Communicating Information from the School Committee

To the Honorable, the City Council:

I write to provide a summary of recent Cambridge School Committee activity. This communication includes information from the Committee’s regular meeting on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, along with other updates.

School Committee Meetings and Governance Work

The School Committee held its regular meeting on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 during which we received another update on the FY27 budget process. FY27 priorities so far emphasize strengthening crisis response, expanding therapeutic and intervention- based learning settings, and making more strategic use of staffing, time, and data.

Proposed actions include staffing modifications to support crisis response teams, development of short- and longer-term therapeutic learning environments, expanded social work and behavioral support capacity at the upper school level, and revised paraprofessional roles to better meet student needs.

Additional considerations include potential special education collaborations for early grades, continued work around CRLS intervention systems, and partnerships to support students whose learning is disrupted by mental health needs, trauma, or housing instability. Together, these investments will reflect a shift from broad structural growth toward more precise supports aimed at reducing barriers to engagement and ensuring students with the highest needs are better positioned to succeed.

Additionally, the School Committee approved $1,500 from the Broad Institute to support after-school coding clubs at Amigos, Putnam Avenue Upper School, and Rindge Avenue Upper School during the 2025–26 school year, with funds used for teacher stipends to serve as club advisors and the program aligned with the district’s strategic instructional priorities.

Labor Relations and Executive Session

I attended the first bargaining session for the Cambridge Education Association and the district on Friday,

January 30, 2026. The School Committee also convened in executive session on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 for the purpose of discussing strategy related to collective bargaining matters.

School Committee Subcommittee Assignments

While I am no longer the Chair of the Committee, I am active in discussions with the Chair and Vice Chair, and Superintendent. For the 2026–27 School Committee term, I will serve as Co-Chair of the School Climate Subcommittee, Chair of the Governance Subcommittee, and Co-Chair of the Budget Committee of the Whole, and I will also serve as a member of the Buildings and Grounds Subcommittee. I have attached the full list for the City Council’s awareness. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or requests for additional information. Sincerely,

Mayor of Cambridge (2020-21, 2022-23, 2026-27)

2026-2027 Cambridge School Committee

Subcommittee Membership and Bargaining Representatives

Buildings and Grounds

Arjun Jaikumar (Chair)

Elizabeth Hudson

Communications and Community Relations

Luisa de Paula Santos (Co-Chair)

Arjun Jaikumar (Co-Chair)

Curriculum and Achievement

Caitlin Dube (Co-Chair)

Elizabeth Hudson (Co-Chair)

Governance

Sumbul Siddiqui (Chair)

Arjun Jaikumar

David Weinstein

School Climate

Caitlin Dube (Co-Chair)

Sumbul Siddiqui (Co-Chair)

Luisa de Paula Santos

Special Education/Student Services

Luisa de Paula Santos (Chair)

Caitlin Dube

Budget (Committee of the Whole)

Sumbul Siddiqui (Co-Chair)

David Weinstein (Co-Chair)

Bargaining Representatives (possible additional representatives assigned later)

Caitlin Dube

Arjun Jaikuma