From the Office of the Executive Secretary to the School Committee
School Committee - Regular Meeting June 7, 2016
A G E N D A
1. Public Comment (3 Minutes):
2. Student School Committee Report:
3. Presentation of the Records for Approval:
- Regular Meeting – May 17, 2016
4. Reconsiderations: None
5. Unfinished Business/Calendar: None
6. Awaiting Reports: None
7. Superintendent’s Agenda:
7a. Presentations: Recognition of CPS Science Department Staff & District for Participation in the University of Massachusetts Wipro Science Education Fellowship Program
Carolyn L. Turk, Deputy Superintendent
Arthur Eisenkraft, Distinguished Professor of Science Education, Professor of Physics Director, Center of Science & Math in Context U Mass Boston
7b. Innovation Agenda:
7c. Consent Agenda:
#16-89 Recommendation: Settlement of Cambridge Education Association Units A & B’s American Arbitration Association Case Number 01-15-0005-9771
#16-90 Recommendation: Approval of Revisions to Gang Activity/Secret Societies Policy (First Reading)
#16-91 Recommendation: Approval of Revisions to Approval of Handbooks Policy (First Reading)
#16-92 Recommendation: Approval of Revisions to Supplementary Materials Selection & Adoption Policy (First Reading
#16-93 Recommendation: Approval of Revisions to Right to Hearing to Redress Deprivation of Rights Policy (First Reading)
#16-94 Recommendation: Approval of Revisions to Weapons Policy & Assaults Policy (First Reading)
#16-95 Recommendation: Approval of Revisions to Substance Abuse/Drugs Policy & Alcohol Use by Students Policy (First Reading)
#16-96 Recommendation: Approval of Revisions to Rights & Responsibilities Handbook (First Reading)
#16-97 Recommendation: Approval of Revisions to Guidance Program Policy (First Reading)
#16-98 Recommendation: Approval of Revisions to Selection Policy for School Libraries & Technology Center Collections (First Reading)
#16-99 Recommendation: Approval of Revisions to Instructional Materials Centers/School Libraries Policy (First Reading)
#16-100 Recommendation: Approval of Revisions to Special Interest Material Selection & Adoption Policy (First Reading)
#16-101 Recommendation: Approval of Revisions to Textbook Selection & Adoption Policy (First Reading)
#16-102 Recommendation: Revisions to Staff/Ethics/Conflict of Interest Policy (First Reading)
#16-103 Recommendation: Contract Award: Community Playthings: Furniture & Instructional Materials
#16-104 Recommendation: Contract Award: Integrated Learning: Home Based Behavioral Services
#16-105 Recommendation: Contract Award: Marilyn Friend, Inc.: Professional Development
#16-106 Recommendation: Contract Award: Quantum Learning: Math RtI Software Program for Cambridge Public Schools
#16-107 Recommendation: Follett Software Co/X2 Development Corp.: Student Information System for Cambridge Public Schools
#16-108 Recommendation: Day & Residential Program Services not Available From the Cambridge School Department
#16-109 Recommendation: Contract Award: Thurston Foods, Inc.: Groceries
#16-110 Recommendation: Contract Award: A. Russo & Sons Inc.: Fresh Produce
#16-111 Recommendation: Contract Award: Costa Fruit & Produce: Fresh Produce
#16-112 Recommendation: Contract Award: Baldor: Fresh Produce
#16-113 Recommendation: Contract Award New England Ice Cream Corporation: Provision & Delivery of Milk Products
#16-114 Recommendation: Contract Award Gill’s Pizza Corp. Fresh Pizza
#16-115 Recommendation: Contract Award: Mansfield Paper Co.: Food Service Paper Products
#16-116 Recommendation: Contract Award: WB Mason Co. Inc.: FY17 Custodial Supplies
#16-117 Recommendation: Contract Award: MD Stetson: FY17 Custodial Supplies
#16-118 Recommendation: Contract Award: Casey EMI: FY17 Custodial Supplies
#16-119 Recommendation: Contract Award: Pasek: FY17 Locks, Keys & Hardware
#16-120 Recommendation: Contract Award: Special Agent Systems: Security Monitoring & Repair Warranty Services for Cambridge Public School
#16-121 Recommendation: Contract Award: Drain Shooter: Drain Cleaning
#16-122 Recommendation: Contract Award: New England School Services: FY17 Doors & Supplies
#16-123 Recommendation: Contract Award: BCM Controls Corporation: Security Update on Exterior Doors
#16-124 Recommendation: Grant Award: FY16 Let’s Move/Cambridge Health Alliance (SC16-128)
#16-125 Recommendation: Grant Award: Electric School Bus Pilot Program (SC16133)
#16-126 Recommendation: Grant Award: FY17 Food Services Program Appropriation (SC00402)
#16-127 Recommendation: Contract Award: TCi Brings Learning Alive: Instructional Materials
#16-128 Recommendation: Gifts/Miscellaneous Receipt
8. Non-Consent Agenda
9. School Committee Agenda (Policy Matters/Notifications/Requests for Information)
#16-129, Joint Motion by Mr. Harding and Mayor Simmons, whereas the School Committee has voiced strong support and expressed a sense of urgency for diversifying the staff of the Cambridge Public Schools by strengthening the district's recruitment and retention practices; and
