Cambridge schools present revised bullying prevention plan; committee moves it to second reading

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Grace introduced the Cambridge Public Schools’ revised bullying prevention and intervention plan, describing a summer-long co‑design process that included translated materials, focus groups and a concise survey used to gather family, student and staff input.

"This is about the specific bullying intervention and prevention plan," Dr. Grace said, stressing the document’s legal mandate and the efforts to make the redline draft more accessible. Executive Director Desiree Phillips summarized findings from 53 respondents and said the plan emphasizes clear roles, confidentiality protections and restorative practices. "Families appreciated the mandate for fast action and the emphasis on student privacy," Phillips said.

Committee members focused much of the discussion on execution: how the district will ensure consistent implementation across school sites, how administrators and principals will be onboarded, and how families will be informed when an investigation concludes given student‑privacy limits. Superintendent Murphy said the district has added accountability roles — including a chief accountability officer and assistant superintendents for school supervision — to reduce variability in follow‑through and clarified that serious incidents will result in caregiver notification when required.

The committee voted to move the revised plan to a second reading on the next meeting agenda to allow for wider public review and to ensure the supplemental materials and flowchart are accessible online. The motion, moved by Member Harding and seconded by Vice Chair Hunter, passed by voice vote.