School Committee Meeting Agenda: October 21, 2014

From the Office of the Executive Secretary to the School Committee

School Committee – Regular Meeting  |  October 21, 2014

A G E N D A

1. Public Comment (3 Minutes):

        1a.   Public Hearing on FY16 Budget Guidelines

2. Student School Committee Report:

3. Presentation of the Records for Approval:   

Roundtable Meeting – September 30, 2014
Regular Meeting – October 7, 2014

4. Reconsiderations:   

By Mayor David P. Maher of the vote taken at the Regular Meeting of October 7, 2014, that adopted the motion #14-209: VOTED:  That whereas the district made a commitment to provide opportunities for all students to be on a pathway to finish Algebra I in 8th grade and whereas the School Committee requested a report on the summer math program and the accelerated program, that in the meantime, while waiting for the report, resources be allocated to ensure that every student who wishes to be on the accelerated pathway in grade 7 and 8 be encouraged to do so and be enrolled in such a class with a teacher.

5. Unfinished Business/Calendar:

#14-208, Motion by Mr. Harding, that the School Committee go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing strategy for contract negotiations with non-union personnel, the Superintendent, as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the strategy and negotiation position of the School Committee. (10/7/14)

6. Awaiting Reports:

Report by the 2014 summer meeting on the district's efforts to meet the needs of advanced learners including a summary of accomplishments, a plan for future improvements, how success is measured and specific goals for advanced learners.  Further that the district includes CALA and other parent input into the report.  (Nolan) (C14-098), 5/20/2014

Report by fall 2013 on AP program at CRLS (Nolan, Harding) (C13-133), 6/4/2013

7. Superintendent’s Agenda:

7a. Presentations

Level 3 Schools Update…………….………
Teaching & Learning Team
Christine Gerber, Principal, Kennedy/Longfellow School; see presentation >>
Darrell Williams, Principal, King Open School; see presentation >>
Mirko Chardin, Head of Upper School, Putnam Avenue Upper School; see presentation >>

7b. Innovation Agenda:

7c. Consent Agenda:

#14-213 Recommendation:  Acceptance of M.G.L.c.71, Section 47, as 
Pertaining to Student Activity Accounts (Second Reading)

#14-214 Recommendation:  Approval of Gift of Educational Technology

#14-215 Recommendation:  Approval of Gifts

#14-216 Recommendation:  Contract Award:  Cambridge Public Health:  Nursing
Services

#14-217 Recommendation:  Contract Award:  Xerox Corporation:  Lease of
J75 Digital Color Press & External Print Server 
 
#14-218 Recommendation:  Contract Award:  Crossroads School:  Home
Tutoring Services

#14-219 Recommendation:  Contract Award:  The Resource Connection:
Temporary Clerical Services

#14-220 Recommendation:  Grant Awards (3)

8. Non-Consent Agenda:

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

#14-221, Joint Motion by Ms. Nolan and Mr. Fantini, that, whereas current policy for the district on transportation of students for co-curricular and extra-curricular events requires the use of commercial buses or public transportation, and whereas the expense of needing a commercial school bus in all instances sometimes can limit the participation of students in events, and whereas one way for parents to be involved in supporting students is providing transportation when circumstances warrant such voluntary offers, and whereas many Massachusetts school districts allow for student transportation in private vehicles, that the School Committee amend current policy on transportation of students to include a section "Student Transportation in Private Vehicles", language below, which is based on the MASC sample policy which conforms to all State and Federal laws and regulations.  Further that legal counsel be asked to advise on how to amend current policy to ensure alignment with new policy.  

STUDENT TRANSPORTATION IN PRIVATE VEHICLES

School buses or public transportation or walking should be used when feasible for the transportation of students participating in co-curricular or extracurricular activities.  However, when buses or public transportation or walking are not available, or are not a reasonable means of transportation, due to cost, or number of students needing transport, or other reason, private vehicles may be permitted to transport students to or from school activities that fall within the academic day or extend the school day provided all of the following conditions are met:

1.  The activity has the approval of the Principal.

2.  The owner of the vehicle being used in transporting students must submit a signed statement of personal liability insurance coverage on the vehicle in the amount of $100,000 - $300,000, or more, with the Principal.  

3.  The parents of students to be transported in this manner will be fully informed as to this means of transportation and will sign a statement to this effect.

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

#14-222, Motion by Mayor Maher, whereas four Cambridge Rindge and Latin School students, Isabella Pestovski, Lorenzo Bonnie-Beadle, Ellery Buntel and Sam Nguyen interned at Draper Laboratory this summer and worked on various projects with their scientists and;
 
Whereas their projects are listed below:
 
Isabella Pestovski
-          Worked in a software and algorithms engineering group developing software platforms that can create applications for computers, phones and tablets

Lorenzo Bonnie-Beadle
-          Analyzed forces that could damage an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle as it is lifted from the water using Solidworks and 3D modeling software

Ellery Buntel
-          Assisted team in design and assembly of sensor data capture device including electrical design and layout of printed circuit board. 

Sam Nguyen
-          Worked with engineering team to design calibration equipment. Work included creating a graphical user interface though use of and Win32/ C++ 

And whereas these students will be invited to showcase their summer projects with Draper Laboratory at the Cambridge Science Festival on April 18th ;
 
Now therefore we ask that that a letter of recognition be sent to Ms. Pestovski, Mr. Bonnie-Beadle, Mr. Buntel & Mr. Nguyen congratulating them on their achievements.
 
11. Announcements:

12. Late Orders:
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