7.20.2020 Fall River School Committee

The Fall River School Committee met on July 20, 2020, presided over by Mayor Paul Coogan. During citizen input, letters were entered into the record from educators at the John J. Doran Community School and the Charlton M. Viveiros Elementary School expressing concerns over the loss of Extended Learning Time (ELT) and its impact on academic interventions and teacher compensation. In his report, Superintendent Dr. Matthew Malone presented findings on the spring remote learning rollout, provided updates on the Fall River Flex Learning Academy, announced outdoor graduation ceremonies for Durfee High School and RPA, and noted ongoing capital projects including boiler, window, and roof replacements across several district schools.

The committee engaged in a lengthy discussion regarding the district's draft school reopening plan for the 2020-2021 school year. Dr. Malone outlined the constraints of fully in-person instruction, noting that 100% capacity would require a $6.5 million increase in transportation costs due to bus distancing requirements. Instead, he recommended a phased hybrid model using six-foot distancing, four student cohorts, mandatory masks for all students, and an initial review benchmark on November 15, 2020. Committee members debated the operational hurdles of scheduling, busing, lunch rotations, social-emotional learning, and the need for hotspot connectivity for approximately 1,000 families lacking internet access.

In business matters, the committee approved several donations, contracts, and routine grants. Members also voted to authorize the superintendent to hire necessary educational and academic personnel without exceeding the level-funded professional salaries appropriation for FY21. Other approvals included staff position conversions at Talbot Middle School, permitting the use of the Durfee High School parking lot for a community drive-in movie night in conjunction with 2020 Census awareness, and the establishment of an annual memorial award and tree planting in honor of long-serving custodian Robert Medeiros. Following an executive session, the committee formally approved non-union employment contracts for several technical, administrative, and instructional staff members.

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