School Committee Meeting Agenda: March 3, 2015

From the Office of the Executive Secretary to the School Committee

School Committee - Regular Meeting
March 3, 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 – February 24, 2015
     
     
4. Reconsiderations: 

   By Alfred B. Fantini, of the vote taken at the Regular Meeting of February 24, 2015, that adopted Recommendation #15-25:  VOTED:  Recommendation:  Approval of SY2015/2016 Cambridge Public Schools Academic & School Committee Calendars.

5. Unfinished Business/Calendar: None
   
   
6. Awaiting Reports:
   • Report by fall 2013 on AP program at CRLS (Nolan, Harding) (C13-133), 6/4/2013
     
     
7. Superintendent’s Agenda:

   7a. Presentations:  
   

   Math Program Update:
   Jessica Huizenga, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction
   Lisa Scolaro, Acting Director Science, Technology, Engineering & Math

   7b. Innovation Agenda:

   7c. Consent Agenda:

   #15-47 Recommendation:  Approval of 2015/2016 Kindergarten Assignment Band

   #15-48 Recommendation:  Approval of Gifts/Miscellaneous Receipts

   #15-49 Recommendation: Day & Residential Program Services not Available from the Cambridge School Department 

   #15-50 Recommendation:  Contract Award:  Xerox Corporation:  Lease of C75M2 Digital Color Press & External Print Server

   #15-51 Recommendation:  Contract Award:  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt: Math Materials

   #15-52 Recommendation:  Contract Award:  Apple Inc.:  Computer Hardware

8. Non-Consent Agenda:
   
   
9. School Committee Agenda (Policy Matters/Notifications/Requests for Information):

   #15-53, Joint Motion by Mr. Osborne and Mr. Harding, whereas, summer learning loss has been identified in an ongoing study of urban communities as greatly reducible through effective programming, the Committee requests that the Superintendent initiate contact with RAND Corporation, which conducted a national study of summer programs, and identify and engage Cambridge staff and resources as well as educational partner institutions with the goal of launching a holistic analysis of Cambridge Public Schools’ summer program offerings.  The Superintendent is asked to name a panel charged with developing a strategic approach to addressing summer learning for Cambridge Public School students.

   #15-54, Motion by Mr. Fantini, that no staff reduction be made in any school with level 3 status.

   #15-55, Motion by Mr. Fantini, that the Superintendent report to the School Committee a transition plan after the Lesley College Initiative at the Kennedy-Longfellow ends this school year.

    #15-56, Motion by Mr. Fantini, that the law firm of Collins, Loughran & Peloquin be retained for legal services related to collective bargaining.

    #15-57, Motion by Ms. Nolan, that the School Committee go on record as supporting the recommendations of the STEAM Working Group, and endorsing the vision of implementing a robust comprehensive plan to improve opportunities for Cambridge youth and young adults, (as summarized in City Council Policy Order O-25, passed unanimously on February 23, 2015) and further that the committee recognizes the ongoing partnership with the city on the STEAM initiative.  

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

    #15-58, Motion by Mayor Maher, that the School Committee go on record congratulating the staff and administration of the Tobin Montessori School on their full American Montessori Society accreditation. The Tobin Montessori School is officially the only public district level Montessori program in the country to achieve full American Montessori Society accreditation for all levels, Children’s House, Lower Elementary and Upper Elementary. This process was an enormous undertaking and the School Committee appreciates the effort and hard work that went into this.

11. Announcements:
    
    
12. Late Orders: