MassVoter.com← New Bedford School CommitteeNew Bedford School Committee · 2020–2021 term · Regular meeting · 6:10 p.m.
April 12, 2021
16 recorded votes, 1 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF)
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Present: Jon Mitchell, Bruce Oliveira, Christopher Cotter, Jack Livramento, Jr., Joshua Amaral, Colleen Dawicki
Absent: John Oliveira
Every vote, in order
Approve the February 8, 2021 meeting minutes as presented to the School Committee
To approve the February 8, 2021 meeting minutes as presented to the School Committee
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted UNANIMOUSLY on a motion made by Mr. Jack Livramento and seconded by Mr. Christopher Cotter to approve the February 8, 2021 meeting minutes 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 Mitchell - Yes Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 6-Yeas, 0-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Livramento, second: Cotter)
Approve the March 18, 2021 Transportation Sub-Committee meeting minutes as presented to the School Committee
To approve the March 18, 2021 Transportation Sub-Committee meeting minutes as presented to the School Committee
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted UNANIMOUSLY on a motion made by Mr. Jack Livramento and seconded by Mr. Christopher Cotter to approve the March 18, 2021 Transportation Sub-Committee meeting minutes 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 1|Page Mr. Jack Livramento - Yes Mayor Mitchell - Yes Mr, Bruce Oliveira - Yes 6-Yeas, 0-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Livramento, second: Cotter)
Accept and place on file the public comments that were included in the School Committee member meeting packets
To accept and place on file the public comments that were included in the School Committee member meeting packets
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted UNANIMOUSLY on a motion made by Mr. Christopher Cotter and seconded by Mr. Joshua Amaral to accept and place on file the public comments that were included in the School Committee member meeting packets. 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 Mitchell - Yes Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 6-Yeas, 0-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Cotter, second: Amaral)
That the Transfers be approved as presented to the School Committee
That the Transfers be approved as presented to the School Committee
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted UNANIMOUSLY on a motion made by Mr. Bruce Oliveira and seconded by Mr. Christopher Cotter that the Transfers be approved as presented to the School Committee. 4|Page 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 Mitchell - Yes Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 6-Yeas, 0-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Bruce Oliveira, second: Cotter)
Allow the Chair of the Finance Sub-Committee to sign off on transfers for the remainder of the fiscal year, June 30, 2021
To allow the Chair of the Finance Sub-Committee to sign off on transfers for the remainder of the fiscal year, June 30, 2021
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted UNANIMOUSLY on a motion made by Mr. Jack Livramento and seconded by Mr. Joshua Amaral to allow the Chair of the Finance Sub-Committee to sign off on transfers for the remainder of the fiscal year, June 30, 2021. The roll call 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 Mitchell - Yes Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 6-Yeas, 0-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Livramento, second: Amaral)
Accept the Finance and Operations reports as presented to the School Committee
To accept the Finance and Operations reports as presented to the School Committee
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted UNANIMOUSLY on a motion made by Mr. Bruce Oliveira and seconded by Mr. Joshua Amaral to accept the Finance and Operations reports 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 Mitchell - Yes Mr, Bruce Oliveira - Yes 6-Yeas, O-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Bruce Oliveira, second: Amaral)
Place the Personnel report on file as presented to the School Committee
To place the Personnel report on file as presented to the School Committee
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted UNANIMOUSLY on a motion made by Mr. Joshua Amaral and seconded by Mr. Christopher Cotter to place the Personnel report on file 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 Mitchell - Yes Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 6-Yeas, 0-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Amaral, second: Cotter)
OPEN the Public Hearing for the 2021-2022 School Choice option
To OPEN the Public Hearing for the 2021-2022 School Choice option
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted UNANIMOUSLY on a motion made by Mr. Joshua Amaral and seconded by Mr. Christopher Cotter to OPEN the Public Hearing for the 2021-2022 School Choice option. The roll call 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 Mitchell - Yes Mr. Bruce Oliveira -- Yes 6-Yeas, 0-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Amaral, second: Cotter)
Approve the 2021-2022 School Choice option
To approve the 2021-2022 School Choice option
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted UNANIMOUSLY on a motion made by Mr. Joshua Amaral and seconded by Mr. Bruce Oliveira to approve the 2021-2022 School Choice option. The roll call 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 Mitchell - Yes Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 6-Yeas, 0-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Amaral, second: Bruce Oliveira)
CLOSE the Public Hearing for the 2021-2022 School Choice option
To CLOSE the Public Hearing for the 2021-2022 School Choice option
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted UNANIMOUSLY on a motion made by Mr, Bruce Oliveira and seconded by Mr. Jack Livramento to CLOSE the Public Hearing for the 2021-2022 School Choice option. The roll call 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 Mitchell - Yes Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 6-Yeas, 0-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Bruce Oliveira, second: Livramento)
Approve the 2021-2022 District School Calendar and draft calendars for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years
To approve the 2021-2022 District School Calendar and draft calendars for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted UNANIMOUSLY on a motion made by Mr. Jack Livramento and seconded by Mr. Bruce Oliveira to approve the 2021-2022 District School Calendar and draft calendars for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years. 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 Mitchell - Yes Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 6-Yeas, O-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Livramento, second: Bruce Oliveira)
Approve the transportation contract renewals for the 2021-2022 school year as presented to the School Committee
To approve the transportation contract renewals for the 2021-2022 school year as presented to the School Committee
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted UNANIMOUSLY on a motion made by Mr. Bruce Oliveira and seconded by Mr. Jack Livramento to approve the transportation contract renewals for the 2021-2022 school year 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 Mitchell - Yes Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 6-Yeas, 0-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Bruce Oliveira, second: Livramento)
Approve a title change for the Information Technology Manager Position title to Chief Technology Officer as presented to the School Committee
To approve a title change for the Information Technology Manager Position title to Chief Technology Officer as presented to the School Committee
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 UNANIMOUSLY on a motion made by Mr. Joshua Amaral and seconded by Mr. Christopher Cotter to approve a title change for the Information Technology Manager Position title to Chief Technology Officer as presented to the School Committee. The roil call vote 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, 0-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Amaral, second: Cotter)
Enter into Executive Session for the following purpose (3): To discuss bargaining updates with respect to negotiations with union and non-union personnel: e NBSSU ° Federation of Paraprofessionals © D
To enter into Executive Session for the following purpose (3): To discuss bargaining updates with respect to negotiations with union and non-union personnel: e NBSSU ° Federation of Paraprofessionals © Deputy Superintendent ° Executive Director of Special Education & Student Services
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted UNANIMOUSLY on a motion made by Mr. Bruce Oliveira and seconded by Mr. Christopher Cotter to enter into Executive Session for the following purpose (3): To discuss bargaining updates with respect to negotiations with union and non-union personnel: e NBSSU ° Federation of Paraprofessionals © Deputy Superintendent ° Executive Director of Special Education & Student Services The roll call 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 Mitchell - Yes Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 6-Yeas, 0-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Bruce Oliveira, second: Cotter)
Authorize the employment of Mr. Matthew Kravitz as the Executive Director of Special Education and Student Services and approve the contract as presented
To authorize the employment of Mr. Matthew Kravitz as the Executive Director of Special Education and Student Services and approve the contract as presented
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted UNANIMOUSLY on a motion made by Mr. Bruce Oliveira and seconded by Mr. Joshua Amaral to authorize the employment of Mr. Matthew Kravitz as the Executive Director of Special Education and Student Services and approve the contract as presented. The roll call 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 Mitchell - Yes Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 6-Yeas, O-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Bruce Oliveira, second: Amaral)
Adjourn the School Committee meeting
To adjourn the School Committee meeting
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted UNANIMOUSLY on a motion made by Mr. Bruce Oliveira and seconded by Mr. Christopher Cotter to adjourn the School Committee meeting. 7| Page The roll call 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 Mitchell - Yes Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 6-Yeas, O-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Bruce Oliveira, second: Cotter)
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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