School Committee Meeting Agenda: December 15, 2015

From the Office of the Executive Secretary to the School Committee
School Committee - Regular Meeting
December 15, 2015

A G E N D A

1. Public Comment (3 Minutes):

2. Student School Committee Report:

3. Presentation of the Records for Approval:
Special Meeting – November 24, 2015
Special Meeting – December 1, 2015
Regular Meeting – December 1, 2015
Roundtable Meeting – December 8, 2015

4. Reconsiderations: None

5. Unfinished Business/Calendar: None

6. Awaiting Reports: None

7. Superintendent’s Agenda:

7a. Presentations: None

7b. Innovation Agenda:

7c. Consent Agenda:

#15-282 Recommendation: Settlement of Level III Grievance 8-13-14 brought by the Cambridge Education Association Units A & B

#15-283 Recommendation: Approval of Agreement with Cambridge Liaisons Invested in Families & Education, AFSCME-/AFL-CIO (LIFE/AFSCME) September 1, 2015-August 31, 2018

#15-284 Recommendation: Approval of the Administration of the PARCC (Partnership of Assessment for Readiness for College & Careers) to Students in Grades 3-8 during Spring of 2016

#15-285 Recommendation: Gifts/Miscellaneous Receipts

#15-286 Recommendation: Day & Residential Services not Available from the Cambridge School Department

#15-287 Recommendation: Contract Award: S.P. & R. Transportation: Homeless Student Transportation Services

#15-288 Recommendation: Contract Award: East End House: Educational Services

#15-289 Recommendation: Contract Award: Delta T Group: Professional Referral Services

8. Non-Consent Agenda:

9. School Committee Agenda (Policy Matters/Notifications/Requests for Information):

#15-290, Motion by Mayor Maher, that the School Committee may consider the adoption of a proposed contract for the incoming Superintendent, Dr. Kenneth Salim.

#15-291, Motion by Mr. Harding, that the Superintendent explore the feasibility of creating a Parent University program for the Cambridge Public Schools to educate and empower parents as partners, advocates, and life-long teachers in their children’s education. Further, that the Superintendent consult with and gather information from the Boston Public Schools Office of Student and Family Engagement about the Boston Public Schools Parent University program. Further, that the Superintendent report back to the School Committee in a roundtable meeting any information or findings that would be useful in the creation of this program by April 30, 2016.

#15-292, Joint Motion by Ms. Nolan and Mr. Harding, that the School Committee requests that the Superintendent review all emergency policies and protocols and procedures and report on how the current policies and procedures worked during the recent events and further that any suggestions for policy changes be presented by the Spring of 2016.

#15-293, Joint Motion by Mr. Harding and Ms. Kelly, Co-Chairs Budget Sub-Committee, that the School Committee review and discuss the attached Cambridge School Committee 2016 Budget Guidelines in preparation for the upcoming FY17 budget process.

#15-294, Motion by Mayor Maher, that the School Committee adopt the following resolution and go on record endorsing an effort to find a suitable site to honor Mary Lou McGrath’s contributions and request that this Order be forwarded to the incoming School Committee for developing a process and taking appropriate action to honor Mary Lou McGrath’s longstanding commitment to public education in Cambridge.
WHEREAS: Mary Lou McGrath was a lifelong Cambridge resident who devoted her professional career to improving educational opportunities for Cambridge students and ultimately became the first female Superintendent of the Cambridge Public Schools; and
WHEREAS: Mary Lou McGrath was recognized throughout the Commonwealth as an educational leader and often referred to as “the Godmother of alternative pathways to education”; and
WHEREAS: In many ways, Mary Lou was a trailblazer who was ahead of her time; and
WHEREAS: Mary Lou looked towards the future of education through constant innovation and reform and collaborated with local universities, businesses and non-profit organizations to enhance the experience of Cambridge Public Schools students; and
WHEREAS: Upon her retirement, Congressman Joseph Kennedy remarked from the House floor that, “One can only begin to describe the depth of Mary Lou's devotion of time and energy to issues concerning the youth of her community. Serving on various boards and committees, Mary Lou has worked to address issues of civil rights, violence, drug use, and other youth-related concerns.”; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the School Committee go on record endorsing an effort to find a suitable site to honor her contributions and request that this Order be forwarded to the incoming School Committee for developing a process and taking appropriate action to honor Mary Lou McGrath’s longstanding commitment to public education in Cambridge.

#15-295, Report of the Meeting of the November 19, 2015 Budget Sub-Committee Meeting (Committee of the Whole)

10. Resolutions (letters of congratulations, letters of condolence):

11. Announcements:

12. Late Orders: