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Fall River superintendent reports enrollment increase, vacancies and MCAS schedule ahead of budget weeks
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Curley told the committee total enrollment is 11,480 (including 147 students placed out of district), an increase of 391 since Oct. 1; the district reported roughly 133 vacancies, 10 new hires since the last meeting and upcoming MCAS testing dates. Committee discussed class-size pressure and facility openings.
Superintendent Dr. Curley updated the Fall River School Committee March 10 on hiring, vacancies, enrollment and state tests as the district prepares its budget.
She said the district’s current enrollment, including 147 students in out‑of‑district placements, stands at 11,480 — 391 students higher than the Oct. 1 count used for foundation calculations. The superintendent added that February showed a net decline compared with January: 85 new students enrolled while 110 withdrew last month, reversing a months‑long enrollment growth trend.
On staffing, Dr. Curley reported 10 new hires since the previous meeting, including two community facilitators, four paraprofessionals, one family-support specialist (part-time), one security officer, one teacher and one team chair. She said the district recorded nine resignations and three retirements and that the number of vacancies remains around 133.
Committee members raised class-size concerns and asked for district reconfiguration work to proceed. One committee member noted the district opened a new school (Westall) this year and asked administration to continue districtwide reconfiguration work to relieve building overcrowding.
Dr. Curley also reminded families that MCAS remains a required state test (no longer tied to graduation competency determinations) and provided testing windows: high school ELA in March, high school math March 20–21, high‑school science in June, and Grades 3–8 ELA before April vacation with math, science and grade‑8 civics after the break. She said testing schedules for each school will be posted on school websites and urged families to prepare students to participate.
Ending: The committee asked administration to return with more detail on class-size plans and vacancies during the upcoming budget subcommittee meetings.
