A memorandum regarding information from the School Committee

To the Honorable, the City Council:

I write to provide an updated summary of recent Cambridge School Committee activity. Since my last update on April 9, the School Committee met once on May 5. This meeting focused on district strategic planning, artificial intelligence in education, leadership updates, and operational and contractual preparations for the upcoming school year. We also met in executive session on Tuesday, May 12 to discuss strategy for collecting bargaining.

Superintendent’s Update

Strategic Planning & Community Engagement

The Superintendent reported progress on the district's ongoing strategic planning and community engagement efforts. Multiple virtual and in-person listening sessions have already taken place, with additional focus groups and community meetings scheduled throughout May—including a session dedicated to the future of 158 Spring Street. The Superintendent expressed appreciation for robust participation from families, caregivers, educators, and community members, emphasizing that the feedback gathered will inform both strategic planning and upcoming leadership hiring decisions.

Artificial Intelligence in Cambridge Public Schools

The meeting also featured a presentation exploring the district's use of artificial intelligence (AI) in instructional, administrative, and operational contexts. Representatives from the Department of Information Communications Technology Systems (ICTS) outlined the district's AI guidance framework, educator training programs, and student literacy initiatives, and students affiliated with the nonprofit Innovators for Purpose shared their perspectives. Key highlights included: Educator professional development: Over the past two years, approximately 90 educators have

participated in AI-focused training covering information ethics, bias, classroom integration, and tool exploration. At Cambridge Rindge & Latin School, offerings have expanded to include sessions on plagiarism and AI, Google Gemini, accessibility, mental health, and AI-supported classroom practices. The district has also partnered with MIT, Google, the Digital Inquiry Group, and the Harvard Graduate School of Education's Center for Digital Thriving.

Student-facing literacy efforts: Elementary students participated in MIT "Day of AI" lessons on foundational concepts such as machine learning. Upper school students engaged in media literacy activities and discussions around academic integrity. High school students participated in integrated classroom lessons and district surveys on AI use.

CPS AI Working Group: This cross-district group comprising teachers, staff, and administrators continues to review district values, evaluate AI tools and guidance, and identify future professional development and student literacy goals. Next steps include updates to district AI guidance documents, continued information literacy efforts across schools, and development of family-facing resources on media and AI literacy.

Consent Agenda

The Committee approved a range of operational items in preparation for FY27, including:

FY25–26 General Fund Budget statutory category transfers

Non-participation in the State School Choice Program for SY26/27

Contracts for special education, ABA services, nursing, tutoring, translation, instructional materials, mental health supports, software, and technology maintenance Gifts and miscellaneous receipts

School Committee Agenda Items

The Committee also received reports from the Communications and Community Relations Subcommittee and the Special Education and Student Supports Subcommittee. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or requests for additional information. Our next regular meeting will be next Tuesday, May 19. Sincerely,

Sumbul Siddiqui

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