School Committee Meeting Agenda: March 17, 2015

From the Office of the Executive Secretary to the School Committee
School Committee - Regular Meeting | March 17, 2015

*Revised 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 – February 24, 2015
  • Regular Meeting – March 3, 2015

4. Reconsiderations: None

5. Unfinished Business/Calendar: None

6. Awaiting Reports:

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

Superintendent’s Agenda:

7a. Presentations:

FY 16 Proposed Budget…Jeffrey M. Young, Superintendent of Schools

*The Mayor has asked the City Manager and the Deputy City Manager to present a brief update on the construction schedule of the King Open and Cambridge Street Upper Schools.

7b. Innovation Agenda:

7c. Consent Agenda:

#15-59 Recommendation: Approval of Revision to Policy & Procedures for Prevention & Management of Head Injuries & Concussions in Athletic Activities (First Reading)

#15-60 Recommendation: Approval of Gifts/Miscellaneous Receipts

#15-61 Recommendation: Day & Resident Program Services not Available from the Cambridge School Department

#15-62 Recommendation: Grant Awards (3)
8. Non-Consent Agenda:

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

#15-63, Motion by Mr. Fantini, whereas the City of Cambridge has developed a "Participatory Budget Process" that allows citizens 12 years and older to participate by voting, that we encourage the School Department to work with the City to ensure maximum student participation in this creative and dynamic process.

#15-64, Motion by Ms. Nolan, whereas the school department seeks to have school projects move as rapidly as possible, and

Whereas the initial timeline for the school building projects was two years, and the construction phase for Putnam Avenue project including unknown elements which should not be the case for Cambridge Street complex project was a little over two years, yet the Cambridge Street complex project is estimated to require emptying the site for four years, and

Whereas several comparable projects in other Massachusetts school districts have taken two years of construction or less, including Hingham Middle School - a new 176,000 SF building – completed in about two years - groundbreaking was June 2012 and school opened in September of 2014 and Quincy Middle School - which involved buying 4 different plots of land - took less than two years of construction - the bids opened in May of 2012 and the school opened in October of 2013,and

Whereas Cambridge seeks to disrupt students and staff for as short a time as possible, and

Whereas there are other capital projects waiting to be started after this project, and

Whereas the swing space for King Open is extremely tight, and potentially compromising the quality of education due to space constraints, and

Now, therefore the school district is asked to review comparable Massachusetts school building projects – using the summary comprehensive information available from all MSBA projects involving new construction over the last five years, especially those in urban areas - and review timelines for the design phase, the site preparation phase, construction phase and consult with MSBA and others on how to ensure a project that is timely, and

Further, that consideration be given to having all design work done while some students occupy the current building, with only the CSUS move, since that swing space is adequate, while the KO remain in the building during design work, since the cost of staying in the building would add only about 1% to the total project budget, and

Further, that the school department work with the city to explore all avenues for accelerating the project timeline and minimizing disruption.

#15-65, Joint Motion by Ms. Nolan and Ms. Kelly, that, whereas the school district seeks to encourage all students to excel and to support students seeking to achieve at high levels, and endorses a growth mindset model, and whereas the summer math program was under enrolled last year, that students from all backgrounds be encouraged to enroll in the Accelerated Math Pathway summer program and the criteria for the program allow any student access to the program regardless of test scores, and that any parent can enroll a student, provided that the student promises to attend every day.

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

#15-66, Motion by Mayor Maher, that the School Committee go on record recognizing the Cambridge Athletic Hall of Fame for their efforts and wish them continued success in achieving their goals. Further, that the School Committee direct the Executive Secretary to prepare a formal copy of the attached Resolution to be presented to the Cambridge Athletic Hall of Fame.

#15-67, Motion by Mayor Maher, that the School Committee go on record as congratulating 8th grader Archisha Maurya for winning the logo design contest for this year's Student Science and Engineering Showcase at Harvard University. The Student Science and Engineering Showcase is an opportunity for all 8th graders across our system to present some of their science learning while engaging in tours and demonstration activities facilitated by students and professors of Harvard University. Ms. Maurya's design will grace the T-shirts, programs, formal invitations and PR materials for the event on Friday May, 22, 2015.

#15-68, Motion by Mayor Maher, that the School Committee send a letter of congratulations to Principal Tony Byers at the Graham and Parks School on the birth of his baby boy Joseph, born on February 17th.

11. Announcements:

12. Late Orders:

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