MassVoter.com← New BedfordMunicipal votes · 2020–2021 term
New Bedford School Committee
How the New Bedford School Committee voted, from the School Committee's official minutes. 7 members: the Mayor, who chairs it, and 6 elected citywide. Shown here: the 2021 meetings (January through November, plus the September 8 special meeting). Colleen Dawicki was elected Vice Chair for 2021. Meetings were held remotely or partly remotely through mid-2021. Minutes for 2020 are posted by the district but are not on these pages yet; none are posted for December 2021. Covers 12 meetings, January 11 to November 8, 2021.
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
What does the School Committee do? It hires and evaluates the superintendent, sets goals and policies for the public schools, and approves the school budget.
The City Council decides the total amount the schools get; the School Committee decides how that money is spent.
Sources: Mass. General Laws c. 71 § 37 (school committees) · c. 71 § 34 (school budgets)Your New Bedford ballot: 15 quizzes, about a minute each.
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Coming up
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Members
ChairJon MitchellMayor; Chair (by law) · Mayor (chair) · at 11 of 12 meetingsVice-ChairColleen DawickiVice Chair (2021) · Elected citywide · at 12 of 12 meetings
Christopher CotterSchool Committee Member · Elected citywide · at 10 of 12 meetingsJohn OliveiraSchool Committee Member · Elected citywide · at 7 of 12 meetings
Jack Livramento, Jr.School Committee Member · Elected citywide · at 10 of 12 meetingsBruce OliveiraSchool Committee Member · Elected citywide · at 12 of 12 meetings"At X of Y meetings" counts the roll call at the start of each meeting in this record. Members who step out are listed on each meeting page.
Meetings
About missing minutes
Not here yet: the district has posted minutes online for only some meetings. These pages cover every regular meeting with posted minutes: January through November 2021 (plus a special meeting on September 8, 2021), March through December 2022, January through April 2025, and January, February, March, April, May and August 2026. Minutes are not posted for the December 2021, January 2022 or February 2022 meetings, for any meeting in 2023 or 2024, or for the other 2025 and 2026 meetings; special meetings, budget sessions and subcommittees in those years are not posted either. Minutes for 2020 are posted but are not on these pages yet. The district posted some 2021 minutes twice; we read both copies and they match. Where a printed roll call does not match its count, or the minutes call a vote unanimous when the roll call shows a no vote, the vote is noted; we will ask the School Committee office to confirm.
Votes where members disagreed
Most committee votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one member voted no or abstained, newest first.
Oct 18Approve the Fall River Public Schools request to join…Motion: to approve the Fall River Public Schools request to join the…Passed Unanimous, 6 present (John Oliveira absent) · see note
October 18, 2021: Approve the Fall River Public Schools request to join the South Coast Education Collaborative as presented
To approve the Fall River Public Schools request to join the South Coast Education Collaborative as presented
The printed roll call is partly unreadable in the scanned minutes for Joshua Amaral; the count (6–0) and the other names show this member voted yes.
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted on a motion made by Mr. Christopher Cotter and seconded by Ms. Jack Livramento to approve the Fall River Public Schools request to join the South Coast Education Collaborative as presented. The roll call was as follows: Mr. John Oliveira - Absent Mr. Joshua Amarai- Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Colleen Dawicki- Yes Mr. Jack Livramento - Yes Mayor Mitchell - Yes Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 6-Yeas, O-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Cotter, second: Livramento)
Sep 20Accept the Transfer report as presented to the School…Motion: to accept the Transfer report as presented to the School CommitteePassed Unanimous, 6 present (John Oliveira absent) · see note
September 20, 2021: Accept the Transfer report as presented to the School Committee
To accept the Transfer report as presented to the School Committee
The printed roll call is partly unreadable in the scanned minutes for Jon Mitchell; the count (6–0) and the other names show this member voted yes.
