From the Office of the Executive Secretary to the School Committee
School Committee - Regular Meeting December 20, 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 – December 6, 2016
• Roundtable Meeting on World Language – December 6, 2016
4. Reconsiderations: None
5. Unfinished Business/Calendar:
#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. (Nolan, 12-6-16)
#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:
#16-301 Day & Residential Program Services not Available from the Cambridge
School Department
#16-302 Gifts/Miscellaneous Receipt
8. Non-Consent Agenda:
9. School Committee Agenda (Policy Matters/Notifications/Requests for Information):
#16-303, Motion by Ms. Dexter, that whereas the School Committee strives to engage the community inclusively so we can benefit from the diversity of views in Cambridge; and whereas the budget is the Committee's most important annual policy document; the School Committee and administration will work together to provide childcare and snacks at the budget hearing scheduled for Tuesday, January 17, 6:00 pm. Furthermore, the Committee asks the administration to work with the city's Community Engagement Team to publicize the hearing and childcare availability to all CPS parents and Cambridge residents, as the administration has done for prior hearings.
#16-304, Motion by Budget Sub-Committee Co-Chairs, Richard Harding and Kathleen Kelly, that the Cambridge School Committee FY2018 Budget Planning Calendar be revised to reschedule the educator public hearing and the budget retreat projections and five year forecast to January 11, 2017. The educator public hearing will begin at 3:30 pm and is anticipated to end by 5:00 pm. The budget retreat will begin at 5:30 pm and is anticipated to end by 7:30 pm.
#16-305, Motion by Mr. Fantini, that the Cambridge Public Schools partner with the City to find ways to support/fund the weekend backpack program due to the anticipated loss of State funds.
#16-306, Motion by Ms. Dexter, that whereas Cambridge Public Schools strives to provide equitable opportunities to learn; whereas Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School offers numerous extracurricular activities to enhance student learning; and whereas the CPS administration and School Committee strive to make data-informed decisions; the School Committee requests a report from the CPS administration on the demographics of extracurricular participation at CRLS based on data from the current or previous school year. The Committee requests this report by April 15, 2017, or sooner.
#16-307, Report of the November 29, 2016 Sub-Committee on Buildings and Grounds
10. Resolutions (letters of congratulations, letters of condolence):
11. Announcements:
12. Late Orders: