3.4.2026 Fall River School Committee

I'm sorry.

No, no, no, no. That's fine.

[snorts] Like to call to order the regular meeting of the forest school committee for March 4th. Uh Deb, would you please call the role?

Mr. A here.

Mr. Das here.

Mr. Corey here.

Mr. Monus here.

Mr. Riley here.

Miss Stewart here. Mayor Cuban here. Salute to the flag.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Pursuant to the open meeting law, any person may make an audio or video recording of this public meeting or may transmit the meeting through any medium.

Attendees are therefore advised that such recordings of transmissions are being made whether perceived or unpersceived by those present and deemed acknowledged and permissible. We have a number of people signed up tonight for citizens input. So everybody's going to be obviously capped at three minutes.

We're going to try to work our way through everybody. If you hear something that's been said before, um be respectful and you don't have to say it again. If you want to submit something in writing, we'll take them right up to after the meeting. First up, Mary Ellen Shaw, Full Circle, Portsmith.

Good evening. Um, before I start, I just want to apologize in advance for having to leave directly after this, but I have a family obligation.

So, we are here, principles, directors are here to collectively and unequivocally support Dr. Tracy Curley and urge you to reconsider any action that would dismiss her as the superintendent of Fall River Schools.

Dr. Curley is not only a seasoned educational leader, she is a product of Fall River Public Schools and a lifelong servant of this community. Her career reflects a deep and sustained commitment to this district from classroom teacher to administrator to principal at Henry Lord and I lost my place. Oh to assistant superintendent and now superintendent.

She understands Fall River because she has lived it, led within it and dedicated her life's work to its success. As superintendent, Dr. Curley has led with strength, stability, and tireless devotion. She has successfully bargained union contracts, supported the transition of two elementary schools out of Desi oversight, and guided a district serving more than 10,000 students. Under

her leadership, Watson was among only 94 states schools statewide serving grades three to eight whose MCCAST achievement met or exceeded prepandemic levels.

These accomplishments reflect focused leadership and a clear commitment to student success. The responsibilities of a superintendent are vast and constant.

From navigating weather emergencies, family concerns to overseeing staff evaluations, bargaining units, district priorities, the role demands resilience and steady leadership.

Dr. Curley [clears throat] meets these responsibilities with professionalism and grace. She is visible in our schools, walking hallways, observing classrooms, participating in PLC's, speaking with families, and supporting staff. She is accessible early in the morning, late in the evening, and on weekends when the district or one of us needs her. As principles and directors entrusted with leading our school

committee, we state clearly, "We are confident in Dr. Dr. Curley's leadership and cannot support an outcome that would prevent her from continuing to lead the district.

Educational leadership requires reflection collaboration and thoughtful decisionmaking grounded in what is best for students. Too often the narrative about Fall River overlooks our success. Our district is improving and moving forward and Dr. Curley has been instrumental in that progress. removing her now risks disrupting disrupting momentum, morale, and stability across our schools. We respectfully urge you to

reconsider this potential vote and continue working with Superintendent Curley to build on the progress we have made together.

Our students, families, and staff deserve steady leadership and a unified commitment to their success. Fall River public schools are stronger when we lead together and keep students at the forefront. Thank you.

Thank you.

Next up, Jess Kunan, North Main Street, Fall River.

[snorts] Three minutes, please, guys. Thank you.

Good evening, members of school committee, Mayor Kugan and Superintendent Curley. We, the educators of Sylvia School, are writing to provide a unified perspective on the current climate of our school community. While we respect public discourse, we feel it is important to address the disparity between the narratives being shared in public sessions and the professional reality within our halls. At Sylvia, our

staff and administration work collaboratively to create the core beliefs that drive our school. We strive to uphold a mission to foster a safe, inclusive environment where we teach the whole child, honoring diversity while equipping students with the self-reliance skills needed to become independent thinkers. This year has been one of significant growth as we transition to a full inclusion model.

While any systemic shift of this magnitude brings inherent trials and tribulations, we refuse to allow these challenges to be used as a narrative against the value of inclusion itself.

This transition was a decision made by the district special educa special education department with input from staff. It is meaningful work being undertaken by many forward-thinking schools and we are proud to be among them. Since September, we have been proactive and adaptive making numerous shifts in our approach to meet every challenge. We remain steadfast in our professional dedication to this vision

and fully support our administration as we continue this work.

It is deeply concerning to see truths become twisted and isolated incidents amplified on social media and during public input. Fall River deserves the best educators and Sylvia is currently filled with deeply dedicated professionals who care for our students.

We are disheartened by the public speculation regarding why staff members may have moved on from Sylvia in the past. Teacher retention is a systemic concern across the country. to attribute individual career decisions to our inclusion model or school culture is both inaccurate and reductive.

Furthermore, we must address the climate of these meetings. The consistently unprofessional and dismissive behavior directed towards school leadership and staff during committee sessions is not encouraging highquality candidates to join our district. To attract and retain the talent our students deserve, we must maintain a culture of respect at every level of leadership. We ask the

committee and the public to recognize Sylvia School as a building of dedicated professionals who are focused on the success and well-being of every child.

We invite the members of this committee to visit our classrooms and witness the hard work being done by our students and staff. We believe this perspective is essential to help you fulfill your role in making informed educated decisions regarding our school system.

15 seconds. Oh, thank you.

Uh McKenzie Crumbley um Prospect Street Fall River three minutes please.

McKenzie thank you.

Good evening members of the school committee mayor Kugan and Superintendent Curley. I am speaking tonight on behalf of Sylvia's seal team. Over the past several weeks, there have been some concerning comments made about our Sylvia school community, our team, and the culture inside our building.

Specifically, there were statements suggesting that our six member team made up of school adjustment counselors, leaison, and a behavior therapist is unresponsive and indifferent when it comes to serious behavioral concerns. We want to be honest. It was deeply discouraging to hear comments made about this group of professionals who dedicate an enormous amount of time and commitment to supporting children. When

those who devote their careers to supporting students are labeled as uncaring, it hurts. But more importantly, it also misses misses the larger context of what schools everywhere are currently experiencing.

Across the country, we are in the midst of a youth mental health crisis that has completely shifted what schools are being asked to handle. Schools are seeing more students struggling with emotional regulation, impulse control, trauma, anxiety, and peer conflict.

Classrooms today are not only places of academic learning. They have become the frontline environments for social emotional support, crisis response, and behavioral intervention.

What we are experiencing at Sylvia is not unique to our school or our district. It is happening in communities across the country. Sometimes students walk into our building carrying burdens that would be difficult for any adult to manage, let alone a 10, eight, or even a 5-year-old.

Last year, we had a kindergarten student arrive at Sylvia who did not have a safe or stable environment outside of our school and did not yet maintain the skills to maintain safety for more than about 10 minutes in a structured space.

Through months of patient work, our staff built relationships with this child. In this case, the first stable, trusting relationship they had ever experienced. Because of this work, the student had made has made outstanding progress and now participates safely in class with minimal support. That is the kind of work we are proud of at Sylvia, a place where we believe a child's social emotional well-being matters just

as much as their academic progress. None of this means that inappropriate behavior is ignored. Accountability matters. Safety matters. When behavioral incidents occur, they are documented, investigated, and addressed through established protocols. This team spends significant time during the day responding to classroom calls, communicating with families, developing behavior plans, consulting with

specialists, supporting both the students involved and the students affected, among other countless responsibilities. Much of that work happens quietly behind the scenes. It may not always be visible, but invisible does not mean non-existent.

If we want to improve outcomes for students, we must focus on constructive solutions. This means strengthening mental health supports, empowering families, and equipping staff with training and resources needed to meet the increasingly complex student needs.

It is always fair to ask how we can do better. But we ask that those conversations happen with accuracy.

That's three notes, perspective, and respect. As we close this, we want to extend not just an invitation, but an open door. Come to Sylvia, walk our halls, step in our classrooms, see the moments that don't always make it into reports and data sheets. the small victories, the patient guidance, and the care of staff members who know every child by name. The steady commitment to helping each student feel

seen, valued, and capable. Thank you.

Uh, next up, Michael Herren, Stafford Road, Fall River.

Three minutes, please, Mike.

I am not a teacher or a member of the staff of the former public school systems, but I am a proud Driffy Hill Topper.

My grandparents, my parents, my brother and myself went from elementary school to high school and I was incredibly blessed to receive the education that I receive before the public school system in forever.

But today, I am extremely concerned on the course that this body seems destined to take.

Not because of performance or input of data, but because of politics and personal grudges.

With incredible growth in the AP program and attendance with the FREA, these fantastic teachers, principles, parents, parent groups, coaches, all pledging their support to the current superintendent. How can you possibly think you know more than them? And I'm speaking to the three new members on this body.

How is your sample size big enough to evaluate this when these people do this for a living and they're here before you today?

I believe it's grossly negligent and a derelction of duty.

I strongly me recommend that the three new members take some time to do their due diligence, take some input to take some information and make an aformed opinion which I don't think is possible with your short stay here. You owe that to your constituents, your students, the teachers, the staff of the for public schools, and most importantly, the citizens of Far River, Massachusetts.

To this committee, I recommend all of you that you read a book called Profiles and Courage, which won a pullet surprise and was written by the late great John F.

Kennedy. and he talks about politicians who displayed exceptional moral character and courage during some of the most darkest, difficult and confusing times.

This process has been rushed, not studied and not analyzed properly and it reeks of political pay payback and retribution.

And therein lies my problem with this.

10 seconds, Mike.

I don't worry about it. I ask the three members of this of of this the three members of this of this the three new members of this committee to have the courage the character and let your conscience be your guide and your oath to make this decision. Thank you for your time.

Uh, next up, Keith Michonne, Tryan Avenue, East Province.

Good evening. I'm Keith Michon, president of the Far River Educators Association. Last week, we held a general membership meeting with our where our members voted to publicly oppose early termination of the superintendent's contract without cause.

members cited concerns about the conduct of the school committee members, the potential impact on future district leadership recruitment and disruption that this would cause our students and school communities.

Our our position is grounded in principle. All employees, whether educators, staff, or the superintendent, deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. The manner in which leadership decisions are handled matters not only for those directly involved, but for the entire school community. As a labor leader, it's not typical for unions to come at the to the defense of the management, but what's right is right.

This is not to say everything is perfect or that we don't have disagreements with district leadership. We do. There is important work ahead and I believe Dr.

Curley would be the first to acknowledge that the improvement must begin with her team. But election officials must also look in the mirror. Publicly disparaging someone because you disagree with their appointment is not leadership.

Bombarding an employee with excessive demands that disrupt day-to-day operations is not governance.

Scrutinizing every action while expecting confident decision-making is not oversight. It is destabilization.

The middle of the school year is not the time to create unnecessary turmoil. If you have the privilege to supervise, evaluate, and direct, understand that it requires you to be supportive, empathetic, and equitable.

Each election season, we question, we ask the question, how can Fall River improve its reputation? Many point to public safety, drugs, homelessness.

Those are real challenges. But we cannot ignore the fact that people are watching these meetings and concluding that the school committee is more focused on politics than on our schools. The perception, fair or not, damages our city's reputation. Our students deserve stability. Our educators deserve respect. And this city deserves leadership that puts schools before politics. Let's rise to that responsibility.

Okay.

Uh, next up, Becca Collins, Fall River.

Good evening. I'm speaking today after out of deep concern for the direction and culture of the school committee. The committee has called a special meeting last week to consider invoking a termination without cause clause in the superintendent's contract. Not even a mother nature agreed with that. So, here we are tonight. I want to express that as from a citizen's perspective, this

decision does not appear to come from a place of stability, collaboration or good good governance. Instead, it reflects a broader pattern of behavior that has become increasing increasingly visible and troubling. Over the past year, this committee has often operated in a way that feels divisive, micromanaging, and retroact reactive.

Routine administration matters consistency escalates uh consistently escalating into public confrontation.

