School panel approves donations and several contracts amid concern over automatic rollovers
Summary
The committee acknowledged donations and approved multiple contracts (SEMCO science kits, Sysco Brothers, Soliant and others) while members pressed administration about an automatic rollover in a South Coast employee-assistance contract and sought better procurement timing; the panel also approved participation in a National Grid demand-response program projected to return $394,000 over three years.
The Fall River School Committee approved a series of routine agenda items on Dec. 8 — donations, travel and multiple contracts — while members repeatedly raised concerns about procurement timing, automatic contract rollovers and the need for clearer itemized funding sources.
Donations: Superintendent Curley acknowledged several donations including a $1,000 Feinstein Foundation gift for Tansy Elementary, a $1,000 Michael Troy Memorial Music Foundation donation to Durfee, laundry gift cards and stuffed animals to assist families over winter break.
Contracts and procurement: The committee discussed and approved several miscellaneous contracts (including SEMCO science kits to align K–12 science curriculum and Sysco Brothers culinary supplies). Serious debate focused on a longstanding rollover contract with South Coast Hospitals for an employee-assistance program (EAP). Several members objected that the contract appeared to roll automatically from a contract dated 2010, leaving the committee little opportunity to solicit bids in advance. Administration said it had begun gathering quotes from alternate EAP providers and would present those for consideration before the next fiscal cycle, but that terminating an in-use service mid-year would disrupt staff already using the program.
Special-education contracts were also discussed. The committee approved additional funding to contract with Soliant (speech providers) to cover vacancies and to bring in additional SLP/SLPA staffing; members asked for clearer backup documentation showing the funding movement. The committee also approved a contract for a part-time specialist (Tracy Veil) who services FM hearing-assist systems for deaf and hard-of-hearing students, and discussed inventory/maintenance oversight for assistive technology.
Travel and meal funds: Members questioned the
