The Finance Committee held a public hearing on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 on the City and School budgets covering the fiscal period July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.

1 MINUTES OF THE CAMBRIDGE CITY COUNCIL FINANCE COMMITTEE Wednesday, May 6, 2026 FINANCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS Councillor Nolan, Co-Chair Councillor Al-Zubi, Co-Chair Vice Mayor Azeem Councillor Flaherty Councillor McGovern McGovern Councillor Simmons Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler Councillor Zusy Mayor Siddiqui A public meeting of the Cambridge City Council’s Finance Committee was held on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. The meeting was Called to Order at 6:00 p.m. by the Co-Chair, Councillor Nolan. Pursuant to Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2025 adopted by Massachusetts General Assembly and approved by the Governor, this public meeting was hybrid, allowing participation in person, in the Sullivan Chamber, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA and by remote participation via Zoom. At the request of the Co-Chair, Interim City Clerk Crane called the roll. Councillor Al-Zubi – Present/In Sullivan Chamber Vice Mayor Azeem – Present/In Sullivan Chamber Councillor Flaherty – Present/In Sullivan Chamber Councillor McGovern – Present/In Sullivan Chamber Councillor Nolan – Present/In Sullivan Chamber Councillor Simmons – Absent* Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler – Present/Remote Councillor Zusy – Present/In Sullivan Chamber Mayor Siddiqui – Present/In Sullivan Chamber Present – 8, Absent – 1. Quorum established. *Councillor Simmons was present in the Sullivan Chamber at 6:19p.m. Co-Chair Nolan offered opening remarks and noted that the Call of the meeting was to discuss the School budget covering the fiscal period July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027. Present from Cambridge Public Schools was Superintendent David Murphy and Chief Financial Officer, Ivy Washington. Present from the School Committee were School Committee Chair, David Weinstein and Vice Chair Caitlin Dube. Member Elizabeth Hudson and Member Arjun Jaikumar were present via Zoom. Co-Chair Nolan recognized Chair Weinstein and Mayor Siddiqui, who serve as Co-Chairs for the School Committee’s Budget Committee, for opening remarks.

2 Co-Chair Nolan recognized Superintendent Murphy for opening remarks. Superintendent Murphy and Ivy Washington gave a presentation titled “FY27 Budget Submission”. The presentation was provided in advance of the meeting and included in the Agenda Packet. Co-Chair Nolan recognized Councillor Flaherty who asked how the budget will help ensure third grade students are reading at grade level and how students who move on to higher grades will continue to get reading support if they are behind. Superintendent Murphy shared how important it is that students read at or above grade level throughout their school years, noting that CPS does very well in some areas versus others, and support will continue for those who need it. Ivy Washington added that the budget also includes literacy coaching at the elementary level. Chair Weinstein shared that CPS has invested in a more consistent reading curriculum across schools. Councillor Flaherty emphasized that students need support right away and he encouraged more investment in professional development, so teachers have the tools and support they need to help students succeed. Co-Chair Nolan recognized Councillor Simmons who asked for more information on the Student Success Plan and what needs to be done for staff to help put the plan in place. Superintendent Muphy reviewed the Success Plan, noting that the pilot started at the Rindge Ave Upper School and that CPS is still reviewing how they would want to implement it with their work towards a larger strategic plan. Superintendent Muphy added that they have tried different approaches at different schools and grade levels, with the pilot helping to create a clearer system and plan. Chair Weinstein provided information related to staff and added that it is not a large new cost at this stage of planning. Chair Weinstein noted that the work that is being done now is using existing structures and giving educators more support for the work they are already doing. Councillor Simmons shared that she wished the plan was further along. Ivy Washington provided additional information on how the plan reflects the proposed budget, noting that the Wayfinder software is not considered an extra cost. Co-Chair Nolan recognized Councillor McGovern who thanked the School Committee and CPS staff for their work on the budget. Councillor McGovern noted that the 4.7% increase was smaller than past school budget increases, and that increases usually reflect salaries and health insurance. Councillor McGovern emphasized how Cambridge continues to fund programs and services that other communities are making cuts to, but more information related to per-pupil spending would be beneficial for the City Council and residents. Councillor McGovern echoed comments related to supporting students who struggle with reading. Councillor McGovern highlighted the efforts being made towards mental health and social and emotional support, adding how important that support is for students to be successful in school. Councillor McGovern asked for more information related to the FTE reduction and short-term therapeutic classrooms. Superintendent Murphy explained that the reduction was connected to the vacancies and staffing changes after the Kennedy Longfellow School closed and that the classrooms are a tool that is being used to help students transition back into school with support after they have had an interruption in their education. Co-Chair Nolan recognized Councillor Zusy who pointed out that the Baldwin School is very desirable among residents and questioned how all schools can be as successful. Superintendent Murphy highlighted that the Baldwin School has strong educators and leadership, which has created a positive environment for students to succeed. Councillor Zusy offered comments

