From the Office of the Executive Secretary to the School Committee
School Committee - Regular Meeting June 4, 2019
*REVISED AGENDA WITH SUPPLEMENTAL RECOMMENDATION AND CORRECTED MOTION**
1. Public Comment (3 Minutes):
2. Student School Committee Report:
3. Presentation of the Records for Approval:
• May 14, 2019 Roundtable Meeting on College Success
• May 21, 2019 Regular Meeting
4. Reconsiderations: None
5. Unfinished Business/Calendar: None
6. Awaiting Reports:
C19-064 That the following be amended and referred to the Superintendent:
Whereas the School Committee worked to raise the level of instruction for all students through the Level Up initiative at CRLS; and
Whereas a recent Globe project on valedictorians documented a sobering and critically important question of whether high schools are preparing students for success: and
Whereas the recent report The Opportunity Myth by The New Teachers Project found that despite 71% of students in a national representative sample of audited classes met classroom expectations and succeeded on assignments, only 17% of those assignments were on grade level when evaluated; and
Whereas both the Valedictorian Project and The New Teachers Project identified the need for high expectations and intentional focus on rigorous curriculum, instruction and assignments as key to delivering on the promise of success in college and life; and
Whereas there were gaps by racial subgroups in performance on common assessment; and
Whereas nearly 1 in 3 CRLS students indicated that teachers do not have very high expectations of them; Therefore, the School Committee directs the Administration to evaluate the Level Up ELA classes, to ensure that the initiative is as successful as possible. The School Committee requests the Superintendent submits a report no later than the August 6, 2019 Regular Summer Meeting.
C19-131 That the following be adopted as amended:
Due to legislation passed by the State Legislature that requests early screenings of students to identify if they have dyslexia,
That the Superintendent take appropriate steps to ensure that students are screened and that students who are identified receive appropriate and timely supports and that training and support for teachers is in place. Superintendent will report back on how the district will comply with the present law.
7. Superintendent’s Agenda:
7a. Presentations:
District Plan Framework Strategic Initiative 2:2:
Rigorous, Joyful & Culturally Responsive Learning
8th Grade Civics Engagement
…………………
Anda Adams, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction
Professor Danielle Allen, Harvard University, Democratic Knowledge Project
Adrienne Stang,
Jenny Chung,
District Instructional Coach, History & Social Studies
Coordinator, History & Social Studies
7b. CPS District Plan: None
7c. Consent Agenda:
19-112 Approval of Agreement between the Cambridge School Committee & the
Cambridge Education Association Units A & B Regarding Over-enrollment at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. School
19-113 Approval of Agreement Between the Cambridge School Committee and the Cambridge Education Association Regarding the King Open& Cambridge Street Upper School
Moves to the Newly Constructed King Open Elementary School& Cambridge Street Upper School for the Upcoming 2019-2020 School Year
19-114 Approval of Agreement Between the Cambridge School Committee And the Cambridge Education Association Regarding a Resolution of Issues Related to the Deep Cleaning of the Graham & Parks Elementary School During the Summer of 2019
19-115 Day & Residential Program Services not Available From the Cambridge School Department
19-116 Contract Award: Quantum Learning: Math Software Program
19-117 Contract Award: Bain Pest Control Service: FY20 Pest Management
19-118 Contract Award: Casey EMI: FY20 Custodial Supplies & Equipment
19-119 Contract Award: Filter Sales & Services: FY20 HVAC Supplies
19-120 Contract Award: F. W. Webb: FY20 HVAC Supplies
19-121 Contract Award: Home Depot: FY20 Carpentry & Maintenance Supplies
19-122 Contract Award: MD Stetson: FY20 Custodial Supplies
19-123 Contract Award: New England School Services: FY20 Doors & Supplies
19-124 Contract Award: NorthEast Electrical Distributors: FY20 Electrical Supplies
19-125 Contract Award: Pasek: Fy20 Locks, Keys & Hardware
19-126 Contract Award: PJ Systems d/b/a HiQ Computers: Computer Software & Wireless Upgrades
19-127 Contract Award: Republic Services: Fy20 Dumpster Services
19-128 Contract Award: School Specialty: FY20 Classroom Materials