Whereas the School Committee has requested and reviewed a Strategic Plan for improving the district's recruitment and retention practices, and conducted a Round table meeting in June, 2015 to discuss these issues; and
Whereas CPS has made significant strides in diversifying the group of school principals, with 44% of CPS principals being educators of color; and
Whereas despite the nationally recognized challenges around a shortage of people of color entering the teaching profession, CPS has the second most diverse staff in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; and
Whereas the School Committee has requested and CPS has initiated planning with Breakthrough Greater Boston to develop the corps of prospective teachers; and
Whereas the School Committee re-affirms its stated goal of having of staff of at least 30% people of color and recognize that the district has not yet achieved that goal; and
Whereas educators and students from CRLS has asked the School Committee to further its efforts with regard to the recruitment and retention and submitted for the Committee's consideration a memo outlining several specific recommendations for
doing so;
The School Committee now directs the Superintendent to consult immediately with the incoming Superintendent to accelerate efforts to reach the School Committee's goal of having a district-wide staff of at least 30% people of color; and
Further, that the Superintendent and incoming Superintendent consider all means for achieving that goal, including but not limited to re-structuring any administrative offices or positions; and
Further, that the incoming Superintendent report to the School Committee on or before November 1st , 2016, on the progress of the steps being taken as well as the actual and anticipated results of those steps toward reaching the School Committee's stated goal.
#16-130, Joint Motion by Ms. Dexter, Mayor Simmons and Ms. Bowman, that whereas it is important that School Committee meetings are inclusive and accessible so all members of the public can observe proceedings and comment on Committee decisions, the Committee requests that the administration research the feasibility and cost of providing childcare at School Committee meetings on a pilot basis during the 2016-2017 school year, and report the findings at the first meeting in September 2016.
#16-131, Joint Motion by Ms. Dexter, Ms. Bowman, and Ms. Nolan, whereas Cambridge is a resource-rich school system that can afford to pursue multiple evidence-based strategies to raise student achievement; whereas numerous research studies, educational experts, and advocacy organizations suggest that reducing class sizes is an effective strategy for increasing academic achievement and engagement if a district can provide high-quality induction and professional development opportunities; it is requested that the administration review its class size policies and present recommendations to the School Committee at or before the second meeting in December, 2016, in order to allow the Committee time to review these recommendations in collaboration with the incoming superintendent in preparation for the CPS FY18 budget cycle.
#16-132, Motion by Ms. Dexter, whereas CPS provides funding to several partner organizations that provide valuable services to CPS students; and whereas the School Committee does not have comprehensive information about services provided by partner organizations; the School Committee will establish an Ad Hoc Subcommittee on CPS Partnerships that will collaborate with the administration, principals, and partner organizations to compile information that will allow the School Committee to be well-informed about partner services across the district. The ad hoc committee will focus primarily on organizations included in the CPS budget or which receive School Improvement Funds. Goals of the subcommittee and collaborators will include:
- Cataloging services provided to students in each school, including number of students served and student demographics, and to identify any unmet needs;
- Meeting with Executive Directors and Chairs of the Boards of Directors of partner organizations to share information and strengthen the relationships between the School Committee and partner organizations;
- Collaborating with partners to evaluate, informally or formally, the delivery of services and effects of partner services on student achievement in order to improve the efficacy of partners’ collaboration with CPS.
- Exploring options for or supporting the creation of a CPS-City database that will include information about student participation in partner programs within the constraints of privacy rules on data sharing.
#16-133, Motion by Ms. Dexter, whereas the administration is currently required to obtain School Committee approval for any contract in excess of $25,000, and whereas this adds to School Committee and administrative workload and decreases administrative efficiency, the School Committee will require the Administration to seek approval only for contracts in excess of $50,000.
