Fall River Superintendent of Schools Malone set to resign

Fall River Superintendent of Schools Dr. Matthew Malone has stated he will resign through a letter.

The letter is as follows:

“As you know, the Fall River Public Schools is an amazing organization filled with all-star educators who serve the children of the City of Fall River with skill, professionalism, and love. It is an honor to lead the school system and a privilege to work with the incredible employees, families, community partners, and students in our city.

“Over the past five years, our school system has made tremendous progress to support classroom instruction by focusing on the people, places, and practices at the center of our strategic improvement plan. Driven by our core values, our school system has certainly addressed many challenges over the past five years but as we end the 2020-2021 school year, we are poised to continue in exceeding performance expectations, closing student achievement/ opportunity gaps, and building a service delivery model nonpareil in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

“As we emerge from the COVID-19 Pandemic, reopen fully for in-person learning, successfully complete our collective bargaining agreements, recruit and staff our schools for success, invest in increased capacity for engagement, support academic and social/emotional learning needs, and open a brand new Durfee High School, I can confidently attest that we are set up for future success. We have made tremendous progress since I began my tenure in 2016 and we have successfully moved the school district forward, together.

“As we have accomplished so much, I have made the personal and professional decision that it would be best for the district, as a whole, that I pass the baton of leadership for a transition, providing the school committee with ample time and opportunity to hire a new Superintendent of Schools. As such, I am announcing my resignation as the Superintendent of Schools, effective November 1, 2021. This coordinated exit timeline will allow us to complete the current important work I was hired to accomplish and allow the School Committee with the professionally appropriate notice for succession and transition planning. As you know me, you know I will continue to work as hard as I have since my first day up until my last day. My commitment to the City of Fall River and the students whom we serve is and always will be, indomitable. I have enjoyed Fall River immensely and will forever treasure the people I was able to work with and the students whom I was able to serve.”

Fall River City Council President Ponte issues statement on Malone’s pending resignation

There had been a call by Fall River politicians and residents for Malone to step down after allegations of harassment had emerged along with the death of a student

Malone had stated previously that he would not resign.