[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6084735,"mediaKeyId","2908194-73d59273fbf72acc66ef9b425ee20361","parentId",2908194,"title","Fall River schools present $197.8 million FY26 operating budget and press state on transportation funding","audioSeconds",3990,"startMs",1255000,"endMs",5245000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2908194-73d59273fbf72acc66ef9b425ee20361&start=1255&end=5245","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2908194-73d59273fbf72acc66ef9b425ee20361/thumbnail_1255000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6084735/Fall-River-City/Bristol-County/Massachusetts/Fall-River-schools-present-1978-million-FY26-operating-budget-and-press-state-on-transportation-funding","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6084735-30087948c3b27502c1fa194eb3d33ffe/orig.mp4?Expires=1773676976&Signature=WApKFZX4-6hWEbmIieaf5KtGudAchr7FE4HT2PSFZ79ea4nmEofnGivk2xslK1SlP0SuYh~iZNxpYW2mZZ-LFSWqnwV2X4p2dBmejekGU3L332PSvCaolyRlY67qWtH6~CdJVwbKkO-r0WYz3XDFaCSKRDoYIakF9o2ihhomVpoRqOU03jK7UUbqLv6kyYLtLFeYP7rWo2EJdAFvEc9BKNTPbZKkc0lULx-sBTM9fuutifVs6NBG3vDHYGlJQ2BUDb4R4xiLNsRGndVbypJJdeyImgf5kqylATb0CCQKoyU3fkJrD61zjx1QODMNMMxoiXUgnWdfdtSlOoWEWbwtwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Fall River City, MA","date","2025-04-09T09:57:04.763Z","article","Fall River Public Schools Superintendent Tracy Curley and district financial staff presented a proposed FY26 operating budget of $197,837,210 and a proposed transportation budget of $13,100,000 during a joint meeting with the City Council and the School Committee on April 8.

The presentation opened with Superintendent Tracy Curley describing the budget as an ‘‘extension of our district priorities’’ and saying the FY26 plan grew from a process that began last fall with staff and community input. Curley said the district prioritized investments in staffing, special education and multilingual supports, infrastructure and student supports.

CFO Kevin Almeda walked the joint body through cost drivers and state funding context, noting Fall River is entering year five of six under the Student Opportunity Act and describing the related effects on net school spending and required local contributions. \"We are entering year 5 of 6 for the Student Opportunity Act,\" Almeda said, and showed net school spending climbing from roughly $170 million in 2021 to an estimated $274 million for FY26 under the governor's House 1 figures.

Almeda and COO Ken Pacheco also outlined enrollment and operational changes: the district reported roughly 435 additional students overall, including increases in grades 9–12, and said pre‑K expansion is a major driver of higher transportation costs. Pacheco explained the district runs 30 buses on 44 door‑to‑door routes and is pursuing routing changes (including grouping pickups on north/south corridors and lengthening minimum distances for new riders) to reduce driver hours and the number of buses used.

Officials described capital and one‑time federal investments that have reduced maintenance backlogs. Almeda reported the district fully obligated roughly $61 million received in ESSER allocations for HVAC work, pre‑K expansion, paraprofessionals, technology and enrichment programs, and said district staff have spent recent years balancing those one‑time resources with recurring needs.

The presentation detailed personnel changes in the proposed operating budget (a net increase of about three positions, including seven new teachers and one vice principal, offset by several reductions), and a continuing vacancy issue: Curley said the district had \"upwards of 130\" funded but unfilled positions, many in special education and multilingual learner programs; she said the district fills many roles with contracted staff while continuing active recruitment.

Nutrition department leaders noted a multi‑million‑dollar surplus in the school food account and outlined plans to spend down that balance on kitchen renovations, a food truck, vehicle replacements and staffing to sustain expanded meal service (the district estimates producing about 13,000–14,000 meals per day when parochial partners are included).

Why it matters: school funding changes tied to the Student Opportunity Act and the state foundation formula can raise local required contributions while also increasing programmatic obligations. Transportation is a recurring tension between the school department and city finances: Fall River’s urban routing, expanded pre‑K and contractual costs have pushed the district’s transportation need above what the city currently budgets.

Outcome and follow up: Council and school committee members used the joint session to seek common strategy. The City Council later made a separate motion to pursue a joint letter and resolution asking the state delegation and the legislature to revisit net school spending eligibility for in‑district transportation; the council and school committee agreed to send a joint letter asking state leaders to consider making in‑district transportation eligible for net school spending. The council also referred the HUD/CDBG five‑year plan and other budget items to committee for the formal FY26 process.

What officials said (selected):
Tracy Curley, superintendent, Fall River Public Schools: \"Our FY 26 budget began in the late fall with community and staff input via survey, followed by the development, and approval of district wide priorities.\"
Kevin Almeda, chief financial officer, Fall River Public Schools: \"We are entering year 5 of 6 for the Student Opportunity Act.\"
Ken Pacheco, chief operating officer, Fall River Public Schools: on routing changes: district staff are attempting to reduce serpentine door‑to‑door pickups by grouping students on corridor nodes to shorten route times and place more students on buses.

Community context and next steps: School and city staff will provide more granular enrollment changes by school at subsequent budget hearings and the city’s finance department will continue budget development with the council’s finance committee. The joint letter to the state will be drafted by school and city leaders and circulated to the council and school committee for final sign‑off before submission to the legislature and the governor’s office.

Ending: The district emphasized the FY26 proposal ties directly to its priorities for staffing, special education and facilities improvements; the formal FY26 budget and council appropriation work will continue through the city’s budget hearings, with the council and school committee planning additional finance committee meetings and follow‑ups.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4.8.2025 City Council","oneSentenceSummary","Fall River Public Schools presented a proposed FY26 operating budget of $197,837,210 and a $13.1 million transportation budget at an April 8 joint meeting; district leaders cited enrollment growth and the fifth year of the state Student Opportunity Act as major cost drivers while both bodies agreed to press state leaders to reconsider whether in‑district transportation should count toward net school spending.","taxTitle","Fall River City, Bristol County, Massachusetts","taxId",4215,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6084725,"Council declines to confirm interim chief; calls for outside search and a review process follow tense debate",2122,10410000,12532000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2908194-73d59273fbf72acc66ef9b425ee20361&start=10410&end=12532","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2908194-73d59273fbf72acc66ef9b425ee20361/thumbnail_10410000.jpg","/articles/6084725/Fall-River-City/Bristol-County/Massachusetts/Council-declines-to-confirm-interim-chief-calls-for-outside-search-and-a-review-process-follow-tense-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6084725-f356c8cbb7874001ba6f041cdc83e239/orig.mp4?Expires=1773676976&Signature=YIUnQqC~bjnYxBBPWdNhzeXq4diZCUD-VcUSPtyBaSZGIU8qVtKL5wbHtz5EU7XyhyhvL~zigYUn3sWXo60TRh34gW1gqEVTYxlN-Vy0OXeNhVAcpHn2zQisxbOoUz5uS79yR308MN4HwrnoRIYIADQhjIwQVmnNl9K3N14oMEZG~juYuBn3RfOpFUHRf9YgrrcCe4zRUdH9PnLRDfZpyd~XqMayurTghb4gYmhqh6fBJimJYNnSMrLbFdzMBZKZiZMBQ668d7eh2M7vA63-vAcvGm4t3TgI3-kspdy87PIIcFvL-KS4f~HQC4e8XB1cvkI2-lCUj6ky16AkX8aYxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council met April 8 and voted on the mayor’s nomination to appoint the interim police chief as permanent chief. The nomination failed on a voice/roll‑call sequence and drew sustained public and council debate about process, transparency and departmental morale.

Councilors and members of the public debated whether the appointment should have followed a wider search and formal interview process. Several councilors urged a formal, external search and the creation of a search committee to consider both internal and outside candidates before a permanent appointment is made. Others emphasized the department’s need for stable leadership and said they had seen morale improvements during the interim chief’s trial period.

Public remarks included multiple endorsements of the interim police chief from current and retired department members. Mike Ferrera, a retired Fall River police officer who identified himself as a post‑certified special police officer, spoke in favor of the mayor’s nominee, saying the candidate \"leads by example\" and had years of service across ranks.

Council action and next steps: A councilor moved that the mayor conduct an internal and external search and establish a search committee; that motion passed. The council separately conducted the confirmation vote on the mayor’s appointment and the confirmation failed; councilors then voted to ask the mayor to convene the broader search process and return with recommendations. Several councilors asked the mayor to keep the interim chief in place while the search is completed and to update the council at the next finance/administrative meeting.

Why it matters: Police‑department leadership affects department culture, discipline policy, community policing and day‑to‑day public safety. The council’s decision to seek an external search signals demand for a more explicit, documented selection process in a department that multiple attendees described as having recurring internal conflict.

Context and concerns raised: Council discussion repeatedly referenced an outside investigation into allegations connected to the prior chief’s departure and the timing of personnel decisions. Some councilors urged restraint from public discussion of the investigation while others said the sequence of events raised questions about whether the city had followed best practices and whether an independent recruitment process would reduce perception of factionalism.

What supporters and opponents said (selected):
Michael Ferrera (retired Fall River Police officer): \"Kelly leads by example. She has never been a follower. Kelly is my friend. But most importantly, Kelly is a friend of this community.\"

Ending: The council voted to seek and request the mayor convene a search committee and pursue both internal and external candidates. The mayor’s office and corporation counsel will advise the council on next steps; the council and mayor’s office said they would aim to provide a timeline for a publicly documented search and an update at upcoming budget and administrative committee meetings.","The City Council declined to confirm the mayor’s nominated police chief at its April 8 session and, amid robust public comment and council debate over process and transparency, voted to ask the mayor to initiate a formal internal and external search and to convene a search committee.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6084730,"City finance office outlines FY26 risks: healthcare, solid waste and Diamond stabilization plan",595,6629000,7224000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2908194-73d59273fbf72acc66ef9b425ee20361&start=6629&end=7224","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2908194-73d59273fbf72acc66ef9b425ee20361/thumbnail_6629000.jpg","/articles/6084730/Fall-River-City/Bristol-County/Massachusetts/City-finance-office-outlines-FY26-risks-healthcare-solid-waste-and-Diamond-stabilization-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6084730-1b78fdcbc9661ad0637d00ceb58ace72/orig.mp4?Expires=1773676976&Signature=jqZvpc5DOpEO1NXsDJ-uo2zFYo6SzXrMOnxmPWkU2sI8iyA8WJdSkdr7y-rSEUCHZO9w2n8TPk3T-QnzTwaSJv2HWhLs5bbyg6oUtiwuaCVKEV238lsxPTMOGwG8GWcESazqCzU0W3wi5tll0duDLF252mGwoKiuxEsm3ElH87OADULwB-4~PXgZ9KF-t3dNWXqDKsKO5ru3FIJlnr9WW-1~38W1inAddUf~LmmrKpy3fG9CYDv5KhLpye8ZYyiG-EJcr3bTzChlL-P526gbw8j8KfEus3RwRbsxHCeMhIgstdrIDE5I3WsyzUWSrUPskKfRqBOuToFbSg6ZRNMs4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Emily R. P., interim director of finance for the city, presented an overview of Fall River’s fiscal position and FY26 budget timetable during the joint council–school session. She said the presentation reflected the city’s view of general fund pressures beyond the school budget: rising health‑insurance costs, solid‑waste contract increases, and an upcoming long‑term debt assessment for the Diamond project.

The finance director said local receipts for FY25 are projected above budget and investment income has been strong this year, but warned those revenue gains are unreliable and cannot be relied on in future years. Emily R. P. said the city is tracking healthcare trust fund shortfalls after several years of under‑funding plus recent premium increases; the finance office has transferred $2.5 million from free cash to the health account and plans an additional transfer request to begin rebuilding the trust balance.

Emily R. P. described a proposal to create a dedicated Diamond stabilization fund to hold a year‑ahead debt payment once the long‑term bonds are issued; she said FY26 is expected to be the first year with a full Diamond debt assessment in the operating budget and recommended a dedicated reserve so future budget cycles can absorb volatility without an immediate tax increase.

On solid waste, the finance director said contract renewals and increased tonnage have pushed costs up statewide; the city is pursuing an RFP for a new long‑term contract (FY27 start) and obtained a three‑year grant for a recycling coordinator. The finance office reported a general fund stabilization balance near $18 million with an end‑of‑year goal of about $24 million.

Why it matters: the city’s FY26 budget must balance competing priorities — public safety, debt service, and increasing legacy costs such as retirement, health insurance and contracted municipal services. The Diamond debt and the healthcare trust both create multi‑year obligations city leaders said they wanted to manage by establishing explicit reserves and clearer budgeting conventions.

Outcome and next steps: finance staff will continue to refine FY26 numbers and meet with department heads, the auditor and councilors during a schedule of finance committee meetings through May and June; staff recommended changes to budget modules to capture zero‑based justifications and to align capital planning with operating projections.

