School District Is Recruiting Committee Members

The wants you.

Redwood City residents, parents, school staff members and community members are encouraged to apply to become part of a neighborhood committee that will address several issues, such as school boundaries and expanding “school of choice” programs. The district believes this representative 20-member committee could produce innovative suggestions not currently implemented, according to Superintendent Jan Christensen.

The district pointed to the success of the “Roosevelt Revitalization” a few years back, when a similarly formed committee introduced the “project-based learning” program that was eventually adopted school-wide. The district credited the community collaboration with forming this innovative learning style.

District spokesperson Naomi Hunter said the committee will not look to make specific changes this fall, but a primary focus is to look at the boundaries surrounding . The school has faced over-enrollment the past few years and forced to re-direct students to other district schools. A possible boundary adjustment could take place.

“I don’t need a committee to determine that that space needs to be re-adjusted, because we’re continually sending students away from Hawes,” boardmember Shelley Masur said. “It’s difficult for students who expect to go to Hawes then have to suddenly attend another school.”

Christensen agreed and said that the committee would study where the boundaries could possibly be re-drawn. The school board said that a separate task force could be created within the committee to focus solely on Hawes.

Other schools in the district that have wait lists include , McKinley Institute of Technology (MIT), . Superintendent Jan Christensen said that could have faced over-enrollment if it hadn’t added a kindergarten class.

The committee could also expand the current “school of choice” programs or add new offerings to other schools.

The district will post the applications on their website this summer and applications will be due on Friday, Sept. 2. 

The Administration plans to schedule eight meetings on Tuesday afternoons, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m., between September and December. However, the board has looked into adjusting the time to accommodate those who work during these hours.

Tentative meeting discussion items are listed below:

Meeting #1:  mid-September

Topic: Enrollment and capacity

• Intro from Superintendent – review charge of committee, set ground rules.
• Presentation from Raul and Don on capacity, including enrollment projections and space availability at each school.
• Answer questions.
• Facilitate discussion.
• Preview next meeting topic – hand out necessary background materials.

Meeting #2: late September

Topic: Grade configuration

• Presentation from Superintendent on grade configuration research.
• Presentation from two middle school principals on programs at their schools.
• Presentation from two K-8 school principals on programs at their schools.
• Questions and discussion.
• Preview next meeting topic – hand out necessary background materials.

Meeting #3: early October

Topic:  Program needs/demand in RCSD

• Presentation from Deputy Superintendent on evolution of School of Choice program and review of current program options.
• Presentation of survey data collected from parent survey(s), survey of pre-school parents and survey of private school parents.  Surveys may include questions tailored to specific audiences, such as Kennedy parents, etc.
• Questions and discussion.
• Preview next meeting, which will be in-depth discussion and brainstorming on school options.
• Review charge of committee, task ahead.

Meeting #4: late October

Topic: Brainstorm change/solutions/new programs in light of previous meetings 

Meeting #5: early November

Topic: Brainstorm change/solutions/new programs in light of previous meetings

Meeting #6: late November

Topic: Brainstorm change/solutions/new programs in light of previous meetings

Meeting #7: early December

Topic: Brainstorm change/solutions/new programs in light of previous meetings

Meeting #8: early January

Topic: Review Proposed Recommendations