Professional degree disagreements repeatedly become personal. Instead of empowering the superintendent and her team to do their jobs, there has been a persistent effort to undermine her leadership, question her decisions, and in a way it feels performative rather than productive. And it blurs the boundaries between governance and management. This environment is not in a silo. It shapes the entire district. And

right now the culture being created is one of chaos, instability, and fear. As a healthy school committee provides clarity, trust, and partnership. It acts as an anchor, steady, consistent, and focused on long-term student success.

But what we are experiencing instead is a culture where adults with competing egos and agendas dominate the stage.

and some of our ch it affects our children, our teachers, and our families, and they get lost in the noise. Honestly, Mr. Chairperson, maybe it's time to take the committee off the stage. Culture always wins, and the culture we are creating currently is one rooted should be one rooted in outcomes, professionalism, and community trust.

Removing the superintendent without cause should be a measure of last resort taken when a committee itself is done everything possible to foster a healthy working environment.

From the outside, many of us do not see evidence of this effort. What we see is a pattern of conflict that seems to originate not from the administration but from the government governance side of the house. I urge this committee to reflect deeply on the message this decision frankly has already sent and the impact on the culture it has on our schools. Our students deserve adults who

model collaboration, respect, and shared purpose. The the diverse stability, not instability created by leadership discord.

I asked this committee to prior prioritize culture, professionalism, and long-term student success over personal agendas and public drama because our kids are watching and they deserve better. Thank you to Dr. Curley for believing in a community that raises you. I'm sorry to put you on this. We put you on a stage and allowed a group small group of people to cut your legs out from under you. You deserve better.

I hope your next district appreciates a kid from Forever who was willing to work hard, believe in her team, and leave it all on the field.

Uh, next up, Josh Leder, East Shore Circle, East Province. [snorts]

Three minutes, please. Josh. Thank you.

Good evening. For those of you who don't know me, my name is Josh Lopeder, and I've been a teacher in Fall River for 7 years. Tonight, I'd like to address the potential dismissal of Dr. Curley without cause and the impact this has on your employees. The FREA represents over a thousand members across every school building. And if you were to ask each member what they thought of the job Dr.

Curley has done in her time as superintendent, I'm sure you'd hear different answers. Some people would say she's doing a great job. Some people maybe not so much. And many of us don't know or care enough about the ins and outs of Rock Street to even have an opinion on her personally. But what every single one of our members as well as all of your other employees who are

not in FREA can agree on is that we want to see employees treated with respect.

It's embarrassing to see the way Dr.

Curley as well as other employees are sometimes treated publicly on that stage. And based on the way that she's been spoken to up there in public on camera, I can only imagine the way she's spoken to behind closed doors. None of your employees, even the superintendent, should be treated that way. It's also a sign of disrespect to be fired for no good reason. There are all sorts of

valid reasons you might choose to fire a superintendent to the middle of their contract during a school year. The fact that you seek to fire her without cause indicates to your employees that important decisions are being made arbitrarily. If you all think she's doing such a bad job that the first order of business you have as a school committee member is to fire her, there should be something to point to. without

cause just makes everyone from parents to employees to the wider community questions the decisions that you all make. We believe in due process. We believe that in the absence of any immediate harm being done that mistakes should be treated with some level of grace and disagreements can be handled professionally. We also believe that no matter who our superintendent is, that it's their job first and foremost uh to

be running and administering the school district. While your roles as school committee members are innately political, the superintendent should not make decisions based on political minations on the school committee.

What's happening here sets a dangerous precedence. Let's say that you fire her tonight and by some miracle we find someone qualified and willing to be a punching bag on that stage every month.

What happens in two years when new elections are held? Suddenly a new group of school committee members decide they don't like the person you choose, so we're just going to fire them without any reason. It feels like we're turning the superintendent into a political office and instead of focusing on doing a good job, they need to focus on making sure that you like them. We want

consistent district leadership. We don't want to constantly be changing directions midstream and that's what this feels like. It's no secret that there are problems in this district.

Personally, I think we're making some good progress on some things, maybe not enough progress on others, but how can we continue to make progress and build on the successes that we're having when important decisions are being made this way at the highest levels of leadership?

As you meet behind closed doors to decide on this, I urge you to think not about whether or not you like Dr. Curley or even whether or not you think she's done a good job so far in her role.

Think about the long-term vision you have for this school district. There are two paths ahead of you. On one path, the schools will be run by a revolving door of political superintendent who care about cozying up to the right people and having good PR. The other path is one where the schools are run by an administrator who has a vision for the schools and can follow through on medium

and long-term plans to improve the district. If you have no cause to fire her, don't let her finish out her contract. If you do have cause, the public deserves to know before a final decision is made. Thank you.

Hey, ple please please try to stick to the three minutes. I don't know if we've going to get through everybody that signed up, but we want to try to give as many people an opportunity as we can.

Next up is Jeff Karen, Valentine Street Forever.

I may wave that. I can Oh, yes. Only one control speaking.

I'm waving it.

Good evening, uh, Mayor Kugan and members of the committee. Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you this evening. For those of you who may not know me, my name is Jeff Karen. I serve as an elementary vice principal here in Fall River. I'm also the girls varsity basketball coach here at Dery High School, a parent of a current student at Dery, and a lifelong resident of this community. I stand before you wearing

all of those hats. I did not come here lightly. As an administrator, I value professionalism and strong working relationships. I understand that it is often more personally beneficial and certainly more comfortable to remain silent. Speaking in a setting like this carries risk, but there are moments when staying quiet feels harder than speaking up, and this is one of those moments.

I'm here to speak in support of Dr.

Curley, our superintendent. She grew up in this city. She has dedicated decades of her life to serving this district as a teacher and a leader. Her commitment to our schools is not abstract. It is personal. She understands this community because she has been a part of it. From my perspective as a building leader and a coach, I have watched her navigate complex challenges with resilience and

focus. Leadership in public education requires making difficult decisions and continuing to show up for students even when criticism comes with the job. What concerns me the most is that from the very beginning of her tenure, it has felt as though she was leading without the benefit of a true fresh start. Every leader deserves a fair opportunity to succeed free from the weight of past conflicts.

Tonight's decision should be about performance and what is best for students moving forward. It should not be about history. It should not be about personal dynamics that predate this role. I would also ask the committee to consider the broader impact of this decision. Leadership stability matters.

The way we treat leaders sends a message not just internally but externally. It influences whether talented educators and administr administrators see this district as a place where they can do meaningful work with trust and support.

Decisions like this can affect the morale and our ability to attract and retain strong candidates in the future.

As a basketball coach, I teach my players about fairness, accountability, and integrity. As a parent, I want stability for my child and every child in this district. And as a resident, I want our community to model professionalism even in disagreement.

Removing a super superintendent is one of the most significant actions this body can take. It affects morale, stability, and public trust. Before taking that step, we must be certain that the process has been fair and that she has been truly been given a genuine opportunity to lead. I speak tonight not because it is easy, but because I believe it is necessary. Remaining silent might be simpler, but it would

not feel right. I urge you to reflect carefully before making a decision that will shape our schools for years to come. Thank you for your time and your service.

Thank you.

Ne next next up, Erica Cashman, Hortonville Road, uh Swansea.

Three minutes, please. Erica.

Good evening, Mayor Kugan, Dr. Curley, Mr. Corey, Mr. Aguar, and to the other members of the committee. My name is Erica Cashman and I'm here tonight to speak in support of Dr. Curley. For those of you who don't know me, I'm a former Fall River Public Schools educator and executive board member of the FREA. Dr. Curley hired me in 2014 as a fourth grade teacher when she was appointed principal of the newly

reopened Henry Lord Community School, where I went on to experience the most rewarding eight years of my professional life. Thank you, Tracy.

Those first years at Henry Lord were not for the weak or the weary, for those who were afraid of hard work or for those who lacked commitment and dedication to the children of this city. During those years, Tracy worked diligently and led with intelligence, kindness, and compassion for her staff and students.

There was no question that she had to make hard decisions, but it was her decision-making, her effective problem solving skills, her operational analysis, and her ability to humbly accept feedback from her mentors and team that were responsible for her ultimately building a strong foundation for when Dr. B would eventually take over.

For almost two decades, she has served this city as a dedicated educator. She understands the students, the families, the staff, and the long-standing challenges of this district. Her wealth of knowledge and depth of experience can't be replaced overnight, and it certainly should not be discarded lightly, especially in the middle of the year. I ask you respectfully, how does beginning a search for a new

superintendent right now help children?

I no longer work in the district as I've moved on a few years ago to advance my career, but I still have a vested interest. in addition to my many friends and colleagues and even family members who are part of this organization and I also speak on behalf of my two grandchildren who attend Fall River Public Schools. So I'm not just here to support Dr. Curley but also to support her team of district leaders, their

teams, the principles, the teachers, and most importantly the students. Stability matters and instability will trickle down. There are challenges in this district that predate this superintendent and to suggest that long-standing systemic issues rest solely on one individual o oversimplifies the reality of the situation. It risks turning a dedicated leader into a scapegoat for problems

that have existed across multiple administrations.

We teach our students to analyze situations carefully. We teach them to gather facts. We teach them not to act hastily. We not to react out of frustration, vengeance, or emotion. We encourage critical thinking, fairness, and thoughtful decision-making, and to resist peer pressure. Shouldn't we model the same?

If there is just cause for such a significant action, then transparency is owed to this community. If there is not, then the question should be asked, what precedent is being set for students and for the educators who dedicate their careers to this city?

10 seconds, Erica. Leadership requires perseverance and Dr. Curley now and in her previous roles has demonstrated that in a district that has long struggled.

Removing her midyear sends a message of instability at a time when our children need to feel safe and need consistency so they can focus. The students of Fall River deserve thoughtful governance, not sudden disruption. I urge this committee to consider the broader impact of your decision, not only on one individual, but the entire Fall River public schools community. Thank you for your time.

We we are not going to get to everybody on uh on the stage tonight, but we're going to try to get to like 15.

So I we have a policy in place that 30 minutes of citizen input time are done before then we proceed with the agenda and then we follow up. So I'd like to proceed with the agenda uh based on our own policy.

Yeah.

And you can and you can also have decorum so you can control the people there. But we have a school committee policy voted on that says we have 30 minutes and at the end of the meeting we'll have another 30 minutes or until such time. So I'm going to uh I'm going to wave that to go to the first 15. [cheering] The only one that controls public input is the chairman.

Next up I roll the chair.

Um you can ask the attorney.

Okay.

Look at the pol. Do we have a policy?

Yes or no?

Hold on. says 30 minutes.

Why do you continue to talk? I'm going to ask him. Stop.

Calm down. It's early.

Mr. Assad, does the chairman have the ability to control public input or not?

As the uh chairman does have the authority to control public input uh in accordance with Robert's rules, there could be a motion to uh override the the chair. Uh I just make one just make one one comment. Please tell us what the policy I just make one comment is that I don't think we've ever cut off anyone no in citizen input. So what's the policy? That's the question. What is the policy?

Hold on. Mr. Aar, I'm just asking the gentleman. What is the policy that we have that was voted on?

Yeah, Mr. Aar, we're going to do the top 15 and the others that you had spoken of. There's another 13. I'm trying to be fair. I'm splitting in half. We'll do half before and we'll read the letters after. These people were kind enough to show up. Let's let them have a chance.

But but listen, [cheering] so I'm trying to Can somebody Can somebody please read the what the policy is? Can somebody read what the policy is that we have as a body?

I'm waving the policy.

What is the policy? I just vote.

Jenna Vieiraa, three minutes, please.

Three minutes, please. Jenna. Thanks.

Good evening. My name is Jenna Vieiraa and I'm a special education team chair at Derpy High School and an executive board member for the FREA. I am speaking tonight to address FREA's ongoing concerns regarding the school committee's professionalism and decorum, specifically relating to tonight's executive session item to discuss dismissing Superintendent Curley without cause. The idea that asking questions is

something that's being done for the sake of transparency or for public edification is a theme that I've seen come up repeatedly at committee meetings. I myself am a person who feels there is value in asking questions, opening dialogue, and having difficult conversations when they're warranted.

However, when questioning is weaponized and moves away from clarification and towards leading and accusation, we are creating a culture of unprofessionalism and hostility in our district. Since I believe that productive questioning is a great way to solve problems, I'd like to invite the committee to reflect on a few questions tonight as you head into executive session. How will this action

impact morale in the district? What candidates are we hoping to attract to fall over schools midyear? What do we seek to gain from increased instability in a district already struggling with staffing shortages? Instability hurts our reputation as a school district. It hurts staff retention and it hurts professional culture. But above all, instability hurts kids. To quote the MASC's roles and responsibilities for

school committees and superintendent, harmonious and productive relationships between school committees and superintendent will flourish if two-way communication is established and maintained. Such teamwork will work to enhance and improve the Commonwealth schools, enriching the lives of all Massachusetts students. We have strayed so far from what could be considered a harmonious and productive relationship

that we find ourselves at a crossroad of this committee's making. a committee that has been acting as a collective body for just barely three months.

Nothing about this scenario moves us towards the promise of decorum and progress that was spoken about at this committee's first meeting in January. I will conclude tonight by reminding us all that just because we have the ability to do something doesn't mean we should. Rogue actions that set a dangerous precedent are not in the best interest of our district. All employees of Fulver Public Schools deserve to be

treated with respect, dignity, and professional courtesy. Isn't that the type of behavior our students deserve to have modeled for them by the adults in their community? Thank you.

Uh, as I said, there's only three more after this one and we'll do the letters later or we'll include them in the files. So let's go to Don of Valente Garden Street for the best of all.

Three minutes, please. Donna.

Good evening. May members of the school committee, Mayor Kugan and Dr. Curley, I am here as a concerned citizen. I had two children who attended public schools. My husband and I taught in the Fall River School Department and became administrators many, many years ago. I want to start off by being transparent, which I think is an important factor in this decision. Um, but I think it's

important to know for you to know that I've known Tracy Curly probably for 40 years, 50 years. Um, Tracy and my daughter went to school together. To this day, they still remain fast friends. And I enjoy sitting and listening to Tracy. I don't have any interest in the school committee right now, but I am cons concerned about what's going on in our community. Um, I think one of the things that we have to

think about, which many people have said, is Tracy's history. Tracy grew up in Fall River. She lived in a in an apartment. She didn't live in a great big house. She worked her fanny off. She went to Dery. She went to Boston College. She went and got two master's degrees. For those of you who have ever tried to get a master's degree, it's not an easy feat, never mind to get two. She

also has her doctorate and how proud are we of Tracy that she comes back to Fall River where she had her roots. And I think it's really important that we know this.

I hear I hear all the time how we want high achieving students. You've got a high achieving student right here.

As I mentioned earlier, my husband and I, my late husband and I have been members of the Fall River community for many, many years. We both worked at Dery long enough to almost be considered bleeding red and black. And I just am, we worked for lots of different superintendent. We worked for some very good ones. We worked for some pretty bad ones. And I'm going to tell you, the good ones were the ones who came from

Fall River, who knew what our our culture was, who knew what our community was, who knew what our community needed.

And that's what Tracy Curley brings to this this audience and this city.

I've been retired for a lot of years.

Like I said, I don't have any any any agenda here on the table other than to support Dr. Curley. And I think one of the things that I've talked to, I still have a lot of friends in the school department. I've heard many, many times that Tracy is the one of the best, if not the best superintendent they've ever worked with. And I think the number of people that are here tonight, teachers,

administrators, parents, I think it's really important that you pay attention to these people. Unfortunately, you know, I was surprised to actually to see the number of teachers here because I know some of my friends are afraid to speak out because of the retribution that they might face tomorrow. 15 seconds Donna.

Okay, I'm just going to wrap up here.

And now, one of the things I want to say, we have been teaching our kids not to bully. What I've been watching from this committee is bullying at its best.

I have never seen the FRA, the FREA spoke about transparency, professional, and student well-being. for the good of the community and for the good of the children of Fall River. You people on the stage need to pay attention to that and be transparent. Be committed to our students. We our kids deserve nothing best. They don't need a bunch of people on a stage bullying a woman who's bringing the city of Fall River up.

Thanks, Donna.

Okay. Thank you.

Next up, Je uh Jessica Madus Grady, Trip Street, Forever. Three minutes, please.

Jess, we're just doing the people that came live. The letters, like I said, will probably just be included after.

Uh, sorry I didn't write anything and I will be brief so you guys can continue.

Um, my name is Jessica. I'm a product of Follower of Education. Um, I came back to teach for a little bit. Um, I want to say thank you for serving because you're I hope and pray that one day I'll have the courage and the capacity to be on the stage where you are because my why are those kids and when I was teaching that was the first thing I thought of. I worked with amazing power professional

educators who felt the same way and I'm asking you to remind yourself why you ran for this office.

If it's not the kids, you need to reconsider.

I've seen the politics in the school.

It's partly a reason why I had to leave for myself and it just wasn't a space that I could be in at the time. But even though I'm not in the schools, I'm still watching these meetings. I'm still invested in this city. I love this city.

I don't want to leave. And I hope that you guys also love and care about this city. I want to ask that you recommmit yourselves to being service leaders to holding a respectful space for each other because as everyone has said what we see I came because I saw Facebook and I was like you know what I need to come I need to come to the date and I just want to say

you are the models like everyone has said you need to respect each other even when you disagree. Um, yeah, I will I will just end there cuz I didn't write anything. But please recommit yourselves to the children of this city and and being respectful to each other. We're in a time where everyone disagrees. It's easy to disagree. Find the common ground where you can and be accountable and be transparent

because if you're hiding things, guess what? They're going to come out and if it's not in the best interest for the kids, people are going to see that. And that is from your vote today. Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh Rachel Silva, Highland Farm Road.

Three minutes, please. Ra.

Okay. Good evening, members of the school committee, Mayor Kugan and Superintendent Curley. As the current president of the Frank M. Sylvia School PTO, I'm here to voice my heartfelt support and appreciation for our school community. Over the past six years, both of my children have had the privilege of attending this outstanding school. I'm continually impressed by the dedication,

preparation, and kindness demonstrated by the entire staff. My son is currently in fourth grade, and my daughter graduated last June. From our very first day, the school community welcomed us with open arms. Coming from another elementary school in the city, my daughter's education became our top priority after her kindergarten year was upended by this co closure. From the start, the teachers and administration

repeatedly showed sincere commitment to each of our students academic growth and emotional well-being. They created a caring environment in which my children felt and still feel safe, valued, and encouraged to reach their full potential. The Sylvia School's approach to education is both thoughtful and thorough. The curriculum is well structured and engaging. Teachers are always prepared with creative lessons

that arouse curiosity and promote a love of learning. Whenever challenges have arisen, the staff has responded with care, professionalism, and clear communication, assuring that students and families feel assisted every step of the way. This has been our consistent experience from the very beginning.

Perhaps most importantly, the feeling of community at the Sylvia School is really what makes it special. Families, teachers, and students work together to create an inclusive and positive atmosphere that makes every child feel like they belong. My daughter and her friends even wished they could stay at Sylvia School forever. They formed lifelong bonds through classes, sports, and evening school events. I am deeply

grateful for everything the Frankm Sylvia School community has done for my family, and I fully support the school as it continues its mission to serve our neighborhood. Please recognize and respect the continual hard work of the staff who strive every day to ensure every child is educated, supported, and truly cared for. They deserve so much more than what what is being said about

them publicly. I would also like to take this opportunity as a voter, a parent, and an educator in the city of Fall River to express my support for Dr.

Curley. The recent efforts to undermine her integrity and professionalism are both unwarranted and detrimental to the reputation of our district. I urge you to prioritize the well-be well-being of our children and recognize that your decisions will have direct impact on their education. Thank you for your time and attention.

Okay, this is a uh this will be the last live one. Um the other 14 letters and some anonymous letters will be sent to all members of the committee. Um and we'll go from there. Next up, Chair, Mr. Chair, believe the school committee policy is was supposed to be 30 minutes, but with the letters, we should be reading them before we enter um executive session. Believe that's we're not going to do that tonight.

Thanks, Mr. D. Mr. Chair. Next up is Joey.

I'm just asking that we follow school committee policy.

The chairman controls public input time both on the stage and in the crowd.

Where did you get that from?

The state law.

Next up is Joey Ford. three minutes, please.

Thank you for not violating open meeting law. I appreciate that. That was very wise of you. Um, so good evening. My name is Joey Ford. Um, I'm from Adelar.

I'm the founder and leader of Parent Data Force, an independent educational watchdog and reform initiative focused on systemic non-compliance, transparency, and accountability. I help families, staff, and community members document concerns, organize evidence, and navigate the proper channels when a district's internal processes are no longer working. I'm not here for politics and I'm not here to inflame

anything. I come when I start hearing the same message from multiple people who don't even know each other. That the climate has become so tense people feel that they can't speak openly without consequences. That is what I've been hearing about Fall River. There are over 850 teachers in the Fall River and only an insignificant minority have chosen to come here tonight. Over the past several

days, multiple people connected to this district have reached out to me privately, parents, staff, and community members. A consistent theme is fear.

Fear of retaliation, fear of being targeted, fear of professional consequences. Regardless of anyone's position on leadership, a public school system should never become a place where people feel unsafe telling the truth.

Now, I want to address one specific concern that brought me here tonight.

issue tonight, that would be irresponsible without full documentation. But if people are reaching out to outsiders because they feel that they can't speak inside the district, something is wrong. Parent data force helps people document and route concerns, whether through internal processes, public records, or state complaints. The goal is accountability, not drama. If you have information but

feel you can't speak publicly or have evidence, you can find parent data force on Facebook. Message me privately. This also includes any and all special education concerns. This is my first time here, but I will be back and I'll follow the record where it leads. Thank you for your time.

Thank you.

So that's right. But we have about 15 of those. 14 15 people came live.

She's on.

She's on the add-on list.

Yes.

How long you need?

Go ahead.

Are we just doing the people live?

Thank you. Good evening. My name is Nicole Kessle and I am a Sylvia parent, an elementary school principal, and a former special education teacher. I want you to picture this, a seven-year-old's birthday party at a trampoline park, every parent's favorite place to be.

Surrounded by loved ones and friends from school, all shouting your child's name, wanting to play with them, bringing gifts that match their very particular interests. So much love and joy in one room. That was our son's recent birthday party experience and it was brought to us by inclusion programs like the one at Sylvia Elementary. If you had told me a few years ago that that is what my son's seventh birthday

party would look like, I'm not sure that I would have believed you. My son is a first grader at Sylvia on on the autism spectrum. Like many parents, when we first received his diagnosis, we wonder what school would look like for him.

Would he have friends? Would he be understood? Would he be included? not just physically but really known, seen and seen for his abilities and gifts and not just identified by his label at Sylvia Elementary in a full inclusion model. We found our answer. Our son started started in Sylvia as part of the grow program which was partial inclusion and after a couple of months he was able to join in the general education

classroom full-time and that is when our journey with full inclusion began. He learns because of a lot of people in this room by the way. He learns alongside his peers with the support he needs built into his day. He is not separated from his classmates, but he is one of them. And because of that, he has grown in ways that go far beyond academics, although those are also remarkable. He is reading, writing,

solving math problems, and engaging in grade level content. He is challenged, he is supported, and he is expected to learn. And he rises to those expectations. His teachers see his strengths and scaffold his challenges, and they presume competence. And that belief makes all the difference. But the most powerful growth has been social. He has friends, real friends. The kind that

run towards him at a birthday party. The kind who know what makes him laugh. And the kind who wait for him to get out of the car in the morning so they can all walk into school together. That doesn't happen by accident. That happens because inclusion isn't just a program. It's a mindset. It's a daily modeling of empathy, patience, and belonging. And it's a mindset that I am so grateful

that the administrator and staff at Sylvia embrace. But here's what I really want to emphasize. The neurotypical students in that classroom are gaining something just as valuable as my son.

They are learning flexibility. They are learning that communication can look different. And they are learning that leadership compassion and collaboration are important. They are growing up understanding that differences are normal and not something to be feared or avoided. and they are becoming the kind of people that include others instinctively. Inclusion teaches all children that every classmate has

strengths, that everyone contributes, and that community means making space and sometimes adjusting to ensure everyone can participate. They are learning empathy at an early age and that cannot be underestimated. And I will close with this. As Verna Meyer said, diversity is being invited to the party. Inclusion is being asked to dance. That is what full inclusion offers our children. Not just a seat in

the room, but a true place in the community. It's not just an invitation to the birthday party, but a chance to blow out the candles, jump at the trampoline park, and be celebrated alongside everyone else.

Uh, I also have an announcement to make.

Um joining us this evening is the associate commissioner from the department of elementary and secondary education. They're joining us tonight as DEESC is looking very closely at the for school committee and the way we conduct our business. In no way do we feel a change in superintendent at the middle of the school year is good for students or the district. It just is does not make sense. Thank you.

Now to the work. Next up, the superintendent report. Dr. Curley.

So, there are three items on the hire um on the report tonight. Hiring update, a snow update, and a net school spending update. Um, first in terms of the hiring, since our last meeting, we've had 15 new hires, including a department chair, a teacher, two student adjustment counselors, school adjustment counselors, a family and community engagement specialist, one nurse, seven paraprofessionals, two provisional

custodians, and and that's it. Um, additionally, we've had one rehire, three transfers, four resignations, and zero retirements.

I wanted to update people on um our snow removal and preparations and getting back to school. Um I know everybody is aware historic blizzard 2026 um and the significant impact that it had on the city and our schools. Over the course of 20 approximately 22 hours um [snorts] from the evening of February 22nd through February 23rd, the city endured um roughly 41 inches of snow, making this one of the significant

winter events um our community really has ever experienced.

Um we know that the snowfall had really intensified um throughout the storm and at times we were looking at you know three inches per hour falling in the city and there were wind gusts and so many weather conditions that made things very difficult um you know during the storm itself. But during that time there there were people here that were at work. Um and we were really focused on maintaining very basic access to

buildings um all of our facilities so that in the event that it was necessary emergency operations um and eventual recovery work could actually proceed. So the effort was carried out at that time by eight of our district groundskeepers who worked alongside two private contractors and they worked cons continuously during that time despite the fact that we know that there were some dangerous conditions um and they

did take periodic pauses so that um just to maintain safety because of poor uh visibility. But following the storm and beginning on um Tuesday, we really just shifted all of our um all of our work from just that basic access to a more intensive um phase that included um hauling of snow and getting schools ready. Um and at that point, we just really became focused on uh the timely

and safe reopening of our schools. The phase required additional resources, as many of you know, um including four additional private contractors and heavy equipment. We removed large snow banks, cleared parking areas, um all to ensure safe access to our school buildings. The hauling and cleanup operations continued for four days to prepare school properties for the safe return of

students and staff. Um [snorts] in terms of of a financial impact, the district did incur significant costs related to both the immediate response and then extended hauling operations required after the storm. The event required an extraordinary effort from our facilities, grounds, and custodial teams um as well as contracted partners who worked around the clock under extremely difficult conditions. The work ensured

that school campuses could safely transition from emergency conditions back to full operations and we really we were able to do that. I really want to thank our district staff, of course, um DCM and other city partners for their hard work during um the storm response and certainly want to thank the support of Governor Healey and the Commonwealth Commonwealth for securing services from the National Guard and private

contractors who did work throughout the city to make possible safe travel to and from our school sites. Um their efforts really played a critical role in um our preparations um and the safe welcome of students and staff um after the storm. I also want to just highlight the work of our nutrition department who on the first day of our reopening which was on that Friday. Um, and really I feel like I'm sure they

felt like it was a moment's notice because in some ways it was. It was like once as soon as we knew we were going to be able to reopen and get people back on our campuses on Friday um in terms of getting adults back on campuses um we asked if the nutrition department could prepare some meals recognizing um that we we would still have students out of school on Friday, Saturday, Sunday

before coming back. And I mean, I don't know, in less than 24 hours, um, and really just in that morning on that Friday, they were able to pull together, um, 5,000 meals and we were able to feed, um, 10,000 of our students, more than 10,000 of our students. So, just want to say thank you for that.

Um, the third piece is really, um, it's around net school spending. And just um giving an update in terms of um some questions that have come up uh previously back in the fall when we were taking a look at um increases in health care for the last fiscal year and some questions that had come up. The school department became aware that um we potentially had not been properly credited for stop-loss reimbursements um

per the indirect cost agreement that we had with the city. And that impact um the impact of how we were being credited at that time resulted in health care costs actually being over reported and taking on the appearance that net school spending was higher than it actually was. So at that time uh the city's CFO communicated to us that while um we hadn't been credited in the past, it was

her position that we should be and would be credited moving forward and we talked about how we could make that happen moving forward. Um shortly thereafter um the dis the discussion around prescription rebates um came into play and then in some sub subsequent meetings um including one in late November um at city hall that involved city officials as well as um city employees and um elected officials, school

department um folks. It was determined that over the years there were potentially millions of dollars um that should have been credited to the fall public schools via both stop-loss reimbursements and prescription rebates.

And specifically when we took a look back to fiscal year 20 and you know the years in between the total amount of money that potentially was due to the fallover public schools was about $5.9 million at that time. So as it was discussed at our last meeting um our CFO Mr. Mr. Ramida did reach out to um Jay Sullivan following that November meeting. Um he is the associate commissioner of school finance and

districts um the district support center and we inquired at that time whether or not the district should be credited for those stop-loss reimbursements and prescription rebates. Um and we you know the question was asked kind of a looking back and moving forward. And at that time it was communicated um by the associate commissioner that um the city was not required to credit us. So, I

just really want to give an update that right now it is our intent to meet with city officials again and looking at bringing that group together that met back in November so that we can come into an agreement um on both past practice and whether there is the potential for um any crediting at this point um as well as so we're looking to potentially recoup some of that money um

owed to the district and then hash out an agreement moving forward. And so I just wanted to say publicly that that um is a meeting that we're looking to schedule right now with the city and that we hope to be able to do that in the next week or two.

Thank you.

Mr. Agario, just a couple questions. So on the uh storm, I do agree. I think the um actually the extra um equipment was a big help. And ironically, it appeared to me uh from just looking at it that we were in a better position to open school after this storm and it was 40 inches of snow than the one that we had 18. And um so I want to thank everybody for their

work on it. But my concern is that if we get 18 inches of snow or thereabouts that we're not going to have that those resources and um that to me is the is the big concern because without this the other state this emergency and all that coming in one I don't think we had we don't spend enough money. We don't have the right equipment going forward. We're going to be in a mess again because if

we have 18 inches of snow we we really shouldn't open school uh you know the last time that soon because the corners had snow on it. The streets still had two lane streets had one lane on it.

This the uh school bus stops weren't done. Crosswalks weren't done. This time I think it was much better, but it was based on that. So my concern going forward is how we prepared for the future. Uh the net school spending one I I do think we need to have a meeting. Uh our CFO has the numbers. It did indicate as you said Dr. Curley that it's $6 million since the year 2020. There's

also a state law that I gave to everyone that actually states you have to have the net amount. And that's really the the issue is whether uh the city is going to really meet net school spending or not. And right now, I don't believe based on the information that Mr. Almea gave us and my personal review of the state law, it says all reimbursements have to be taken off. So the net amount

needs to come in. So that meeting I think needs to happen. We've been talking about this for three or four months and um at the end of the day the city the city council say all the time that they're going to give 100% of net school spending and if it's not then they need to give us the money to make sure that that's the case. Thank you. I yield Mr. Chair.

Uh to that end I just want to be clear about something. Uh that same letter that Mr. um Almeida got from Jay Sullivan said that the final call on funding would be made by the do this week. We got a a memo from uh J uh Sean Cronin who's the associate I think he's associate commissioner of do when we asked for him to give us his read on this uh he sent us another

letter asking for the corporation council and one of the attorneys from the do to get together to talk about it.

So, um, as soon as we get that ruling, I think that's when we have the meeting because they are the final arbiter of what we did do owe you or we don't owe you and let's see what they come up with. Mr. uh, Das, thank you. It was actually going to be that to that point if um, we reach out to Mr. Sullivan again and maybe we can get a written opinion that can be shared

with the committee and then we'll go from there. That was it.

Mr. A. So on that same issue, the issue that we have is the commissioner, whoever can say what they want. At the end of the day, under your administration since 2020, Mr. Almeida, our CFO, has looked at it to say if you had charged the proper amount that you paid for healthcare, you would be under net school spending. Under net school spending by $6 million. That's what Mr.

Almea says. That's what the law says.

You can say all you want, oh, we're going to just work it out and move forward. At the end of the day, make no mistake about it. You haven't funded at net school spending at 100%.

You don't know that.

Based on Mr. Almea, our CFO's information, Mr. Almea, Miss Emily, the city CFO, the statement is the who makes the final call on net school spending, what we owe.

Who makes the final call for us would be Mr. Mayor and city council. Here's the question. Have you funded net school spending at 100%? Yes or no? Because during the campaign, you say it all the time. The city council say it all the time. They pound their chest saying we funded you at 100%.

Bottom line is our CFO says you shorted us $6 million. That's real money.

Hold on. Let the people that are responsible for making the call. Make the call. Not you, not me, not Mr.

Almea, not the city CFO. Let the corporation council work it out with the do and let them come up with whatever we owe. Let's go about it the right way.

and you and the city council can go to the voters and say, "By the way, we didn't cover net school spending based on our CFO's uh looking at it."

Mr. Agar, you're beating your head once.

Let the people responsible make the call please.

Months already. I yield.

Approve item. No student comment or student delegate tonight. Approval of minutes. We have two sets of minutes.

Motion to approve.

Second. I have two sets of minutes. Any discussion? Deb, call the role on the minutes please.

Mr.

Yes.

Mr. Das.

Yes.

Mr. Cory. Yep.

Mr. Monus.

Yes, Mr. Riley. I abstain we weren't here for that meeting on both the December one. Do them separately. I thought it was taken. Are you taking them separately or together?

I thought it was together.

It was together, but we can separate for Miss M Riley. So, we'll do the first one first. 51.

Can I get a motion and a second on 51?

Second.

I have a motion. Second on 51. Deb, call the role, please.

Mr. A.

Yes.

Mr. Das. Yes, Mr. Cory.

Yep.

Mr. Monus.

Yes, Miss Riley.

Abstain.

Miss Stewart.

Abstain.

Mayor Couan.

Yes. 52.

And I motion a second.

Motion still made. Second.

Thank you. And discussion. Deb, call the role on 52, please.

Mr. A.

Yes.

Mr. Dus.

Yes.

Mr. Cory.

Yep.

Mr. Monus.

Yes.

Mr. Riley.

Yes.

M. Stewart.

Yes.

May.

Yes.

Item six is the approval of travel requests. We have Motion to approve all.

I have 61, 62, 63. I have a motion to approve all. Do I have a second?

Second. Just with a quick question.

I have a second with a question. Mr.

Das, thank you. The um power for partnership is that um I see two individuals going up for the same.

Is that a car pool or or are y'all car pooling or is it separate?

No, I think um we actually spoke. So, initially it was just one person. It was just going to be myself. Um, but they actually waved, this is normally a $1,500 registration fee. They waved it for two individuals, so we don't have to pay the registration fee. Um, and so I was able to add that second individual.

Um, but we can certainly, we actually discuss just potentially car pooling, which will be easier and you know, so I know it's on there as two separate, but it would just be one.

Yeah, not a big deal. Um, best of have a good time.

Thanks.

Motion to We already have a motion.

Question.

We do.

I have a question. I have a motion and a second on all three items. Mr. tag.

Yeah.

Can you just tell us the where the funding source is? It says tag, but I'm I I don't want to guess at what that is.

It's a grant.

Yeah. Turnaround assistance grant.

That's all it is. Yeah. So, the the focus of the trip is really to look at um a curriculum model at uh middle school. Um and so that's Yeah. I didn't have it spelled out there. Thank you.

Any further discussion? Then call the role please.

Mr.

Yes.

Mr. Das.

Yes.

Mr. Cory?

Yes.

Mr. Monus?

Yes.

Mr. Riley?

Yes.

Miss Stewart?

Yes.

Mayor Kan? Yes. Item number seven, the approval of grants. We have one grant tonight, the parent child expansion grant. Um, motion to approve.

Second.

I have a motion, a second. Discussion on that grant right here.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Did she just come up? Can she explain to me what it is? I'm just curious.

Miss Farious.

Thank you. So, the parent child plus is a home visiting program where we have early learning specialists that go out into the home to work with families and young children. Uh they visit the home twice a week. They work with parents on um they bring a toy one time, a book another time, work with families on building language development, building early literacy. We've had this program for quite some time through the

coordinated family and community engagement grant. These funds are to take on 10 additional families during this calendar year.

That's great.

Do we budget any of our own funds to do more of this or only?

We don't currently know. We carry um administrative oversight, facility use um but the actual program funds come through the Department of Early Education and Care.

Is there more need?

There's always more need. But I thought all set.

All set.

Anything further? Deb, could you call the role on the grants, please?

Mr. Agam.

Yes.

Mr. Das.

Yes.

Mr. Cory?

Yes.

Mr. Monus?

Yes.

Mr. Riley?

Yes.

Miss Stewart?

Yes.

May?

Yes.

Now item eight is the approval of contracts and as you know we box these out. The first are the facilities contracts. Does anybody want a hold on any of the facilities contracts?

Can we just place a hold on all the facilities?

Okay, we'll place a hold on all of them and we'll start with item number one, electrical wholesalers of New England uh facilities and operations. Mr. Dus, thank you. Um few questions on procurement.

So, if I don't know if you just want to quickly give a brief overview if this is some sort of blanket, but excuse me, Mr. Das, could you talk into the mic? I can't hear you. I'm sorry.

Do you hear me? You hear me better?

Okay.

Y um I don't know if this is some sort of blanket, but I was just going through the um the funding sources and for electrical um the three different contracts, it added up to 100,000 on the dot. And I just didn't want to run into the issue if we need to go over that because if we go over that we could we might have to go for steel bids. I don't know if you

have want to explain or Sure. So um the chances of us going over in such a short amount of time. So this is starting now and moving only till June. So all of these items are strictly a short period of time. The reason for the different supply houses is because not everybody carries everything. So, um, rather than go out, um, and try and figure out which supply house has the

most stuff that we use, it's easier for us to do multis, the chances of, as I said, of us spending each amount that's listed here is probably not going to happen. And we can keep a close eye on that um, as we go through it. But it all the way through all of these items, any of the multiple supply houses just for that reason. certain supply houses carry certain brands and certain brands we we

like to replace brand for brand in the buildings. Okay, on whether it's plumbing electrical things like that. So that's that's the reason for this and and like I said, the chances of us going over on any of these um we won't let that happen.

Okay. because I saw the when I looked through the backup for pretty much all the the contracts, they had um it looked like some sort of not generic, but there was some um there was some like some quotes in there that didn't match the numbers. So, I'm assuming so the number that's on our our agenda is what you're looking for for a max.

Exactly.

Okay.

Yes.

Um on um that was the electrical one of the electrical contracts.

Yes. It was um I think it was I believe it was Granite City. It had it was me it was the quotation with that mentioned the tariffs. Um it's the quotation that was in there said that we that that quote was only held for 24 hours and then after which we have to they have to get a new quote because of the tariffs because the So all so all of the items in here were

quoted knowing full well that they were going to hold it. Most of the companies said they would hold it for a year. We don't need it for a year. We are going to go back out in June. So that the next contract that we put out such as this will will be for 12 months and not just the four months that we have left.

Okay. Last question. Um just generically on all of them. Um and I went through it. We we were good with the three quotes. Um we're we're good on that.

Yes, we got the three quotes. Okay. I yield.

And does anybody else have any questions? Mr. Yeah.

So, on the electric one, it looks like there's three uh vendors and the last one just got bounced off or it was 40,000, 40,000, and 20,000 because we don't use the product in that particular. So, again, like I said, some of the the groups, some of these individual companies have products that are more widely used in our buildings than others. That's the reason for that, that it's different. So, they quoted on

things that don't I I just don't know why they they quoted on things that they may not have in stock all the time. They just quoted it, but because we know what they have, that's the reason for the less money. We don't use them as often.

But they're not on here at all is what I'm saying because we don't use them as often.

They're not We don't need them. We multiple. We we enough with two. Most of the products we need are in those two supply houses.

If it's a oneoff product, we can go to that supply house anyway.

I'm just looking at what what's submitted. It says 40, 40, and 20, right?

And I'm trying to just figure out why I know some of the under 25. Why would he the 20 be on there? it it's under the dollar amount that the school committee would have to approve which is our issued last time of just buying doing contracts under the 25,000 to so now so now these pro now we're going to continue to come in here with with this kind of um purchasing so that we don't have to

say to you that you know we're 219 we're 225 we're not trying to stay under the 25 but this one happened to be that way which is so based on based on what had happened in the past just getting under the 25 we're trying to get trying to correct that whole practice exactly of getting under the 25 I understand the only question I have is what is the and you can get this to us you had

mentioned that you don't think you're going to go over the 100,000 that Mr. IA said because of the timing but what have we been doing since July 1 for the first 9 10 months what what was the was it multiple 24 like 245 245 24 it was 1,200 it was 1,500 it was 900 what this is doing is is stopping us from continuing to come here with other slips seeing multiple bills without

having one PO to match the whole thing.

That's all it's for.

It wasn't avoid. How much money do we spend in electric roughly since July 1?

The 1,200 here, 1,200 there. Was it more than $100,000? Was it if this is 80 for 3 months? Theoretically, again, we're not sure if we're going to spend 10 or 40.

So, we may only spend $40,000 total for electrical between now and the end.

No, I get it. My question is more along the lines of what have we spent already which we know that's and if you don't have that information I I don't have that information.

I'm just curious to see what did they use from July.

I do think you have to have a like a blanket or something because you can't they need to fix something. You need to go get it. I totally understand that.

But um I had asked Mr. I made it earlier about the low bid like the low piece and I don't think it's really feasible to say that they're going to always go to the low like every time the maintenance guy needs to get a certain piece he's going to go back and say oh what did they bid I'm going to go to this vendor or that vendor so it it just becomes a

little bit cloudy with trying to make sure that we're using the low bid so we're going to be using the low bid we're going to be using the low bid when it is to the advantage of the district for instance if I'm on the south end of the city and the supply house is in the north end of the city, but there's a closer one, then if it's a nickel and

dime item, then we're going to go to the closer place. If it's an item that I can't get at that place, then we're going to the further distance. It's just for convenience most mostly and also for the fact that some don't carry the same brands.

I understand the convenience. My only questions were on people ask us all the time, are we getting the proper bids?

Are we doing procurement? Are we going for the lowest bid? So, we have to ask these questions to try to figure out what that is. And that's the nature of this is yes, how are we going to proceed with the lowest bid. So if you could get us the since July what it was so we can try to figure it out because if that's the case we should do it in July that we

think for the whole year we will be and then moving forward.

Yeah, absolutely.

Thank you. I yield.

Uh so I'm assum Oh miss uh I'm sorry um Dr. Riley.

Mrs. Riley it's okay. Um I just one question. It may be Mr. Pico. It it may be Mr. Almeida. Does this just keep us within our current budget?

Yes. Thank you.

Okay. Anything further on any of those facilities contracts to approve the facilities?

I have a motion and do I have a second?

Any discussion further? Deb, call the role please.

Actually, sorry. I thought you were going to go down the list.

Oh, okay. I I meant any of them. So, the lows.

We'll do the Oh, I had a question on the lows.

Okay. So, we'll do the first two, the two electrics. Um, Electric Wholesalers, Inc. New England and Granite City Electrical Supplies. Can I get a motion on those two? So second.

I have a motion to second on those two.

Deb, would you call the role on those first two?

Mr. Agaffa?

Yes.

Mr. D?

Yes.

Mr. Cory?

Yep.

Mr. Monus?

Yes.

Mr. Riley?

Yes.

M. Stewart?

Yes.

May?

Yes. Next up is Lois Home Center. Mr.

Aguia.

I I guess my question is around what is this is for carpenters. I'm assuming it could be for carpenters. We could be getting other items in there, nuts and bolts, uh different pieces. Lowe's is a state contract um company, so um the whole piece would be available there, but the plumbers and electricians normally would go to supply houses.

So I guess in the same vein as my other questions about the lowest price for items, Lowe's is not their lowest price sometimes. I'm assuming even though they're on the state bid list, does that guarantee that they're the lowest price?

No.

What it means is that they've already been competitively bid. So whatever items that are on the state contract that they're offering has been competitively bid already.

So what mechanism do we use to to look at something to say, okay, they competitively bid it out at the state contract level, but we know we can get that item for a lot less money somewhere else.

And and we probably do. So for instance, we could go to Dartmouth Building Supply. could go to another company. We wouldn't go to a Lowe's to buy something that we know we can get at a price elsewhere. We're buying enough product to know that.

And then how does they how do they get paid if you went to like a building supplier?

If we went to a building, so for instance, if we're buying $1,000 worth of stuff and we would just compare the prices with Lowe's and and that particular piece, we may even call Home Depot. We don't have an account with a Home Depot. We don't use Home Depot, but we could compare prices and see. It's It's the day-to-day stuff that we may pick up at Lowe's, but if it's a major

project, we would still go out to uh competitive bid.

Yeah, that's I think we should just maybe talk about in subcommittee 2 to make sure that we're using the lowest bidder so that we have an answer when people say, "Are we are we using the lowest price for as many items as we can?"

Absolutely. And I'm thinking that if if we had uh our carpenters [snorts] do work in the schools and then we hire privates to do some of that work as well. Like we normally don't we normally don't supply product to privates. We normally don't they would normally come in and bid the project.

So how does that affect the the carpenters internal? So the the the work that normally goes out to bid is work that would tie us up too long. We don't have a multitude of you know carpenters. We have four carpenters, three now. So the three carpenters couldn't handle most of the big work that we do. It would tie them up and then normally what would happen is a small project comes up. We would

have to pull them off that major project. It does. It takes too long to do it that way. It becomes a very clumbome way to do business.

I understand the um so if we have the if we review the contracts that we've had privates for, you're saying that none of the work that they've been we paid somebody outside to do our carpenters have the capability to do.

There's some work that the carpenters would have the capability to do if they had the time. If I could dedicate the time to it. Sometimes we can and sometimes we can't.

And that doesn't violate their union.

No, because it just doesn't. We hire plumbers. We hire electricians to do work depending on the magnitude of the project.

Yeah. But I'm talking about work that they could actually do. I know we had a debate at the subcommittee about custodians, for instance, that they could file a grievance and if somebody else was going to shovel the walkway for them. I can I equate that to, you know, a carpenter can go put a a sign up on the wall at Dery High School, for instance.

Sure.

So, if you're hiring private people to do that work, isn't that the same thing in violation of No, it's not because what the work that I would give to a subcontractor wouldn't be something like that. The work I would give to a subcontractor might be dividing up a room that's needs five offices, seven offices. That's the work that the subcontractor I guess that was my my question earlier

was do we hire privates to do work that the carpenters can do. That was my first question.

They can do it and and I'm going to ask for a review of all that so that we'll check them to see because I believe that we've hired privates to do work that the general people should be able to do. So we'll get their data and we'll figure it out.

Thank you. Are you absolutely okay so uh anything further on Lowe's?

Can I get a motion to approve?

Second. I have a motion to second on Lowe's. Hearing nothing further. Deb, would you call the role on Lowe's, please?

Mr.

Yes.

Mr. Das, yes.

Mr. Cor?

Yep.

Mr. Ronus?

Yes.

Miss Riley?

