The Fall River School Committee held a special meeting on June 23, 2026, which included several key appointments and contract approvals. The Superintendent’s report covered a recent professional development retreat for the committee and senior leadership, with a commitment to four more retreats this school year. A lengthy discussion ensued regarding a recent state-issued targeted district review, with committee members raising concerns about factual inaccuracies in the report. A motion passed unanimously to place both the recent and a prior district review report on the July agenda for a full discussion. The superintendent also provided updates on the district’s new strategic planning process and a detailed hiring update from Deputy Superintendent Liz Lagal, noting that 140 of 222 non-renewal letters had been rescinded.
The committee unanimously approved the transfer of busing contracts from Tremble’s Bus Company to its new owner, Student Transportation of America. They also approved a series of miscellaneous and special education contracts. A significant discussion took place regarding the one-year renewal for the food service provider, Witson’s. After confusion about whether it was a renewal or a vote on a contractual 3.9% CPI increase, the committee voted 5-2 to approve the increase and 6-1 to direct the administration to go out to bid for food services next year. The committee also made several key appointments. Dr. Chris Goodino was introduced as the new Executive Director of Human Resources, and Aldo Petronio was approved as the new Chief Financial Officer in a 7-0 vote. The committee also voted to approve the law firm of Murphy Hessie Tumi and Leah Hane as its new legal counsel, replacing outgoing attorney Bruce Assad. The meeting concluded with an executive session to discuss an open meeting law complaint, collective bargaining, and non-union personnel negotiations.
Topics discussed
- 0:05 · Call to Order and Roll Call
The special meeting was called to order, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and a roll call of committee members. - 1:04 · Superintendent’s Report: School Committee Retreat
The superintendent reported on a successful four-hour professional development retreat held on June 17th with the school committee and senior leadership, with four more planned for the school year. - 3:29 · Superintendent’s Report: Fall River Targeted District Review
The superintendent discussed a recent state district review report, highlighting both strengths and areas for improvement. Committee members raised concerns about factual inaccuracies in the report, leading to a unanimous vote to place it on the July agenda for further discussion. - 10:47 · A motion to have the two targeted district review reports placed on the July agenda for a full discussion. — passed
A motion to have the two targeted district review reports placed on the July agenda for a full discussion. - 15:01 · Superintendent’s Report: Brockton Public Schools HR Collaboration
The superintendent reported on a collaborative visit between the Fall River and Brockton Public Schools human resources teams to share best practices. - 19:05 · Superintendent’s Report: Hiring Update
Deputy Superintendent Liz Lagal gave a detailed update on teacher hiring and licensure, noting that 140 of 222 non-renewal letters were rescinded and supports are in place for staff to achieve certification. - 22:36 · Superintendent’s Report: Strategic Plan Update
The superintendent provided an update on the first meeting of the 25-member strategic planning team, which includes community members, staff, and parents. The plan is expected to be presented to the committee in one year. - 36:02 · Tremble’s Bus Company Contract Transfer
The committee voted unanimously to approve the transfer of existing busing contracts from Tremble’s Bus Company to its new owner, Student Transportation of America. - 36:06 · A motion to increase the Chief Financial Officer’s contract approval threshold back to $25,000. — passed
A motion to increase the Chief Financial Officer’s contract approval threshold back to $25,000. - 36:28 · A vote to approve the transfer of contracts from Tremble’s Bus Company to Student Transportation of America. — approved
A vote to approve the transfer of contracts from Tremble’s Bus Company to Student Transportation of America. - 36:45 · Continuation of Special Meeting
The committee voted unanimously to continue the meeting to address non-emergency items on the agenda, as it was a special meeting. - 36:57 · A motion to adjourn the meeting. — passed
A motion to adjourn the meeting. - 37:15 · A vote to continue the special meeting to address non-emergency agenda items. — passed
A vote to continue the special meeting to address non-emergency agenda items. - 38:05 · Approval of Miscellaneous and Special Education Contracts
The committee approved several contracts, including amendments to special education placements to reconcile costs for the school year. - 38:20 · A vote to approve miscellaneous contracts with E+ Technology and Tiverton Public Schools. — approved
A vote to approve miscellaneous contracts with E+ Technology and Tiverton Public Schools. - 38:39 · A vote to approve the special education contract with Meeting Street, Rhode Island. — approved
A vote to approve the special education contract with Meeting Street, Rhode Island. - 39:57 · A vote to approve special education contracts with Justice Resource Institute, Reeds Collaborative, Pilgrim Area Collaborative, and New Direction Solutions. — approved
A vote to approve special education contracts with Justice Resource Institute, Reeds Collaborative, Pilgrim Area Collaborative, and New Direction Solutions. - 46:11 · A vote to approve contracts with Proav, Security Deeg Associates, and Bulk. — approved
A vote to approve contracts with Proav, Security Deeg Associates, and Bulk. - 46:32 · Witson’s Food Service Contract Renewal
A lengthy discussion occurred regarding the food service contract, with members raising concerns about the management structure. The committee ultimately approved a 3.9% CPI increase and voted to go out to bid for the service next year. - 46:46 · A motion to approve the 3.9% CPI increase for the Witson’s food service contract. — approved
A motion to approve the 3.9% CPI increase for the Witson’s food service contract. - 1:09:31 · An amendment to the Witson’s contract motion, directing the administration to go out to bid for food services next summer. — passed
An amendment to the Witson’s contract motion, directing the administration to go out to bid for food services next summer. - 1:14:38 · School Committee Meeting Schedule Change
The committee agreed to add a meeting on July 8th and move the August meeting to August 19th to better handle district business. - 1:17:45 · Deputy Superintendent Job Description
The superintendent tabled the approval of the job description to a future meeting. The committee passed a motion to ensure the final description includes oversight of all alternative education programs. - 1:17:49 · A motion to amend the future Deputy Superintendent job description to include oversight of all alternative education programs as the final decision maker. — passed
A motion to amend the future Deputy Superintendent job description to include oversight of all alternative education programs as the final decision maker. - 1:18:37 · Appointment of Executive Director of Human Resources
Superintendent Smith announced the appointment of Dr. Chris Goodino as the new Executive Director of Human Resources, who briefly addressed the committee. - 1:27:01 · A vote to approve the appointment of Aldo Petronio as Chief Financial Officer. — approved
A vote to approve the appointment of Aldo Petronio as Chief Financial Officer. - 1:27:04 · Appointment of Chief Financial Officer
The committee unanimously approved the appointment of Aldo Petronio as the new Chief Financial Officer. They also voted to restore the CFO’s contract approval threshold to $25,000. - 1:38:08 · A vote to approve the appointment of the law firm Murphy Hessie Tumi and Leah Hane as legal counsel. — approved
A vote to approve the appointment of the law firm Murphy Hessie Tumi and Leah Hane as legal counsel. - 1:38:10 · Appointment of Legal Counsel
The committee voted to appoint the law firm of Murphy Hessie Tumi and Leah Hane as its new legal counsel for education and labor relations. - 1:40:48 · A vote to enter executive session. — passed
A vote to enter executive session. - 1:51:59 · Executive Session
The committee entered executive session to discuss an open meeting law complaint, collective bargaining with paraprofessional and custodial unions, and negotiations with non-union personnel.