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Fall River School Committee orders July review after members flag errors in state-targeted report
Summary
Committee members pressed the superintendent to bring both the full district review and a follow-up targeted review to the July meeting after raising factual‑accuracy questions and concerns about the timing and cost of a second review, voting to place the reports on the July agenda for an administrative briefing and response.
The Fall River School Committee voted June 23 to place both the full district review and a more recent targeted review on the committee’s July agenda after members raised concerns about factual inaccuracies and the unusual timing of a follow‑up review.
Committee member Mr. Das led questioning about the process and cost, saying the district likely paid roughly $10,000 for the follow-up review and asking whether other districts had received a targeted review within months of a prior full review. Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Smith said she will consult Deputy Commissioner Rob Curtain at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to determine whether quick follow-ups are typical and where other reviews have occurred.
The committee’s push came after members pointed out specific alleged errors in the review documents — for example, the report twice said the district did not post minutes online, an assertion members called incorrect — and after debate over whether members were given time to review drafts for factual accuracy. "If somebody did go unannounced to a school, we need to address it with that individual," Mr. Das said; he asked the superintendent to verify factual items and report back.
Vice Chair Mr. Aguar told the superintendent he had submitted annotated comments and highlighted areas for verification. In response, Dr. Smith said she and her staff had reviewed the report and would follow up with DESE and with the committee about steps already taken and remaining areas for improvement.
By motion, the committee required administration to present the two reports at the July meeting, including an overview of actions taken to date and a status update on the recommendations the review identified. The motion passed by roll call vote.
