Listen to the full meeting
The Fall River School Committee met on September 16, 2026, to discuss start-of-the-year operations, enrollment trends, policy updates, alternative education restructuring, and district personnel and contracts. Interim Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Smith and staff presented an update on district enrollment (standing around 10,886 students across 17 buildings), noting enrollment dips in kindergarten and English Language Learners compared to previous years. The committee debated facilities progress, including safety and costs associated with playground construction at Henry Lord Community School and the newly unified Early Learning Center at Bishop Stang/Bishop Connolly.
Key actions included approving separate budget line breakdowns and cost centers for Evolve Academy ($1,874,156), Resiliency Preparatory Academy (RPA), and the Fall River Public School Virtual High School ($2,476,508 combined for RPA and Virtual), along with approximately $745,000 in identified potential savings. The committee also debated and approved revisions to the Durfee High School Athletic Handbook tightening academic eligibility, adopted an updated Attendance Policy while voting to reinstate the community Attendance Task Force, and approved job descriptions and postings for an Associate Director of Human Resources ($110,000 to $140,000 salary range).
Significant debate occurred regarding the governance structure of the Administrative Assistant/Executive Secretary to the School Committee. The committee voted 5-2 to waive policies GCE, GCF, GDE, and GDF to place direct hiring and day-to-day oversight under the School Committee, designating the Vice Chair as the primary supervisor point of contact. The committee also accepted various entitlement and competitive grants, approved district contracts including DocuSign, UAspire, and custodial suppliers, and recognized outgoing administrative assistant Deb Cabral before entering executive session.
Topics discussed
- 5:14 · MASC Conference Voting Delegate
The committee unanimously voted to appoint Shanell J. Stewart as the voting delegate for the upcoming November MASC conference. - 6:01 · Appoint Shanell J. Stewart as the voting delegate for the MASC conference — approved
Appoint Shanell J. Stewart as the voting delegate for the MASC conference - 27:41 · District Enrollment & Demographic Bubble
Brian Michael Azak reported enrollment at 10,886 students, discussing a drop in ELL enrollment by approximately 500 students and a 5th-grade cohort bubble that will impact 6th-grade middle school staffing. - 41:53 · Playground & Facility Upgrades
COO Ken Pacheco updated the committee on the $800,000 Henry Lord playground project, the Early Learning Center playground paving/fencing, and grounds maintenance challenges. - 1:06:20 · Alternative Education Restructuring & Budget
Interim RPA Principal Rob Correa, staff, and CFO Aldo Petronio presented updates on Evolve Academy, RPA, and Virtual High School budgets, staffing models, and attendance re-engagement strategies. - 1:24:00 · Approve five travel requests — approved
Approve five travel requests - 1:26:35 · Accept donations from Rep. Carole Fiola ($2,488.50), DonorsChoose ($565 and $236.60), and BayCoast Bank (10 Surface Pro devices) — approved
Accept donations from Rep. Carole Fiola ($2,488.50), DonorsChoose ($565 and $236.60), and BayCoast Bank (10 Surface Pro devices) - 1:26:38 · Acceptance of Educational Donations
The committee formally accepted donations including $2,488.50 from Rep. Carole Fiola for CTE Prom/beauty services, DonorsChoose classroom supplies, and 10 Microsoft Surface Pro laptops from BayCoast Bank. - 1:28:38 · Approve selection and appointment of John Kobianchi as school nurse — approved
Approve selection and appointment of John Kobianchi as school nurse - 1:29:09 · Approve use of Durfee High School Nagel Auditorium for Christmas concert — approved
Approve use of Durfee High School Nagel Auditorium for Christmas concert - 1:32:29 · Approve budget line breakdown as amended (relabeling savings to potential savings and ensuring 4 core teachers for virtual school) for Evolve Academy, RPA, and Virtual High School across 3 distinct cost centers — approved
Approve budget line breakdown as amended (relabeling savings to potential savings and ensuring 4 core teachers for virtual school) for Evolve Academy, RPA, and Virtual High School across 3 distinct cost centers - 1:58:05 · Approve Durfee High School Athletic Handbook update regarding credit recovery and seasonal eligibility — approved
Approve Durfee High School Athletic Handbook update regarding credit recovery and seasonal eligibility - 2:02:46 · Durfee High School Athletic Eligibility Standards
Athletic Director and administration outlined handbook changes removing immediate credit recovery eligibility loopholes during active athletic seasons. - 2:18:11 · Student Attendance Policy & Task Force Reinstatement
Assistant Superintendent Amy Bronhardt detailed attendance updates and chronic absenteeism reductions; the committee voted to re-establish the district Attendance Task Force. - 2:29:38 · Adopt amendment to reinstitute the district Attendance Task Force — approved
Adopt amendment to reinstitute the district Attendance Task Force - 2:33:50 · Approve updated Attendance Policy as amended — approved
Approve updated Attendance Policy as amended - 2:34:45 · Refer Public Comment Policy (7.5) back to Policy Subcommittee — referred
Refer Public Comment Policy (7.5) back to Policy Subcommittee - 2:34:48 · Approve Expense Reimbursement Policy (DKC) requiring annual CFO adjustments/manual updates — approved
Approve Expense Reimbursement Policy (DKC) requiring annual CFO adjustments/manual updates - 2:37:21 · Approve Destruction of Property Policy without the $500 minimum reporting threshold to record all vandalism — approved
Approve Destruction of Property Policy without the $500 minimum reporting threshold to record all vandalism - 2:40:04 · Vandalism & Damage Reporting Threshold
The committee voted to amend the destruction of property policy to document all instances of vandalism across district systems rather than setting a $500 minimum threshold. - 2:44:30 · Refer Civil Law Enforcement Act policy (7.8) to Policy Subcommittee — referred
Refer Civil Law Enforcement Act policy (7.8) to Policy Subcommittee - 2:44:31 · Associate Director of Human Resources Position
Executive Director Dr. Christine Godino requested an Associate Director position to lead recruitment, retention, and evaluations; approved after modifying the salary range to $110,000–$140,000. - 2:47:56 · Approve Associate Director of Human Resources job description at $125,000–$150,000 range — failed
Approve Associate Director of Human Resources job description at $125,000–$150,000 range - 2:59:54 · Waive policies GCE, GCF, GDE, and GDF to establish that the School Committee Executive Secretary/Administrative Assistant reports to, is hired by, and is supervised by the School Committee — passed
Waive policies GCE, GCF, GDE, and GDF to establish that the School Committee Executive Secretary/Administrative Assistant reports to, is hired by, and is supervised by the School Committee - 2:59:55 · Approve Associate Director of Human Resources job description with salary amended to $110,000–$140,000 — approved
Approve Associate Director of Human Resources job description with salary amended to $110,000–$140,000 - 2:59:59 · School Committee Administrative Assistant Governance Structure
The committee debated whether its administrative assistant should report to the committee or the superintendent, voting to waive conflicting policies and assigning oversight to the Vice Chair. - 3:17:57 · Task the Evaluation Subcommittee with interviewing and vetting finalist candidates for Administrative Assistant to the School Committee — passed
Task the Evaluation Subcommittee with interviewing and vetting finalist candidates for Administrative Assistant to the School Committee - 3:18:53 · Designate the School Committee Vice Chair as the primary point of contact for daily administrative assistant supervision — passed
Designate the School Committee Vice Chair as the primary point of contact for daily administrative assistant supervision - 3:19:04 · Table Strengthening ESL Programming and Services Grant (FC0182) — tabled
Table Strengthening ESL Programming and Services Grant (FC0182) - 3:21:10 · Approve entitlement grants except Early College Support (held) — approved
Approve entitlement grants except Early College Support (held) - 3:21:57 · Grant Approvals (Early College and Dual Language/MLL)
The committee reviewed grant submissions, debating timing, procurement of consultants, and early college teacher stipends before voting. - 3:22:28 · Approve Early College Support Grant (FC0460) with an update to be presented at an October subcommittee — approved
Approve Early College Support Grant (FC0460) with an update to be presented at an October subcommittee - 3:30:15 · Approve competitive grants except FC0181 and FC0182 (held) — approved
Approve competitive grants except FC0181 and FC0182 (held) - 3:32:40 · Approve Dual Language Planning Grant (FC0181) — approved
Approve Dual Language Planning Grant (FC0181) - 3:39:59 · Approve DocuSign contract — approved
Approve DocuSign contract - 3:41:15 · Approve transportation/foundation grant contracts (Fisher Bus, Seal Foundation) and miscellaneous contracts (except DocuSign and UAspire) — approved
Approve transportation/foundation grant contracts (Fisher Bus, Seal Foundation) and miscellaneous contracts (except DocuSign and UAspire) - 3:46:47 · Approve $55,000 UAspire contract for post-secondary college affordability counseling — approved
Approve $55,000 UAspire contract for post-secondary college affordability counseling - 3:49:48 · UAspire Contract and College Affordability Services
Discussion regarding a $55,000 contract for UAspire college affordability counseling, contractor timeline, and long-term student financial tracking. - 4:03:45 · Approve SPED contract with Tracy White — approved
Approve SPED contract with Tracy White - 4:04:16 · Approve contract with Coast Maintenance Supply — approved
Approve contract with Coast Maintenance Supply - 4:04:18 · Approve $85,000 contract with Central Poly for custom classroom trash liners — approved
Approve $85,000 contract with Central Poly for custom classroom trash liners - 4:10:00 · Enter into Executive Session under MGL Chapter 30A Sections 21A, 21A3, and 21A7 without returning to public session — approved
Enter into Executive Session under MGL Chapter 30A Sections 21A, 21A3, and 21A7 without returning to public session