Redwood City School District appoints trustee

“I’ve internalized the complex relationship between education and society,” Li said during the board’s Oct. 9 meeting. “Educational support requires more than just a good curriculum, and high-quality early education is critical to academic and life success down the road.” 

Attending public school from elementary through college and engaging in various law internships involved in education advocacy, Li said he brings a unique perspective to the table. Li has also taught math and served as a volunteer on a school board in New York.

Through his day job as a public policy fellow for the Alameda County Office of Education, Li said he has a close understanding of what students face in public education. 

“I have insight into all the different issues within public education as a whole, so I’ll bring the lens of that as a board member,” Li said. “I’m immersed in that ecosystem and what might be impacting our students will be more readily available to me.” 

A core belief of Li’s is the responsibility public school holds in closing the opportunity and achievement gap. 

Furthering the board’s ongoing efforts toward providing high-quality education and services for students across the district, equitably across its 12 schools, is his goal. 

“I’m thrilled by the prospect of joining a board that’s ready to keep our feet on the pedal, with our entire community in mind,” Li said at the meeting. 

All of Li’s decisions will be made with the consideration of how it will advance equitable advancement of education for all of the district’s students, he said.

“On the cost side of the equation, I’m going to be student focused and equity oriented in prioritization,” Li said at the meeting. “On the revenue side, I think we can explore some out-of-the-box thinking.”

Li said he would look into tapping into individuals or companies in the area with abundant resources.

“My general takeaway, I think everyone was pretty aligned with what we as a community want to achieve,” Li said. “Let’s close the achievement gap, let’s get the community involved, let’s serve students broadly.” 

Li will replace board President Janet Lawson who did not seek reelection. The trustee area encompasses the Adelante Selby Spanish Immersion School, Henry Ford School, Kennedy Middle School sites, and portions of the attendance zones for Garfield School, Henry Ford School, Hoover School and Roosevelt School. 

Two other trustee seats were up for grabs this election cycle, both uncontested. Area 4 will be filled by incumbent Mike Wells running for a second term, and Area 1 will be filled by candidate Jennifer Ng Kwing King.