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted on a motion made by Mr. Bruce Oliveira and seconded by Mr. Christopher Cotter to accept the Transfer report as presented to the School Committee. The vote was as follows: Mr. John Oliveira - Absent Mr. Joshua Amaral - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Colleen Dawicki - Yes Mr. Jack Livramento - Yes Mayor Mitcheil - Yes Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 6-Yeas, 0-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Bruce Oliveira, second: Cotter)
Sep 8Oppose the Innovators Charter School application and information presented…Motion: to oppose the Innovators Charter School application and information presented to…Passed 4–1 · No: John Oliveira
September 8, 2021 (Special meeting): Oppose the Innovators Charter School application and information presented to the School Committee
To oppose the Innovators Charter School application and information presented to the School Committee
Yes: Amaral, Bruce Oliveira, Dawicki, MitchellNo: John OliveiraAbsent: Cotter, Livramento
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted on a motion made by Mr. Bruce Oliveira and seconded by Mr. Joshua Amaral to oppose the Innovators Charter School application and information presented to the School Committee. The vote was as follows: Mr. John Oliveira - No Mr. Joshua Amaral - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Absent Ms. Colleen Dawicki- Yes Mr. Jack Livramento - Absent Mayor Mitchell - Yes Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 4-Yeas, 1-Nays, 2-Absent.” (Motion: Bruce Oliveira, second: Amaral)
Aug 9Table consideration of the second and final reading of…Motion: to table consideration of the second and final reading of the…Failed 3–3 · No: Amaral, Bruce Oliveira, Cotter
August 9, 2021: Table consideration of the second and final reading of the EBCFA Face Coverings policy
To table consideration of the second and final reading of the EBCFA Face Coverings policy
Yes: Dawicki, Livramento, MitchellNo: Amaral, Bruce Oliveira, CotterAbsent: John Oliveira
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted on a motion made by Ms. Colleen Dawicki and seconded by Mr. Jack Livramento to table consideration of the second and final reading of the EBCFA Face Coverings policy. The vote was as follows: Mr. John Oliveira - Absent Mr. Joshua Amaral - No Mr. Christopher Cotter - No Ms. Colleen Dawicki - Yes Mr. Jack Livramento - Yes Mayor Mitchell - Yes Mr. Bruce Oliveira - No 3-Yeas, 3-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Dawicki, second: Livramento)
Jun 14Approve the July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2024…Motion: to approve the July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2024 employment…Passed 6–1 · No: John Oliveira
June 14, 2021: Approve the July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2024 employment contract of Mr. Andrew O’Leary, Assistant Superintendent of Finance & Operations of New Bedford Public Schools as presented
To approve the July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2024 employment contract of Mr. Andrew O’Leary, Assistant Superintendent of Finance & Operations of New Bedford Public Schools as presented
Yes: Amaral, Bruce Oliveira, Cotter, Dawicki, Livramento, MitchellNo: John Oliveira
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted on a motion made by Mr. Bruce Oliveira and seconded by Mr. Joshua Amaral to approve the July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2024 employment contract of Mr. Andrew O’Leary, Assistant Superintendent of Finance & Operations of New Bedford Public Schools as presented. The roll call vote was as follows: Mr. John Oliveira - No Mr. Joshua Amaral - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Colleen Dawicki- Yes Mr. Jack Livramento - Yes Mayor Mitchell - Yes Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 6-Yeas, 1-Nays, 0-Absent.” (Motion: Bruce Oliveira, second: Amaral)
Jun 14Approve the July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2023…Motion: to approve the July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2023 Memorandum…Passed 6–1 · No: John Oliveira
June 14, 2021: Approve the July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2023 Memorandum of Agreement between the New Bedford School Committee and the New Bedford Federation of Paraprofessional Local 2378 as presented
To approve the July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2023 Memorandum of Agreement between the New Bedford School Committee and the New Bedford Federation of Paraprofessional Local 2378 as presented
Yes: Amaral, Bruce Oliveira, Cotter, Dawicki, Livramento, MitchellNo: John Oliveira
From the minutes
“The School Committee on a motion to ratify made by Mr. Bruce Oliveira and seconded by Mr. Christopher Cotter to approve the July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2023 Memorandum of Agreement between the New Bedford School Committee and the New Bedford Federation of Paraprofessional Local 2378 as presented. The roll call vote was as follows: Mr. John Oliveira - No Mr. Joshua Amaral - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Colleen Dawicki - Yes Mr. Jack Livramento - Yes Mayor Mitchell - Yes Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 6-Yeas, 1-Nays, 0-Absent.” (Motion: Bruce Oliveira, second: Cotter)
Jun 14Approve the July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2023…Motion: to approve the July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2023 Memorandum…Passed 6–1 · No: John Oliveira
June 14, 2021: Approve the July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2023 Memorandum of Agreement between the New Bedford School Committee and the New Bedford Support Specialist Union as presented
To approve the July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2023 Memorandum of Agreement between the New Bedford School Committee and the New Bedford Support Specialist Union as presented
Yes: Amaral, Bruce Oliveira, Cotter, Dawicki, Livramento, MitchellNo: John Oliveira
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted on a motion to ratify made by Mr. Christopher Cotter and seconded by Mr. Joshua Amaral to approve the July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2023 Memorandum of Agreement between the New Bedford School Committee and the New Bedford Support Specialist Union as presented. The roll call vote was as follows: Mr. John Oliveira - No Mr. Joshua Amaral - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Colleen Dawicki - Yes Mr. Jack Livramento - Yes Mayor Mitchell - Yes Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 6-Yeas, 1-Nays, 0-Absent.” (Motion: Cotter, second: Amaral)
May 10Approve the FY 2022 Net School Spending Budget in…Motion: to approve the FY 2022 Net School Spending Budget in the…Passed 4–1 · No: John Oliveira
May 10, 2021: Approve the FY 2022 Net School Spending Budget in the amount of $177,481,001 as presented to the School Committee
To approve the FY 2022 Net School Spending Budget in the amount of $177,481,001 as presented to the School Committee
Yes: Amaral, Bruce Oliveira, Dawicki, MitchellNo: John OliveiraAbsent: Cotter, LivramentoThe minutes describe this vote as unanimous, but the printed roll call and count (4–1) show a no vote.
