School Committee Agenda: May 17, 2016

From the Office of the Executive Secretary to the School Committee

School Committee - Regular Meeting                                                                            May 17, 2016                                                                

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 – May 3, 2016

4. Reconsiderations:  

By Patricia M. Nolan, of the vote taken at the Regular Meeting of May 3, 2016, which adopted the following motion as amended:  VOTED:  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 strengthening policies, 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 by June 30, 2016.

5. Unfinished Business/Calendar:  

#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. (Nolan C16-101, 5/3/16)

#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. (Mr. Harding C16-103, 5/3/16)

#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.  (Ms. Nolan C16-106, 5/3/16)

6. Awaiting Reports: None

7. Superintendent’s Agenda:

7a. Presentations: None  

7b. Innovation Agenda:

7c. Consent Agenda:

#16-84 Recommendation:  Approval of Statutory Transfers of Appropriation within the General Fund Budget for FY2015-2016

#16-85 Recommendation:  Approval of Successor Collective Bargaining Agreement for Cambridge Education Association Unit D
September 1, 2015-August 31, 2018

#16-86 Recommendation:  Gifts/Miscellaneous Receipts

#16-87 Recommendation:  Contract Award:  Schools for Children:  Student Transportation Services

8. Non-Consent Agenda:

9. School Committee Agenda (Policy Matters/Notifications/Requests for Information):  None

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

#16-88, Motion by Ms. Kelly, that the School Committee acknowledges the passing of Louise M. Sette, grandmother of Vice-Mayor Marc McGovern, and that the Executive Secretary forwards a suitably engrossed copy of the resolution to the family of Louise M. Sette on behalf of the entire School Committee.

11. Announcements:

12. Late Orders: