Fall River Superintendent of Schools announces there will be redistricting, here’s why

In a letter sent to parents who have students in Fall River Public Schools, the district has announced that there will be changes.

In thanking families who took time to complete their recent Redistricting Parent Survey, Superintendent of Schools Tracy Curley stated that “at this point, it is not a question of whether or not we will redistrict, but more of a question of how the lines will be re-drawn, how district programs may be redistributed, and how to make and communicate the necessary changes on a timeline that makes sense for school communities. The redistricting is necessary as we look toward decreasing class sizes, addressing the increasing need for transportation, and ensuring an equitable distribution of students across the district. Simultaneously, we view the required redistricting as an opportunity to explore more than just re-drawing schools’ boundary lines, so we are examining school reconfigurations and the possibility of refashioning one or more existing schools into K-8 configurations.”

Curley noted that she understands “that the reassignment of students can be unsettling for students, families, and school communities – and at this point want to focus on acknowledging expressed concerns and minimizing disruption, while maximizing what we know will be beneficial to students as a result.”

According to the letter, the results of the survey revealed the following:

-You are largely satisfied with your child’s school experience. More than three-quarters of families shared that they are happy with their child’s current school, highlighting positive relationships, strong communication, and caring staff.

-Families value stability and supportive environments. You told us that keeping peer groups together, ensuring safe and developmentally appropriate settings, and maintaining strong communication are top priorities during this process.

-Reassignment is a sensitive issue. A significant number of families expressed hesitation about moving children from their current schools. We heard loud and clear the importance of:

-Keeping siblings together

-Causing minimal disruption

-Offering clear information well in advance

Opinions on a K–8 model are mixed. Many families see benefits—such as fewer school transitions and long-term relationships—while others expressed concerns about:

-Younger and older students sharing space

-Safety and supervision

-Building capacity and readiness

-Ensuring adequate staffing and programs

-You want clear, early, and ongoing communication. Families asked for:

-Clear goals and criteria for redistricting

-Transparency about timelines and decision-making

-Opportunities for families to ask questions and give input

-Information on transportation, class sizes, staffing, and facility impacts

-Assurance that safety, special education, and student supports will remain strong

Curley states that in the coming weeks, the district will:

-Share a detailed timeline for the redistricting process

-Provide additional opportunities for family input

-Communicate the guiding principles and criteria that will shape our decisions

-Share local data and research to support our decisions

-Continue reviewing facility needs, transportation considerations, and community feedback