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted UNANIMOUSLY on a motion made by Mr. Bruce Oliveira and seconded by Mr. Joshua Amaral to approve the FY 2022 Net School Spending Budget in the amount of $177,481,001 as presented to the School Committee. The vote was as follows: Mr. John Oliveira - No Mr. Joshua Amaral - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Absent Ms. Colleen Dawicki- Yes Mr. Jack Livramento - Absent Mayor Mitchell - Yes Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 4-Yeas, 1-Nays, 2-Absent.” (Motion: Bruce Oliveira, second: Amaral)
May 10Approve the FY 2022 Non-Net School Spending Budget in…Motion: to approve the FY 2022 Non-Net School Spending Budget in the…Passed 4–1 · No: John Oliveira
May 10, 2021: Approve the FY 2022 Non-Net School Spending Budget in the amount of $14,756,499 as presented to the School Committee
To approve the FY 2022 Non-Net School Spending Budget in the amount of $14,756,499 as presented to the School Committee
Yes: Amaral, Bruce Oliveira, Dawicki, MitchellNo: John OliveiraAbsent: Cotter, LivramentoThe minutes describe this vote as unanimous, but the printed roll call and count (4–1) show a no vote.
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted UNANIMOUSLY on a motion made by Mr. Bruce Oliveira and seconded by Mr. Joshua Amaral to approve the FY 2022 Non-Net School Spending Budget in the amount of $14,756,499 as presented to the School Committee. The vote was as follows: Mr. John Oliveira - No Mr. Joshua Amaral - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Absent Ms. Colleen Dawicki - Yes Mr. Jack Livramento - Absent Mayor Mitchell - Yes Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 4-Yeas, 1-Nays, 2-Absent.” (Motion: Bruce Oliveira, second: Amaral)
May 10Approve the 2022 Fiscal Year Budget $192,237,500 as presented…Motion: to approve the 2022 Fiscal Year Budget $192,237,500 as presented to…Passed 4–1 · No: John Oliveira
May 10, 2021: Approve the 2022 Fiscal Year Budget $192,237,500 as presented to the School Committee
To approve the 2022 Fiscal Year Budget $192,237,500 as presented to the School Committee
Yes: Amaral, Bruce Oliveira, Dawicki, MitchellNo: John OliveiraAbsent: Cotter, LivramentoThe minutes describe this vote as unanimous, but the printed roll call and count (4–1) show a no vote.
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted UNANIMOUSLY on a motion made by Mr. Bruce Oliveira and seconded by Mr. Joshua Amaral to approve the 2022 Fiscal Year Budget $192,237,500 as presented to the School Committee. The vote was as follows: Mr. John Oliveira - No Mr. Joshua Amaral - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Absent Ms. Colleen Dawicki- Yes Mr. Jack Livramento - Absent Mayor Mitchell - Yes Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 4-Yeas, 1-Nays, 2-Absent.” (Motion: Bruce Oliveira, second: Amaral)
From the New Bedford School Committee’s official minutes, posted on the New Bedford Public Schools website. The minutes are scanned documents, which we read with text recognition. Every vote is a roll call with each member named; we check every count against the names and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades officials; votes and attendance are shown exactly as the minutes record them. Member photos: Melissa Costa, Richard Porter and Von Marie Moniz from The New Bedford Light (Eleonora Bianchi, Nov. 2025); Christopher Cotter from WBSM; Mayor Jon Mitchell from the Council on Competitiveness. William “Brad” Markey from The Standard-Times (Oct. 2023 candidate forum). Jack Livramento, Jr. from The New Bedford Light (Colin Hogan, June 2022).
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