Yes.

Miss Stewart?

Yes.

Mayor Coover?

Yes. We have four items left. Three plumbers and a paint supply. Any question on those?

Motion to accept.

I have a motion to approve. I have a motion and a second on all of those.

Further discussion? Hearing? None. De call the role.

Mr.

Yes.

Mr. Adas. Yes, Mr. Corey.

Yes, Mr. Monus.

Yes, Mr. Riley.

Yes, Mr. Dur.

Yes, Mary.

Yes. Uh, under special ed contract, we have Pearson assessments. Any discussion on Pearson assessments?

Mr. Chairman, Mr. Corey, if I could ask the assistant superintendent just to describe to us what this is.

Those are the assessment um measures that we use for students to determine eligibility for special education.

They range from our school psychologist assessments to some of our speech assessments um and those types of pieces. So as part of eligibility for special education, you have to conduct comprehensive evaluation and then every 3 years you need to redo those evaluations. So these are the assessments that the um the evaluators use.

So uh uh as far as the amount of money is concerned this kind of revolving every 3 years it it's going to require about this much of an input.

It's actually a yearly subscription a lot of it is online for protocols and and um scoring software and all of that.

So, you know, again, with um a little over 3,000 special education students in the in the district and then, you know, on a rotating basis, everybody gets a re-evaluation every 3 years and we have, you know, anywhere between three and 500 referrals a year. So, okay. Thank you. Yield.

Motion to approve.

Second.

Second. I have a motion to second. Any discussion?

T call the roll, please.

Mr. Dragon, yes.

Mr. D, yes.

Mr. Corey, yes.

Mr. Monus, yes.

Mr. Riley, yes.

Miss Stewart, yes.

Mayor Kugan, yes.

Motion to approve the new contract.

Second.

That's the last one. Mr. Das.

Melmark.

I have a motion to second on Melmark.

Anybody have any discussion on that one?

Deb, call the role, please.

Mr.

Yes.

Mr. Das.

Yes.

Mr. Corey.

Yes.

Mr. Monus. Yes, Mr. Riley.

Yes, Mr. Stewart.

Yes, Mary.

Yes.

Discussion item number one is our new schedule uh working around some of the members uh making sure we can accommodate everybody. Does anyone have any questions on the uh 26?

Motion to approve.

Second.

I have a motion and a second on that.

Deb, call the role on 91.

Mr. Jagam, yes.

Mr. Dice, yes.

Mr. Corey, yeah.

Mr. Monus, yes.

Mr. Riley, yes.

Miss Stewart, yes.

Maya, yes. 92 is a discussion, simply a discussion to establish a policy of personal use of school property is referred by the facilities and operations subcommittee and presented by Mr. Aguia. Mr. Agia, thank you. So, uh, we had voted to have some language put together as a draft to, um, clarify that personal use and running businesses out of our school schools is not acceptable. So, the draft

reads, "Personal use prohibited, use of school facilities for personal reasons, purposes, including, but not limited to private parties, family celebrations, personal events, or individual activities not serving an educational or recognized community organization purpose is prohibited. and business and commercial activities prohibited. Use of school facilities for the purpose of conducting or operating a business,

including for-profit instruction, sales, office work, business meetings, or other commercial activities, is also strictly prohibited. This is draft language that I propose and I'd like to make a motion that we turn it over to the policy subcommittee for further review, but this is a draft of it and this is on diligent.

Okay, it's on diligent. I have one on what you read there, Mr. Um, so like what what happened at the old Dery and what's happened at this one. The Dery Alumni Association couldn't rent out the uh school to have a function.

No, I think this is just about use.

Rental is a separate issue.

Oh, I thought you said rental.

No, this is just uh template language, but they're in policy. I would say a rental is totally separate.

A motion to refer to policy.

Second.

I have a motion, a second, Deb, to refer item number 92 to policy. Could you call the role, please?

Mr.

Yes.

Mr. D. Yes, Mr. Corey.

Okay, Mr. Monus.

Yes, Miss Riley.

Yes, Miss Stewart.

Yes, Mayor Coug.

Yes. 93 is a discussion and vote to approve the following job descriptions that referred from facilities and operations subcommittee presented by Ken Bico, chief operating officer. We have three positions. Revised supervisor of custodial services, second shift, refrigeration, appliance repair, service technician, and a carpenter painter.

Mr. Sure.

Painter was off the agenda.

That was pulled off the agenda. The third one, carbon. All right. I just want to be clear. There's only two. I'm sorry.

Carpenter Payer was pulled off. So, there's just two. Um, the supervisor of custodial services and the refrigeration appliance.

Can we take those separate?

Sure. So, we'll do the first one. I'm sorry.

Motion to approve the first one.

Second.

I have a motion and a second on the first one. Miss Mr. You got your hand up. Or Mr. Das.

I had my hand up for a second, but but I'll yield. Um, I had my hand up for the second item, but I yield for until we discuss the second one.

Deb, call the role on the first one, please. Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Riley has a question.

Just a friendly amendment to this job description. Could we add as number 13 under responsibilities all other duties as assigned by COO or designate?

Second.

I have a motion and a second on amending the job description for the revised supervisor of custodial services. Dr.

Riley, could you read that again, please?

Yes.

All other duties as assigned by COO or designate. I believe that was who the supervisor that's listed reports to on the other page.

All other duties. Any discussion on on the amendment by Dr. Riley? Mr. Baga? I uh I agree with it. I just uh I'm curious as to why it's not in there.

It's supposed to be in an every job description that we have over the years.

That item is supposed to be listed. Um so I don't know why it's not here or is is it not here because it's somewhere else in here or I didn't see it.

No, I don't think it's in here. I think that it needs to be added. It wasn't picked up at facility subcommittee before it got referred and it's being added on all basically.

Yeah, I think we have to be attentive to that.

Yep. Thank you.

I have a motion and second on the amended uh on the amendment first um by Dr. Riley. Deb, call the role, please.

Mr.

Yes.

Mr. Das, yes.

Mr. Corey, yes.

Mr. Monus, yes.

Mr. Riley, yes.

Miss Stewart, yes.

Mayor Coug, yes. Now to approve the re amended revised supervisor of custodial services. Now Mr. Das.

Thank you. Um so and the chair of the subcommittee can correct me if I'm wrong on the timeline here. So this item was referred out of subcommittee originally at um one our first meeting of the new year. Um myself and other members had um some additional questions. We received some backup from Mr. Pico on um some invoices. I not invoices but some um estimates on um which I appreciate Mr.

Pico for providing. I believe we're going to have a second um discussion on those numbers. However, because of the storm, the meeting was cancelled.

So, I'd like to make a motion at this time we refer this back to um facilities and operations subcommittee further discussion. I thought we were voting on the amended job description.

We voted on the amendment. We approved the amendment that Dr. Riley offered.

Now we're voting on the job and Mr.

Oh, you we we didn't vote on the first one as amended.

Oh, no. We were voting on the amendment uh the amended job description on one and you I I withdraw my motion. I'll make a motion refer to approve the first one as amended.

Let's let's we got a motion and a second on approving the revised supervisor of custodial services. Let's call the role on that one first, please.

Who made the motion? I'm sorry.

Mr. Das made the motion. Mr. Aguia was seconded it.

Okay. Mr. A.

Yes.

Mr. Das.

Yes.

Mr. Cory.

Yes.

Mr. Monus.

Yes.

M. Riley.

Yes.

Miss Stewart.

Yes.

Mayor Kugan.

Yes. Now on the refrigeration appliance.

Motion to refer to facilities and operations subcommittee.

Second.

I have a motion on this and a second on referring this back. Any further discussion? Mr. Aguar. So I know in this particular item at the subcommittee we absolutely told the when we referred it to add the language that Mr. Eiley had mentioned to this but it's not here. So when we do send it back that has to be here as well. The specific conversation was around who is going this is a new

position that's actually going to instead of hiring out a person to repair properties we were trying to do a costbenefit analysis to see if it's going to save the district money and have a a person on staff. At the time, we asked for some backup, which I think is the reason why we want to get more backup. But it was also said that this position would report to the director of maintenance. So if there isn't enough

work, for instance, in the cafeteria fixing something, he has the ability to use them wherever he needs sees fit across the department. So that was not listed. So as it gets referred, please add that to it and we'll have the discussion on Monday. I Okay. So I have a motion a second to send back to the subject. I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. Dr. Riley, you gotta look this way.

I know it's just when this goes back, can we make it look like the other one it's flipped?

Responsibilities is at the top or qualifications at the bottom. Can we just make them consistent?

Consistent. Okay, please.

Thank you.

Gotcha.

So for consistency and for further information, let's have a vote on referring back the refrigeration apply service repairment. De, give it a call, please.

Mr.

Yes.

Mr. Das, yes.

Mr. Cory, yes.

Mr. Monus, yes.

Mr. Riley, yes.

M. Stewart, yes.

Mayor Kugan, yes. 94 is a second read and vote to approve the social networking policy as referred by the policy subcommittee and presented by Scott Cabraw, chief information officer.

Motion to adopt. I have a motion to any discussion.

I'd just I'd just like to I'd just like to hear about it. Mr. Chairman, Mr. Cabar, this is 94,

Mr. Corey, what exactly do you what just just in general what it's all about? Okay. So, we had a policy um superintendent and I looked at it and it was very archaic. It was written in 2016. Technology changes by the second.

Uh so we tried to tighten up the language um basically for staff members and um how they can and cannot use you know social media and the effective ways and the not good ways to go about it.

Yeah. I would just add that the former policy that we had really acted more as guidance kind of, you know, would say it had language that said and you really shouldn't do this and it's not in your best interest to do that. And we definitely have come across um some situations um where there wasn't a policy violation necessarily um directly, but we felt like there was behavior that was

problematic. And so the intent here was to tighten up the language so that we could make it crystal clear to people that the expectation is that people um our staff members are using our district supported communication, you know, our our email accounts, our parent square and things like that. They're not using their personal devices, texting, Snapchatting, and you know, it just wasn't tight enough before. And this

language I think makes it crystal clear to people what the expectations are. My question, Madame Superintendent, are you happy with the revised changes?

I am. Yeah. And we, you know, we we'd made some adjustments even coming out of um, you know, the last meeting just so that we weren't, I know there was some discussion around this actually still said fratonization, which, you know, um, which is the language that I think is actually in the MASC policy. We took that out because this is really, this isn't staff staff. This is, you know, staff and students.

And Mr. Cory, we also, you know, the superintendent and I, this is a great training. Um, we're looking at creating a training at the beginning of the year.

Staff members have to go through the online training. We're looking at actually putting something together um that deals with this policy, but something to help um and just give best practice advice.

That's great. Thank you so much for the explanation, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Das just very quickly just um for my colleagues edification um superintendent correct me if I'm wrong this was proposed by the administration I don't even believe we made any changes to the administration proposal so this came right from the administration I yield great thank you I yield anything further on uh Mr. dragier.

So, I think uh some of the um my concern and I don't know that it actually uh addresses it here and I don't know if it's in another policy is we've had um situations, let's say, where um staff members befriend students potentially and they're um becoming friends with them over the years and then all of a sudden they graduate and then their relationships turn into a lot more than what we all would think is

appropriate for former students. I don't know that it's addressed here in in that vein. Like what is it? I know it says you're not supposed to give you information or whatever, but there's too many situations in my personal opinion where uh staff gets um too close to students and then things happen and then they're reporting back to us that some inappropriate conduct happened and then

it's well they're 18, it's after after school hours.

that conversation is not a um I don't have a good answer for people on it, but I don't think that is addressed here. Am I wrong?

Well, I because this is just a social media policy and it really is intended to address staff student communication um you know in real time while they are students. And I think we'd have to look at some other policy language um that addresses just staff student relationships and outlines expectations there.

Mr. Chair, I'll take you on Mr. Das.

Thank you. Just um to answer to through you to answer my colleague. This will be both staff to staff um and staff to student um communications like outside of social media will be addressed by the policy subcommittee um next Wednesday and we will either at that meeting or very soon um refer some policies that address your positions that you're um bringing up which are very valid. I yield. Anything further?

Uh, can I get a vote to approve the social networking policy?

Motion.

I have a motion. A second. De call.

Okay. I'm sorry, Mr. AA.

I raised this at the last meeting as well. I think uh because it's a policy on social media for both adults as well as students. I think somewhere uh at in some policy we have to clarify for people for workers in all different areas that no one should be posting on social media during the school day consistently.

um how you do that. I mean people can if they're on their break or this or that.

I just think we need to have some sort of policy around people are supposed to be working in the schools or the city and they they're posting things on social media. I I don't think that's a good look as well as I just don't know that it's here either. So maybe the subcommittee can take a look at that. But um there definitely I think an issue.

I I don't disagree. Um, I think that where we and anybody would really run into um some difficulty with enforcement is whether or not we can tell people what they're doing during their preparation time or during their lunch break and things like that. Um, and some of that feels like would be an overstep in terms of regulating what people do during what is, you know, their free time. So, I think that we just have to

be very careful around that.

I just Miss Riley has her hand up.

Let's see the poll. I'm so sorry. You're gonna sit over here for how long it Dr.

Riley?

I do think this is this addresses kind of all of the things you brought up, Mr.

Agri. And also, there are times when we do want staff members to post during the day. We want we want folks to share the good things that are happening in their classrooms and student work and those kind of things. We're using Parent Square. We're using other apps that that are educational and purpose and can provide that. So I think number eight where it says staff members shall

maintain professionalism. I think that addresses it. Our teachers are professionals and they know what's appropriate and not and if something inappropriate happens then that's something that the admin could address.

Um but I think this policy kind of covers all of those pieces other than your first concern about the relationships and I think that is in another policy. Well, I think it it's on the radar. So, yeah, people can watch it and and see what people are posting during the school day and determine whether that's appropriate or not. And then there has to be some response to that because not I'm not

referring to things like uh posting on uh social media for school events and and all that stuff. That's not what I'm referring to. What I'm referring to is many people from all different areas of the school system are posting on different things all day on their social media potentially. That needs to be addressed somehow. That's all I'm trying to figure it out.

Thank you. I yield.

Okay. We have a a motion and a second on the social media policy. Deb, would you call the role, please?

Mr.

Yes.

Mr. Das, yes.

Mr. Cor, yes.

Mr. Modus, yes.

Mr. Riley, yes.

M. Stewart, yes.

Mayan, yes. Item 95 is discussion and vote. the disclosure by our attorney Bruce Assad and the financial interest of immediate family members and determination by the school committee that that financial interest is not substantial to be deemed likely to affect the integrity of the services which in the school which the school committee may expect of him as required by GLC 268A section 19. Mr.

side.

Yes, this is a a disclosure that is filed anytime there's a situation where immediate family would would have a benefit based on any type of work that a an individual would do. uh this particular type of disclosure we've been filing for I must be two decades maybe three uh in terms of uh whenever there is a news uh committee [snorts] uh but my policy has been to file uh number one who the immediate family

members are and request that a vote of the uh of the committee uh once the disclosure is made and you do have the disclosures with you we filed two on this particular case one on section 19 and one in section 23. Uh and basic basically once the vote is taken the disclosures uh take care of any type of conflict that it might have been is something that's in the law on something

that is done on a on a routine basis.

Any qu I have a motion to approve. Any discussion? Do I have a second?

Second.

Motion to second. Um Deb, could you please call the role under disclosure?

Mr. Aguier. So would this be filed with the city clerk?

City clerk and also with uh with our clerk here in u uh the school department.

So I think this is uh basically what anyone would have to do if they have a conflict. But I personally don't think that we get these from people that do have conflicts. So I think a review from the city uh clerk to see who else has disclosures. So if attorney [snorts] Assad has to do this, everybody else that has a conflict should have to do it as well. And over the years, I don't

think that that's been done. So, if I could ask uh Attorney Assad or whoever to somebody to look at city hall to find figure out and notify people that if they do have conflicts that they have to file a disclosure.

I just the Dr. Riley, thank you. The reporting is different for elected versus hired. So, I think because he's a non-elected municipal municipal employee, he has to disclose to the board who hired him. That's correct.

But because we're elected members, we disclose to the city clerk.

That was referring to us. Yeah. Yeah.

So, we have to file with the city clerk and that hasn't happened over but attorney Assad does not have to. He only has to file with us.

If we could just check to see who didn't to make sure everyone's on the same page that if you have a conflict you need to file.

Uh Deb, can you call the role on 95 please?

Mr.

Yes.

Mr. Das.

Mr. President. Present.

Mr. Corey.

Yes.

Mr. Monus.

Yes.

Mr. Riley.

Yes.

Stewart.

Yes.

May Yes. 96 is discussion on the academic calendar for 2526 is presented by Dr.

Curley.

Sure. So, I offered um a look at a revised um academic calendar with an end date on Monday, June 29th that reflects seven snow days um from this year, as well as um changes in our, you know, term and trimester end dates for trimester 2 and then um and in term three. So, they're here. The one thing I did want to mention is that we did um just attend prior to coming to this

meeting um at four o'clock a meeting with um Commissioner Martinez. And at that time it was shared that the state is going to entertain waiver applications um for potential stop date across the state potentially on June 26th. And so while this calendar um reflects a Monday, June 29th, um we would like to um ask for a waiver of one day to end the school year on Friday, June 26th.

And so I'm bringing um that revision to what I had proposed to the committee today.

Discussion. I have a motion. I have a second.

Just chair.

Question.

Mr. Cory, then Mr.

I just saw how many days did we miss uh because of inclement weather?

Seven.

We lost seven.

And and so we're required to make up at least five of those days. Is that cor correct?

So we are required to make up all of them.

Yeah.

We build in five inclement weather days.

Um there's at the state level the discussion has been um people making up a minimum of the five days. is there were different criteria. You have to make up a minimum of the five days. You have to meet 990 hours. Um multiple criteria and if you can meet them um you can apply for a waiver for an end an end date um of June 26th.

So which is the Friday of which is the Friday so that they wouldn't have to come back just on a Monday. And I think that would end up saving us a ton of money too as far as opening up all the buildings and everything getting it ready. So, I'm in favor of that waiver.

All right, Mr. Mr. Das, [clears throat] thank you. Um, so I know there's um [snorts] a lot of this is some things we we have to work with the state on. It's not much we can't do except like you said, madam superintendent apply for the waiver. So, if we we miss five days of school because of this most recent snowstorm, correct? We missed the those five days. So if we didn't have those

days, the we would be getting out June 20th.

My math's correct if because we had the inclement weather date the 25th if we didn't have those or it'll be the 21st.

It was the um the inclement weather date that we had listed was June 25th. Um but the extra days bring us to June 29th.

So, but you're asking if we didn't have these five if if it had only been two.

No, I I'll clarify. If um we didn't miss we didn't have the snowstorm, you didn't miss what what day?

June 20th.

20th. Okay.

Mhm.

Um my position is this was um a once in a decade storm. At least a lot of this was out of our control.

And I understand staff and students don't may not want to go until the 25th. And we at least the least we can do is make the effort to apply for the waiver. And if um Desi denies it, they deny it or if they approve it, they approve it. I understand we're going for the waiver for one day. However, I my position is we should apply for both.

If we get lucky, we can apply for see if we can get out on the 20th. If not, then the 25th.

So, yeah, I just want to be really clear. There are parameters um to the to applying for that waiver. And so, the general requirement is the 180 days. If we there isn't an opportunity for us to only go for 175 days.

Oh, we we can't apply for a waiver for that 175. Yeah, the parameters are are are pretty I think that the the eye is on gen generally across the state getting having schools close on the on that on that Friday. Um and a lot of that I think has to do with the fact that there are mult [snorts] there are camps um and even afterchool programs that are um actually funded and run by

schools that generally even start that next week that last week in June and early July and um I think it would cause a lot of disruption for um schools across the state if they weren't pushed into the following week.

But there is not an opportunity really for us to apply for a waiver of five days. We'd be looking really at the the waiver of one day based on the parameters that are being set forth by uh set forth by the department of ed by the department. So by the federal by the federal government. What do you mean by desi?

Desi state level.

Um I see the deputy commissioner is here. Can I ask him some questions?

No, we're not bringing him up. No comment.

Mr. Yeah, I think if I recall it's always anticipated for 5 days anyway.

Like it's not like so we're not going from zero days to seven days, right?

So the staff gets noticed at the beginning of the year just to try to clarify for Mr. Das that it's anticipated that you're going to have five more days.

So it's not like you're going from zero days to seven days. The staff gets notices, parents get noticed at the beginning of the year that this schedule is building in five days to get out. So you're really only talking about one day if I was to um so I don't think it personally I don't think that's I think the kids need to be in school for as many hours as they can.

Sure.

U one day is not going to right you know matter so much to that and I think that we're I'm assuming that we're over the 9.

We are and so part of the requirements that um if you're applying for the waiver you're meeting the 900 hours at that secondary level and the 990 at the earlier grades. Um and we would do that if we um went for came in for one less day even that that's what I was referring to. So we're not like just barely over.

So that one day is going to knock us below.

No. And we'll take a look obviously at the um structured learning time for each school just to make sure. But based on what I've seen and what I can recall, I think we will be fine.

Thank you.

And so that's simply a discussion. 97 is simply ask question on here as discussion but this really came up and we put this um I was moving this to the agenda because in the past um even when we don't have to toy with the academic calendar itself and the days we're in attendance we do very often kind of play with we have played with the dates term ending dates

in the past for one reason or another um and it has not come before the committee but this is a published academic calendar that does get approved by the committee And so when we had this discussion, we put it on the agenda. I understand that it's not listed here. Um for motion to approve Mr. Maggie, I made a motion to approve it. Uh pending um like um approval by Desty for the one that

I will come back. Right. And so I don't know if there's an opportunity to make a motion to further amend in the event that we are granted a waiver.

Did someone second it?

Yep.

Yeah.

Oh, it's okay. I get a motion to second on the new Colin. Colin seconded it.

Um, voting on 96 the academic calendar.

Deb, call the role, please.

Mr.

Yes.

Mr. Das, yes.

Mr. Cory, yes.

Mr. Monus, yes.

Mrs. Riley, yes.

Miss Stewart, yes.

Mayor Coug, yes. 97 is discussion. the facilities and operations subcommittee recommended that the mayor invite Ala Laa or an alternate to attend the school committee meeting to speak about smoke snow communication with the district. Um I can do that one. What are the questions that came up?

Any of them?

Well, I can tell you that the last storm um Well, I just want to Mr. Pico and I were riding around together uh checking schools. Uh obviously, we're all on the call for equipment. um trying to coordinate efforts with the school department and the city. We had another meeting today to look at uh MIMA funding and FEMA funding and uh anything we do uh in relation to our schools. Uh it seems like when we're picking where

we're going with our first wave of plows or snow removal, we always try to stay around the schools, the hospitals, and the main through fairs. And that's kind of the philosophy we go to. As you know, a lot of our secondary streets may have been hit a day or two later, but um when the first wave of snow removal goes in, it's uh attacking the areas around the schools, hospitals, and main through

fairs. Any questions, Mr. Aguia?

So, if Mr. Oliver was here. One of the questions that I would ask for him is, so in the 18inch storm or whatever that earlier storm was where I think that we had some issues, we were not ready in my opinion in the city relative to snow removal to get the students in the sidewalks, all that stuff. Like I said before, the current one had all the material and every equipment. I

understand that. But when we go to the first storm, so we had school on a Wednesday. [snorts] On a Tuesday, I met with Mr. Chico outside the administration building where they were on the corners picking up uh this snow and hauling it out in that conversation and I'm paraphrasing but the end of the day was the conversation about the streets and that the city wasn't going to get these streets any better off even

if they worked all if we closed all week and it's always sat with me that that's a problem because as a a citizen of river you look at the streets the streets are not wide enough you one lane I understand in the middle of a storm.

So the next day you get through it the subcommittee suggested that we help the city expand around the schools to get the other stuff done along the way when that conversation was happening. My question to Mr. Aloe vera would be the week after and the week after that or whatever it is until those streets are actually wide enough so you can have two sets of uh cars going back and forth.

Why is it that I was told and I believe this to be the truth that the following week after the snowstorm the trucks didn't even have the plows on them in the yard. that the trucks had no plow on them in the yard. So, I'm trying to figure out why is it that we can't get uh these streets widened. What are the people doing that work for the department with the big white trucks

with the big plows? Why can't they widen the streets? So, in le of Mr. Alita, can you tell us why?

I'll be glad to. Um, if you remember the first storm, we went into a deep freeze almost simultaneously within the next few days and that was ice. Our trucks couldn't even move it. And we hit the same thing with this last storm. The white trucks, the big ones that I'm with you, I thought could move that stuff were not able to move it. The first storm, we altered our uh insurance

requirements for our plowers. We altered our rate of pay to try to get up to the state rate. And as you know, we've had mild winters for the last three or four.

So friends of yours and mine all took their plows off and they didn't buy the extra insurance. Now with a storm like this, people stepped to the forefront.

The first one was a challenge. The second one was a challenge. Um going into next year with the new requirements waving the Fall River being a rider on the insurance and hopefully if we have to again we'll up the rates so we get the right equipment in here. But it's very very competitive on getting equipment in because everybody's looking for it that I talked to on the state level and the local communities. It's

it's a battle, but I'm with you. We need more equipment.

So, I I I'm not buying that uh necessarily because all I'm suggesting and I think anybody that watches the looks at the streets would say if you have an entire side of the road that was a a a parking ban. So, you have a parking ban on one side and there's a whole bunch of snow, whether it's snow, ice, or whatever it is and there they nobody can park down that road. The

buses can't pull down. Why is it that those trucks can't chip away at it like I had to do with my snowblower?

I Kevin, I agree with you. When Marzil's couldn't get the street open, I I went to the barn.

There was a small truck there. I said, "Send a big white one. Go down Marzilla's." He had to back out of the street. It wouldn't move even with the big white one. So, I was kind of a little bit taken back. What we did was we went to the went to the front end loaders and we moved it. And if that's what we have to do, then that's what we're going to do. But it is a

challenge.

I just think it's uh I didn't see it and that's why we asked to have them because I saw it. Absolutely reflects on the the streets aren't ready for us to have buses, all the kids, you know, parking for the families, the sidewalks, all that stuff. So, I think that's a an issue going forward. And oh, it's a challenge. And how are we going? What is our expectation for a storm? Is it what

we did now or is it from the first one?

I think that's well what we did now I don't think I don't know I don't know if we could ever afford that. But I think going forward we have to next year be very aggressive in our signing up carriers, loaders and trucks to get on the city payroll to be first called when we hit a storm like that so we can get our streets clear. We just have to be

more diligent. We have to work better on our sectors. We had a meeting about that and we're addressing everything.

The uh you mentioned about insurance and this is really not a school issue, but what happened to the people who bought the insurance? Did they get reimbured?

No, I don't know. I I don't think there was that many from what I was told, but we'll talk. We'll work with them cuz the way I'm seeing it as a citizen is if you had 30 vendors that paid for the insurance.

I don't know if we had whatever it is, 10 20 and then all of a sudden in the storm you wave it. What about that poor sucker that just spent $5,000 on insurance?

Shouldn't they get their money back? I don't know if we didn't they didn't give it to us. They bought gave it to an insurance company.

No, I understand that. But they bought it under the premise that they in order to plow for us, we needed it and things changed.

Things changed. So now, sorry, you're out of luck.

Well, I wouldn't want to be those people.

Will you work with them?

I hope so.

For your information, Mr. Chair, Mr. Das, thank you. On this item on um I'm just going to mention quickly FEMA and EMA. I understand we had a um an emergency shelter. Was it at CUS? CUS? No, nobody was there.

Oh, so it never opened up.

So, we never um My my question was going to be if um there was So, we didn't have to pay for any overtime, no anything.

Okay. Um in terms of FEMA, is it possible and I know there's you declared an emergency declaration. I understand the state declared an emergency declaration.

Is there any way we can um reach out to FEMA to recoup some of the cost for we Mr. Dasude have been very proud of us. We had a meeting in the mayor's office today with about 20 people. Mr.

Petiko was there where we're compiling all the bills and hopefully we get reimbured for as much city and school.

Absolutely. City and schools. Yep. Um last question on this is um the emergency management um task force or committee would did the school department have a um representative Mr. Chico.

Yep.

Okay. I yield.

Mr. Cory.

Uh Mr. Chair, I just want to take a moment to appraise the work of our facilities and operations department. Uh given the challenge of the past two snowstorms. The first one as you said we went into a deep freeze immediately became almost impossible to work uh in normal ways but for the second storm which was so huge in its scope um I know a couple of people who work inside

facilities and I asked them I said how's it going they said we have not stopped working we have been going and going and going and going and for those people And under Mr. Pachico's guidance, I want to praise the entire department for the yman's effort at keeping our schools, you know, being able to open up on time, you know, the second time around. Thank you, Mr. Pico and your department. I

appreciate it very much. I yield, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. One further question. So, I know we got reimbursed or whatever. Who on the city side or the school side kept track of all the uh people like how many hours everybody gets? Is that so Mr. Pico would keep Mr. Mr. Chica would keep account of the schools. DCM keeps account of DCM. Police keep account of police. EMS keeps account of EMS. They're all bundled. They're shipped to MIMA. We look 48 hours is

what we talked about today. We're covered 48 hours by FEMA. So, we'll look at the most coste effective 48 hours window of the 5day removal of the snow and put that in.

We're going to be reimbursed for all the outside equipment came in by the state so that that FEMA money will then help offset all the others.

Yeah. I was just so if you're saying all those folks on the city side have to do it, but it's up to Mr. Pacico to say how much he has and then otherwise we in our budget pay like I'm just trying to get an idea of what we have.

Well, his his his bills are going in with everyone else's. They're bundled.

They go in as a group and then we start carving out what money we get and it's it's going to be a city bill no matter what where we start.

Mr. Bico had indicated that meeting that I told you about when we were taking the snow out that the city was paying the hauling.

Yeah, probably the first one. Yeah, the first one. This was the big one.

City pays the hauling is uh you know um I I think that uh I would echo um what Mr. Corey said. I think the you know the workers did a great job. One of the things I'm concerned about which is a different issue is the custodians. uh they didn't come to work uh for the week because of some contract language or something. So, as much as we want to say

we did it right in certain ways, there's an issue there with uh the schools weren't open, city halls closed, so therefore no custodians came to work for 4 days or 10% of them did. I I I figure that's a I think that's a problem.

It's things to work on, Mr. A.

Absolutely. Um, yeah, I do want to compliment everybody because being right in the uh both in the emergency headquarters of the fire department at DCM at Bishop Connley, which we used as a staging area for the amount of equipment that came in. It was really something to see. It was a great unify effort and uh I know people went 60 70 hours like Mr.

Corey said and we got our way through it. It was a heck of a storm and I appreciate everyone's help. Now we have a number of retirements resignations appointments placed on file.

I have a motion. Do I have a second?

Second.

Uh Deb, can you call the role on the notifications?

Mr.

Yes, Mr. Das.

Mr. Das.

On the notifications.

Approve. Motion to approve.

Yes or no?

Oh, yes. I apologize.

Mr. Corey, yes.

Mr. Monus, yes.

Miss Riley, yes. Miss Stewart, yes.

Yes. Item 11, new business. Any new business to come before the committee hearing? None. Mr. Assad, is there a reason to go into executive session?

Mr. Chair, new business. Did we get through new business?

I just said it, but go ahead.

Sorry, I was I was discussing attorney side. Um, just um if we can just get an update at some point. I know Mr. Aguar brought up today that there was a basketball game that was suddenly cancelled. Um just like to um that get an update on that to do you know the details like who Mr. Agar sent the entire committee an email I I the only team I knew that was still

playing for Dury was the girls team and they lost at Quinsey Friday night elementary.

Oh was elementary game. Okay. Was it scheduled here?

No.

Oh okay.

It was a confusing of schedules but it was like last minute. So when people complained like hey we had a game how does it get cancelceled the day of? That was the concern that I got. That's why I sent it to the superintendent, but it wasn't accurate.

That right.

Okay, that was it. Thank you.

Okay. Request for executive session.

Uh, yes, there would, mayor. Mayor, we're going to be do it doing it a little differently today. We're going to do it in two separate votes. The first would be with respect to mass general laws chapter 38 section 217 to review and approve the executive session minutes for February 11, 2026 regular school committee meeting. also matched laws chapter 38 section 21A3 to discuss strategy with respect to

collective bargaining relative to all custodial employees of the for school system represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. Council 93 local 118 as a chair has determined that open session may have a detrimental impact on the boggling position of the committee and we would require a vote on that.

Motion approved to go into executive session.

He didn't finish reading them all. first two he's doing he's bifoccating it for the first two and then the last three.

Okay.

So this is a motion on the first two.

Gotcha.

And Miss Riley has her hand up.

I'm sorry Dr. Riley.

I'm sorry. I'm going to ask you to bifurcate these two because remember I wasn't able to attend this executive session so that way I can vote on the second one but I have to abstain on the first one.

Okay. Okay. I'm sorry.

So we'll take them individually. The first one is do one at a time.

One at a time. Okay. Fine.

The first approve the first one is MGL chapter 38. I have a motion to approve the first one. Do I have a second?

Second.

Just the minutes.

Just the minutes.

Okay.

De call the roll on the minutes, please.

Mr. Ian, yes.

Mr. Dus, yes.

Mr. Cory, yes.

Mr. Monus, yes.

Mr. Riley, abs.

Miss Stewart, yes.

Mayor Koug, yes.

Motion to approve the second.

Second. MGL chapter 30A, section 213. I have a motion to approve number two.

Second.

I have a second. Discussion hearing none. Deb, call the role on the second one please.

Mr. A, yes.

Mr. Das, yes.

Mr. Cory, yes.

Mr. Monus, yes.

M Riley, yes.

Miss Stewart, yes.

Mayor Kugan, yes.

So now the last three, right, this would be Mayor the second vote would be on National Laws Chapter 38, section 2183 to discuss strategy with respect to litigation claims asserted by Dr. Tracy Curley, superintendent of schools against the former school committee and certain individual school committee members as the chair has determined an open session may have a detrimental impact on the

litigating position of the committee.

Mass General law chapter 38 section 21 A2 to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non-un personnel and to conduct uh contract negotiation with non-un personnel specifically Dr. Tracy Curley, Superintendent of Schools, and also Mass General Laws Chapter 38, section 21A1 to discuss the potential dismissal without cause of Dr. Tracy Curley, Superintendent of Schools.

Motion.

Do I have a second?

Second.

I have a motion and second. Dad, please call the role on the last three items for executive session.

Mr. Dragon, abstain.

Mr. Das, abstain.

Mr. Cory, yes.

Mr. Monus, Miss Riley, yes.

Miss Stewart, yes.

Mayor K, yes. We're going into We would We would reconvene. There may or may not be statements at that time.

We're going into executive session recess.

Uh, we're back in order. Uh, Deb, would you please call the role?

Mr.

Mr. Dus.

Mr. Corey here.

Mr. Morinus here.

Mr. Riley present.

M. Stewart here. Cougan here. Anything further to come before the committee?

Yes. To approve the executive session minutes for February 11th.

Um, Miss Stewart made a motion to approve the executive session minutes.

Does anybody want to second it?

Mr. Monus second. Um, all um, Deb, call the roll.

Mr. U Mr. Aguia, Mr. Das. Mr. Corey here.

Yes.

Mr. Um, Mr. Monus.

Yes.

M. Riley.

Abstain. Miss Stewart, yes.

Mayor Cougar, yes. I'll entertain a motion to adjurnn.

So moved.

Second.

Uh, all in favor? I opposed. Unanimous. We're going