The Cambridge School Committee last night unanimously approved a major restructuring of Cambridge Rindge and Latin School (CRLS), leaving broad latitude for the superintendent to implement the plan.

More than 100 teachers, parents and students attended the meeting. About one-third of them spoke during the two hours of public comments that preceded committee members' closing statements and the vote.

"This school needs to be different," said Les Kimbrough, an administrator in Leadership, a CRLS house. "This plan, though not perfect, is a step in the right direction."

The plan, which will be implemented this fall, will replace the high school's current system of "houses," which vary in size and use different teaching styles, with five "schools" of uniform size.

D'Alessandro said earlier in the week that her final recommendations, which were passed last night, would just add "clarifications" to her original proposal.

However, the points she unveiled last night included several major additions to address contentious issues that had been raised in public discussions.

She pledged to maintain diversity in the new CRLS administration, to provide "multicultural competency" training for teachers and to maintain high academic standards for all students.

Many parents had told committee members they felt racial issues has been poorly handled at the school. Some also said that many students were left to flounder because of low expectations.