Fall River Public Schools public meetings in 2020

Finance Meeting

The Fall River Public Schools Finance Committee will hold a meeting on December 21, 2020. The agenda includes procedural items and two discussions under Committee of the Whole: a discussion on the district's fiscal policy and a discussion on a Special Education Stabilization Fund. No votes or decisions are scheduled; the items are for discussion only.

• Discussion: Fiscal Policy for District
• Discussion: Special Education Stabilization Fund

The committee discussed discrepancies between district fiscal policy and actual practice regarding budget line items and hiring. Members also reviewed the potential creation of a Special Education Stabilization Fund, though no formal actions were taken.

REGULAR MEETING OF THE FALL RIVER SCHOOL COMMITTEE

The School Committee met to approve several district donations, service contracts, and federal grants. The meeting also included a committee of the whole discussion regarding budget priorities and COVID-19 reopening planning.

• Acceptance of $30,000 worth of face masks from Matouk
• Acceptance of $10,000 donation and appliances from Whirlpool
• Approval of $10,500 contract with Conlon & Sons Refrigeration Inc.
• Approval of $49,999.73 contract with Over Drive Education for SORA ebooks
• Approval of $209,670 in total federal grants

The School Committee approved the minutes from the October 19, 2020, regular meeting. The session included public comments via letters regarding remote learning and COVID-19 safety protocols. No other substantive decisions were recorded.

• Approved October 19, 2020 Regular School Committee Meeting minutes (7-0)
• Approved motion to waive rules to allow reading of letters from out-of-town residents during Citizens' Input (7-0)

Facilities and Operations Subcommittee

The Facilities and Operations Subcommittee will discuss and vote on referring several items to the full School Committee, including a Statement of Interest for window, boiler, and roof replacements at Wiley School. Other discussions cover athletic infrastructure capital needs, an HVAC job description, a plan for the PACE Center/Auditorium Building, and window repairs at Stone @ Westall. The meeting also includes procedural items and public comment.

• Discussion and vote to refer: Statement of Interest for Wiley windows, boilers and roof
• Discussion: Athletic Infrastructure-Capital Needs
• Discussion and vote to refer: HVAC job description
• Discussion and vote to refer: Plan for PACE Center/ Auditorium Building
• Discussion: Window Repair at Stone @ Westall

Special Meeting of the Fall River School Committee

The Fall River School Committee is holding a special meeting that includes a request for executive session to discuss complaints brought against a school official and to conduct a strategy session for negotiations with nonunion personnel. The agenda also allows for public comment and new business, but no other substantive votes or decisions are listed.

• Request for executive session under M.G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 21 (a)(1) to discuss complaints against a school official
• Request for executive session under M.G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 21(a)(2) for strategy session on nonunion personnel negotiations
• Citizens' input period for public comments not limited to agenda items

The School Committee held a special meeting and voted to enter an executive session. The session was held to discuss complaints against a school official and strategy for nonunion personnel contract negotiations. No other substantive decisions were recorded.

• Approved motion to enter executive session (6-0)

REGULAR MEETING OF THE FALL RIVER SCHOOL COMMITTEE

The Fall River School Committee approved a large package of contracts totaling over $5 million, the bulk for special education tuition at outside facilities. It also accepted a donation of PPE, approved two grants, and discussed turnaround plans for three schools and a COVID-19 reopening update. New policies were adopted, and the Disney refund for Durfee High School was tabled.

• Accepted PPE donation of 750 face shields, 10,000 masks, 1,000 fabric masks from Rep. Carole Fiola & Klear Vu
• Approved contracts including $11,400 for Talbot Middle School exhaust fan repair and $16,762 for Kuss board replacement
• Approved special education tuition contracts totaling over $5 million, with South Coast Educational Collaborative at $1.7M
• Approved $125,000 Targeted Assistance Grant and $33,000 Early College Support Grant
• Adopted new policies after amending to allow full-time camera use subject to Google background check

The School Committee approved all presented donations and most contracts. The South Coast Educational Collaborative contract was approved after the committee referred the matter to the Special Education/Alternative Education Subcommittee for further discussion.

• Accepted all donations (7-0)
• Approved all contracts excluding South Coast Collaborative (7-0)
• Referred South Coast Collaborative to Special Education/Alternative Education Subcommittee for further discussion (7-0)
• Approved South Coast Educational Collaborative contract (7-0)

REGULAR MEETING OF THE FALL RIVER SCHOOL COMMITTEE

The Fall River School Committee met on October 19, 2020, to approve vendor contracts, accept donations, and ratify prior meeting minutes. The approved contracts fund special education nursing, technology upgrades, and facility repairs, while donations support athletic gear, classroom supplies, and public health items. The committee also received a superintendent’s report on the school reopening plan and capital improvement projects. The agenda cuts off at item 10.

• Approved contracts for special education nursing ($314,545.00), wireless network equipment ($81,625.83), and storefront installation ($34,000.00).
• Accepted donations including $4,444.00 for swim/dive parkas, $490.11 for saxophone parts, and classroom supplies.
• Approved grant contracts for Title I services ($27,906.00 and $67,653.00) and ESSER technology purchases ($36,437.20 and $29,017.20).
• Received a superintendent’s update on the school reopening plan and capital improvement projects.
• Ratified minutes from five subcommittee and special meetings held in September and October.

Superintendent Malone provided updates on construction progress at Durfee High School, Watson School, Resiliency Preparatory Academy, and Stone @ Westall. The committee discussed the lack of funding for a new baseball field and the impact of a 228-student decrease in district enrollment. No formal votes were recorded in the provided text.

• Referred Durfee High School baseball field funding discussion to the Facilities and Operations Subcommittee

Policy Subcommittee Meeting

The Policy Subcommittee will discuss recommended policy changes from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) from 2020 newsletters, consider removing certain policies, and review updates to the Nondiscrimination Policy. The meeting also includes public comment and new business.

• Discussion of MASC policy recommendations from Jan, May, Jul, Aug 2020
• Discussion to remove listed policies from the FRPS Policy Manual
• Discussion to review and update the Nondiscrimination Policy
• Discussion to review and adopt new policies for Fall River Public Schools

The subcommittee voted to refer recommended MASC policy updates and the potential removal of four specific policies to the full committee. Members also discussed updating the Nondiscrimination Policy and reviewing new policies regarding educational equity, immunizations, and remote learning.

• Approved motion to refer recommended MASC policy updates to the full committee (unanimous)
• Approved motion to refer policies IHA, JLA, JLD, and JP to the full committee for consideration of removal or maintenance (unanimous)

Special Education/Alternative Education and Early College Subcommittee Meeting

This subcommittee meeting of the Fall River School Committee includes discussions on updates to Special Education, the RPA Redesign, Early College, and Early Childhood programs. The agenda consists entirely of discussion items and procedural matters, with no votes or concrete decisions scheduled.

• Discussion: Update on Special Education
• Discussion: Update on RPA Redesign
• Discussion: Early College
• Discussion: Update on Early Childhood

The subcommittee discussed COVID-19 remote service plans, the district's approval to join SMEC, and the implementation of the RPA Intake and Assessment Center. No formal votes were taken; the committee requested a written special education update within 30 days.

Special Meeting of the Fall River School Committee

This special meeting of the Fall River School Committee includes public comment and new business. The main action is a request to enter executive session under state law to discuss complaints brought against a school official. No other substantive votes or proposals are on the agenda.

• Citizens' input period for public comment
• New business for unanticipated topics
• Request for executive session per M.G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 21(a)(1) to discuss complaints against a school official

The School Committee held a special meeting and voted to enter an executive session. The session was convened to discuss complaints brought against a school official. The committee did not reconvene in open session following the executive session.

• Approved motion to enter executive session to discuss complaints against a school official (7-0)

REGULAR MEETING OF THE FALL RIVER SCHOOL COMMITTEE

The Fall River School Committee will consider approving $10.9 million in federal and state grants for special education, Title I, and other programs. Members will also vote on contracts for technology, curriculum licenses, nursing services, and cleaning, plus the appointment of nurses for COVID-19 holding rooms.

• Approval of $10,966,078 in grants including SPED 94-142 ($3.3M), Title I ($5.6M), and Title II ($575K)
• Contracts totaling over $590K including $81,735 for i-Ready math/reading licenses, $63,450 for Dreambox Learning, and $61,113 for copier services
• Acceptance of a $5,000 donation from United Way for K-8 art supplies and a $1,000 donation from Mayor Coogan (the latter was excluded by vote)
• Appointment of Sally Borges and Beatriz Furtado as school nurses and approval of Certified Nursing Assistants for COVID-19 holding rooms

The School Committee approved the meeting minutes from July 20, August 10, and August 24, 2020. Superintendent Malone provided updates on the reopening of schools, student device distribution, and the progress of capital projects including Durfee High School.

• Approved July 20, 2020 Regular Meeting minutes (7-0)
• Approved August 10, 2020 Regular Meeting minutes (7-0)
• Approved August 24, 2020 Special Meeting minutes (7-0)

Special Meeting of the Fall River School Committee

The Fall River School Committee voted 6-1 to approve spending $1 million in CARES Act Elementary and Secondary Education Emergency Relief funds on school transportation. The meeting also included procedural items such as opening, public comment, and adjournment.

• Approved $1,000,000 in CARES Act funds for school transportation (motion passed 6-1)

The School Committee voted to allocate $1M from the CARES Act Elementary and Secondary Education Emergency Relief Fund to cover school transportation costs. This action provides a $1M savings to the city budget, which Mayor Coogan stated would be used for public safety.

• Approved spending $1M in CARES ACT: Elementary and Secondary Education Emergency Relief Fund on School Transportation (5-1)
• Denied amendment to reduce by $1M the amount taken from the city Stabilization account (1-5)

Special Meeting of the Fall River School Committee

The Fall River School Committee held a special meeting on August 24, 2020, and voted to approve the amended FY2021 budget. The budget includes $114,789,347 for operations and $11,000,000 for transportation. The motion passed unanimously (7–0). The agenda also included procedural items such as citizens' input and new business.

• Discussion and vote to approve amended FY2021 budget: $114,789,347 operating, $11,000,000 transportation – motion passed 7–0

The School Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2021 Annual Operating Budget and school transportation funding. The budget includes the addition of one full-time equivalent nurse and restores previous reductions in operating costs.

• Approved FY2021 Annual Operating Budget of $114,789,347 (7-0)
• Approved School Transportation funding of $11,000,000 (7-0)

REGULAR MEETING OF THE FALL RIVER SCHOOL COMMITTEE

The Fall River School Committee will consider approving over $2.5 million in contracts, including a $1.1 million online curriculum platform, technology purchases, and COVID-19 supplies. The committee will also vote on accepting donations totaling over $53,000 from Amazon and Project Lead the Way.

• $1,096,500 contract with Pearson Online and Blended Learning for elementary online curriculum
• $224,900 contract with Verizon for 1,000 hotspots and service
• $162,861.50 contract with CDW-G for technology for Catholic schools
• $25,000 donation from Amazon for chromebooks
• $9,033.60 donation from Project Lead the Way for Greene Elementary training and supplies

REGULAR MEETING OF THE FALL RIVER SCHOOL COMMITTEE

The Fall River School Committee met on July 20, 2020 and approved minutes from prior meetings, accepted donations, and voted to approve a series of contracts for facilities, technology, and special‑education services. It also approved state grants totaling $612,663 for community engagement, after‑school programming, and other initiatives, and authorized a staff conversion at Talbot Middle School and a motion limiting the superintendent’s professional salary line item. Additional discussion included the draft plan for fall school reopening, FY2020 and FY2021 budget presentations, and approval to use Durfee High School’s parking lot for a drive‑in movie night.

• Approval of contracts: $28,871.67 for Dude Solutions maintenance software; $60,259.50 for Follett/X2 Aspen Student Information System renewal; $65,000 for IE US special‑education tutoring services
• Approval of state grants totaling $612,663 for coordinated family engagement, after‑school programming, and other projects
• Acceptance of donations: $4,000 from Project Lead the Way for Morton Middle School; $2,000 from Rexel Energy Solutions for hygiene and equipment; $896.67 from Stop & Shop A+Rewards; $687.50 from Project Lead the Way for Kuss Middle School; $490 from Durfee Sports Boosters for awards
• Conversion of 1.0 Instructional Support Liaison and 1.0 ESL paraprofessional to 1.0 ESL Teacher at Talbot Middle School
• Motion limiting the superintendent’s professional salary line item to the funded appropriation for academic staff

The committee reviewed a Remote Learning Report and discussed the development of the Flex Learning Academy to improve student engagement. No substantive votes or decisions were recorded in the provided minutes.

Special Meeting

The Fall River School Committee held a special meeting to approve the superintendent's report, accept a $7,500 donation for the Stone School playground, and adopt a series of contracts for facilities, construction, and services. The committee also approved FY20 net school spending for health insurance, awarded a five‑year special education bus transportation contract, and entered an executive session to discuss legal and collective‑bargaining matters.

• Accept $7,500 donation from Millstone Medical Outsourcing LLC for Stone School playground
• Approve $60,000 facilities contract with Civil Environmental Consultants for design documents
• Approve $40,500 Century Paving contract for Stone School playground and basketball court
• Award 5‑year Special Education Bus Transportation contract (IFB 20‑35)
• Approve FY20 net school spending health insurance

REGULAR MEETING OF THE FALL RIVER SCHOOL COMMITTEE

The Fall River School Committee will vote on multiple curriculum contracts, including a $1,137,966 Carnegie Learning math program and an $874,838 McGraw Hill literacy curriculum, both funded by Puerto Rico funds. They will also consider a $550,000 Barr Foundation grant and a $1.2 million appropriation from state/county assessments to the school budget. The meeting includes discussion of the FY2021 budget and a joint management report on diversity and equity.

• Approval of Carnegie Learning Math Solutions for grades 6-12: $1,137,966.40 over 6 years
• Approval of McGraw Hill Wonders Early Literacy Curriculum for K-2: $874,838.65 over 5 years
• Vote to accept $550,000 Barr Foundation grant (Years 3 and 4)
• Discussion and vote to spend $1.2M appropriation from State & County Assessments to School Appropriation
• Recognition of 29 retirees for 2019-2020 school year

REGULAR MEETING OF THE FALL RIVER SCHOOL COMMITTEE

The Fall River School Committee will vote on an emergency grading procedure for the 2019-2020 school year and on allowing school choice for out-of-district students in grades 6-12 and non-resident children of employees in grades K-5. The committee will also discuss the FY21 budget, approve transportation contracts up to five years, and accept a $500 donation for adaptive bowling.

• Vote on School Year 2019-2020 Emergency Student Grading Procedure
• Vote to approve school choice for out-of-district students (grades 6-12) and non-resident employee children (grades K-5) for 2020-2021
• Award of five-year transportation contracts (IFB 20-28) for yellow buses, special education, McKinney-Vento vans, and athletics
• Discussion and vote on FY21 GATE program phasing
• Acceptance of a $500 donation from Bizsko Construction for the Adapted Bowling Open

The School Committee approved five-year transportation contracts and an emergency student grading procedure for the 2019-2020 school year. The board also authorized school choice for certain non-resident students and employees for 2020-2021. Financial reports and a $500 donation for adapted bowling were also processed.

• Approved 5-year transportation contracts IFB 20-28
• Approved 2019-2020 Emergency Student Grading Procedure
• Approved School Choice for specific out-of-district and non-resident students for 2020-2021
• Approved FY21 GATE Program Phasing
• Approved changes to School Committee approval of Bill Schedules for procurement
• Approved Third Quarter Transfer and Third Quarter Revolving Fund
• Approved Year-to-Date Budget Report
• Accepted $500 donation from Bizsko Construction for Adapted Bowling Open