Listen to the full meeting
The Fall River School Committee held a regular meeting on August 19, 2026, addressing a wide range of topics from citizen concerns to detailed district reports. The meeting began with resident Pamela Nickerson pleading with the committee to reopen the Durfee High School’s Jarabek Memorial Pool for public swim and lessons, which has been closed to the public since December 2025. Committee members expressed support for reopening the pool and requested a plan from the administration.
Interim Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Smith delivered an extensive report covering preparations for the new school year. This included a new opening day event for all staff at the Durfee football field on September 1st, updates on 17 summer capital improvement projects which employed 14 students, and an enrollment update projecting a decrease of approximately 100 students, raising budget concerns of over $2 million for FY28. The committee also received updates on hiring, with 101 new hires since the last meeting, and the ongoing redesign of 290 Rock Street.
A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to contentious discussions about two DESE district review reports from November 2024 and May 2026. School Committee Vice President Kevin Aguiar argued that the committee was unfairly criticized and targeted in the reports, particularly regarding fiscal oversight policies he believes are strengths that prevent deficits. Mayor Paul E. Coogan countered, stating the reports highlighted a lack of respect and an adversarial culture, and urged the committee to focus on moving forward rather than dwelling on past issues. The committee also approved numerous items, including the School Resource Officer MOU, a $30 million energy service agreement with Ameresco for Green Elementary School, various job descriptions, and appointed members Collin R. Dias and Kevin Aguiar to a city-wide ad hoc transportation committee.
Topics discussed
- 0:48 · Citizen’s Input: Durfee Pool Closure
Resident Pamela Nickerson addressed the committee about the closure of the Durfee High School’s Jarabek Memorial Pool to the public since December 2025, urging them to reopen it for swim lessons and public use. - 10:53 · Subcommittee Report: Facilities and Operations
Kevin Aguiar reported that the subcommittee forwarded job descriptions, the SRO MOU, and the Green Elementary service agreement to the full committee for approval. - 13:08 · School Committee Meeting Calendar 2026-2027
The committee reviewed and approved the meeting calendar for the upcoming school year, with an amendment to reschedule the September and November meetings. - 24:28 · Superintendent’s Report: District Updates
Dr. Kathleen Smith provided updates on the Administrators Institute, plans for the opening day of school, strategic planning progress, summer capital projects, and a student summer employment program. - 37:32 · Enrollment Update and Projections
The committee received a presentation on current enrollment, which is projected to be down by about 100 students, potentially creating a $2.2 million budget deficit for FY28. - 46:52 · Hiring Update
Dr. Godino reported that the district has had 101 new hires, 33 resignations, and 1 retirement since the last meeting, and highlighted the hard work of the Human Resources department. - 48:38 · 290 Rock Street Program Update
Dr. Bronhard provided an update on the Innovation Education Task Force and the programs at 290 Rock Street, noting the recent appointment of the former principal to Morton Middle School. - 1:01:15 · Approval of Meeting Minutes and Compliance
The committee approved seven sets of minutes and discussed the need to stay in compliance with the Open Meeting Law regarding timely approval and public posting of minutes. - 1:02:49 · Approval of travel request. — passed
Approval of travel request. - 1:03:36 · Approval of first and third donation items. — passed
Approval of first and third donation items. - 1:03:44 · Approval of second donation item. — passed
Approval of second donation item. - 1:08:24 · MASC Services Discussion
Glenn Kuchar, Executive Director of MASC, answered committee questions about the services, training, and resources covered by the district’s annual membership dues. - 1:13:27 · School Resource Officer (SRO) MOU
The committee approved the memorandum of understanding with the Fall River Police Department for SROs, which was previously vetted in subcommittee. - 1:15:14 · Approval of the School Resource Officers Memorandum of Understanding. — passed
Approval of the School Resource Officers Memorandum of Understanding. - 1:15:19 · Green Elementary School Energy Service Agreement
The committee approved a service agreement with Ameresco for a grant-funded energy project at Green Elementary, expected to lower energy spending by 60% with no cost to taxpayers. - 1:15:19 · Approval of the service agreement with Ameresco for the Green Elementary School energy project. — passed
Approval of the service agreement with Ameresco for the Green Elementary School energy project. - 1:25:37 · Approval of an amended motion to hire two nurses and authorize the superintendent to hire a third. — passed
Approval of an amended motion to hire two nurses and authorize the superintendent to hire a third. - 1:26:37 · Appointment of School Nurses
The committee approved two nurses and, after a candidate rescinded their offer, authorized the superintendent to hire a third nurse without needing a subsequent committee vote. - 1:29:07 · Approval of 4 grant contracts (Justice Resource, Katie Brown, etc.). — passed
