1. Public Comment (3 Minutes):

2. Student School Committee Report:

3. Presentation of the Records for Approval:

June 2, 2020 Regular Meeting
August 27, 2020 Superintendent Evaluation Special Meeting
December 15, 2020 Regular Meeting
December 22, 2020 Special Meeting

4. Reconsiderations:
None

5. Unfinished Business/Calendar:
None

6. Awaiting Reports:
#20-308 Motion by

Whereas, the Cambridge Public Schools participate in the Journey into Education and Teaching Program, known as JET, to provide a pathway at little cost for paraprofessionals to get their bachelor's degrees and Massachusetts teacher licensures; and

Whereas JET (www.jetintoteaching.org) supports the goals of building local teacher pipelines and developing an educator workforce that reflects the racial, cultural, and linguistic diversity of our students; and

Whereas JET provides the program structure for recruitment and support such as: advising, guiding in application procedures for college admission and financial aid, participating in cohort groups, providing local educator mentors, and professional and career development opportunities; and

Whereas Cambridge must commit to providing and compensating mentors as part of our commitment to JET Paraprofessionals; and

Whereas JET is an education program of the Massachusetts Foundation for Teaching and Learning; and

Whereas Massachusetts is unique in providing a state education grant that funds the undergraduate education of employed eligible paraprofessionals who commit to becoming teachers; and

Whereas JET already has demonstrated a record of success; and

Whereas meeting application deadlines is critical; now therefore be it Resolved that the Superintendent collaborate with JET and report on how the program will operate in Cambridge.

#20-309 Joint Motion by Mayor Siddiqui, Member Fantini, Member Wilson

Whereas equity and access are of highest priority for the Cambridge Public Schools and Cambridge School Committee, including postsecondary success for all of our scholars; and

Whereas extensive research nationally found that Early College is a promising model that narrows educational opportunity gaps, and that existing programs were a powerful foundation from which to build a broader statewide Early College Initiative; and

Whereas the Massachusetts boards of Elementary and Secondary Education and Higher Education jointly launched an initiative in 2018 to establish an Early College designation for districts specifically attempting to recruit underrepresented students, to allow cohort-based models that provide high-need and low-income students with the opportunity to complete college level academic coursework on a clearly articulated pathway while simultaneously gaining exposure to a variety of career opportunities; and

Whereas 37 different high schools and 19 colleges and universities have partnered to offer Early College programs to thousands of students across the commonwealth, with enrollment projected to hit 4,200 students in FY21 and students earning an estimated 25,000 college credits, securing tuition and fee savings at an estimated $5.4 million; and

Whereas the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School offers a Dual Enrollment program in partnership with Bunker Hill Community College but has not received the state's Early College Designation, which requires very specific advising metrics and a scope and sequence demonstrating that a school can offer at least 12 fully transferable college credits; and

Whereas Dual Enrollment, while often conflated with Early College, serves any students who self-select and therefore are already high-performing; now therefore be it Resolved that the Superintendent work with the Principal of CRLS to provide a report on the current participation of the Dual Enrollment program by demographic, courses, and number of credits by year since its inception before the next Regular Meeting of the School Committee on Tuesday, January 5th, 2021.

Whereas equity and access are of highest priority for the Cambridge Public Schools and Cambridge School Committee, including postsecondary success for all of our scholars; and

Whereas extensive research nationally found that Early College is a promising model that narrows educational opportunity gaps, and that existing programs were a powerful foundation from which to build a broader statewide Early College Initiative; and

Whereas the Massachusetts boards of Elementary and Secondary Education and Higher Education jointly launched an initiative in 2018 to establish an Early College designation for districts specifically attempting to recruit underrepresented students, to allow cohort-based models that provide high-need and low-income students with the opportunity to complete college level academic coursework on a clearly articulated pathway while simultaneously gaining exposure to a variety of career opportunities; and

Whereas 37 different high schools and 19 colleges and universities have partnered to offer Early College programs to thousands of students across the commonwealth, with enrollment projected to hit 4,200 students in FY21 and students earning an estimated 25,000 college credits, securing tuition and fee savings at an estimated $5.4 million; and

Whereas the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School offers a Dual Enrollment program in partnership with Bunker Hill Community College but has not received the state's Early College Designation, which requires very specific advising metrics and a scope and sequence demonstrating that a school can offer at least 12 fully transferable college credits; and

Whereas Dual Enrollment, while often conflated with Early College, serves any students who self-select and therefore are already high-performing; now therefore be it Resolved that the Superintendent work with the Principal of CRLS to provide a report on the current participation of the Dual Enrollment program by demographic, courses, and number of credits by year since its inception before the next Regular Meeting of the School Committee on Tuesday, January 5th, 2021

7. Superintendent’s Agenda:

7a. Superintendent's Update:
None
7b. Presentations:

