School Committee in 30 Minutes or Less

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 (with links to all motions)Superintendent presentations for the regular meetings remaining in the school year-Budget Discussion-Proposed Budget for FY27Staffing graphic for King Open and MLKArticle about the BRYT programShore Educational CollaborativeSchool Improvement Plans-Screen Time Motion-American Academy of Pediatrics new screen time guidance-Motion on School Councils-School Councils LawSchool Councils HandbookSchool Committee RulesSubcommittees-Superintendent's Agenda-City Employee SalariesCurriculum and Achievement Subcommittee Meeting (March 19th)-District Employees-Chief Operations Officer: Damon SmithDirector of Data, Assessment, and Accountability: Jen Amigone Executive Director of Academics: Dr Heather Francis Director of Family and Community Engagement: Melissa BoldenOur favorite first grade teacher and now children’s author: Inbal AlonThe website for this podcast is CSC30.comYou can contact the podcast by emailing [email protected] School Committee email address is [email protected]

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 (with links to all motions)Superintendent presentations for the regular meetings remaining in the school year-Budget Discussion-Proposed Budget for FY27Staffing graphic for King Open and MLKArticle about the BRYT programShore Educational CollaborativeSchool Improvement Plans-Screen Time Motion-American Academy of Pediatrics new screen time guidance-Motion on School Councils-School Councils LawSchool Councils HandbookSchool Committee RulesSubcommittees-Superintendent's Agenda-City Employee SalariesCurriculum and Achievement Subcommittee Meeting (March 19th)-District Employees-Chief Operations Officer: Damon SmithDirector of Data, Assessment, and Accountability: Jen Amigone Executive Director of Academics: Dr Heather Francis Director of Family and Community Engagement: Melissa BoldenOur favorite first grade teacher and now children’s author: Inbal AlonThe website for this podcast is CSC30.comYou can contact the podcast by emailing [email protected] School Committee email address is [email protected]

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.LINKSAgenda (which includes links to all agenda item)Superintendent's PresentationYondr pouchesMotion 26-040 (screen time moratorium)Resolution 26-042 (Fabiane Noronha)Resolution 26-043 (Unified Sports)Cambridge Community FoundationBudget WorkshopMarch 18 Building and Grounds Subcommittee Meeting (video)Contract 26-034 (Pathways for Paraprofessionals)Contract 26-036 (Legal Services)Gift 26-039 (Cambridge Community Foundation)Motion 26-041 (Dr. Henrietta S. Attles)North Cambridge Family OperaThe website for this podcast is CSC30.comYou can contact the podcast by emailing [email protected] School Committee email address is [email protected]

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 [email protected]: acronymsCPS - Cambridge Public SchoolsCOO - Chief Operating OfficerDHSP - Department of Human Services ProgramsCCF - Cambridge Community FoundationSEL - Social and Emotional LearningBRYT -  Bridge for Resilient Youth in TransitionDESE - Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary EducationFourth 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.LINKSAgenda (which includes links to all agenda item)Motion 26-032Anthony Galluccio wikipedia pageKenneth Reeves wikipedia pageCambridge Community FoundationThrive Equity Audit Attuned Education PartnersPresentation slides from Rachel Skerritt of Attuned Education PartnersPresentation slides from Kim Huffer, Director of Social and Emotional LearningDESE principal evaluationsSupplemental material (letter from the superintendent)The website for this podcast is CSC30.comYou can contact the podcast by emailing [email protected] School Committee email address is [email protected]

This is a bonus episode discussing the processes and purposes for public comment at School Committee meetings. All public comments made at the first three regular meetings of 2026 are summarized.LINKSRules of the School CommitteeSign up to receive School Committee notificationsInstructions to register for public commentSchool Committee email address: [email protected] for March 3, 2026View public comments made on:January 6, 2026 (regular meeting)January 20, 2026 (regular meeting)February 3, 2026 (regular meeting)Meeting motions mentioned in episode:June 3, 2024 (governance subcommittee meeting report)October 1, 2024 (regular meeting minutes)Motion 24-241Motion 24-245October 22, 2024 (governance subcommittee meeting report)November 19, 2024 (regular meeting minutes)Motion 24-285December 3, 2024 (regular meeting minutes)February 25, 2026 (governance subcommittee meeting video)The website for this podcast is CSC30.comYou can contact the podcast by emailing [email protected] School Committee email address is [email protected]

This episode recaps the Feb. 3rd, 2026 regular meeting of the school committee. The meeting included a budget planning presentation, and discussion of motions regarding educator input and meeting formality.****SORRY IT WAS A LITTLE LATE! :) ****Notes & LinksSubcommitte leadership and members Anne Coburn's notes on the Friday, Feb. 6th special meeting Budget presentation slidesThis meeting's agenda (includes links to all the motions discussed)Information on the Thrive! presentation CRLS Jazz Band performanceThe website for this podcast is CSC30.comYou can contact the podcast by emailing [email protected] School Committee email address is [email protected]

This episode recaps the Jan. 20th, 2026 regular meeting of the school committee. The meeting included contracts for legal services, a budget presentation, a science and civics MCAS presentation, and a motion to improve public comment practices.Notes & LinksSchool Committee email address: [email protected] table of meeting itemsThe website for this podcast is CSC30.comYou can contact the podcast by emailing [email protected] School Committee email address is [email protected]

This is a quick recap of the School Committee's Inauguration/Special Meeting from January 5th, 2026.Notes and Links:City Ordinance 2.129Slide Deck about the 2025 School Committee CandidatesGlossary of Education TermsPodcase website CSC30.comSend Feedback to [email protected] website for this podcast is CSC30.comYou can contact the podcast by emailing [email protected] School Committee email address is [email protected]

This is the trailer for an upcoming podcast that will report on the School Committee in Cambridge, MA. We officially launch on January 23rd, 2025. Until then, check out CSC30.com for more information.The website for this podcast is CSC30.comYou can contact the podcast by emailing [email protected] School Committee email address is [email protected]