From the Office of the Executive Secretary to the School Committee
School Committee - Regular Meeting
May 5, 2015
A G E N D A
1. Public Comment (3 Minutes):
1a. Public Hearing on State School Choice
2. Student School Committee Report:
3. Presentation of the Records for Approval:
- Special Meeting – April 7, 2015
- Regular Meeting – April 7, 2015
- Special Meeting – April 14, 2015
4. Reconsiderations: None
5. Unfinished Business/Calendar:
#15-73 Recommendation: Contract Award: CCS Presentation Systems: Computer Software
C15-099, 4/7/15 (Nolan) (Backup Materials)
6. Awaiting Reports: None
7. Superintendent’s Agenda:
7a. Presentations: None
7b. Innovation Agenda:
7c. Consent Agenda:
#15-83 Recommendation: 2015/2016 State School Choice Program
Recommendation for Non-Participation
#15-84 Recommendation: FY2015 General Fund Budget Statutory Transfers
#15-85 Recommendation: Agreement Between the Cambridge School Committee & the Cambridge Education Association Regarding School Moves at the Putnam Avenue Upper School, King School, Cambridge Street Upper School & King Open School
#15-86 Recommendation: Approval of Revisions to Bullying Prevention & Intervention Plan (First Reading)
#15-87 Recommendation: Approval of Revision to File Coding of Wellness Policy
#15-88 Recommendation: Gifts/Miscellaneous Receipts
#15-89 Recommendation: Day & Residential Program Services not Available
From the Cambridge School Department
#15-90 Recommendation: Contract Award: Apple Inc.: Computer Hardware
#15-91 Recommendation: Contract Award: AdTech Systems: Interactive
Projectors & Installation
#15-92 Recommendation: Contract Award: Delta T Group: Educational Referral Services
8. Non-Consent Agenda:
9. School Committee Agenda (Policy Matters/Notifications/Requests for Information):
#15-93, Motion by Mayor Maher, That Sophia Gottlieb, a senior at CRLS, has proposed to implement a therapy dog pilot program in the Special Education department of Cambridge Rindge and Latin, with CRLS faculty Kathleen Fitzgerald as her proposed project supervisor. Further, Kathryn Rocco and Allison Wade (social workers), and Paula Silva and Caitlin Curry (Special Education faculty), have all expressed their support in this project, and;
That Ms. Gottlieb has provided the following rationale for the pilot: Physiologically, dogs have been scientifically proven to lower human blood pressure. During interaction with a dog, a person’s brain releases oxytocin, serotonin, endorphins, or a combination of the three which, putting it simply, are “happy” chemicals. Emotionally, therapy dogs have been proven to lessen anxiety. There have been a multitude of therapy dog programs in different institutions throughout the country, including local areas such as Harvard Medical School and The Cambridge Program, and;
That we are requesting that Superintendent Dr. Young along with Assistant Superintendent for the Office of Student Services Dr. Greer meet with Ms. Gottlieb and discuss the feasibility of piloting such a program at CRLS.
#15-94, Motion by Mayor Maher, please find the transmittal of a revised draft of the Superintendent Search Firm Draft Request For Proposals (RFP), which was developed by Ms. Barbara Allen, Director of Human Resources for the Cambridge Public School Department and Ms. Amy Witts in the City’s Purchasing Department for final approval.
#15-95, Motion by Ms. Nolan, that the School Committee and the administration in conjunction with the Amigos School staff and School Council have a planning session to develop a short-term and long-term plan for the Amigos School to ensure the growth and success of the school.
10. Resolutions (letters of congratulations, letters of condolence):
#15-96, Motion by Mr. Fantini, That the School Committee send letters of congratulations to each of the following Cambridge Public School teachers/administrators and support staff who are retiring at the end of this school year:
Clifton Adamson, Fletcher/Maynard
Elena Arrendol, Baldwin
Jacqueline DeAngelo, Payroll
Joyce DeMella, Tobin Montessori
Bronwyn Dillon, Kennedy-Longfellow
Patricia Donahoe, Amigos
Kathleen Drew, King Open
Lydia Garcia, Amigos
Deborah Greene, Fletcher/Maynard
Kathleen Hagan, RAUS
Susan Harris, CRLS Safety & Security Office
Elaine Koury, VPA Coordinator
Nancy Madeiros, Finance
Mary Marfione, Haggerty
Gail Miller-Hayes, Human Resources
Martha Kelley Mosman, Tobin Montessori Principal
Linda O’Brien, Kennedy-Longfellow
Linda O’Connor, Morse
Rayanne Santosuosso, Payroll
Joanne Schiano, Amigos
Deborah Sercombe, Amigos Principal
Linda Smith, Peabody
Margaret Urquhart, Kennedy-Longfellow
Marie Vieira, VLUS
Carol Worsham, PAUS
Mabel Yukling So, PAUS
#15-97, Joint Motion by Ms. Nolan and Mr. Harding, that the School Committee congratulate the district, with special recognition to Jim Maloney, Dana Ham and Kristen von Hoffman for their work of CPS being selected one of only fourteen districts nationwide to be honored with a 2015 Green Ribbon Schools District Sustainability Award
11. Announcements:
12. Late Orders: