School Committee Agenda: April 3, 2018

From the Office of the Executive Secretary to the School Committee

School Committee - Regular Meeting | April 3, 2018

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, (Proposed 2019 Budget) March 15, 2018
• Special Meeting, (Budget Workshop) March 15, 2018
• Regular Meeting, March 20, 2018

4. Reconsiderations:

5. Unfinished Business/Calendar:

#18-65, Motion by Ms. Dexter, that whereas CPS works in partnership with many community partners who provide high quality out-of-school-time programs, including afterschool programs; and

Whereas community-based programs need participants in order to thrive;

Therefore be it resolved that any organization not based primarily in Cambridge that wishes to provide out-of-school-time programming to CPS students in CPS buildings, including afterschool programming, will require prior approval of the School Committee. (McGovern 3-20-18)

6. Awaiting Reports:

7. Superintendent’s Agenda:

7a. Presentations: None

7b. CPS District Plan:

7c. Consent Agenda:

#18-67 Fiscal Year 20 19 Recommended Budget

#18-68 Response to Cambridge Education Association Units A & B Level III Grievance

#18-69 Day & Residential Program Services Not Available From the Cambridge School Department

#18-70 Contract Award: Gretchen Brion-Meisels: Professional Services

#18-71 Contract Award: Heinemann Publishing: Curriculum Materials

#18-72 Contract Award: Research for Better Teaching: Professional Development

#18-73 Contract Award: Open-Up Resources: Curriculum Resources & Professional Development

#18-74: Gifts & Miscellaneous Receipts
Requires acceptance and approval from the School Committee

#18-75: Grant Award: FY18 Title I Distribution Increase
(SC18604) Requires acceptance and approval from the School Committee

8. Non-Consent Agenda:

9. School Committee Agenda

#18-76, Motion by Ms. Dexter, that whereas CPS strives to support the healthy development of the whole child; and
Whereas the 5-2-1 Subcommittee of Cambridge’s Healthy Children’s Task Force recommends no more than 2 hours of screen time per day for school-age children and adolescents; and

Whereas excessive screen time has been associated with obesity; violence and aggression; sleep problems; fear, anxiety, and depression; social, behavior, and attention problems; reduced empathy; less time for play and learning; reduced time spent in conversation and face-to-face interactions; poor school performance; screen addiction; and compromised privacy and confidentiality;
The School Committee requests that the administration provide the School Committee with the following information:

• An estimate, from CPS principals and heads of school, of the average number of hours per week that CPS students spend on Chromebooks or other individual screen devices (not including whole class media such as smart boards) while at school, estimated separately for grades preK-K, 1st-3rd, 4th-5th, 6th-8th, and 9th-12th;
   
• CPS school policies related to students having or using cell phones at school, for elementary, middle, and high school students;
   
• Other guidance provided to educators, staff, and administrators about the appropriate use of digital devices during the school day or as part of the curriculum; and

That this information be provided to the Committee by June 1, 2018.

http://www.cambridgepublichealth.org/events/Screen-Time-Finding-a-Healthy-Balance-Fact-Sheet_2016.pdf

http://educationnext.org/putting-dialogue-over-devices-shapes-mind-and-character-forum-scoggin-vander-ark/

#18-77, Motion by Mr. Kimbrough, whereas the District Plan for CPS has a strategic outcome of increasing valuable relationships between students and staff members;
Be it resolved that the FY '19 budget will include an additional guidance counselor at Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School.

#18-78, Motion by Vice-Chair Kelly, Whereas our community is aware that ensuring safety and security in public school buildings remains a challenge nationally, that a Special Meeting, which will be a meeting of the Committee of the Whole, will be held to address building safety and security in Cambridge Public School District elementary, upper and high schools. Teachers, parents, and other community members will be encouraged to learn more about the district’s programs, policies and protocols. Childcare will be provided.

#18-79, Motion by Ms. Nolan, whereas CRLS enrollment in computer related classes has grown faster than any other area over the last four years, and;
Whereas teachers have given up prep time to teach and
Whereas the district seeks to prepare students for STEM fields, that the budget for next year include at least one additional Computer Science teacher.
Further that the administration is provided flexibility in finding offsetting reductions, provided that all direct in school staffing is not adversely affected.

#18-80, Motion by Ms. Nolan, whereas Amigos is the only school with 10 grades and 10 different schedules and

Whereas the school, according to the elementary program review is one of the least resourced schools after accounting for student demographics and;
Whereas the allocation of special education teachers shows that Amigos is the least resourced school based on number of SPED students and actual number of teachers, and;
Whereas the school has repeatedly asked for an additional teacher to ensure equity around the scheduling and providing appropriate level services to students in need, that the budget for the next school year include an additional special education teacher for the school with a preference for bilingual candidates.
Further that the administration is provided flexibility in finding offsetting reductions, provided that all direct in school staffing is not adversely affected.

View the Amigos Budget Motion Information >>

#18-81, Motion by Ms. Nolan, whereas CRLS enrollment has grown and
Whereas counselors provide a critical role in student education and preparation for post-secondary life, and
Whereas the district seeks to provide adequate support, that the budget for next year include one additional guidance counselor at CRLS, so that each SLC has 2.5 guidance counselors.
Further that the administration is provided flexibility in finding offsetting reductions, provided that all direct in school staffing is not adversely affected.

#18-82, Motion by Ms. Nolan, whereas students will be taking the state standardized test, MCAS 2.0, and
Whereas the School Committee and district encourage all students to participate in the testing, and
respect the rights of families to do what they believe is in the best interest of their own children,
The School Committee acknowledges and supports parents and students who take the test and those who do not.
Further, that the districts communicate to principals not to pressure students who choose to opt-out, and ensure that families are informed that the choice to opt-out may create accountability consequences for their child’s school and the district.

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

#18-83, Motion by Mayor McGovern, that the School Committee hereby goes on record in expressing its congratulations to the newly appointed Morse School Principal Dr. Chad Leith.

11. Announcements:

12. Late Orders:

13. Communications and Reports from City Officers: