Fall River schools say transportation costs pushed operating request higher; redistricting and pre‑K growth cited

Fall River Public Schools Superintendent Tracy Curley and Chief Financial Officer Kevin Almeda presented the school district’s FY26 operating budget and answered questions from the City Council Committee of Finance on May 27.

Curley said the district’s operating budget presented in April was roughly $274 million and that the city’s contribution reflected about a $2.5 million increase over last year. She told the council the transportation line in the budget is about $13.1 million; the school committee voted to retain current policy language after state guidance required measuring walking distance along city blocks rather than “as the crow flies,” and Curley said that vote — which rejected proposed language changes that would have limited new eligibilities — increased transportation needs by an estimated $750,000.

Curley said the policy language remains: elementary students…