Parents and staff press Fall River School Committee to restore pool access and preserve special-education roles

Community members and district employees used the April 15 public hearing to press the Fall River School Committee on program access and special-education staffing as the committee considered the FY27 budget.

Pam Nickerson, a lifeguard supervisor who also works for Fall River TV, said the Karen Jarabek Memorial Pool has had limited public access since December and urged the district to "explore pool funding and keep lessons affordable," citing CDC drowning-risk data and noting the facility's recent $8 million renovation is not being used to capacity.

Elizabeth Medeiros, an evaluation team chair in special education at Viveiros Elementary, said the committee's vote to move the dual-language program and REACH classrooms away from Viveiros will create space for up to 14 mainstream classrooms but will require adding inclusion teachers and paraprofessionals to meet student needs. "We need to be proactive in our budgeting and planning now in order to recruit and hire appropriate staffing so that we begin next school year being able to provide what students need," Medeiros said.

Melinda Raffinan, speaking on behalf of psychometrists, called the proposal to eliminate three psychometrist positions "premature," warning that MTSS is not yet implemented consistently and that removing the roles would increase psychologists' caseloads and could cause compliance and legal risks if mandated timelines are missed. "This proposal would dismantle a system within the special education department that is currently functioning effectively," Raffinan said.

Kelly Gabardy urged the committee to accept available city funding rather than implement cuts, saying additional resources would prevent layoffs and protect early childhood and special-education supports.

Committee member Mr. Aguiar responded to the pool comments by asking the administration for an immediate, detailed report on the pool's availability and the effect on staff and programming. The administration did not provide an immediate policy change during the public-comment period; commenters requested follow-up and budgetary attention as the FY27 package moved forward.

What's next: The committee approved the FY27 budget and referred it to the mayor; concerned stakeholders requested that the administration provide the requested pool report and clarify staffing changes for Viveiros and special-education services before final budget implementation.