COVID-19 Response Update……….Dr. Kenneth N. Salim, Superintendent of Schools

7c. CPS District Plan:
None

7d. Consent Agenda:
#21-01 Recommendation: Approval to Align School Opening and Closing with “Schools and Path to Zero” Framework
#21-02 Recommendation: pproval Ratification of Vote Taken in Executive Session on December 2, 2020
#21-03 Recommendation: Settlement Agreement between the Cambridge Education Association and the Cambridge School Committee Regarding Massachusetts Department of Labor Relations, Case Number MUP-20-8236
#21-04 Recommendation: Day & Residential Program Services not available from The Cambridge School Department
#21-05 Recommendation: Contract Award: Eastern Bus Company: School Transportation Services:
#21-06 Recommendation: Contract Award: North Reading Transportation: School Transportation Services:
#21-07 Recommendation: Contract Award: NOVAtime Technology: Time & Attendance System:
#21-08 Recommendation: Contract Award: Casey EMI: Custodial Supplies & Equipment
#21-09 Recommendation: Gifts Miscellaneous Receipts
#21-10 Recommendation: Grant Award: Coronavirus Relief Fund (CvRF) School Meals Programs Grant (SC21204)
#21-11 Recommendation: Grant Award: FY21 Integrating SEL into Academic Subjects (C21168)
#21-12 Recommendation: Grant Award: FY21 IDEA Program Improvement (SC1674)
#21-13 Recommendation: Grant Award: FY21 Early Childhood Special Educations Program Improvement (SC21103)

8. Non-Consent Agenda:
None

9. School Committee Agenda (Policy Matters/Notifications/Requests for Information):
#21-14 Joint Motion by Member Wilson, Member Rachel

Whereas the Cambridge Public Schools District Plan commits to supporting the whole child; and

Whereas children's basic needs must be met if they are to reach their full potential; and

Whereas the Commonwealth's data from 2019 reflects that over one quarter of Cambridge Public School scholars are economically disadvantaged and nearly one half have high needs; and

Whereas the pandemic has resulted in a dramatic increase of families struggling to secure basic needs, and underscored how positive partnerships between schools and families are critical to reimagining the school system post-pandemic; and

Whereas the CPSD Food and Nutrition Services Department, Food for Free, The Spot, individual family liaisons and teachers, and others are working to support students and families; now therefore be it

Resolved that, at the Regular meeting on March 2, 2021, the Superintendent will report to the School Committee and the public on existing systems for how the district identifies and responds to the needs of scholars and families in the district; and be it further Resolved that, at that meeting, the Superintendent's team will bring to the School Committee recommendations for measurable, actionable strategies the department could take for proactively attending to the needs of scholars and families.

#21-15 Joint Motion by Budget Co-Chairs , Vice Chair Bowman, Member Fantini

Whereas: the Cambridge Public School district budget process has been guided by the three- year District Plan of 2017- 2020; and

Whereas: Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic impacts on CPSD, the Superintendent and School Committee has not been able to develop a three-year district plan that guides the budget process; and

Whereas: COVID-19 will continue to have a significant impact on the budget process and has a direct effect on the 2021 CPSD budget; therefore be it

Resolved: That the School Committee develop budget guidelines for the 2022 budget process and adopt the attached budget calendar.

#21-16 Motion by Report of the December 11, 2020 Buildings and Grounds Sub-Committee
#21-17 Motion by Report of the December 18, 2020 Buildings and Grounds Sub-Committee
10. Resolutions:
#21-18 Motion by Member Fantini

Whereas: In 1974 the National Association of Federal Education Program Administrators was established and its sole purpose was that of helping and supporting local school districts across the nation with their understanding and implementation of federal education programs; districts across the nation with their understanding and implementation of federal education programs; and

Whereas: The National Association of Federal Education Program Administrators is nationally recognized organization with over 3,000+ members; and

Whereas: Their mission is to support the leadership and management of federal education in America's schools and to be the trusted leader and resource for Federal Programs that support each student's success is their vision; and

Whereas: They annually award educators from around the country at their national conference and this year's National Association of Federal Education Program Administrators State Leadership Award has been awarded to Cambridge's own MARY GRASSI for her display of outstanding leadership and a strong degree of caring for children in need; and

Whereas: MARY GRASSI as the Title I Coordinator for the Cambridge Public School District has dedicated her entire career to ensure all students will achieve high academic standards; schools will be held accountable for annual growth and improvement; and

Whereas: MARY GRASSI's many years of distinguished public service as an educator and administrator are a testament to the exceptional commitment and dedication to public education and to the children of Cambridge, and her years of service in her roles afforded her countless opportunities to impact public education; and

Whereas: This prestigious national recognition is just a highlight of the many accolades and achievements of MARY GRASSI's over thirty year career in the Cambridge Public School District and she is as passionate today serving the neediest as she was when she was teaching in a classroom behind the stage at the Harrington School and therefore; now therefore be it

RESOLVED: That the Cambridge School Committee go on record congratulating MARY GRASSI on her national recognition; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the Executive Secretary of the Cambridge School Committee be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this Resolution to MARY GRASSI on behalf of the entire Cambridge School Committee.

11. Announcements:
None

12. Late Orders:
None

13. Communications and Reports from City Officers: None
Updated on 04/26/2021