After 3+ hour executive session, Fall River School Committee has not yet decided fate of Superintendent of Schools Curley

After a marathon executive session at Wednesday’s meeting, the Fall River School Committee has not yet decided what will happen with the Superintendent of Schools contract.

At the February 10th meeting, Vice Chair Kevin Aguiar requested that a review of Superintendent Dr. Tracy Curley’s contract take place, specifically item number 9. Mayor Paul Coogan clarified that number 9 refers to the termination of her employment without cause.

Coogan noted that he disagreed with the move, believes she is doing a good job, and thought it was a tall task for some committee members who had been on the board for only 40 days.

Aguiar, Colin Dias, Ana Riley, Shanell Stewart, and Emanuel Moniz voted in favor. Coogan and Thomas Khoury were opposed.

Khoury stated that he felt the move was coming out of left field and believed the district is making progress.

Thoughts from the public on social media appear to be split, with some in favor of Curley’s ouster and others coming to her defense.

A special meeting was scheduled for last week but was cancelled due to streets being impassible from the blizzard. The matter was addressed in executive session at Wednesday’s meeting where the public was not allowed to be present.

Citizens input Wednesday was dominated by discussion surrounding Curley and whether she should stay or go. Most of the support was for the Superintendent from teacher’s union members and those who know Curley. Among points that were cited were progress that has been made in the district under her tenure, and the impacts of terminating her contract during the school year.

Once the regular meeting concluded at approximately 7:15 p.m., council members, Curley and attorneys went into executive session which last just over three hours. The group emerged just before 10:30 p.m. to adjourn the meeting.

The matter has not yet been resolved, and more discissions are expected to take place at future meetings.