REDWOOD CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT Redwood City, California APPROVED MINUTES OF BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING. February 23, 2011

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1 1. Call to Order REDWOOD CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT Redwood City, California APPROVED MINUTES OF BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING February 23, 2011 President MacAvoy called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. at the District Office, 750 Bradford Street, Redwood City. Present at the Board Meeting: President Alisa MacAvoy, Trustees Hilary Paulson, Shelly Masur, Maria Diaz-Slocum and Dennis McBride, and Superintendent Jan Christensen. Others present: John Baker, Raul Parungao, Wendy Kelly, Christine Hiltbrand, Rich Wallace, Elisabeth Stitt, Kathleen Davenport, Kate Murphy, Debra Rabe, Elaine Fuchs, Jim Rochette, Suba Butler, Barbara Tanzillo, North Star students, and Don Dias. 2. Welcome President MacAvoy welcomed those present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 3. Changes to the Agenda Trustee McBride requested the addition of Item 5.3, Staff Recognition. 4. Approval of Agenda The board approved the agenda, as amended (Paulson/McBride; 5-0). 5. Community/Staff Recognition 5.1 Drawing for ipod Touch Products CBO Parungao explained that five ipod Touch products would be distributed to students randomly selected as part of the ongoing Go to School and Win attendance campaign launched at the beginning of He reported that thousands of students had been determined eligible for the contest by virtue of their perfect attendance during the period December 13, 2010 through January 14, He reminded the board that no taxpayer or district funds had been used to acquire the ipods. The names of five winning students were selected at random and announced aloud. 5.2 North Star Academy Recognition President MacAvoy and the entire board recognized various staff and community members for the contributions to and support of the students at North Star. 1

2 The recognized persons included Rich Wallace, Elisabeth Stitt, Mike Harris, Pam Keller, Kathleen Davenport, Alec Duncan, Kate Murphy, Debra Rabe, Elaine Fuchs, Jim Rochette, Doug LaMont, Suba Butler, Kathryn Barnard, and Barbara Tanzillo. On behalf of the board, President MacAvoy and Superintendent Christensen presented a Certificate of Recognition to each of the aforementioned persons who were present at the meeting. 5.3 Staff Recognition Trustee McBride and the entire board recognized various district staff, including Director of Technology Joe Siam, Director of Communications Naomi Hunter, and Assistant to the Superintendent Christine Costanza, for their work in implementing AgendaOnline (online board packets). 6. Oral Communication None. 7. School/Community Reports 7.1 North Star Academy Report Principal Wendy Kelly updated the board on academic programs and student activities at North Star Academy. She explained that the school s philosophy emphasizes enrichment and a deeper inquiry into grade level standards. To that end, she commented on math mentoring and intervention classes during enrichment, after school tutoring, goal setting with teachers and administrators, and certain classroom activities such as the 8 th grade Constitutional Convention. She also provided several examples of end-of-day enrichment classes, including horticulture, current events/debate, and songwriting. Two North Star students who are members of the Robotics Team presented a brief demonstration of their custom-built robot navigating a maze. Ms. Kelly then discussed current staff development areas, including a differentiated instruction focus and vertical teaming professional learning communities (PLCs) by subject matter. She also expounded on, and expressed appreciation for, community support of North Star Academy. She specifically cited classroom and field trip chaperones, School Site Council and Parent Club members, the math enrichment committee, and Art in Action volunteers. Ms. Kelly concluded her presentation with a summary of new additions to the North Star school community in 2010/11 and a forward-looking discussion. Two cast members from the school s spring musical production, Good News, performed a number from the play and responded to questions from the board. 2

3 Trustee Masur thanked Ms. Kelly for her presentation, and especially extended appreciation to the students who had participated. Trustee Diaz-Slocum expressed appreciation to North Star parents for lending added support to the school community. 8. Discussion Items 8.1 School Crossing Guards Director of Facilities Don Dias spoke to the board regarding how best to approach the issue of training crossing guards who are employed by the City. He clarified that the RCSD Transportation Division provides trained crossing guards for Garfield School, for Selby Lane at El Camino Real, for Hawes at Hudson and Oak, for Clifford at Edgewood and Scenic, and for Roy Cloud at Red Oak Way. In addition, he explained, the City contracts with All Cities Management to provide crossing guards at nineteen locations throughout Redwood City. Trustee McBride commented with concern that the City s crossing guard near Roy Cloud School is consistently on the wrong side of the street to facilitate children s traversing the street. Mr. Dias stated that the best practice is to contact police if a crossing guard is observed exhibiting any unsafe practice. Trustee McBride suggested that city councilmembers be contacted and alerted to the safety issue posed by inadequately trained crossing guards. Mr. Dias stated that the City s crossing guards are currently supervised by Sergeant Osborne, of the Redwood City Police Department. Trustee Masur commented that since All Cities Management is a contractor engaged by the City, it may be prudent to provide the City with feedback regarding the performance of their employees. Mr. Dias noted that it may be possible to include City employees in the training process undergone by the district s own crossing guards. Trustee Diaz-Slocum stated that in the past, board members have met sporadically with city councilmembers and representatives of the Police Department in collaboration with Redwood City 2020 to discuss such issues. She suggested it might be mutually beneficial to resume these meetings in order to bridge the communication gap. 9. Consent Items The board approved the Consent Items (McBride/Masur; 5-0), taking the following action: 3

4 9.1 Recommendation re: Ratification of Warrant Register, January 31 through February 11, Recommendation re: Approval of Field Trip to Water, San Francisco, Selby Lane 10. Action Items 10.1 Recommendation re: 2011 CSBA Delegate Assembly Ballot President MacAvoy reminded the Board that they are entitled to collectively cast one ballot, voting for up to three candidates to serve on the CSBA Delegate Assembly. Following a discussion of the candidates, the board approved the casting of its ballot for nominees Maria Diaz-Slocum, Carrie Du Bois and Kevin Martinez. (Masur/Paulson; 4-0; Diaz-Slocum abstaining) Recommendation re: Adoption of Resolution 10, in Support of Placing a Revenue Extension Measure on the Ballot Trustee Masur provided some background information, explaining that the resolution supports placing a measure on the June 2011 ballot calling for a fiveyear revenue extension to protect schools from absorbing even more devastating cuts. CBO Parungao reported that the State stands to lose $12 billion in revenue if the tax extension fails to pass, $2 billion of which would come from public education. Trustee McBride expressed concern that the tax extension might fail to garner widespread support absent the Governor s dealing with pensions and prisons. The board unanimously adopted Resolution 10, in support of putting the Governor s tax extension measure on the ballot (McBride/Masur; 5-0) 10.3 Recommendation re: Adoption of Resolution 11, in Support of Michelle Obama s Let s Move Initiative President MacAvoy explained that the First Lady s initiative aims to address the issue of childhood obesity through improved nutrition, ensuring access to healthy, affordable food, and promoting more physical activity. Superintendent Christensen expounded on a few of the ways in which RCSD schools are participating in related activities at their schools. Trustee Paulson requested that the executed resolution be delivered to the Wellness Committee. The board unanimously adopted Resolution 12, in support of Michelle Obama s Let s Move initiative (Masur/Paulson; 5-0). 4

5 11. Board and Superintendent Reports 11.1 Report from Board Members and Superintendent Trustee Paulson reported having attended the Biliteracy Awards ceremony at Hoover, along with Trustee McBride. Trustee McBride announced that Director of English Learner Services Rosemarie Pérez had been interviewed for a video to be utilized statewide. He also reported attending Hoover s Authors Night event. Trustee Masur reported attending the 17 th District PTA Luncheon, along with Trustee McBride and President MacAvoy. She further reported having attended a meeting of the Sequoia Hospital Community Advisory Committee, whereat a representative from the Police Department had spoke regarding issue related to schools. Superintendent Christensen reported visiting, together with Trustee Masur, Kennedy Middle School, which is in its fourth week of implementation of new requirements for homework and tutoring. She further reported having met with Director of Redwood City 2020 Pat Brown, Superintendent of the Sequoia Union High School District Jim Lianides, and Cañada College President Tom Mohr, to discuss how best to collaborate as a coalition of education leaders in Redwood City and to communicate effectively with city leaders and the larger community Report Out on Closed Session for Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/ Release (Government Code 54957) (2 Cases) on February 9, 2011 President MacAvoy reported that the board, Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent met in closed session with Counsel to discuss two cases of Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release and that no specific action had been taken Report Out on Closed Session for Student Expulsions ( /Cases 10-13) on February 9, 2011 President MacAvoy reported that the board, Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent met in closed session to hear four cases of student expulsion, and that the recommendations of the administrative panel in each case had been unanimously approved Report Out on Closed Session for Potential Litigation (1 Case) on February 9, 2011 President MacAvoy reported that the board, Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent met in closed session with Counsel to discuss one case of potential litigation and that no specific action had been taken Report Out on Closed Session for Negotiations on February 9,

6 President MacAvoy reported that the board, Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent met in closed session to discuss negotiations and that no specific action had been taken Report Out on Closed Session for Public Employee Employment (Government Code 54957) (Deputy Superintendent; Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction; Chief Business Official) on February 9, 2011 President MacAvoy reported that the board and Superintendent met in closed session to discuss the employment contracts of the Deputy Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction and the Chief Business Official and that no specific action had been taken Report Out on Closed Session for Public Employee Employment (Government Code 54957) (Superintendent) on February 9, 2011 President MacAvoy reported that the board met in closed session to discuss the employment contract of the Superintendent and that no specific action had been taken. 12. Information 12.1 Information on San Mateo County Investment Fund CBO Parungao reported gross earnings for the portfolio for the month ending January 31, 2011 of 1.10%. 13. Correspondence None. 14. Other Business/Suggested Items for Future Agendas Trustee McBride requested that a discussion item on technology equipment for AgendaOnline be agendized. Superintendent Christensen suggested that a work session be calendared to discuss school configurations and classroom distribution from a district-wide perspective. 15. Board Agenda Calendar 15.1 Changes to Board Agenda Schedule Superintendent Christensen reviewed various revisions to the schedule of items to come before the board. 16. Closed Session 16.1 Closed Session for Teacher/Certificated Layoffs/Non Re-elects 6

7 At 8:23 p.m., President MacAvoy and Trustees Masur, McBride, Diaz-Slocum and Paulson went into closed session with Superintendent Christensen and Deputy Superintendent Baker to discuss teacher/certificated layoffs/non re-elects Closed Session for Negotiations The board continued in closed session with Superintendent Christensen and Deputy Superintendent Baker to discuss negotiations Closed Session for Public Employee Employment Contracts (Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Chief Business Official) The board continued in closed session to discuss the employment contracts of the Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, and Chief Business Official. The board came out of closed session at 9:50 p.m. 17. Adjournment The board adjourned the meeting at 9:51 p.m. (Paulson/Diaz-Slocum; 5-0). Shelly Masur, Clerk 7