Cambridge School Committee directs superintendent to ensure full implementation of teacher and administrator evaluations

The Cambridge School Committee on April 15 voted to direct the superintendent to ensure “full and faithful execution of teacher and administrator evaluations as outlined in district policy” and to report back on the district’s evaluation implementation.

The committee passed the revised motion unanimously after members removed language that had directed the superintendent to add two paraprofessional positions. Member Richard Harding moved adoption of the original motion; Member Rachel seconded. Following debate the committee amended the motion to remove the staffing directive and approved the amendment and final motion by roll call (7-0).

Why it matters: Committee members and the superintendent said educator evaluation is central to improving instruction and accountability across Cambridge Public Schools. Several members tied the evaluation work to budget and staffing questions, saying they want clearer evidence that recent increases in personnel are producing improved student outcomes.

Discussion and key points

Member Harding framed the issue as an accountability and effectiveness concern, saying the district must understand what staff do and how effective they are in their roles. He warned that growth in staff numbers without measurable improvement requires answers for the public.

Member Hudson and others said evaluations must be implemented carefully and raised procedural concerns about tying staffing changes to an evaluation motion. Member Hudson explicitly opposed the original motion because it included a direction to add two paraprofessionals that had not been discussed in the subcommittee.

Superintendent Kenneth Murphy said the district is already under contractual and regulatory obligations to complete educator evaluations and acknowledged the district’s performance needs improvement. He said roughly 70 percent of evaluations were completed last year and roughly 47 percent were submitted on time; he called both rates insufficient and said the administration has reorganized leadership and prioritized educator effectiveness to increase fidelity of evaluations.

Member Weinstein and other committee members emphasized that well-done evaluations should support teacher growth and family engagement, not only be a compliance exercise. Committee members also asked for more frequent reporting on evaluation completion and outcomes.

Outcome and next steps

The committee amended the motion to remove the staffing language and adopted the amendment on a roll call vote (7-0). The superintendent will report back on evaluation implementation, per the motion. The committee indicated it expects regular updates on completion rates and on steps the administration is taking to improve fidelity.

Speakers quoted in this article spoke during the discussion on the motion recorded in the April 15 meeting transcript. Direct quotes and attributions come from the official record.