During a recent Fall River City Council meeting, educators voiced urgent concerns regarding ongoing contract negotiations and the state of local schools. Keith Michonne, president of the Fall River Educators Association, presented a petition signed by over 800 members, urging the council to expedite a fair contract settlement. The educators have been in negotiations since January 2024, seeking improvements in compensation, parental leave policies, and respect for their professional expertise.

Michonne highlighted the city's favorable financial position, citing $10 million in new state aid and a $5 million annual surplus for the Fall River Public Schools over the past two fiscal years. He emphasized that now is the critical time for the city to invest in education, which he argues is essential for retaining and attracting quality teachers.

Another educator, Adevan D'Souza, shared personal anecdotes about the rising cost of living in Fall River, including a significant rent increase, and lamented the stagnation of teacher wages over the past 16 years. He pointed out that while the state’s Chapter 70 funding has increased by an average of 10% annually, local educators have seen their wages decline by approximately 6% over the same period. D'Souza urged the council to support teachers, noting that many are considering leaving the city for better opportunities elsewhere.

Robert Gorman, a math teacher at Durfee High School, raised concerns about the curriculum being imposed on students, which he believes does not cater to their diverse learning needs. He described efforts to adapt the curriculum to better suit students struggling with literacy but expressed frustration at being instructed to follow the curriculum strictly without modifications.

The meeting underscored a growing urgency among educators for the city to prioritize educational investment and address the challenges facing both teachers and students in Fall River. The educators' call for action reflects broader concerns about the future of education in the city and the need for immediate and meaningful changes.