[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6338191,"mediaKeyId","2270474-a3d5b4c6975385b23081ab1d8d249c35","parentId",2270474,"title","Votes at a glance: school committee approves contracts, grants, technology purchase and a 2% cap on state virtual schools","audioSeconds",2496,"startMs",3916000,"endMs",6412000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2270474-a3d5b4c6975385b23081ab1d8d249c35&start=3916&end=6412","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2270474-a3d5b4c6975385b23081ab1d8d249c35/thumbnail_3916000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6338191/Massachusetts/Votes-at-a-glance-school-committee-approves-contracts-grants-technology-purchase-and-a-2-cap-on-state-virtual-schools","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6338191-7615cba70bfff4b69832fc96a60e9a01/orig.mp4?Expires=1770640335&Signature=gYNAYkOV5dlhgUqhtmPJMBc-~LTp9iN8Z~40wZBn9XLL4HHwJAQwQvCZXMtkqhNK-I4FX2jdpdXvpAAP2d7xf6V-YwqUtnq1ar3oUTMbDCFt06BRlngNgwEMTFhgQYRaoA5dO7KA-77Rchc4uQpuCCCLSe84MekOS2jNAYJs1UqVTTM9M39c0sC50PxVHLRVYKeiOlOwM1w5J25KThGey0SQ7ZeFXCKxnv3ul9s1b0GOwkr4-FV65J6IY7YA52rKchxryuElzXtQG0tkMYEqd1TRUlZcEzPJMppl2Ps0Qdhyh85nORYf3byPY5M~1vWfacAnBE51ujwnHboGTeoecg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Fall River Public Schools, MA","date","2025-02-11T07:42:16Z","article","The Fall River School Committee took a series of formal actions during its Feb. 10 meeting. Below is a concise list of key votes, outcomes and immediate follow‑up directions referenced during the public meeting.

Key votes and outcomes

- Approval of minutes and routine items: The committee approved multiple sets of minutes and routine agenda items by roll call early in the meeting (unanimous where recorded).

- Travel‑reimbursement policy: The committee voted to authorize the superintendent to create (and implement) a district procedure for travel reimbursements and per‑diem amounts immediately, subject to later review by the policy subcommittee. The motion passed by roll call; members said the procedure would be brought to policy for formal adoption.

- Donations: The committee accepted two donations: Stop & Shop and Market Basket gift cards for Green Elementary attendance initiatives and a Rotary Club of Fall River donation (Happy Feet) of sneakers for Fonseca Elementary students. Votes to accept the donations passed by roll call.

- Grants: The committee approved several grants including English Learner Education support and other grants listed on the agenda. One grant was held for discussion; the others were approved by roll call.

- Technology procurement: The committee approved a contract with Wally Computer Associates for device procurement and repair warranty services (contract value reported on the record; approved by roll call). Committee discussion covered warranty, lifespan (typical Chromebook lifecycle of roughly 4–5 years), and device‑care policies.

- Wording and personnel: The committee approved the STEAM job description and a retroactive competency‑determination approach for candidates prior to 2025; both items were referred by the instructional subcommittee and approved by roll call (see related article on curriculum).

- Durfee program of studies: Approved by roll call; the committee debated whether the document should have had a first read but ultimately approved the program (5–2). Members asked for a clear timeline tied to master scheduling and counselor course selection in March.

- Budget calendar: The committee approved a revised FY26 budget calendar with new target dates for a March presentation to the full committee and a public hearing later in March. Members requested small scheduling adjustments and confirmed the committee will finalize exact meeting dates.

- Virtual schools cap: After discussion, the committee voted to cap Fall River students attending Commonwealth of Massachusetts virtual schools at 2% (the legislative/state cap). The superintendent had told the committee she would not advocate for a 1% cap and said the district does not currently offer a full K–12 virtual option. The motion to set a 2% cap passed by roll call.

- Collective bargaining and settlement: The committee approved the Fall River Educators Association (FREA) unit A contract as negotiated (roll call vote recorded). Several items related to bargaining were later discussed in executive session.

Votes noted during the meeting

- Durfee program of studies (agenda item 12.2): approved (yes:5, no:2).
- STEAM job description (agenda item 12.3): approved (unanimous roll call).
- Competency determination (agenda item 12.4): approved (unanimous roll call).
- Wally Computer Associates contract (technology procurement): approved (roll call; majority in favor).
- Revised FY26 budget calendar: approved (roll call; majority in favor).
- Virtual school cap (agenda item 12.6): committee voted to set the cap at 2% (roll call; majority in favor).
- FREA contract unit A (executive session item): approved as negotiated (roll call recorded in executive session return).

Notes on process and follow up: Several committee members and the superintendent emphasized that travel and reimbursement rules should be clear to staff before upcoming trips and that an interim administrative procedure would be put into effect and then vetted by the policy subcommittee. District staff agreed to provide more detail on device‑damage collection practices and warranty usage, and to report on enforcement and financial recovery for damaged or lost Chromebooks.

Ending: The committee concluded formal business, moved several personnel items to be filed and adjourned into executive session for bargaining and personnel matters; additional follow‑up on implementation tasks was assigned to the superintendent and central offices.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2.10.2025 Fall River School Committee","oneSentenceSummary","At its Feb. 10 meeting the Fall River School Committee approved multiple routine and substantive items including a large technology contract, several grants, the Durfee program of studies (see separate article) and set a 2% cap on Commonwealth virtual‑school enrollment.","taxTitle","Fall River Public Schools, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",13236,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6338195,"School committee approves Durfee program of studies; committee also approves competency review process and STEAM job description",3986,2566000,6552000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2270474-a3d5b4c6975385b23081ab1d8d249c35&start=2566&end=6552","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2270474-a3d5b4c6975385b23081ab1d8d249c35/thumbnail_2566000.jpg","/articles/6338195/Massachusetts/School-committee-approves-Durfee-program-of-studies-committee-also-approves-competency-review-process-and-STEAM-job-description","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6338195-bcb56945a03b38d02b87163cd8e5f0be/orig.mp4?Expires=1770640335&Signature=QfQ22OlFphrnLm5ocLuQPi8dRvqsfXBZIZ11ppFUrGMuUZpQs3ajUPG8O7fOuV8rQopVxPdu1wjZfKPA2RdGWlU-uXoxNq7uZe3ovum0bvKa-aFtw3Ayl3pjv82uJsnzuSN7mbpYOTcShU5eSHNSiM-Thw7m9Ijuvuc2wEO0Fv07hyny5-Nw6FcjMW05tire8mY4rWpfckhxkdHKNXLG-neQRYS3sXf46tqR1CNGuOQ0sfOMoxwVGI-w1s-meVmM6Rlk1hE94L5NTaFL52upWEZqZlkj4Js6N8K-IH4gmruZbzG8MF~Pec3SgG0qaAGnHOuvgtxPBAfhIfIAV83vRw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fall River School Committee voted to approve Durfee High School’s program of studies and several companion items on Feb. 10, following a referral from the instructional subcommittee.

Why it matters: The program of studies governs course offerings and the high school master schedule. Committee members debated whether the document should come as a first read to allow more time for review; the committee ultimately approved it by roll call, with five voting in favor and two opposed.

What the committee approved and why:
- Durfee program of studies: Committee members referred the instructional subcommittee’s recommendations to the full committee and then approved the program of studies for implementation after discussion. Superintendent and instructional staff said the program seeks to broaden course options (including more CTE/CTE-style offerings), strengthen access to advanced coursework for underserved students and improve the senior‑year experience.

- STEAM job description: The committee approved a revised job description for STEAM positions intended to broaden hiring flexibility (to include arts and technology specialties) where previously a STEM title or narrower credential might have been used. Assistant Superintendent Brian Rapoza said the change is meant to increase the candidate pool and allow schools to deliver different curricular models under a common title.

- Competency determination for pre‑2025 candidates: The committee approved a proposal to treat prior course work as an alternative pathway for competency determination for students who had not previously earned it through MCAS. The approved approach allows students to meet competency determination if they have earned a passing grade in English 10 (or equivalent), in both Algebra I and Geometry (or equivalent), or in an equivalent high school lab science (biology/chemistry/physics). The item was described as retroactive through 2024 and aims to provide multiple routes to meet the state’s revised graduation standards.

Quotes and details: Assistant Superintendent Brian Rapoza said the STEAM description is an update of the existing STEM posting and “offers flexibility around what’s being taught there, curriculum wise, which should make it easier to fill roles and keep people in them.” On competency determinations, administrators described the approach as a transcript review that aligns course‑based evidence with state guidance.

Process and next steps: Committee members asked that staff continue to present program changes in ways that give teachers, counselors and families time to plan for master schedules and course selection. Several members recommended maintaining or restoring a two‑step (first read/second read) process for large curricular documents to allow schools to present the program and then return with adjustments.

