9.16.2026 Fall River School Committee

Meeting summary The Fall River School Committee met on September 16, 2026, to discuss start-of-the-year operations, enrollment trends, policy updates, alternative education restructuring, and district personnel and contracts. Interim Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Smith and staff presented an update on district enrollment (standing around 10,886 students across 17 buildings), noting enrollment dips in kindergarten and English Language Learners compared to previous years. The committee debated facilities progress, including safety and costs associated with playground construction at Henry Lord Community School and the newly unified Early Learning Center at Bishop Stang/Bishop Connolly. Key actions included approving separate budget line breakdowns and cost centers for Evolve Academy ($1,874,156), Resiliency Preparatory Academy (RPA), and the Fall River Public School Virtual High School ($2,476,508 combined for RPA and Virtual), along with approximately $745,000 in identified potential savings. The committee also debated and approved revisions to the Durfee High School Athletic Handbook tightening academic eligibility, adopted an updated Attendance Policy while voting to reinstate the community Attendance Task Force, and approved job descriptions and postings for an Associate Director of Human Resources ($110,000 to $140,000 salary range). Significant debate occurred regarding the governance structure of the Administrative Assistant/Executive Secretary to the School Committee. The committee voted 5-2 to waive policies GCE, GCF, GDE, and GDF to place direct hiring and day-to-day oversight under the School Committee, designating the Vice Chair as the primary supervisor point of contact. The committee also accepted various entitlement and competitive grants, approved district contracts including DocuSign, UAspire, and custodial suppliers, and recognized outgoing administrative assistant Deb Cabral before entering executive session. Topics discussed MASC Conference Voting Delegate The committee unanimously voted to appoint Shanell J. Stewart as the voting delegate for the upcoming November MASC conference. Appoint Shanell J. Stewart as the voting delegate for the MASC conference — approved Appoint Shanell J. Stewart as the voting delegate for the MASC conference District Enrollment & Demographic Bubble Brian Michael Azak reported enrollment at 10,886 students, discussing a drop in ELL enrollment by approximately 500 students and a 5th-grade cohort bubble that will impact 6th-grade middle school staffing. Playground & Facility Upgrades COO Ken Pacheco updated the committee on the $800,000 Henry Lord playground project, the Early Learning Center playground paving/fencing, and grounds maintenance challenges. Alternative Education Restructuring & Budget Interim RPA Principal Rob Correa, staff, and CFO Aldo Petronio presented updates on Evolve Academy, RPA, and Virtual High School budgets, staffing models, and attendance re-engagement strategies. Approve five travel requests — approved Approve five travel requests Accept donations from Rep. Carole Fiola ($2,488.50), DonorsChoose ($565 and $236.60), and BayCoast Bank (10 Surface Pro devices) — approved Accept donations from Rep. Carole Fiola ($2,488.50), DonorsChoose ($565 and $236.60), and BayCoast Bank (10 Surface Pro devices) Acceptance of Educational Donations The committee formally accepted donations including $2,488.50 from Rep. Carole Fiola for CTE Prom/beauty services, DonorsChoose classroom supplies, and 10 Microsoft Surface Pro laptops from BayCoast Bank. Approve selection and appointment of John Kobianchi as school nurse — approved Approve selection and appointment of John Kobianchi as school nurse Approve use of Durfee High School Nagel Auditorium for Christmas concert — approved Approve use of Durfee High School Nagel Auditorium for Christmas concert Approve budget line breakdown as amended (relabeling savings to potential savings and ensuring 4 core teachers for virtual school) for Evolve Academy, RPA, and Virtual High School across 3 distinct cost centers — approved Approve budget line breakdown as amended (relabeling savings to potential savings and ensuring 4 core teachers for virtual school) for Evolve Academy, RPA, and Virtual High School across 3 distinct cost centers Approve Durfee High School Athletic Handbook update regarding credit recovery and seasonal eligibility — approved Approve Durfee High School Athletic Handbook update regarding credit recovery and seasonal eligibility Durfee High School Athletic Eligibility Standards Athletic Director and administration outlined handbook changes removing immediate credit recovery eligibility loopholes during active athletic seasons. Student Attendance Policy & Task Force Reinstatement Assistant Superintendent Amy Bronhardt detailed attendance updates and chronic absenteeism reductions; the committee voted to re-establish the district Attendance Task Force. Adopt amendment to reinstitute the district Attendance Task Force — approved Adopt amendment to reinstitute the district Attendance Task Force Approve updated Attendance Policy as amended — approved Approve updated Attendance Policy as amended Refer Public Comment Policy (7.5) back to Policy Subcommittee — referred Refer Public Comment Policy (7.5) back to Policy Subcommittee Approve Expense Reimbursement Policy (DKC) requiring annual CFO adjustments/manual updates — approved Approve Expense Reimbursement Policy (DKC) requiring annual CFO adjustments/manual updates Approve Destruction of Property Policy without the $500 minimum reporting threshold to record all vandalism — approved Approve Destruction of Property Policy without the $500 minimum reporting threshold to record all vandalism Vandalism & Damage Reporting Threshold The committee voted to amend the destruction of property policy to document all instances of vandali...