The plan calls for the teams that will design each of the new schools to be representative of the school population, which is about 60 percent black and Latino.

D'Alessandro's recommendations also addressed objections the teachers union had raised earlier this week. For example, new language in the proposal indicates the school committee might be willing to extend an early retirement program it wants to establish at the high school to include the entire district.

After having opposed the plan at an earlier meeting, the Cambridge Teachers Association (CTA) last night offered its support for the plan.

The CTA reversed its position after the district agreed to finish negotiations on both the main teachers contract, which expired more than five months ago, and the effects of the school reform proposal that passed last night by Feb. 29. The district had initially opposed incorporating the restructuring issues into their ongoing talks with the CTA.

School Superintendent Bobbie J. D'Alessandro publicly announced the district's unexpected pledge early in the meeting, when she read her 26-point recommendation to the school committee.

Roger O'Sullivan, CTA president, said he thought the bargaining deadline of Feb. 29 will be reasonable for both parties.

O'Sullivan said the union still has "issues" with several of the provisions in the restructuring, especially the proposal to eliminate CRLS's current administration--some of whom the union represents--and hire new deans for each of the schools.