School committee approves CTE policy changes, Durfee program of studies and updated PE waiver; moves meeting day and elects vice chair

The Fall River School Committee on Jan. 12 approved several administrative and curriculum items, including a CTE admissions policy revised after legal review, Durfee High School’s 2026‑27 program of studies and an updated physical‑education waiver.

Administration told the committee it had sought legal advice after a proposed weighted lottery for students with disabilities raised compliance questions. The district received an opinion that a separate lottery pool for students with disabilities would violate state and federal law; the committee voted to adopt an unweighted, legally compliant policy.

Durfee Principal Dr. Jessica Stevens presented the program of studies emphasizing real‑world readiness, financial literacy, civic learning and expanded course options; the committee approved the document after questions about study halls, PE scheduling and accelerated multilingual learner pathways.

Director Dan Fitzgerald proposed tightening the PE waiver that originated in 2020. The revised waiver would allow athletes who play an MIAA sport to request one waiver upon guidance‑counselor approval and require documentation and signatures prior to the season. Members debated timing and record‑keeping; the committee approved the updated waiver and directed improved tracking of waivers going forward.

In governance votes, the committee elected Kevin Aguiar vice chair and agreed to remove a 10:30 p.m. meeting curfew. The committee also approved a new regular meeting schedule: second Wednesdays at 5 p.m.

The committee placed several action items for follow‑up, including (1) implementation plans for the CTE curriculum if the district approves the L.I.U.N.A. curriculum, (2) clearer waiver record‑keeping at Durfee and (3) a revised meeting schedule to take effect at the next meeting.