, and communication services. The Redwood City School District is requesting certain consulting services pertaining to a Parcel Tax Measure. This measure is crucial for securing adequate funding for the School District, specifically to support essential areas of our district's top academic priorities. Godbe Research is a research agency that provides comprehensive services for public sector clients. They conduct customized studies using both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Their focus areas include community needs assessments, public education, outreach strategies, planning efforts, satisfaction evaluations, and ballot measure feasibility. They aim to support clients with valuable insights for informed decision-making. TeamCivX would perform the following services for Phase I of the feasibility assessment: Develop potential strategies to meet RCSD’s funding needs to be tested in polling; Collaborate with Godbe Research ("Pollster") to design, conduct, and analyze an opinion survey of voters in the relevant district to assess the feasibility of the District’s ballot measure; Conduct demographic analysis of voters in the relevant district and how they break into key sub-groups by age, ethnicity, political party, length of residency, parents and other key criteria; Analyze past election results in the relevant district and region to understand voter turnout trends and other relevant voting patterns; Research other local tax proposals that may be heading to an upcoming ballot that could compete with the District’s ballot measure; and Make specific recommendations regarding the optimal election date, election type tax rate, tax structure, and other important ballot measure features. Godbe Research will collaborate with the Redwood City School District (“District”) on a voter survey to evaluate the feasibility of placing a potential future parcel tax measure on the ballot in the District in an upcoming election cycle, based on voter support. The survey will be conducted via a hybrid Internet and telephone survey process. Financial Impact: TeamCivX and Godbe Research shall be paid a consulting fee, payable within 30 days of receipt of the invoice, as follows: TeamCivX, LLC shall be paid a “Flat Consulting Fee” of $15,000, which will cover Phase 1 services through April of 2024. Godbe Research shall be paid $38,225.00, of which (50%) will be billed upon initiation of services or the project kick-off meeting, whichever happens first, with that amount due Net 30. The remaining fifty percent (50%) will be billed upon fieldling of the parcel tax measure feasibility survey, with that amount also due Net 30. Total cost for the Parcel Tax Measure Feasibility Study is $53,225. Submission for Approval Prepared by: John R. Baker, Ed.D., Superintendent Approved by: John R. Baker, Ed.D., Superintendent §
7.23:41Adoption of Resolution No. 7, Reduction or Elimination of Certificated Services for Fiscal Year 2023-2024Action
Esther Chan (2min) — Expressed concern about reading specialist cuts and urged the district and board to find creative, sustainable long-term plans to support students.
Tom Gerke (2min) — Argued that music programs are scientifically proven to benefit brain development and that Prop 28 funds should not be used as a budget safety net, urging the board not to cut arts education.
Hannah Ma (2min) — Asked whether alternatives to staffing cuts were explored, raised concerns about unequal distribution of cuts across schools, and urged creative revenue generation such as facility leasing or technology donations.
Lauren Abrams (2min) — Spoke as the mental health counselor at Taft, describing the high trauma levels and barriers to outside services faced by Taft students and urging reconsideration of reducing her position to 0.5 FTE.
Megan O'Reilly Green (2min) — Expressed appreciation for the district, shared data comparing Redwood City's low parcel tax to neighboring districts, and encouraged community members to support passing a larger parcel tax.
Marianne Naka (1min) — Spoke as the mental health liaison at Henry Ford and urged the board to reconsider cutting mental health liaison positions at Taft, Henry Ford, Orion, and Adelante Selby.
Lizbeth Estrada (1min) — Expressed deep appreciation to Dr. Baker for his focus on equity and for prioritizing the schools and students who need the most support, including special education students.
Saoirse Rafferty (1min) — A fourth-grade student at Orion expressed love for her school and district, said she believes the community can adapt to budget cuts, and hoped a larger parcel tax could be passed so all kids have what they need.
Sue Jorgensen (2min) — Expressed concern about poor communication from the district regarding librarian layoffs, citing unprofessional disclosure of retirees' information and inadequate notice, and said she is not yet convinced to support a parcel tax.
Ann Barafa (3min) — A 32-year district veteran advocated for enshrining a 25-to-1 class size ratio for K-2 classrooms in the contract, arguing that larger class sizes cause students, especially ELs and neurodivergent learners, to fall through the cracks.
Sherry Tsukiyama (2min) — A first-grade teacher at Roosevelt shared personal classroom experience demonstrating that smaller class sizes (25 or fewer) allow for more individualized instruction and fewer disruptions, and urged the board to permanently cap TK-2 grades at 25 students.
Jessica McLean (2min) — An education specialist described alarming projected caseload increases for special education classes and urged the board to open additional extensive support needs classrooms to reduce caseloads and ensure student safety.
Allison Sudol (2min) — A first-to-third grade extensive support needs teacher described how increasing class sizes cause unsafe behaviors and dysregulation, and proposed opening one additional ESN and one SLC classroom to bring caseloads to manageable levels.
Aaron Washburn (2min) — A music teacher detailed the academic, social-emotional, and cognitive benefits of music education and urged administrators and parents to advocate for a well-funded music program at every school.
Diane Gutierrez (3min) — A school counselor at Orion shared a story of supporting a dysregulated student and urged the board to ensure a mental health counselor is present at every school site as an essential safety net for students.
Lily Milton (2min) — An Orion and Kennedy parent and Redwood City Foundation board member urged the board to reject the resolution and pursue a more transparent, equitable, and collaborative process before cutting programs, while also supporting a parcel tax and enshrining a 25-to-1 class ratio.
Dave Privasch (1min) — Acknowledged the board's difficult position but said it seems unconscionable to cut librarians, mental health staff, and STEM teachers in a high-cost area, and echoed calls for creative solutions before approving cuts.
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Rationale: Due to the reduction or discontinuance of particular kinds of service pursuant to Education Code Section 44955, the School Board resolves that the legal number of certificated district employees not be reemployed for the 2024-2025 school year. Financial Impact: Reduction to General and Categorical funds to be determined. Submission for Approval Prepared by: Wendy Kelly, Deputy Superintendent Approved by: John R. Baker, Ed.D., Superintendent §
7.32:01:58Adoption of Resolution No. 8, Reduction of Certain Classified Services for Fiscal Year 2023-2024Action
Salvador Gomez Nava (2min) — Spoke in Spanish (with interpretation) as a Taft parent of a seven-year-old daughter who needs counseling, urging the board to maintain school-based mental health support so children can grow up happy and succeed without the trauma going unaddressed.
Ana Solorio (1min) — As CSEA Chapter 5 President, opposed the layoff of any classified employees and requested the board explore cost-cutting alternatives that do not include eliminating classified staff, asking the board not to approve the resolution.
Connie Hamilton (3min) — Librarian at Clifford School questioned why three lower-paid LMA librarians are being eliminated while six new higher-paid positions may be hired, argued that her 11 years of experience is sufficient, and expressed devastation at losing her position and relationships with students.
Beverly Aguilar (3min) — Librarian at Garfield School, speaking jointly with Connie Hamilton, argued that eliminating their LMA positions is unjust given their combined 30 years of experience, a pending reclassification recommendation, and the difficulty of filling six librarian vacancies, and requested the board not eliminate their positions.
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Rationale: Due to the reduction or discontinuance of particular kinds of service pursuant to Education Code Section 45117, the School Board resolves that the legal number of classified district employees as stated in Resolution No. 8 (attached) not be reemployed for the 2024-2025 school year. Financial Impact: Reduction to General and Categorical funds to be determined. Submission for Approval Prepared by: Wendy Kelly, Deputy Superintendent Approved by: John R. Baker, Ed.D., Superintendent §
7.42:38:32Adoption of Resolution No. 9, Release and Reassignment of Certificated Administrators(s)Action
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Rationale: California Ed Code 44951 states that employees will be notified prior to March 15th that they may be released or reassigned. Financial Impact: Reduction to General and Categorical funds to be determined. Submission for Approval Prepared by: Wendy Kelly, Deputy Superintendent Approved by: John R. Baker, Ed.D., Superintendent §
7.52:39:51Approval of Release of Temporary TeachersAction
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Rationale: Pursuant to Ed Code 44954, Governing boards of school districts may release temporary employees requiring certification qualifications under the following circumstances: (a) At the pleasure of the board prior to serving during one school year at least 75 percent of the number of days the regular schools of the district are maintained. (b) After serving during one school year the number of days set forth in subdivision (a), if the employee is notified before the end of the school year of the district’s decision not to reelect the employee for the next succeeding year. Financial Impact: Reduction to General and Categorical funds to be determined. Submission for Approval Prepared by: Wendy Kelly, Deputy Superintendent Approved by: John R. Baker, Ed.D., Superintendent §
82:47:44Board and Superintendent Reports10min
8.1Report from Board Members and SuperintendentReports
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Rationale: The School Board and Superintendent Baker will report out on meetings, attended events, upcoming events, school site visits, etc. Financial Impact: None at this moment. Submission for Approval Prepared by: Evelyn Campos, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent Approved by: John R. Baker, Ed.D., Superintendent
92:51:40Information5min
9.1Information on San Mateo County Investment Fund - January 2024Information
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Rationale: Education Code Sections 41001 and 41002 generally provide that all money received by or apportioned to a school district shall be paid into the county treasury to be placed to the credit of the proper fund of the district. Pursuant to California Education Code Section 41015, the District may invest all or part of funds deposited in a Special Reserve Fund or any surplus monies not required for the immediate necessities of the District in any of the investments specified in California Government Code Sections 16430 or 53601. Historically, districts in San Mateo County have been depositing all of their funds into the county treasury. The County Treasurer has made investment decisions for the school districts, which is not a unique practice statewide. School district funds on deposit with the county treasury, along with funds deposited by other agencies, are placed in a County investment pool, and profits and losses realized from these invested funds are shared among the pool participants in proportion to the amount invested. Financial Impact: Gross pool earnings for Month ending January 2024: 4.040% The current average maturity of the portfolio is 1.60 years with an average duration of 1.47 years. The portfolio continues to hold no derivative products. Please click the link below to view the investment report for January 2024: https://www.smcgov.org/media/147828/download?inline= Please click the link below to view the copies of the Investment Reports and the Compliance Reports: https://www.smcgov.org/treasurer/investment-information Submission for Approval Prepared by: Rick Edson, Chief Business Official Approved by: John R. Baker, Ed.D., Superintendent §
102:51:54Correspondence1min
10.1Correspondence
112:52:19Other Business/Suggested Items For Future Agenda1min
11.1Possible Other Business/Suggested Items for Future AgendaInformation
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Rationale: The following Schedule of Agenda Items for the 2023-24 School Board meetings (attached hereto) has been revised by the administration. This schedule of board agenda items will be routinely updated, as needed. Financial Impact: None. Submission for Approval Prepared by: Evelyn Campos, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent Approved by: John R. Baker, Ed.D., Superintendent §
122:53:52Board Meetings Calendar1min
12.1Changes to the Board Meetings CalendarInformation
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Rationale: The following School Board Meetings Calendar for 2023-24 (attached hereto) has been revised by the administration. This calendar of school board meetings will be routinely updated, as needed. Financial Impact: None. Submission for Approval Prepared by: Evelyn Campos, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent Approved by: John R. Baker, Ed.D., Superintendent §
132:54:01Adjournment1min
13.1Adjourn the MeetingAction