District Review of the Fall River School Committee and the Fall River Public Schools requested by Coogan released; shows strengths, issues

Interim Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Smith has announced in a letter that earlier today, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the American Institute for Research released the results of their Targeted District Review of the Fall River School Committee and the Fall River Public Schools, which was conducted in May 2026 at the request of Mayor Paul Coogan. The comprehensive review focused specifically on Leadership and Governance, and it provides an important, objective look at our district’s systems, practices, strengths, and areas where we must continue to grow.

“I would like to acknowledge the professionalism of the more than 40 stakeholders who participated in more than 26 hours of interviews during the review. Educators, school and district leaders, families, and School Committee members helped identify our strengths and the challenges we must face together. Since beginning my role in the district on May 1, 2026, my focus has been on the students, staff, and families of the Fall River Public Schools, as well as strengthening communication and building trust”, said Smith.

The report highlights several strengths of the Fall River Public Schools:

• Our district has a strong, collaborative culture among professional staff, grounded in shared academic priorities and supported by structures such as the District Instructional Leadership Team (DILT) and principal learning pods.
• FRPS has a clear instructional improvement agenda through the District Instructional Prioritization Plan (DIPP), with focused work on multilingual learners, students with disabilities, high-quality instructional materials, and mathematics alignment.
• A collaborative culture among those working on academics and improvement.
• The school committee’s plans and proposed concrete processes for updating policies are a strength of the district.
• Newly implemented communication protocols that clarify how School Committee members and
  district staff interact, helping to strengthen transparency and consistency. Some of these, such as the DILT and DIPP, have been in place for several years and continue to support strong instructional collaboration. Others, such as the recently implemented communication protocols between the School Committee and district staff, were established under my leadership and the leadership of Deputy Superintendent Elizabeth Legault to promote greater clarity, consistency, transparency, and professionalism in our collaborative work on behalf of students, families, and the community.

At the same time, the review identified areas for improvement, particularly when it comes to governance and district operations. They include:

• The School Committee and district should provide meeting materials in advance so members can prepare and focus discussions on student-centered decisions.
• The School Committee should follow MASC-aligned fiscal oversight practices and utilize proper governance channels for addressing detailed financial questions.
• The School Committee should create and regularly convene a budget/finance subcommittee for structured, transparent financial review.
• The School Committee should implement a consistent, DESE-aligned superintendent evaluation process with clear timelines, expectations, and evidence collection.
• The School Committee should adopt and follow standards for professional conduct, communication, and role clarity.
• The chair and vice chair should guide the committee back to its governing role and address behaviors that undermine its ability to serve students.
• The School Committee and superintendent should maintain clear boundaries: the committee handles policy and oversight; the superintendent manages operations and personnel.
• The School Committee should uphold respectful, professional communication with staff to foster trust and collaboration.
• The School Committee, superintendent, and district staff should build rapport, clarify roles, and strengthen their partnership.
• The School Committee should resolve remaining questions about Fall River’s net school spending requirements.
• The district should complete its strategic plan to guide future direction.
• The district should strengthen family/community engagement and ensure consistent, well-supported school councils at every school.
• The district should post approved meeting minutes and public records promptly to support transparency.
• The district should establish clear procedures for receiving, escalating, and resolving concerns from students, families, staff, and community members.

Smith stated that “these findings provide a clear roadmap for strengthening our district and rebuilding confidence in our work.”

“As I’ve said from day one, my top priority is our students. Every decision we make is centered on their learning and social-emotional well-being. While there is still important work ahead, I am committed to creating consistency, fostering strong relationships, and ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed in a safe and supportive learning environment.

“On my first day on the job, I promised to work closely with the school committee. That commitment remains as we work collaboratively to address the findings identified in the review. This afternoon, we held our first retreat together. This professional development for the superintendent, senior staff, and members of the school committee focuses on effective governance, strengthening communication, and building a shared understanding of roles and responsibilities.

“This is just the beginning. We will continue to hold additional retreats and planning sessions throughout my tenure to ensure we remain focused on continuous improvement and long-term success.

“As a retired superintendent serving in the role of Interim Superintendent, I am fully committed to leading Fall River Public Schools through June 2027, when a permanent superintendent is expected to be appointed. During that time, I will continue to keep the community informed of our progress and work collaboratively with the School Committee, district leaders, staff, and families to strengthen the district. Together, we will establish a clear strategic plan, set measurable goals, and provide the support, direction, and stability necessary to ensure our district is highly effective and that every student has the opportunity to succeed.

“These are all important foundations needed to ensure our district moves forward in a productive and unified way.

“I have quickly learned that Fall River is a community with dedicated educators and families who care deeply about our students. I am confident that, by working together and staying focused, we will emerge stronger.

The full review can be found: https://www.doe.mass.edu/accountability/district-review/nolevel/2026-0095.docx