3 related to maintaining high academic standards across all schools and mindfulness being included within mental health support. Ivy Washington explained that mindfulness practices are already included in the Wayfinder social-emotional learning curriculum from preschool through fifth grade, and that social workers and therapists also use mindfulness in individual and group sessions. Co-Chair Nolan recognized Vice Mayor Azeem who asked if CPS believes the School Department budget is expected to continue to grow and increase faster than the overall City budget within the next years. Superintendent Murphy noted that is not a question he has a direct answer to but emphasized that CPS will continue to advocate for the funding that is needed to continue to serve students. Superintendent Muphy added that the budget growth over the last years was unusual and that the district needs to be focused on spending money wisely and improving practices, so the investment leads to better student outcomes. Vice Mayor Azeem asked if MCAS scores will improve as the budget grows. Superintendent Murphy shared that the district has made progress, especially in grades 3 through 8 in math, and emphasized the need to keep improving professional learning and accountability so student results continue to improve. Co-Chair Nolan recognized Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler who thanked the School Committee for naming Pre-K as a priority because it aligns with the City Council future budget priorities around Pre-K and afterschool programs. Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler shared he looks forward to having a continued partnership with the School Committee on those programs. Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler noted the importance of paraprofessional salaries, especially in financially uncertain times. Superintendent Murphy shared that CPS is currently in contract negotiations for new collective bargaining agreements but agreed that paraprofessionals and other educational support staff should be compensated fairly. Co-Chair Nolan recognized Co-Chair Al-Zubi who thanked the team for their work and highlighted how important education is. Co-Chair Al-Zubi asked for more information related to the staffing changes at the Fletcher Maynard. Superintendent Murphy explained how enrollment changes were a factor with staffing changes. Ivy Washington added that elementary staffing changes reflect enrollment shifts and special education staffing across schools. Co-Chair Al-Zubi asked for an update related to staffing in the Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. Superintendent Murphy explained how CPS is trying to connect equity work better with school- based work and reduce management level positions. Co-Chair Al-Zubi shared concerns about roles shifting within Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. Co-Chair Nolan had questions related to the drop in enrollment from grades 5 to 6 and if exit surveys are conducted to better understand why families are leaving. Superintendent Murphy agreed with comments made by the Co-Chair and pointed out that the goal should be to build school communities where students and families want to stay and others want to join. Superintendent Murphy added that an exit survey is something worth considering. Co-Chair Nolan asked how CPS is reviewing cost effectiveness when there are still achievement gaps. Superintendent Murphy pointed out that it is less about needing more money, but more about better execution, adding that the district needs stronger professional learning, better instructional practice, consistent curriculum use, educator effectiveness, and family engagement, and by

4 investing in those it will help lead the district to stronger student outcomes. Councillor Simmons shared strong support for comments made by Co-Chair Nolan. Co-Chair Nolan recognized Councillor Flaherty who asked for clarification related to student- staff ratios, which Ivy Washington reviewed. Co-Chair Nolan asked whether curriculum funding was increased for immersion programs because those schools need materials and professional development in more than one language. Ivy Washington said the cost is more than double in some cases, especially for dual immersion, special education, SEI, and ESL classrooms. Co-Chair Nolan also asked about the investment in making sure all eighth graders can take algebra. Superintendent Murphy shared all eighth graders are now taking algebra concepts, supported by staffing, interventionists, coaches, and special education staff, but the district will need to watch the data closely to make sure students are prepared and supported. Co-Chair Nolan recognized Councillor McGovern who moved to forward the School Department FY27 proposed budget to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation. Co-Chair Nolan recognized Co-Chair Al-Zubi and Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler for discussion on the motion. Co-Chair Al-Zubi and Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler shared that they would not be supporting the proposed budget. Co-Chair Nolan recognized Councillor McGovern who disagreed with Co-Chair Al-Zubi and Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler for not supporting the budget. Councillor McGovern pointed out that the School Committee is an elected body, and creating the school budget is one of its main responsibilities, adding that they understand the schools’ needs better than the City Council does. Councillor Simmons agreed with Councillor McGovern. Co-Chair Nolan recognized Councillor McGovern who moved to forward the School Department FY27 proposed budget to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation. Interim City Clerk Crane called the roll. Councillor Al-Zubi – No Vice Mayor Azeem – Absent Councillor Flaherty – Yes Councillor McGovern – Yes Councillor Nolan – Yes Councillor Simmons – Yes Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler – No Councillor Zusy – Yes Mayor Siddiqui – Yes Yes – 6, No – 2, Absent – 1. Motion passed. Co-Chair Nolan recognized Councillor Simmons who made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Interim City Clerk Crane called the roll.

5 Councillor Al-Zubi – Yes Vice Mayor Azeem – Absent Councillor Flaherty – Yes Councillor McGovern – Yes Councillor Nolan – Yes Councillor Simmons – Yes Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler – Yes Councillor Zusy – Yes Mayor Siddiqui – Yes Yes – 8, No – 0, Absent – 1. Motion passed. The Finance Committee adjourned at approximately 8:16p.m. Attachment A – Questions from Committee members. Clerk’s Note: The City of Cambridge/22 City View records every City Council meeting and every City Council Committee meeting. The video for this meeting can be viewed at: May 06, 2026 Finance Committee - Cambridge, MA In City Council June 1, 2026. Adopted by a yea and nay vote:- Yeas 8; Nays 0; Absent 1.- Attest:- Paula M. Crane, Interim City Clerk A true copy; ATTEST:- Paula M. Crane Interim City Clerk