Approval of 4 grant contracts (Justice Resource, Katie Brown, etc.). - 1:29:21 · Deputy Superintendent Job Description
The committee approved an updated job description for the Deputy Superintendent, solidifying their oversight of alternative education programs. - 1:30:41 · Approval of the Deputy Superintendent job description. — passed
Approval of the Deputy Superintendent job description. - 1:34:35 · Amendment to make the Director of Guidance report directly to the Deputy Superintendent. — failed
Amendment to make the Director of Guidance report directly to the Deputy Superintendent. - 1:36:02 · Approval of Job Descriptions
The committee approved job descriptions for a Supervisor of Custodians and an Executive Confidential Assistant. - 1:38:00 · Amendment to add ‘all other duties as assigned’ to job descriptions. — passed
Amendment to add ‘all other duties as assigned’ to job descriptions. - 1:38:06 · Approval of the Supervisor of Custodians and Executive Confidential Assistant job descriptions as amended. — passed
Approval of the Supervisor of Custodians and Executive Confidential Assistant job descriptions as amended. - 1:40:25 · Motion to table the Job Coach job description to the end of the meeting. — passed
Motion to table the Job Coach job description to the end of the meeting. - 1:40:31 · Trunk-or-Treat Event at Durfee High School
The committee approved the use of the Durfee High School parking lot for a city-run Trunk-or-Treat event and voted to waive associated fees. - 1:40:31 · Approval of using the Durfee High School parking lot for the Trunk-or-Treat event. — passed
Approval of using the Durfee High School parking lot for the Trunk-or-Treat event. - 1:44:00 · Motion to waive fees for the city’s Trunk-or-Treat event. — passed
Motion to waive fees for the city’s Trunk-or-Treat event. - 1:49:37 · Approval of the 2026-27 meeting calendar with an amendment to poll members for new September and November dates. — approved
Approval of the 2026-27 meeting calendar with an amendment to poll members for new September and November dates. - 1:50:10 · Motion to refer the issue of meeting locations to the Technology Subcommittee. — referred
Motion to refer the issue of meeting locations to the Technology Subcommittee. - 1:53:42 · DESE Targeted District Review Report (Nov 2024)
The committee reviewed the findings of a comprehensive DESE report, discussing progress on areas for growth such as strategic planning, leadership pipelines, and curriculum. - 2:02:37 · Approval of 6 new contracts (excluding two held items). — passed
Approval of 6 new contracts (excluding two held items). - 2:24:42 · Appointment to Ad Hoc Transportation Committee
The committee voted to appoint members Collin R. Dias and Kevin Aguiar to a city-wide ad hoc transportation committee created by the City Council. - 2:25:25 · Appointment of Collin R. Dias and Kevin Aguiar to the Ad Hoc Transportation Committee. — approved
Appointment of Collin R. Dias and Kevin Aguiar to the Ad Hoc Transportation Committee. - 2:28:56 · DESE Targeted District Review Report (May 2026)
A heated debate occurred during the review of a second DESE report, with members clashing over criticisms of the committee’s governance, fiscal oversight, and overall culture. - 2:29:07 · Approval of 7 sets of meeting minutes. — passed
Approval of 7 sets of meeting minutes. - 2:32:59 · Financial Reports Approval
The committee approved the 4th quarter transfers, the FY26 budget to actual report, and an FY27 budget update in a single vote. - 2:32:59 · Approval of items 8.10 (4th Quarter Transfers), 8.11 (FY26 Budget to Actual), and 8.12 (FY27 Budget Update). — passed
Approval of items 8.10 (4th Quarter Transfers), 8.11 (FY26 Budget to Actual), and 8.12 (FY27 Budget Update). - 2:53:37 · PASS Program Grant
The committee discussed and approved a grant funded by opioid settlement money for the Positive Alternative to School Suspension (PASS) program. - 2:54:16 · Approval of the Opioid Settlement Fund Grant for the PASS Program. — approved
Approval of the Opioid Settlement Fund Grant for the PASS Program. - 3:14:41 · Approval of New England Sports Promotion contract. — passed
Approval of New England Sports Promotion contract. - 3:16:10 · Approval of 9 miscellaneous contracts (transportation, etc.). — passed
Approval of 9 miscellaneous contracts (transportation, etc.). - 3:16:38 · Approval of 7 special education contracts. — passed
Approval of 7 special education contracts. - 3:17:35 · Approval of two held contracts: North American Crane and Rigging and South Coast Disposal. — passed
Approval of two held contracts: North American Crane and Rigging and South Coast Disposal. - 3:18:17 · Henry Lord Community School Playground Contracts
The committee discussed and approved contracts for crane and rigging services related to the ongoing playground construction, addressing concerns about communication and adherence to policy. - 3:28:30 · Approval of retirements, resignations, appointments, and transfers. — passed
Approval of retirements, resignations, appointments, and transfers. - 3:28:34 · Job Coach Job Description
The committee approved a job description for a Job Coach at 290 Rock Street, amending it to be a full-time position with a salary of $40,000-$60,000. - 3:28:52 · Approval of the Job Coach job description as a full-time position with a salary range of $40,000 to $60,000. — passed
Approval of the Job Coach job description as a full-time position with a salary range of $40,000 to $60,000. - 3:30:35 · Motion to enter executive session. — passed
Motion to enter executive session. - 3:31:29 · Motion to adjourn. — passed
Motion to adjourn.