What officials said (selected):
Emily R. P., interim finance director: \"We know that there are many financial pressures outside of our control ... but we want to focus on improving standards and practices around what we can control to build financial stability.\"

Ending: The finance presentation sets out a multi‑month calendar for FY26 hearings and asked councilors to send written questions to staff in advance so personnel and procurement details (for example solid‑waste assumptions and recycling grant usage) can be included in the formal budget book for May’s presentation.","Interim city finance officials told the council the city faces near‑term pressure from rising health‑insurance costs, solid‑waste contract increases and the upcoming Diamond long‑term debt assessment; staff proposed a Diamond stabilization fund and steps to rebuild the healthcare trust and tighten budget practices.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6084720,"State law change complicates city’s Abutters‑Lots plan for small tax‑possession parcels",462,6373000,6835000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2908194-73d59273fbf72acc66ef9b425ee20361&start=6373&end=6835","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2908194-73d59273fbf72acc66ef9b425ee20361/thumbnail_6373000.jpg","/articles/6084720/Fall-River-City/Bristol-County/Massachusetts/State-law-change-complicates-citys-AbuttersLots-plan-for-small-taxpossession-parcels","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6084720-af59ebee25889dc3e0b3cb3015aece2c/orig.mp4?Expires=1773676976&Signature=eMnlC5n45q5348IluVxkOHl9abOWL0eMhw5Gz-FYhLkx4Xr2l3aHOmJ8XpqGSSAg1CqpVKKSv3cXIiEBM5Ctf8fLVhJmkkeVwCnvndyGsdukF-2Z9dVojGLm4l8jb4sLV4YjwuFmfCYe~B8AEn5-3KpPHa7Sv7yJpPchpTNdjhbPh5HOPDgPWWDxS4-SrzOVQoWXymt-ipla2eam4QeSoXb6Kt8dBTrpUCrdWxDkujFkFwnrdX8NdUiU7s-WerSjIgAFaBq~TWcpWJfD7nA37NeObWpnIsKpiLV2YDr9ZqgKTmMFTY4Dec9X-Ss~JXFBeRxnLZKGBMjtmKp13n9eYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City legal counsel and the treasurer briefed the council on the Abutters‑Lots program and the impact of a change in state law that took effect in late 2024. The Abutters‑Lots program had been designed to let owners adjacent to small, unbuildable city parcels buy them back at nominal fixed fees (for example $250–$1,000 depending on lot size); those sales are intended to remove nuisance lots from city rolls and to return small parcels to neighboring property owners.

Treasurer and special counsel explained the legal change: Chapter 64 (as enacted in the 2024 session) requires tax‑possession parcels to be marketed through a real‑estate broker for one year and, after broker marketing, to be offered at auction with a minimum sale price equal to three‑quarters of the appraised fair market value. That standard means many undersized, unbuildable parcels the city hoped to convey through the Abutters‑Lots process would have to be appraised and could not be sold at nominal fixed prices without an ordinance change.

City staff told the council they have about 23 parcels in tax possession; many are wetlands or undersized lots and a few are improved parcels (a former tavern site that is now used as a community garden, and a parcel on Linwood Street). Staff recommended proceeding more quickly on municipal‑owned vacant parcels the council controls (about $14 million in combined estimated value) under the municipal‑property side of the Abutters‑Lots program, because the statutory changes do not restrict sale of municipally owned vacant parcels the same way they now restrict tax‑possession sales.

Why it matters: the Abutters‑Lots approach was intended to reduce blight and return tiny, non‑market parcels to adjacent homeowners at low cost; the state law change prioritizes market valuation and return of sale proceeds to state and local accounts, limiting municipalities’ ability to clear small parcels at nominal fees without changing local ordinance.

Next steps: city staff recommended the council direct real estate committee review of parcels, consider an ordinance amendment to reconcile the Abutters‑Lots pricing schedule with the new state law, and proceed with RFPs or broker marketing for parcels that must follow the new process. The treasurer’s office will provide the council with the list of tax‑possession properties and associated background documents for committee review.

Selected clarifying details:
Treasurer: city has 23 parcels in tax possession; most are wetlands or undersized and several date back decades.
Staff legal note: the new law requires a broker marketing period and a minimum sale price of 75% of appraised value for tax possessions, limiting the existing nominal‑fee Abutters‑Lots rules.","City attorneys and the treasurer told the council that a 2024 state law revision (effective Nov. 1) changes how municipalities must market and sell tax‑possession parcels, requiring broker marketing and minimum sale thresholds that make the city’s low‑price abutters‑lots program unworkable without an ordinance change.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Fall River schools present $197.8 million FY26 operating budget and press state on transportation funding

Council declines to confirm interim chief; calls for outside search and a review process follow tense debate

City finance office outlines FY26 risks: healthcare, solid waste and Diamond stabilization plan

State law change complicates city’s Abutters‑Lots plan for small tax‑possession parcels