School Committee Agenda: May 3, 2016

From the Office of the Executive Secretary to the School Committee 

School Committee - Regular Meeting May 3, 2016 

A G E N D A 

1. Public Comment (3 Minutes)

1a. Public Hearing on State School Choice (3 Minutes): 

2. Student School Committee Report

3. Presentation of the Records for Approval

 Regular Meeting – April 5, 2016 

4. Reconsiderations: None 

5. Unfinished Business/Calendar: None 

6. Awaiting Reports: None 

7. Superintendent’s Agenda

7a. Presentations: None 

7b. Innovation Agenda

7c. Consent Agenda

#16-66 Recommendation: 2016/2017 State School Choice Program- Recommendation for Non-Participation

#16-67 Recommendation: Approval of Successor Collective Bargaining Agreement for Cambridge Education Association Unit E September 1, 2015-August 31, 2018

#16-68 Recommendation: Gifts/Miscellaneous Receipts 

#16-69 Recommendation: Contract Award: Cambridge Ctr. For Neuropsychology & Learning: Neuropsychological Evaluations 

#16-70 Recommendation: Contract Award: Better Chinese: Instructional Materials

#16-71 Recommendation: Contract Award: A. Russo & Sons, Inc.: Fresh Produce 

#16-72 Recommendation: Contract Award: Thurston Foods, Inc.: Groceries 

#16-73 Recommendation: Contract Award: Wilson Language Training: Instructional Materials

#16-74 Recommendation: Grant Award: FY17 Academic Support Allocation Grant (SC17839) Regular Meeting May 3, 2016 Page 2 of 3 

#16-75 Recommendation: Grant Award: FY16 Title II-A/Teacher Quality (SC16731) Funding Increase 

8. Non-Consent Agenda

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

#16-76, Motion by Ms. Dexter, whereas the School Committee values ongoing communication with the CPS administration, strives to support district-level staff in doing their best work, and is aware of the rapidly changing needs of CPS students, teachers, and other school-based educators; and whereas staff vacancies or reductions in work hours are an opportunity to reevaluate staffing and district priorities; and whereas the Committee needs to be ever mindful of efficiently budgeting public dollars for greatest impact on student achievement; the Committee requests that when a district-level professional, managerial, or administrative position become open through staff retirement, resignation, leave of absence, reduction of work hours, or for other reasons: 1) that the Administration inform the School Committee of the vacancy or reduction of hours, and 2) consult with the full Committee as to whether the position should be renewed and filled with another permanent CPS employee, filled via full- or part-time contract with an individual or agency, revised, or reallocated to meet other district needs. The same would apply for any advertised district-level position that remains unfilled for four months. 

#16-77, Joint Motion by Ms. Nolan and Mr. Harding, whereas the state legislature is considering two bills to create a Seal of Biliteracy and whereas Cambridge has several bilingual immersion options for students and whereas there is evidence that bilingual instruction is an effective means of closing achievement gaps and whereas bilingual programs help prepare students for the global future, that the School Committee go on record as supporting the Seal of Biliteracy and further that a letter be sent to all Cambridge state elected officials as well as the head of the relevant committees in the state legislature expressing our support. 

#16-78, Joint Motion by Ms. Nolan and Mr. Fantini, that whereas, the CRLS Club 1 led a well-attended walkout to highlight issues of sexual harassment and whereas the club presented a letter to CRLS administration with requests for addressing lapses identified by students in policy, training, and practice related to creating a safe environment for students, that the School Committee go on record as supporting the students and asks for an update on the administration’s response to the student letter. 

#16-79, Joint Motion by Ms. Nolan and Ms. Dexter, whereas there has been ongoing discussion in the district on assessment and testing, with plans to review and revise assessment schedules, and whereas PARCC testing has started and whereas there is confusion on whether there are limits to the “hold harmless” promise by DESE, and whereas there have been questions on the rights of families and students to opt-out of testing, and whereas DESE Commissioner Mitchell Chester issued a January 29, 2016, Weekly Update message on student refusals that stated, "We ask principals and test proctors to handle refusals with sensitivity. Students should not be pressured to take the test, nor should they be punished for not taking the test,” and whereas the School Committee supports the rights of families to do what they view as best for their families, the School Committee asks that the Superintendent, as soon as possible, send the text of Mitchell Chester's instructions on "Refusals to Take an Assessment" to all CPS principals, vice-principals, heads of schools, teachers, and other staff who may proctor or be otherwise involved in PARCC and/or MCAS administration this year. Further, that the message be sent that the district agrees with the Commissioner’s instructions that refusals be handled with sensitivity. 

#16-80, Report of the March 29, 2016 meeting of the Budget Sub-Committee, Budget Workshop (Committee of the Whole) 

#16-81, Report of the April 26, 2016 meeting of the Building and Grounds Sub-Committee Regular Meeting May 3, 2016 Page 3 of 3 

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

#16-82, Joint Motion by Mr. Fantini and Ms. Kelly, WHEREAS: The creation of charter schools has created a two-tiered educational system that draws resources away from the broad group of public school students to serve a narrow select few; and 

WHEREAS: A recent initiative is seeking to expand charter schools in the state by allowing the authorization of up to twelve new charters in a year; and 

WHEREAS: Lifting the cap on charter schools would divert even more resources from the traditional public school system – resources such as qualified teachers and money that would improve district schools; and 

WHEREAS: Many educational organizations, including teachers’ unions vocally oppose charter expansion; now therefore be it 

RESOLVED: That the School Committee go on record in opposition to raising the cap on charter schools, supporting the improvement of district public schools and the equitable division of educational resources; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the Executive Secretary to the School Committee be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to the elected Cambridge delegation in the House and Senate, and to Governor Baker on behalf of the entire School Committee. 

#16-83, Motion by Mr. Fantini, that the School Committee send a letter of congratulations to Paul Sullivan who placed first in the Massachusetts State History Day Contest individual Historical Papers category (Senior) High School Division and who will represent CRLS and Cambridge at the National History Day contest in June. 

11. Announcements

12. Late Orders: 

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