19-129 Contract Award: Sterling Business Products: FY20 Printing & Mailing Services
19-130 Contract Award: WB Mason Co., Inc: FY20 Classroom Furniture
19-131 Contract Award: WW Grainger: FY20 Facilities Equipment& Supplies
19-132 Contract Award: Applied Behavior Learning Services: Special Education Services
19-133 Contract Award: Baystate Interpreters, Inc.: Translation Services
19-134 Contract Award: Boston Behavior Learning: Special Education Services
19-135 Contract Award: Roman Music Therapy: Special Education Services
19-136 Contract Award: Center for Autism & Related: Special Education Services
19-137 Contract Award: EI US, LLC. Tutoring Services
19-138 Contract Award: Perkins School for the Blind: Special Education Services
19-139 Contract Award: Cambridge Health Alliance: Assessment, Diagnostic & Liaison Services
19-140 Contract Award: Cambridge Health Alliance: Special Education Services
19-141 Contract Award: Cambridge Ctr. for Neuropsychology & Learning:
Neuropsychological Evaluations
19-142 Contract Award: Easter Seals Massachusetts: Contract Staffing Services
19-143 Contract Award: North East Educational & Developmental Supports Center:
Special Education Services
19-144 Contract Award: Healy Behavioral Services, LLC: Special Education Services
19-145 Contract Award: New England Ice Cream Corporation: Milk Products
19-146 Contract Award: Central Paper Products: Food Service Paper Products
19-147 Contract Award: Fantini Baking Company: Bread Products
19-148 Contract Award: Metropolitan Pipe: FY20 Plumbing Supplies
19-149 Contract Award: Gifts/Miscellaneous Receipts
SUPPLEMENTAL RECOMMENDATION**
19-159 Approval of Revisions to Cambridge Public Schools
Policy Regarding the Personal Use of Social Media by CPS Employees
(First Reading)
8. Non-Consent Agenda:
9. School Committee Agenda (Policy Matters/Notifications/Requests for Information):
#19-150 Joint Motion by Mr. Fantini and Mayor McGovern, RESOLUTION PERTAINING TO PARTICIPATING IN AN ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT OTHER THAN MCAS for submission to the MASC Delegate Assembly by the Cambridge School Committee
WHEREAS, as flexible and adaptable learning organizations, the membership of the Mass Association of School Committees uphold the important strategic objectives of Equity, Access and Continuous Improvement; and
WHEREAS, improvement requires the regular monitoring of progress in multiple ways however, the current format and frequency of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) does not fully align with Mass Association of School Committee districts visions of rigorous, joyful, culturally responsive learning; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) recently acknowledged that a racially insensitive question appeared on the 2019 10th grade English Language Arts MCAS exam that called for students to take on the perspective of a racist character after reading passage in Colson Whitehead's 'The Underground Railroad;' and
WHEREAS, this highlights the need for inquiry into MCAS test question creation, review, and approval process as well as the developmental and cultural appropriateness of the MCAS as an effective and unbiased assessment measure; now
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Massachusetts Association of School Committees go on record in support of the role that the Massachusetts Association of School Committees and their respective Superintendents can play in advocating to the Massachusetts Commissioner of Education and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for flexibility from federal assessment regulations in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA); and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Massachusetts Association of School Committees request the Commissioner of Education and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) encouraging the state to file an application to the Innovative Assessment Pilot (ESSA Section 1204) for Massachusetts be one of the US States allowed to 'pilot innovative systems of assessments" with a goal of providing continued accountability, and improving authentic and meaningful assessments that more equitably serve our students; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Massachusetts Association of School Committees to the extent possible create innovative models of performance based assessments.
RATIONALE: Massachusetts is ready to move forward from a practice of high stakes testing to high quality assessments systems that provide timely critical information that meet the needs of all students.
#19-151 Joint Motion by Committee Member Dexter, Mr. Kimbrough and Mayor McGovern that whereas CPS strives to create equitable, developmentally appropriate learning environments in which all students are included and able to learn; and
Whereas the CPS discipline policy prohibits out-of-school suspensions of PreK-2nd grade students who bring a weapon to school;
Therefore the CPS discipline policy will be revised to specify that students in grades PreK-2nd grade will not be suspended out-of-school for any reason; and
CPS schools will collect data on the number and demographics of preK-12th grade students excluded from class by being sent to the office or otherwise excluded from class but not formally suspended; and
These data will be provided to the School Committee twice per year for each CPS school.
CORRECTED MOTION**
#19-152 Joint Motion by Mr. Kimbrough, Committee Member Dexter and Ms. Nolan, whereas CPS believes in academic excellence for all students; and
Whereas CPS created a strategic plan for the district with academic outcomes measures for students
in the fall of 2017; and
Whereas the district’s outcomes for 8th grade math and 3rd reading are different for separate sub-groups; and
Whereas these different expectations are counter to the district's work on equity,
Be it resolved that the School Committee affirms the vision and strategic objectives of the district plan and
directs CPS to set equal strategic outcomes for all subgroups with support from families, educators and
the CPS administration.
#19-153 Motion by Vice Chair Kelly, that the Superintendent or designee provide an update on Special Education transportation to the School Committee by Tuesday, June 18, 2019.
#19-154 Motion from the AV Policy Ad Hoc Sub-Committee that whereas the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School has undertaken an extensive process to examine and redesign its Attendance Violation Policy; and
Whereas data can be used for continuous improvement;
Therefore, the Attendance Violation Policy will be amended per the attached document. In addition, the CPS Administration will provide the School Committee with data on attendance violations after the conclusion of each semester, which will include information about numbers and percentages of students who: 1) qualify for an AV, 2) buy-back to retain their course grade, 3) attend a Studentship Workshop, 4) receive an Individual Support Plan, and 5) have their course grade reduced by 10 points. This data will be disaggregated by DESE categories.
https://www.cpsd.us/UserFiles/Servers/Server_3042785/File/school_committee/5_ED_AV_Ad_Hoc_Sub-Com_Policy.pdf
#19-155 Motion by Ms. Nolan, that whereas bottled water is environmentally devastating, and
Whereas bottled water costs approximately 50 times more than city water, and
Whereas Cambridge's water routinely exceeds health and safety standards, and
Whereas the school district and the city have sought to reduce waste and encourage city water consumption over bottled water, and
Whereas the City Council passed an order recognizing this issue on January 28, 2019, be it ordered
That the district establish a policy that no district funds may be used to purchase bottled water, and
That this policy be communicated to all schools.
#19-156 Motion by Ms. Nolan, whereas the school district has consistently been following policies of meeting the highest possible environmental standards in all operations, and
Whereas the district has desired to stay in compliance with LEED standards, the School Committee affirms that the school district maintains sustainable policies and practices and is committed to environmental best practices in all operations.
#19-157 Report of the May 20, 2019 Buildings and Grounds Sub-Committee Meeting
10. Resolutions (letters of congratulations, letters of condolence):
#19-158 Motion by Ms. Nolan, whereas Jeffrey (Jeff) Gaglione has been a leader in the district and at CRLS, and
Whereas his work on behalf of opportunity for all with a focus on equity, and
Whereas the program he developed and initiated, the Math Move Up Program, has successfully transitioned many students into honors level math classes, especially students from underrepresented groups, and
Whereas Mr. Gaglione will be leaving the district to be a Principal elsewhere,
That the School Committee send a letter of gratitude for his service and contributions to CPS and wish him well in his new position.
11. Announcements:
12. Late Orders:
13. Communications and Reports from City Officers:
At the conclusion of the Regular Meeting, the School Committee will entertain a motion to convene in Executive Session, in the School Committee Conference Room, 459 Broadway, Cambridge, for the purposes of hearing a Level III grievance filed by the CEA Units A&B as part of collective bargaining as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining and litigation positions of the School Committee; and to discuss collective bargaining and litigation strategy with respect to a CEA Units A&B Level III grievance and pending arbitration with the CEA Units A&B as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining and litigation positions of the School Committee.
The School Committee will not reconvene in open session; no votes will be taken in executive session other than the vote to adjourn the executive session.