[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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",6209400,"mediaKeyId","3735061-402f2718bb2c0debeeece1aceb5ccfb6","parentId",3735061,"title","Fall River School Committee adopts head-lice policy after heated debate and public testimony","audioSeconds",598,"startMs",7912000,"endMs",8510000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3735061-402f2718bb2c0debeeece1aceb5ccfb6&start=7912&end=8510","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3735061-402f2718bb2c0debeeece1aceb5ccfb6/thumbnail_7912000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6209400/Massachusetts/Fall-River-School-Committee-adopts-head-lice-policy-after-heated-debate-and-public-testimony","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6209400-517441edb64eb707547fe08541eaca02/orig.mp4?Expires=1770687884&Signature=UCB3DbU8ocDjra6~zvHKs6oJjZ-vkbrKDNiFHpQ369Wi4pLo0PBYjsx-4DUCuuVYoLsC3Ism0rHq7-ZHUVIN1oUCUJSuCi9qZK2TVKB0qDK6d64XzOgM-~olySnA1~5cSFe~JuUOrA2B6n24qxUtj~YEJrpcQMpnmxbbkXRqNULBNMeWHj-qiMjK0ntbP-KPuf8Ozm1eTfQLZ~3eOtf6WpLxuYNffQryNwobUu77qN4J43tmeraDdAW8IHE0hnh6SasTCtQ3ooeIJqLXAbRomZiyX1ny3AWSlO0qf9AoWsdNgQbUjRq-5kjcAgk2vHWGeGGG3rf03s6Nc9qFPDJQJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Fall River Public Schools, MA","date","2025-06-10T10:33:56.027Z","article","The Fall River School Committee on Monday approved a revised head‑lice policy that clarifies how nurses and principals should respond when students are found to have live lice.

The vote came after more than an hour of discussion at the June 9 meeting, public testimony from parent Taylor Perry and remarks from nursing staff and district leadership. The committee approved the policy by roll call after debate that centered on whether students should be sent home and how much discretion school nurses should retain.

The policy adopted keeps decisions about dismissal and return to class in the hands of clinical staff. Superintendent Tracy Curley told the committee the revised policy was drafted to align the district’s wording with current public‑health guidance and local nursing practice. “We want our nurses to be able to use their professional judgment,” Curley said during the discussion.

Nursing director Mary Gustave explained the operational side of the change and told the committee that nurses already follow procedures to check, contact families and re‑screen children after treatment. Gustave said the district historically relied on a set of procedures rather than a formal policy, and the new text was intended to put those procedures into a policy format and to clarify responsibilities.

Taylor Perry, who identified herself as a parent and community advocate, urged the committee to adopt a firm rule that students with live lice be sent home for treatment, saying one day at home is less disruptive than repeated reinfestation. “We can reduce the repetitive treatment and minimize school outbreaks,” Perry said in a three‑minute public comment.

Several committee members pressed for clarifications about equity and cost: members asked whether families who cannot afford over‑the‑counter products or have transportation barriers could receive help. Committee members suggested district staff explore options such as vouchers, physician prescriptions that might be covered by insurance, or other financial supports for families.

Members also asked that the nursing office develop and circulate a district‑wide education campaign before the fall term so parents know prevention and treatment options and understand the protocol for notification and re‑entry.

After extended discussion the committee voted to adopt the policy as presented, with a roll call recorded in the meeting minutes. Committee members who spoke during the debate repeatedly urged that any new approach avoid stigmatizing students and that the district prioritize keeping students in school when medically appropriate.

The school committee referred questions about possible voucher programs and community partnerships to the superintendent and the nursing director for follow‑up.

The policy will be posted with the district policies and a summary of the procedure will be distributed to school nurses and building administrators. Staff said they will return to the committee with proposed family‑support options and an outreach plan before the 2025–26 school year begins.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","6.9.2025 Fall River School Committee","oneSentenceSummary","The Fall River School Committee on Monday approved a revised head‑lice policy that clarifies nurse discretion on dismissal and return to class after extended debate, public testimony and presentations from nursing leadership.","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},6209385,"Committee approves expansion of Evolve hybrid pathway after successful pilot; district plans to scale enrollment",75,10535000,10610000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3735061-402f2718bb2c0debeeece1aceb5ccfb6&start=10535&end=10610","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3735061-402f2718bb2c0debeeece1aceb5ccfb6/thumbnail_10535000.jpg","/articles/6209385/Massachusetts/Committee-approves-expansion-of-Evolve-hybrid-pathway-after-successful-pilot-district-plans-to-scale-enrollment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6209385-a70d0c9ee2c8fa6ced9ab2a442aade57/orig.mp4?Expires=1770687884&Signature=dflItTeyIjYHF654Bm9sG0VB8XaoMjy-TbX-a3Bi0dSsjQzT~SgxgBeOvJYhwhgj9aSJGtf-CUhydufbZ7FyLD9PMWphvR1Dr00JSXkSUIcqA~6Wq2301HyojoeHPxijDMGq2EyNm-hES6EYz4hCvp7-~dwWwFnoSXHp3nFe0KCQEqOPuUc4aJ7akByB3ATj0ZN9h940gN9V1GFITzCZAsJAwOeMtuzerGbxxydq~NrnlBHCOvotHKaBppZ~glvSHnitehv1i~JC3krOp3LglT1XG3e06Sy-f5PKX~YOJYi8JCWm3RmZf8Zopc71YWuq0WYGG-qTP7kNFSrvN~O-aw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The school committee voted to expand the Evolve hybrid pathway at Durfee High School after staff reported sizable interest and positive outcomes from a spring pilot.

Jan (Evolve program lead) told the special education and alternative‑education subcommittee and the full committee that in a small pilot of students who had previously dropped out or attended inconsistently, 12 of 16 showed strong progress and eight students earned diplomas under the pathway this academic year. The program leader said Evolve received almost 200 applications this school year and 34 graduates from Evolve programs across the district.

Superintendent Tracy Curley and Jan said the hybrid option gives students flexibility in scheduling and a mixture of online and in‑person supports that can help those who struggle with attendance or traditional schedules. Jan said the district plans to offer the expanded pathway starting in the next school year and will coordinate scheduling and staffing to meet demand.

Committee members praised the program’s results and urged the district to consider additional supports to link Evolve students to career‑technical education options, and to study whether some functions should move to a dedicated site. The committee approved the expansion by roll call and asked district staff to return with details about capacity, staffing, and how the pathway will integrate with CTE and after‑hours programs.

The district said it will continue the phased approach and provide regular updates to the committee.","The committee approved expanding the Evolve hybrid high‑school pathway after district leaders reported that a small pilot helped students re‑engage and graduate. Administrators said 12 of 16 piloted students showed strong progress and the district received nearly 200 applications for the program this year.",{"_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},6209390,"Translation vendor contract approved after debate about 30B bidding rules",459,2951000,3410000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3735061-402f2718bb2c0debeeece1aceb5ccfb6&start=2951&end=3410","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3735061-402f2718bb2c0debeeece1aceb5ccfb6/thumbnail_2951000.jpg","/articles/6209390/Massachusetts/Translation-vendor-contract-approved-after-debate-about-30B-bidding-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6209390-259f796011aac968539aabe178590c93/orig.mp4?Expires=1770687884&Signature=KC0JRqMCqQpTDGiwmb5FCHncVvzNLohmty8gP1smyd5ZND--ZMRBJ9T2HBbiKebPTne~-n3f9AbcZQPAI3r~ZKzqQb9IKXILy2pN3OZ~TxaZwG05EKT4O2x3UQ~nrj6icSzvpxZEVg-FNz19~ucMp6IlNdlCMTkZ3Yxwbzd-kwCQthJfWvn9WQpE3lvsAiw7wEkx8dMF8EU5WHAkmIffHTDMxWTFZHhCw3yK6SRybd4DSoQ5wx3CLLRs2kJ~Y4k5OFq0Ys1A21U-NugYKWz7iUTTyrV6sfWZzxcG9U0~3BVPE2StLRT7Dmk6-eUyuF0jFYO4bpUUaGLcNK~bKPAZ-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A contract increase for Lionbridge, the district’s long‑standing phone‑interpretation and translation vendor, prompted sustained scrutiny and a close committee vote on June 9 over whether the district followed Massachusetts Chapter 30B procurement rules for contracts between $10,000 and $50,000.

Committee member Mister Dias pressed administration for written price quotes and a legal opinion on whether 30B required three written quotes. Dias said the contract had been under $25,000 last year but that usage had spiked and the district was now seeking an additional $13,000 to cover the year.

Administration representatives said Lionbridge has been a vendor for years and that the contract amount varies by monthly usage. The superintendent and staff said they were alerted when the contract overran the prior authorization and brought it to the committee for approval.

The committee first voted on a motion to table the Lionbridge increase so members could gather more procurement backup; that motion failed. A subsequent motion to approve the additional funds carried by roll call after discussion in which members requested a future one‑page backup explaining monthly usage and procurement rationale.

Committee members asked the administration to provide a legal opinion on 30B and to produce a short procurement memo showing the vendor history, prior year spending and the cost drivers that produced the overrun. The superintendent agreed to return with that documentation.

The committee approved the funding increment on a narrow vote, with members split over whether the vendor’s long relationship justified not seeking multiple written quotes in advance of the overrun.

The administration said they would provide a one‑page explanation of monthly usage and procurement history to the committee.","A $13,000‑plus contract for phone interpretation and translation services from Lionbridge drew extended committee questioning about procurement rules (Chapter 30B), cost growth and whether the district had sought price quotes. The committee ultimately approved additional funding for the vendor after brief votes to table and then to approve.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6209395,"School committee approves ceiling‑mounted vape sensors for middle schools; pilot may expand to high school",1122,4751000,5873000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3735061-402f2718bb2c0debeeece1aceb5ccfb6&start=4751&end=5873","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3735061-402f2718bb2c0debeeece1aceb5ccfb6/thumbnail_4751000.jpg","/articles/6209395/Massachusetts/School-committee-approves-ceilingmounted-vape-sensors-for-middle-schools-pilot-may-expand-to-high-school","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6209395-117ef153d31236a2682edcbc3ca8f5e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770687884&Signature=OVILXLa7u~snx~~6kyZTR72Ob6SwX5ywshH9gfyiONmbDZJJI6K7zmeBUs-SkOJdneY2IZXO3X2juDNP8JaVlwWmiVllg41WDIDfttwFDqjPXFfvD0gw-qKSoyYBiHkHecyLkvJYMiQaCYaXmeOZGAzp8hslCPAMPocEb6vu28B0aSzEYbWrTC~kG65xhOQoF53eXkI5-rYEW8LhQjil7tzrICRTknJd8bzUrrIOmezurGy3~gqEJIrkUvNru0dV4TmVDtZJS2iIb-tpkDbvEO-C73up1KPVgvzGlLDKpcCiCTnswnf2ULr8aYSjquIjo4~zByocsg6ozGKeWXBP3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fall River School Committee voted to approve a five‑year contract for ceiling‑mounted air‑quality detectors intended to alert staff to vaping events in student restrooms and other small spaces.

Committee members and technology staff described the systems, made by Verkada, as ceiling devices that trigger real‑time text and email alerts when air quality changes consistent with vaping. Mr. Ken Cabral, the district’s technology lead, said the devices proved effective in a Talbot Middle School pilot, where quick alerts and camera review helped staff identify and address incidents quickly.

“Most of the time, the staff get there while the kids are still in the bathroom,” Cabral said. He described the purchased package as a 5‑year license with vendor support and overnight replacement for damaged units.

The committee approved outfitting all three middle schools in the initial phase, with an eye to expanding to Durfee High School later if pilot data and wiring logistics support it. Several members urged that the district prepare interventions and alternatives to out‑of‑school suspension for students identified by sensors, noting that discipline responses must be paired with support services.

The technology committee recommended the purchase after a subcommittee demonstration and a brief pilot. Committee members asked for a follow‑up report with deployment data and discipline/referral figures for the middle‑school rollout.

The motion to approve passed by roll call. The administration said they will prewire middle schools over the summer and submit a data report to the committee after the first months of operation.","After a multi‑school pilot, the Fall River School Committee approved a five‑year contract for ceiling‑mounted air‑quality sensors intended to detect vaping in school restrooms. The initial rollout will cover middle schools; members asked for ongoing data and discipline policy alignment before wider deployment.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Fall River School Committee adopts head-lice policy after heated debate and public testimony

Committee approves expansion of Evolve hybrid pathway after successful pilot; district plans to scale enrollment

Translation vendor contract approved after debate about 30B bidding rules

School committee approves ceiling‑mounted vape sensors for middle schools; pilot may expand to high school