Ending: With the approvals, Durfee’s administration may finalize scheduling and course offerings for the coming year; staff said some course changes will still be refined as counselors collect student requests in March.","The Fall River School Committee approved the Durfee High School program of studies, a revised competency-determination process for students lacking MCAS-based determinations, and a STEAM job description at its Feb. 10 meeting after discussion in the instructional subcommittee.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6338200,"Fall River administrators, department heads press school committee for equitable pay and contract talks",333,673000,1006000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2270474-a3d5b4c6975385b23081ab1d8d249c35&start=673&end=1006","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2270474-a3d5b4c6975385b23081ab1d8d249c35/thumbnail_673000.jpg","/articles/6338200/Massachusetts/Fall-River-administrators-department-heads-press-school-committee-for-equitable-pay-and-contract-talks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6338200-b0c2dcd66f7c4ca7069bed38ed913b15/orig.mp4?Expires=1770640335&Signature=IwTvfRPWf2j2RHpcspNlwXSOHv5VThMPLmkECbwkiOCYNuTctofTt5xgyw4vmA0vclejBhbn1b3Qd3kH6LHMkLT1-NPJktAWuXzD0NkZY2VnjaBUQFlkU7jbrDHwkBy7Mrzr-mq1-HB6Yw2gXeVGMr0dnJuzcfz7x1ZE5Kt1umTL9khWFZFAehn-y4o1dZmWn7XVtUaq5nqrKYRGU43ePpLmogk2s0s5tifRGKMo0mN5FZv9nshErkKfAmEmoilELKRLZd6mdDSWH3CVWh96R95OFZr-T~h4YgtSF14KTEvVSlkQgJNW5rkIqE1EgvD3Yw5kIt-PHxLQEKolpP-ASQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several Fall River Public Schools administrators, department heads and veteran staff used the committee’s citizen input period on Feb. 10 to urge the school committee to settle a pending contract for the Fall River Administrators Association (FRAA) and to correct what they described as persistent pay and workload inequities.

Speakers described long workdays, frequent unpaid overtime and duties that erode time for core tasks such as student meetings, credit reviews and planning. “Our position is that our current compensation at Level 2A is not commensurate with our workload, value, days and hours,” Kate McGraw, ELA department head at the Henry Lord Community School, told the committee.

Why it matters: Department heads, guidance counselors, adjustment counselors and other supervisory administrators said they now earn less per diem than most teachers after recent teacher contract settlements and worry that continued disparity will make it harder to recruit or retain people with supervisory responsibilities.

Department heads and counselors described duties beyond classroom supervision: daily attendance calls, hall and lunch duty, coverage for absent colleagues, MCAS proctoring, IEP and 504 compliance, and new initiatives that add to the work without additional pay. “I can count on one hand the number of times I have had an uninterrupted lunch in my 25 years,” veteran Fall River staff member Maria Matos said, adding that 33% of members of one bargaining unit had resigned or retired since 2022.

Several speakers asked the committee to consult building principals and central office before finalizing any contract language so the committee understands the full scope of supervisory workloads and the number of staff they support. McGraw asked the committee to “find out the number of teachers we provide direct support to and the number of students whose instruction we influence” before deciding pay levels.

Superintendent Tracy Curley and committee members acknowledged the comments during the meeting. Committee members repeatedly encouraged the unions and the administration to use existing contract mechanisms — including quarterly meetings — to surface issues and to return to the negotiating table. “We have to take a hard look at it,” said one committee member, noting limited district funds and the need to balance increases across employee groups.

What was requested and next steps: Speakers asked the school committee to settle the FRAA contract without delay and to align administrators’ compensation more closely with comparable supervisory roles (vice principals, deans). Several committee members urged the superintendent and HR to provide a clearer accounting of workloads and schedules and to bring proposals back during the budget and bargaining cycles. The superintendent said she would brief the committee and that quarterly meetings are available for dialogue.

Ending: The comments closed a citizen-input session that also included students and parents discussing programs and choice. The committee did not take a formal vote on any contract changes at the Feb. 10 meeting; union negotiations and any formal committee action remain pending.","Several Fall River Public Schools administrators, department heads and longtime staff urged the school committee to settle the Fall River Administrators Association contract and to address workload, lost lunches and pay disparities during a packed citizens’ input session.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: school committee approves contracts, grants, technology purchase and a 2% cap on state virtual schools

School committee approves Durfee program of studies; committee also approves competency review process and STEAM job description

Fall River administrators, department heads press school committee for equitable pay and contract talks