#16-134, Motion by Ms. Dexter, whereas Cambridge has started an exciting and inclusive planning process, Envision Cambridge; and whereas the public school system is an integral part of the City, its future, and the future of its youth; the School Committee respectfully requests of the City Council, City Manager, the Cambridge Community Development Department, and the City’s planning consultants that the School Committee be considered a full partner in the Envision Cambridge process.
#16-135, Motion by Mr. Harding, that the School Committee requests the Superintendent to convene a meeting with the CRLS Athletic Department that includes the Athletic Director and all varsity coaches and club advisors for the purpose of discussing facility usage and scheduling for the 2016-2017 school year. And, further that the Director of the War Memorial be asked to attend this meeting if he or she is available.
#16-136, Joint Motion by Ms. Nolan and Mr. Harding, that, whereas the School Committee and district have worked to increase the number and diversity of students successfully completing Algebra 1 before enrolling in high school, that a report on progress towards that goal including the numbers and demographics of students by school who took and successfully passed the Algebra 1 test, and expected enrollment in grade 7 and 8 AMP and anticipated enrollment in summer programs for math by middle school and high school students be given to the School Committee before the end of this school year.
#16-137, Joint Motion by Mayor Simmons and Ms. Bowman,whereas, it has long been recognized that the creation of a more inclusive and culturally sensitive hiring process, as well as the creation and implementation of cultural competency training for all CPSD faculty and staff, would be to the benefit of the entire School District; and
Whereas, according to the Staffing and Affirmative Action update produced by the CPSD Office of Human Resources in October 2014, over the academic years spanning 2012-2015, the percentage of teachers of color has remained stagnant at 19%; and
Whereas, according to the same study, out of 100 teachers hired in the 2014-15 School Year, 26% were identified as teachers of color, a number that is not reflective of the over 50% of the CPSD population that is comprised of students of color; and
Whereas, the establishment of a more inclusive and culturally sensitive hiring process, and the implementation of a district wide cultural competency training, would be consistent with the mission and vision of the CPSD, which will be adopted by all schools in the district during the 2017-2018 Academic Year; and
Whereas, the School Committee has attempted to address this matter via four separate policy orders dating back to 2014, and it is clear that this body very much wishes to see demonstrable progress made in the hiring of and retention of teachers of color throughout the school district; and Whereas, a diverse teaching corps enriches the learning experience not only of students of color, but of every student in the district, and it highlights a central aspect of Cambridge’s desire to be a community that is proud of its rich diversity; now therefore be it Resolved, that the School Committee formally goes on the record in urging that the current hiring and retention practices in the CPSD be evaluated with a view towards ensuring that more teachers of color are not only hired but retained; and be it further Resolved, that the Mayor will establish an ad-hoc committee comprised of stakeholders with a view toward reviewing the policies that focus on the hiring, training, and retaining teachers of color, and with recommending new policies if needed.
10. Resolutions (letters of congratulations, letters of condolence)
#16-138, Joint Motion by Mayor Simmons and Mr. Fantini, whereas, the School Committee values and reveres the commitment to diversity, equity, and educational excellence that support staff, teachers, and administrators, who exhibit and execute these principles on behalf of the students and families of Cambridge Public Schools; and Whereas, the City of Cambridge has served as a model of culturally competent teaching and learning, and it could not do so without the hard work, commitment, and dedication of the many women and men who work in our school system; now therefore be it That the School Committee sends letters of congratulations and when necessary resolutions, to each of the following Cambridge Public School teachers/administrators and support staff who have or will be retiring this year: Denise Toomey, Rosemary Pereira, Nancy Madeiros, Louis Lopes, Christine Baer, James Smith, Stephen Koulalis, Richard Murrell, Judith Amendola, Kathleen Ivins, Kenneth Munro, Arleen Henry, Nancy McCusker, Maria Gauthier, Aida Bairos, James Miller, Michael Buonaiuto, Nancy Patriacca, Suzanne Pothier, Jeffrey Teixeira, Ellen Davis, Regina Byrnes, Karon Gibson-Mueller, Vincent Mili, Jr., Shirley Harvey, Jeffrey Young, Lynda Janul, Mary Clarke, Ralph Watson, Emily Lyons, Joanne Cleary, and Maryann Sprague, on behalf of the entire School Committee
11. Announcements
12. Late Orders: