DATE:September 16, 2009TO:School Committee MembersFROM:Jeffrey M. YoungSuperintendent of SchoolsSUBJECT:

Outline of Proposed Process/Timeline for Middle Grade Decision-making

This memo outlines a proposed process/timeline for decision-making regarding middlegrades education in Cambridge. I understand that this subject has been a topic for discussion for a very long time and I am hopeful that through this process (or someversion of it) the School Committee will be able to feel comfortable making an important policy decision about the future of grades 6-8 education in the city.The dates listed below correspond to regular School Committee meetings. The plan callsfor presentation/School Committee discussion at one of the two meetings each month(dates to be determined). I look forward to our meeting on September 22, 2009 when Iwill make a brief presentation of this proposal and invite School Committee feedback asto whether or how it should be adjusted.September 22, 2009—At this meeting, as noted above, we will have some initialdiscussion about the process and timeline for the decision.October 6/20, 2009—To help ground the discussion in the work that has already beendone, we should use this meeting to provide the school committee with a recap of thework of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Middle Schools. In addition, we willsummarize the feedback from the staff and parent forums on this subject.I am hopeful that Mr. Grassi will be able to join me in providing a brief overview/reminder of the Committee’s work to help the School Committee get thisdiscussion started in a positive manner. November 17, 2009—At this meeting the administration will present data we believe will be important for the School Committee to understand in order to make the best possibleinformed decision at the end of this process. Right now we are working on enrollment projections, building capacity analysis, controlled choice implications and other projects.If the School Committee believes that additional data are needed for you to make a sounddecision, please let us receive your data requests by the middle of October.