From the Office of the Executive Secretary to the School Committee
School Committee - Regular Meeting | December 6, 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 – November 15, 2016
4. Reconsiderations: None
5. Unfinished Business/Calendar:
#16-226, Motion by Mayor Simmons, whereas it is incumbent that the School Committee Members adopt a uniform method to be identified by the general public, addressed via roll call, and recorded for public record; and
Whereas, the School Committee formally adopted a process by which members are to be addressed by colleagues and identified by and for the general public during both School Committee and Sub-Committee Meetings via nameplate, CPSD letterhead, and signature; and
Whereas, it has long been recognized that the creation of a more inclusive method will aid the committee with reinforcing norms, establishing continuity, and executing the business of the people; and
Further, that the School Committee convene a preliminary discussion on how members are to be identified, addressed, and recorded for public record. (Dexter, 9-6-16)
6. Awaiting Reports: None
7. Superintendent’s Agenda:
7a. Presentations: None
7b. Innovation Agenda:
7c. Consent Agenda:
#16-281 FY16-17 General Fund Statutory Transfers
#16-282 Contract Award: PJ Systems d/b/a HiQ: Computer Hardware
#16-283 Contract Award: PJ Systems d/b/a HiQ: Security Hardware & Firewall Upgrade
#16-284 Contract Award: Trans Express Inc.: Vocational Student Transportation
#16-285 Contract Award: East End House: Educational Services
#16-286 Contract Award: Fantini Baking Company: Bread Products
#16-287 Gifts/Miscellaneous Receipts
#16-288 Grant Award: FY17 Early Literacy Intervention (SC17632)
#16-289 Grant Award: FY17 Special Education Program Improvement (SC17674)
#16-290 Grant Award: Nellie Mae Education Foundation (SC17138)
#16-291 Grant Award: Josey Herrington Fund (SC16134) Increase
8. Non-Consent Agenda:
9. School Committee Agenda (Policy Matters/Notifications/Requests for Information):
#16-292, Motion by the Community Relations Sub-Committee, that the Controlled Choice policy be amended to remove the cap on kindergarten age students (distinct from junior kindergarten) assigned during the January lottery, per prior practice, effective for the January 2017 lottery, further that this change be reviewed in the fall of 2017 prior to the January 2018 lottery.
#16-293, Motion by the Community Relations Sub-Committee, that the School Committee shall receive all School Council minutes and that the Superintendent will work with the School Committee office to determine the method by which the School Committee can receive all School Council minutes.
#16-294, Joint motion by Mr. Harding and Ms. Kelly, Budget Sub-Committee Co-Chairs, that the School Committee approve the FY 2018 School Committee Budget Planning Calendar as outlined in the attached document.
#16-295, Joint motion by Mr. Harding and Ms. Kelly, Budget Sub-Committee Co-Chairs, that the School Committee approve the FY 2018 Budget Guidelines Draft as outlined in the attached document.
#16-296, Motion by Mr. Harding, that the School Committee requests the Superintendent and the Athletic Department, in conjunction with School Committee Order C16-169, be prepared to discuss issues concerning the Athletic Department including the following:
- budget considerations
- academic support for student athletes
- coach evaluation and climate
- and other matters pertinent to the support of CRLS coaches and student athletes.
#16-297, Motion by Ms. Dexter, that whereas the School Committee has asked the administration to bring forward, in January, recommendations for JK-3 class sizes; and whereas class size should be considered along with other school- and classroom-level staffing and student supports; the School Committee requests that the Superintendent bring forward, during the January budget meetings, a set of comprehensive recommendations for elementary school staffing for FY18, including recommendations for JK-3 class sizes and the allocation, across schools, of general education paraprofessionals, intervention teachers, social workers, specialist teachers, co-teachers, and other school-based professionals who work directly with students and/or teachers.
#16-298, Motion by the Buildings and Grounds Sub-Committee, whereas the Cambridge Public Schools is committed to providing an educational setting that supports the basic health and biological needs of students that foster a holistic learning environment, and
Whereas toilet paper, paper towels, and hand soap is provided in all Cambridge Public Schools restroom facilities to support basic health needs of the occupants of our buildings, and
Whereas the Cambridge Public Schools see sanitary hygiene as an important part of basic health needs for students and provide sanitary products through healthcare professionals; however, these products are not currently accessible in restrooms throughout the District, and
Whereas the Buildings and Grounds subcommittee in collaboration with students, sees expanded access to sanitary hygiene products as a basic health need for our students,
Therefore, be it resolved that the Superintendent convene a task force which will include CRLS students as well as staff to launch a pilot program this academic year that will expand access to free sanitary hygiene products and proper disposal containers,
Be it further resolved that the task force will build on the work of the pilot project to create a plan to expand access to sanitary hygiene products and proper disposal containers at Upper Schools and Elementary schools in addition to the high school in the 2017-18 school year.
Be it further resolved that the provision of sanitary hygiene products and proper disposal containers will be implemented at one or more upper and elementary schools in addition to the high school in the 2017/2018 academic year with a goal of sanitary products and proper disposal containers in all restrooms becoming a standard line item in future facilities and maintenance budgets starting during the 2018/2019 school year.
#16-299, Motion by Ms. Dexter, that whereas the City's Early Childhood Task Force has asked the School Committee to explore the possibility of separate CPS junior kindergarten and kindergarten classrooms; and
Whereas CPS currently provides JK and JK/K classrooms that meet the developmental needs of some 4-year-olds; and
Whereas the administration has expressed concern about the amount of transitions in our JK and K classrooms as students transfer schools between the start of school and December 1;
Be it resolve that any CPS students with birthdays after March 31st who have been promoted from a CPS preK program into a JK or JK/K classroom will remain in that classroom for the remainder of the 2016-2017 school year; and
Be it resolved that CPS will study the JK or JK/K classrooms that have younger "promoted" 4-year-olds in order to examine the ability of CPS to accommodate younger 4-year-olds in CPS's JK or JK/K classrooms. These classrooms will be considered "pilot projects"
#16-300, Report of the November 22, 2016 Community Relations Sub-Committee
10. Resolutions (letters of congratulations, letters of condolence):
11. Announcements:
12. Late Orders: