The Fall River School Committee met on July 19, 2021, chaired initially by Vice Chairman Mark Costa in Mayor Paul Coogan’s temporary absence. During citizen input, resident Colin Dyas and an out-of-town resident, Hal Levin (whose letter was read into the record after rules were waived), criticized the committee and Vice Chair Costa regarding free speech and citizens’ input policies, referencing a recent letter from the ACLU. School Committee Legal Counsel Attorney Assad reported that he was reviewing the ACLU guidance and Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) amendments, with formal recommendations planned for the August meeting.
Interim Superintendent Maria Pontes provided district updates, highlighting construction milestones at Durfee High School, renovations across several school facilities, ongoing staffing and recruitment efforts, and ESSER federal grant timelines. Assistant Superintendent Dr. Cherise Taylor presented the findings of the David Almond Commission, which reviewed six district policies following the October 2020 tragedy. The committee voted unanimously to refer the report and its recommendations to the Policy Subcommittee for further action.
A contentious discussion arose over the fourth quarter budget transfers presented by Chief Financial Officer Kevin Almeida. Committee member Paul Aguiar pressed administration officials, including Chief Operations Officer Kenneth Pacheco, regarding approximately $3.1 million in transportation funds, arguing that bus companies like Tremblay’s Bus were owed money for COVID-related schedule cancellations during the school year. Mayor Coogan, who arrived during the discussion, and administration staff clarified that payments without rendered services or verified documentation of expenses and federal PPP relief could not be processed, and that the matter was subject to ongoing legal review. The transfers passed 6-1, with Aguiar dissenting. Following an executive session, the committee reconvened and approved multiple collective bargaining agreements—including contracts with the Fall River Educators’ Association (FREA) and clerical employees—as well as employment contracts for non-union personnel and administrative leaders.
Topics discussed
- 2:08 · Citizens Input Policy & ACLU Correspondence — passed
Speakers alleged First Amendment censorship in public comment; Legal Counsel Assad updated the committee on ACLU correspondence and MASC policy revisions. - 8:12 · Superintendent’s District Facilities and Staffing Report
Interim Superintendent Pontes updated on Durfee High School occupancy timelines, Watson, Henry Lord, and Talbot school projects, hiring progress, and ESSER grant deadlines. - 19:07 · Durfee Marching Band Travel Requests — approved
Approval of out-of-state travel for Durfee High School marching band competitions in Rhode Island and Connecticut. - 20:11 · Project Lead The Way and Stop & Shop Donations — approved
Acceptance of various school donations, including Project Lead The Way grants for multiple elementary and middle schools and $988.48 from Stop & Shop. - 23:17 · Aspen Software Contract — approved
Clarification and approval of the ongoing student information system contract renewal with Aspen. - 23:55 · Grant Approvals — approved
Approval of grant funds including $490,580 for Coordinated Family Community Engagement, $180,000 for Doran 21st Century learning, and others. - 25:02 · School Nurse Appointments — approved
Approval of appointments for Linda Arruda, Ann-Marie Furtado, and Stephanie McHenry as school nurses. - 25:34 · David Almond Commission Findings — approved
Presentation by Dr. Cherise Taylor on the Almond Commission’s review of district attendance, crisis, and student transfer policies following the October 2020 death of David Almond. - 26:14 · Approval of successor contract between Fall River Public Schools and Fall River Educators’ Association (FREA) — approved
- 33:20 · Bus Vendor Contracts and FY21 Fourth Quarter Transfers — referred
Debate on whether to transfer $3.1 million in transportation balances to the city versus encumbering funds for bus vendors (such as Tremblay’s) for cancelled school days during COVID-19. - 56:45 · Motion by Paul Aguiar to pay 50% of transportation amounts for the first 10 days of school and Wednesdays — failed
- 1:14:57 · Approval of the fourth quarter revolving fund report — approved
- 1:15:53 · Approval of year-to-date FY21 budget report — approved
- 1:20:10 · Moment of Silence for Former Mayor Robert Correia — approved
Committee members paid tribute and held a moment of silence for former Fall River Mayor Robert Correia and deceased staff members. - 1:21:52 · Approval of executive session minutes for June 14, June 21, and June 24, 2021 — approved
- 1:26:47 · Approval of employment contracts for non-union administrators and personnel (Maria Pontes, Kevin Almeida, Kenneth Pacheco, Scott Cabral, and staff) — approved
- 1:29:43 · Collective Bargaining & Non-Union Personnel Contracts — passed
Approval of MOAs and successor contracts with FREA and civil service clerical employees, along with individual administrator and non-union employment contracts. - 1:29:54 · Approval of MOA between the Fall River Public Schools and civil service clerical employees — approved