Subcommittee refers donated Construction Craft Laborers curriculum to full committee

The Fall River Public Schools structural subcommittee on Dec. 18 voted to refer a donated Construction Craft Laborers (CCL) high-school curriculum to the full school committee for consideration.

Miss Sylvia, who oversees the district’s CTE programming, told the subcommittee the curriculum was developed in partnership with a vendor and LiUNA (Laborers’ International Union of North America). "They had gifted us the entire curriculum," she said, adding the materials — designed for grades 10–12 — were delivered "free of charge." Sylvia said the district previously adapted LiUNA materials and that the donated product aligns with the district’s CTE frameworks.

Committee members asked whether the curriculum is already in use; staff said it is not. Members also pressed for clarity on who would oversee day‑to‑day instruction. One member expressed "very stark concerns" about specific individuals who might oversee the program and asked that the superintendent be informed; Sylvia responded that teachers in the program would implement the curriculum and that she oversees program implementation.

Staff noted the curriculum covers safety and federal workplace standards, including OSHA-related topics. When asked about outcome data, presenters said the curriculum is new and long-term student-outcome data are not yet available; they pointed to the district’s existing certified program with the U.S. Department of Labor as background on local practice.

A motion to refer the donated curriculum to the full committee was moved and seconded and advance was recorded by roll call with multiple "Yes" responses from members.

The subcommittee asked administration to pass along member concerns about personnel oversight to the superintendent and to provide any available evidence on outcomes or certification alignment when the item returns to the full committee.