The Fall River School Committee met on October 15, 2019, to conduct regular business, review district accountability data, and address several significant financial matters. During citizens input, community members spoke in support of the Kuss Middle School theater arts program, prompting the committee to later allocate $10,000 to each of the city’s five middle schools ($50,000 total) for performing arts out of unexpended Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands relief funds. Superintendent Dr. Matthew Malone presented updates on the new Durfee High School construction project, which reached three-fifths of its skeletal foundation, and celebrated the state Senate’s unanimous 37-0 passage of the Student Opportunity Act, projected to bring upwards of $15 million in new foundation funding to Fall River next year and approximately $75 million over seven years.
A central focus of the meeting was an extensive presentation on the 2019 district accountability data delivered by Dr. Tracy Curley and the assistant superintendents. Fall River Public Schools achieved a 42% criterion-referenced target completion rate, categorized overall as not requiring assistance or intervention. The presentation highlighted notable progress at schools utilizing the Achievement Network (ANet) coaching model—such as Fonseca, Henry Lord, and Talbot, which met or exceeded 75% of their targets—prompting discussions on expanding instructional supports, paraprofessional staffing, and social-emotional learning districtwide. Committee members raised concerns regarding flatlined standardized test scores, paraprofessional-to-student ratios, and educator retention.
The committee also took action on multiple financial and administrative items. Members approved expenditures from the Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands relief funds, including $200,000 for a site-based Innovation Improvement Fund, $74,264 for an English Language Learner department head at Durfee High School, $40,000 for inclusion playgrounds at Spencer Borden and Greene schools, and full paraprofessional staffing in foundation rooms. Additionally, the committee approved a $750,000 expenditure from the employee trust fund, accepted donations totaling over $17,000, authorized three new ELL positions, approved the superintendent’s evaluation tool and goals, and, following an executive session, ratified collective bargaining agreements and multiple individual non-union contracts.
Topics discussed
- 11:24 · New Durfee High School Construction Update
Superintendent Malone detailed ongoing progress on the Ellsbury Street project, citing 5,000+ cubic yards of concrete poured, 1,300 tons of steel erected, and an upcoming topping-off ceremony. - 13:11 · Student Opportunity Act and Foundation Budget
Superintendent Malone explained the Senate’s passage of the Act, projecting a 7-year phase-in adding over $15 million next year and roughly $75 million long term to Fall River schools. - 16:22 · Fall 2019 District Enrollment and Demographics
District figures showed an enrollment increase of 110 students year-over-year, alongside demographic data showing 17% English learners, 21.6% special education students, and a 50/50 white/non-white ratio. - 22:57 · Accept philanthropic donations totaling over $17,000 to district schools — approved
- 23:43 · Acceptance of Educational Donations — approved
The committee accepted technology and cash donations from corporate and community donors totaling more than $17,000 across multiple schools. - 24:49 · Approve creation of two bilingual paraprofessionals and one community facilitator position at Durfee High School — approved
- 25:25 · Approve district contracts including Delta-T Group and Emerald Bus Company — approved
- 26:17 · Staffing Contracts and Special Education Consultants — approved
The committee reviewed a $100,000 contract with Delta-T Group to provide certified special education teachers due to staffing shortages. - 54:41 · 2019 District Accountability & MCAS Presentation — approved
Dr. Tracy Curley and district leadership outlined school accountability percentiles ranging from 2 to 55, met target percentages from 20% to 87%, and an overall district target rating of 42%. - 1:13:30 · ANet and Targeted Academic Interventions
Instructional leaders demonstrated that schools using ANet coaching achieved 75% of performance targets compared to 17-25% elsewhere, advocating expanded implementation. - 1:21:49 · Social-Emotional Learning & Attendance Initiatives
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Dargan presented on Choose Love curriculum rollout, the Handle with Care first-responder notification system, PBIS, and improved district attendance (92.4%). - 2:21:13 · Approve creation of the $200,000 Innovation Improvement Fund for school-level improvement grants — approved
- 2:27:07 · Puerto Rico / US Virgin Islands Relief Fund Allocation
CFO Kevin Almeida outlined expenditures from the remaining $983,938 relief fund, funding an ELL department head at Durfee ($74,264), inclusion playgrounds ($40,000 total), and $200,000 in contingency. - 2:28:29 · Approve expenditures from Puerto Rico/USVI funds: $200k contingency, $74,264 for Durfee ELL department head, and $40,000 for playgrounds at Spencer Borden and Greene — approved
- 2:29:25 · Middle School Theater Arts Funding
Citizens and committee members discussed severe equipment and budget deficits within middle school performing arts, resulting in a $50,000 allocation across five middle schools. - 2:54:21 · Approve amended motion authorizing any available School Committee member to serve as delegate at the MASC/MASS joint conference — approved
- 2:56:35 · Approve second reading of School Committee and Superintendent goals as amended with HR retention calculation methodology — approved
- 2:59:23 · Superintendent and Committee Evaluation Goals — approved
The committee debated the second reading of annual goals, focusing on target percentages, evolved high school academies, and the specific formula used to calculate teacher retention. - 3:18:43 · City-School Indirect Cost MOU Negotiations — approved
The committee discussed indirect cost-sharing terms with municipal government, including Medicaid reimbursements, legal fee language, and school resource officer funding. - 3:20:27 · Approve motion to place SRO standard operating procedures on a future agenda — approved
- 3:20:42 · Employee Trust Fund Expenditure — approved
The committee authorized the expenditure of $750,000 from the employee trust fund account. - 3:21:09 · Approve expenditure of $750,000 from the employee trust fund — approved
- 3:22:51 · Bilingual Support Staffing Expansion — referred
The committee approved creating three new positions at Durfee High School and directed the superintendent to ensure full paraprofessional staffing in foundation classrooms districtwide. - 3:34:36 · Authorize superintendent to fully staff all foundation rooms with paraprofessionals using Puerto Rico relief funding — approved
- 3:44:24 · Collective Bargaining & Non-Union Contracts — approved
Following executive session, the committee approved a CBA with Government Program Employees, a settlement in BSEA case #1910545, an MOA with FREA, and multiple non-union staff contracts. - 3:45:10 · Approve collective bargaining agreement with Government Program Employees — approved
- 3:45:35 · Approve legal settlement in Bureau of Special Education Appeals case #1910545 — approved
- 3:45:55 · Approve memorandum of agreement with the Fall River Educators Association — approved
- 3:48:55 · Approve non-union employment contracts for nine individual central office and support staff — approved
- 3:50:40 · Schedule a special School Committee meeting for October 29, 2019 at 5:30 PM — approved