School Committee in 30 Minutes or Less

Regular Meeting May 05, 2026

This episode recaps the May 5th, 2026 regular meeting of the Cambridge School Committee. It includes a discussion on AI in schools, both generally, and specific to the work being done by the CPS AI working group.   ***Just a quick note that I know I said "IA" once instead of "AI" but I'm trusting the listeners to understand. :) Links Agenda [https://portal.cpsd.us/school_committee/notices/596_2026-05-05_2026-04-30.pdf] Slides (not currently available, but I will link when they are) Meeting portal [https://portal.cpsd.us/school_committee/] Massachusetts inter-district school choice program [https://www.doe.mass.edu/finance/schoolchoice/default.html] Draft 26/27 Calendar [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZeagO1ttqDQg_iARy0vJL4K0eOld4AhP/view?usp=sharing] Current AI Guidance Document [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1u2hP0xD8anIg7iI2XxzO8unQvTUKio59OGG6fXWwx-U/edit?tab=t.0] (from Sept. 16, 2025) The website for this podcast is CSC30.com You can contact the podcast by emailing CambridgeSC30@gmail.com The School Committee email address is SchoolCom@cpsd.us

5.2. Regular Meeting Apr. 7, 2026

This is episode 2 of the coverage of the April 7, 2026 regular meeting of the School Committee. It covers discussion on the screen time motion (referred to superintendent), the school councils motion (amended and approved), and approval of a new private school. The superintendent’s agenda included a brief discussion on 158 Spring Street as well as a quick look at the range of student assessments employed by schools. Links of Interest -Administrative- Agenda [https://secure1.cpsd.us/school_committee/view_agenda.php?meetingID=592](with links to all motions) Superintendent presentations [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vxR4IFllQuVVy5ih0XazyekmJhIZE0JY/view]for the regular meetings remaining in the school year -Budget Discussion- Proposed Budget for FY27 [https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1773257709/cpsdus/ymcvejetkgzpmyae9doj/CPS_Proposed_Budget_FY27_web.pdf] Staffing graphic [https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1l5CAZtVBPjg0s-0NVjbG-bSJGG4SZ1Kz3i7IL0SasnA/edit?usp=sharing]for King Open and MLK Article [https://registerforum.org/8087/showcase/behind-the-scenes-bryt-program/]about the BRYT program Shore Educational Collaborative [https://www.shorecollaborative.org/] School Improvement Plans [https://www.cpsd.us/academics/office-of-elementary-secondary-education/school-improvement-plans] -Screen Time Motion- American Academy of Pediatrics new screen time guidance [https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/157/2/e2025075320/206129/Digital-Ecosystems-Children-and-Adolescents-Policy?searchresult=1&_gl=1*1mr3a0j*_ga*ODE4ODk0NDk0LjE3NzY4MTE4NzY.*_ga_FD9D3XZVQQ*czE3NzY4MTE4NzYkbzEkZzEkdDE3NzY4MTE5MDEkajM1JGwwJGgw%3fautologincheck%3dredirected] -Motion on School Councils- School Councils Law [https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXII/Chapter71/section59c#:~:text=Massachusetts%20General%20Laws%2C%20Chapter%2071%2C%20Section%2059C%2C,the%20group%20*%20Convening%20the%20first%20meeting] School Councils Handbook [https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1764113419/tghevsyjcboyoxzqvja8/cps_school_council_handbook.pdf] School Committee Rules [https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1767880725/cpsdus/hhacpquf8bkcnc4oaubr/SC_Rules_2026-2027.pdf] Subcommittees [https://www.cpsd.us/school-committee/school-committee-members-subcommittees] -Superintendent's Agenda- City Employee Salaries Curriculum and Achievement Subcommittee Meeting [https://reflect-video-ondemand-cpsd.cablecast.tv/internetchannel/watch-vod-embed?showId=11317] (March 19th) -District Employees- Chief Operations Officer: Damon Smith [https://www.cpsd.us/administration/operations] Director of Data, Assessment, and Accountability: Jen Amigone [https://www.cpsd.us/academics/data-assessment-accountability]  Executive Director of Academics: Dr Heather Francis [https://www.cpsd.us/academics/office-of-academics]  Director of Family and Community Engagement: Melissa Bolden [https://secure1.cpsd.us/school_committee/admin/supporting_documents/578.pdf] Our favorite first grade teacher and now children’s author: Inbal Alon [https://inbalalon.com/] The website for this podcast is CSC30.com You can contact the podcast by emailing CambridgeSC30@gmail.com The School Committee email address is SchoolCom@cpsd.us

5.1. Regular Meeting Apr. 7, 2026

This is episode 1 of the coverage of the April 7, 2026 regular meeting of the School Committee. It covers public comment and the lengthy discussion prior voting on the fiscal year 2027 proposed budget (spoiler alert: the approved it). Links of Interest -Administrative- Agenda [https://secure1.cpsd.us/school_committee/view_agenda.php?meetingID=592](with links to all motions) Superintendent presentations [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vxR4IFllQuVVy5ih0XazyekmJhIZE0JY/view]for the regular meetings remaining in the school year -Budget Discussion- Proposed Budget for FY27 [https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1773257709/cpsdus/ymcvejetkgzpmyae9doj/CPS_Proposed_Budget_FY27_web.pdf] Staffing graphic [https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1l5CAZtVBPjg0s-0NVjbG-bSJGG4SZ1Kz3i7IL0SasnA/edit?usp=sharing]for King Open and MLK Article [https://registerforum.org/8087/showcase/behind-the-scenes-bryt-program/]about the BRYT program Shore Educational Collaborative [https://www.shorecollaborative.org/] School Improvement Plans [https://www.cpsd.us/academics/office-of-elementary-secondary-education/school-improvement-plans] -Screen Time Motion- American Academy of Pediatrics new screen time guidance [https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/157/2/e2025075320/206129/Digital-Ecosystems-Children-and-Adolescents-Policy?searchresult=1&_gl=1*1mr3a0j*_ga*ODE4ODk0NDk0LjE3NzY4MTE4NzY.*_ga_FD9D3XZVQQ*czE3NzY4MTE4NzYkbzEkZzEkdDE3NzY4MTE5MDEkajM1JGwwJGgw%3fautologincheck%3dredirected] -Motion on School Councils- School Councils Law [https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXII/Chapter71/section59c#:~:text=Massachusetts%20General%20Laws%2C%20Chapter%2071%2C%20Section%2059C%2C,the%20group%20*%20Convening%20the%20first%20meeting] School Councils Handbook [https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1764113419/tghevsyjcboyoxzqvja8/cps_school_council_handbook.pdf] School Committee Rules [https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1767880725/cpsdus/hhacpquf8bkcnc4oaubr/SC_Rules_2026-2027.pdf] Subcommittees [https://www.cpsd.us/school-committee/school-committee-members-subcommittees] -Superintendent's Agenda- City Employee Salaries Curriculum and Achievement Subcommittee Meeting [https://reflect-video-ondemand-cpsd.cablecast.tv/internetchannel/watch-vod-embed?showId=11317] (March 19th) -District Employees- Chief Operations Officer: Damon Smith [https://www.cpsd.us/administration/operations] Director of Data, Assessment, and Accountability: Jen Amigone [https://www.cpsd.us/academics/data-assessment-accountability]  Executive Director of Academics: Dr Heather Francis [https://www.cpsd.us/academics/office-of-academics]  Director of Family and Community Engagement: Melissa Bolden [https://secure1.cpsd.us/school_committee/admin/supporting_documents/578.pdf] Our favorite first grade teacher and now children’s author: Inbal Alon [https://inbalalon.com/] The website for this podcast is CSC30.com You can contact the podcast by emailing CambridgeSC30@gmail.com The School Committee email address is SchoolCom@cpsd.us

4. Regular Meeting Mar. 17, 2026

This episode recaps the March 17, 2026 regular meeting of the Cambridge School Committee. It includes discussions about the schedule of presentations for the next five meetings and funding from the Cambridge Community Foundation for help with the district's strategic plan. The committee also honors Fabiane Noronha, the Unified Sports program, and Dr Henrietta S. Attles. LINKS Agenda [https://secure1.cpsd.us/school_committee/view_agenda.php?meetingID=583](which includes links to all agenda item) Superintendent's Presentation [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vxR4IFllQuVVy5ih0XazyekmJhIZE0JY/view] Yondr pouches [https://www.overyondr.com/phone-locking-pouch] Motion 26-040 [https://secure1.cpsd.us/school_committee/admin/motion_order_files/026-040%20Pause%20Non%20Essential%20Screen%20Use_%20CD%20LD.pdf] (screen time moratorium) Resolution 26-042 [https://secure1.cpsd.us/school_committee/admin/motion_order_files/026-042%20Noronha%20Resolution_%20DW%20LD.pdf] (Fabiane Noronha) Resolution 26-043 [https://secure1.cpsd.us/school_committee/admin/motion_order_files/026-043%20Unified%20Sports%20Resolution%20_DW%20CD%20RH.pdf] (Unified Sports) Cambridge Community Foundation [https://cambridgecf.org/] Budget Workshop [https://secure1.cpsd.us/school_committee/notices/2026-03-25_2026-03-18.pdf] March 18 Building and Grounds Subcommittee Meeting [https://reflect-video-ondemand-cpsd.cablecast.tv/internetchannel/watch-vod-embed?showId=11316] (video) Contract 26-034 [https://secure1.cpsd.us/school_committee/admin/recommendations/26-034.pdf] (Pathways for Paraprofessionals) Contract 26-036 [https://secure1.cpsd.us/school_committee/admin/recommendations/26-036.pdf] (Legal Services) Gift 26-039 [https://secure1.cpsd.us/school_committee/admin/recommendations/26-039.pdf] (Cambridge Community Foundation) Motion 26-041 [https://secure1.cpsd.us/school_committee/admin/motion_order_files/026-041%20Attles%20Room_%20DW%20SS%20LD.pdf] (Dr. Henrietta S. Attles) North Cambridge Family Opera [https://www.familyopera.org/drupal/] The website for this podcast is CSC30.com You can contact the podcast by emailing CambridgeSC30@gmail.com The School Committee email address is SchoolCom@cpsd.us

3. Regular Meeting Mar. 03, 2026

This episode recaps the March 3, 2026 regular meeting of the Cambridge School Committee. It includes presentations about the strategic planning process from Rachel Skerrit of Attuned Education Partners and an update on the state of social and emotion learning (SEL) in CPS by Kim Huffer, the director of SEL. The committee also discusses motions 26-030 about snow days, 26-031 about principal evaluations, and 26-032 about third grade literacy and retention. I cut out the opening announcements for time, so here they are: * First, and I’m going to say this one every time, I am reporting on what was said in the meetings; my reporting of what the members said does not mean what they said is true.   * Second, you can check the show notes for references and links. If I’ve missed something please reach out to me at CambridgeSC30@gmail.com [CambridgeSC30@gmail.com]. * Third: acronyms * CPS - Cambridge Public Schools * COO - Chief Operating Officer * DHSP - Department of Human Services Programs * CCF - Cambridge Community Foundation * SEL - Social and Emotional Learning * BRYT -  Bridge for Resilient Youth in Transition * DESE - Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education * Fourth and finally, the meeting recap is followed by a few minutes of my absolutely biased analysis of this meeting. Please feel free to skip that part; my prime directive is to inform the public, not make anyone think like me. LINKS Agenda [https://secure1.cpsd.us/school_committee/view_agenda.php?meetingID=578](which includes links to all agenda item) Motion 26-032 [https://secure1.cpsd.us/school_committee/admin/motion_order_files/026-032%203rd%20Grade%20Reading_%20EH%20RH.pdf] Anthony Galluccio wikipedia page [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_D._Galluccio] Kenneth Reeves wikipedia page [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_Reeves] Cambridge Community Foundation [https://cambridgecf.org/] Thrive Equity Audit [https://cambridgecf.org/equity-audit/]  Attuned Education Partners [https://www.attunedpartners.com/] Presentation slides [https://drive.google.com/file/d/18lrtoUGb-TJlCsVX1-9G_AQws_-dhj3B/view] from Rachel Skerritt of Attuned Education Partners Presentation slides [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1boKd1VfBvLXWZLW5B_WaF7865v_oqAp-/view] from Kim Huffer, Director of Social and Emotional Learning DESE principal evaluations [https://www.doe.mass.edu/edeval/rubrics/school-admin-rubic.docx] Supplemental material [https://secure1.cpsd.us/school_committee/admin/supporting_documents/578.pdf] (letter from the superintendent) The website for this podcast is CSC30.com You can contact the podcast by emailing CambridgeSC30@gmail.com The School Committee email address is SchoolCom@cpsd.us