Listen to the full meeting
The Fall River School Committee’s Facilities and Operations Subcommittee met on August 10, 2026, to discuss several key operational matters. A major topic was the new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for School Resource Officers (SROs). The new agreement, developed with Acting Police Chief J.T. Hoar, eliminates automatic weekly overtime, which cost nearly $100,000 in the previous year, and establishes a standard 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. workday. Committee members debated the effectiveness of this schedule for covering staggered school start times and the necessity of a central roll call, with the administration agreeing to review the logistics. The committee ultimately voted to refer the MOU to the full committee for final approval.
The subcommittee also reviewed a service agreement with Ameresco for a $2.9 million grant-funded project at Green Elementary School. The project, which will cost taxpayers nothing, aims to upgrade the school’s antiquated HVAC and control systems, reducing energy costs by an estimated 60%. Construction is slated to begin in April 2027. Updates were provided on the Bishop Connelly property purchase, with significant renovations underway, and the ongoing school traffic pattern study by Ty and Bond. The committee also discussed the $17 million transportation budget, confirming the figure despite city-level cuts, and the need to re-bid the lease for the Sagamore warehouse.
Finally, the subcommittee approved the creation of two new administrative positions. A Supervisor of Nutrition, with a salary range of $70,000-$80,000, was approved to act as a liaison with the district’s food service provider. An Executive Confidential Assistant to the Deputy Superintendent and Chief Financial Officer was also approved with a salary range of $60,000-$73,500, passing on a 2-1 vote. This decision followed a discussion about the immediate need for high-level administrative support and a commitment from the administration to review the overall organizational structure in the coming months.
Topics discussed
- 0:55 · School Resource Officer (SRO) MOU
Discussion on the new SRO memorandum of understanding, focusing on the elimination of automatic overtime, a new 7-3 schedule, safety at school events, and the process for SRO evaluations. - 0:55 · Motion to refer the School Resource Officer MOU to the full committee. — passed
Motion to refer the School Resource Officer MOU to the full committee. - 43:38 · Green Elementary School Service Agreement with Ameresco
A representative from Ameresco presented a $2.9 million grant-funded project to upgrade the HVAC and control systems at Green Elementary, with construction planned for 2027. - 43:38 · Motion to refer the service agreement for Green Elementary School to the full committee. — passed
Motion to refer the service agreement for Green Elementary School to the full committee. - 1:06:48 · Bishop Connelly Property Purchase Update
An update was given on the extensive renovations at the Bishop Connelly building. The committee requested a copy of the purchase and sale agreement to review the conditions of the sale. - 1:16:51 · School Traffic Pattern Study
The committee received a progress report on the traffic study being conducted by the firm Ty and Bond, with a focus on getting recommendations implemented for the start of the school year. - 1:32:20 · Transportation Budget and Contracts
Discussion confirming the district’s need for a $17 million transportation budget, despite city cuts. The committee also discussed contract statuses and inequities between SERTA and yellow bus services. - 1:42:33 · Motion to appoint Collin R. Dias to the city council advisory committee on transportation. — passed
Motion to appoint Collin R. Dias to the city council advisory committee on transportation. - 1:42:45 · Sagamore Warehouse Lease
The CFO reported that the expired lease for the Sagamore warehouse must be put out to bid again. The committee discussed the long-term goal of acquiring a district-owned warehouse. - 1:50:50 · New Job Description: Supervisor of Nutrition
The committee discussed and approved creating a new management position to serve as a liaison between the school department and the food service provider, Whitson’s. - 1:52:33 · Motion to approve the Supervisor of Nutrition job description with a salary range of $70,000 to $80,000. — passed
Motion to approve the Supervisor of Nutrition job description with a salary range of $70,000 to $80,000. - 1:53:23 · New Job Description: Executive Confidential Assistant
The committee debated and approved creating a new high-level confidential assistant for the Deputy Superintendent and CFO to handle the high volume of work, including FOIA requests. - 2:12:00 · Motion to approve the Executive Confidential Assistant job description with a salary range of $60,000 to $73,500 and give permission to post, subject to a formal vote by the full committee on 8/19. — passed
Motion to approve the Executive Confidential Assistant job description with a salary range of $60,000 to $73,500 and give permission to post, subject to a formal vote by the full committee on 8/19. - 2:21:29 · Facilities Master Plan
The committee discussed the need for an updated district-wide facilities master plan, as the current one dates back to 1998, and agreed to add it to the September agenda. - 2:22:18 · School Parking Issues
A brief discussion was held on addressing parking shortages at schools, including the possibility of leasing spaces from neighbors and policies for overnight parking in school lots.