School committee approves mediation training, Lakeshore materials and College Board services; members ask for procurement clarity

The Fall River School Committee voted on June 23 to approve several vendor contracts brought forward by staff, including mediation training, classroom supplies and College Board testing services.

The committee approved a Metropolitan Mediation Services contract for $45,000 to provide two-day mediation training to support staff, SEL liaisons, guidance staff and vice principals. Dr. Curley said the sessions are part of the district’s multi-tiered support strategy to give staff mediation skills as a tool in the MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) toolbox.

“This is mediation training that we are providing to all of our support staff across the district as a tiered intervention,” Curley said. The training was paid for through a mental-health grant, Curley said, and the vendor is a partner through a local collaboration.

Committee members sought clarification on whether mediation would be used in cases of substantiated bullying. Staff and members agreed that DESE bullying rules preclude mediating substantiated bullying incidents, but mediation can be used more broadly for conflict resolution training and interventions outside the bullying process.

The committee also approved two Lakeshore Learning contracts for classroom materials for Bishop Connolly move-ins and approved continuing a College Board contract for PSAT/SAT and AP administration. Committee members pressed staff on procurement mechanics when state contracts or state-approved vendors are used. A committee member asked for a one-page “cheat sheet” explaining state contracts (often called state contract or state procurement), how vendors on those lists compare, and when the district must solicit additional quotes or run a local RFQ.

School committee member Colin Dias asked whether three quotes had been sought for items; procurement staff replied that the Lakeshore purchases were made from an existing state contract (sometimes termed a state contract or Massachusetts state contract) and that when items are available on that contract procurement focuses on availability and price comparisons among contract vendors rather than a separate local RFP.

The College Board items were described as sole source because the College Board is the only provider of SAT/PSAT/AP testing and related services; that contract was approved as a straight-budget item rather than grant-funded. All three motions passed after roll-call votes.

Members requested a future one-page explanation of procurement flows (state contract vs. local RFQ vs. sole source) to reduce repeated questions at meetings.