MassVoter.com← New Bedford School CommitteeNew Bedford School Committee · 2022–2023 term · Regular meeting · 6:09 p.m.
March 7, 2022
14 recorded votes, 2 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF)
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Note on these minutes: Mayor Mitchell arrived at 6:18 p.m. One count in these minutes (7 yes, 0 no, 1 absent) adds up to eight members; that vote is noted and its individual votes are not shown.
Present: Jon Mitchell, Colleen Dawicki, Bruce Oliveira, Melissa Costa, Christopher Cotter, Jack Livramento, Jr., Ross Grace, Jr.
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Receive the 2022 Finance and Operations Sub-Committee meeting date calendar and place on file
To receive the 2022 Finance and Operations Sub-Committee meeting date calendar and place on file
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted on a motion made by Mr. Christopher Cotter and seconded by Mr. Jack Livramento to receive the 2022 Finance and Operations Sub-Committee meeting date calendar and place on file. The vote was as follows: Mr. Ross Grace, Jr. - Yes Ms. Melissa Costa - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Colleen Dawicki- Yes Mr. Jack Livramento - Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell - Absent Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 6-Yeas, 0-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Cotter, second: Livramento)
Accept and place on file the minutes of the regular School Committee meeting held on February 7, 2022
To accept and place on file the minutes of the regular School Committee meeting held on February 7, 2022
The minutes give the count as 7 yes, 0 no, 1 absent, but the printed roll call reads: Jon Mitchell: absent; Colleen Dawicki: yes; Bruce Oliveira: yes; Melissa Costa: yes; Christopher Cotter: yes; Jack Livramento, Jr.: yes; Ross Grace, Jr.: yes. Because they do not match, individual votes are not shown. We will ask the School Committee office to confirm.
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted on a motion made by Mr. Jack Livramento and seconded by Mr. Christopher Cotter to accept and place on file the minutes of the regular School Committee meeting held on February 7, 2022. The vote was as follows: Mr. Ross Grace, Jr. - Yes Ms. Melissa Costa - Yes 1|Page Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Colleen Dawicki-- Yes Mr. Jack Livramento - Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell - Absent Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 7-Yeas, o-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Livramento, second: Cotter)
Receive the letter and place on file
To receive the letter and place on file
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted UNANIMOUSLY on a motion made by Mr. Bruce Oliveira and seconded by Mr. Christopher Cotter to receive the letter and place on file. . The vote was as follows: Mr. Ross Grace, Jr. - Yes Ms. Melissa Costa - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Colleen Dawicki - Yes Mr. Jack Livramento - Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell - Yes Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 7-Yeas, 0-Nays, 0-Absent.” (Motion: Bruce Oliveira, second: Cotter)
Accept the written submitted public comments and place on file
To accept the written submitted public comments and place on file
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted UNANIMOUSLY on a motion made by Mr. Christopher Cotter and seconded by Mr. Bruce Oliveira to accept the written submitted public comments and place on file. The vote was as follows: -2|Page Mr. Ross Grace, Jr. - Yes Ms. Melissa Costa - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Colleen Dawicki - Yes Mr. Jack Livramento - Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell - Yes Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 7-Yeas, 0-Nays, 0-Absent.” (Motion: Cotter, second: Bruce Oliveira)
Accept the Transfer Report as presented
To accept the Transfer Report as presented
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted UNANIMOUSLY on a motion made by Mr. Bruce Oliveira and seconded by Mr. Jack Livramento to accept the Transfer Report as presented. The vote was as follows: Mr. Ross Grace, Jr. - Yes Ms. Melissa Costa - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Colleen Dawicki- Yes Mr. Jack Livramento - Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell - Yes Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 7-Yeas, 0-Nays, 0-Absent.” (Motion: Bruce Oliveira, second: Livramento)
Accept the Finance and Operations Reports as presented
To accept the Finance and Operations Reports as presented
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted UNANIMOUSLY on a motion made by Mr. Christopher Cotter and seconded by Mr. Jack Livramento to accept the Finance and Operations Reports as presented. The vote was as follows: Mr. Ross Grace, Jr. - Yes Ms. Melissa Costa - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Colleen Dawicki- Yes Mr. Jack Livramento - Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell - Yes Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 7-Yeas, 0-Nays, 0-Absent.” (Motion: Cotter, second: Livramento)
Receive and place the Personnel Report on file
To receive and place the Personnel Report on file
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted UNANIMOUSLY on a motion made by Mr. Bruce Oliveira and seconded by Mr. Christopher Cotter to receive and place the Personnel Report on file. The vote was as follows: Mr. Ross Grace, Jr. - Yes Ms. Melissa Costa - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Colleen Dawicki - Yes Mr. Jack Livramento - Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell - Yes Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 7-Yeas, 0-Nays, 0-Absent.” (Motion: Bruce Oliveira, second: Cotter)
Approve the Out of School Time Manager position as presented
To approve the Out of School Time Manager position as presented
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 Out of School Time Manager position as presented, 3|Page B, The vote was as follows: Mr. Ross Grace, Jr. - Yes Ms. Melissa Costa - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Colleen Dawicki- Yes Mr. Jack Livramento - Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell - Yes Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 7-Yeas, 0-Nays, 0-Absent.” (Motion: Bruce Oliveira, second: Livramento)
Approve the College and Career Information Coordinator position as presented
To approve the College and Career Information Coordinator position as presented
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 College and Career Information Coordinator position as presented. The vote was as follows: Mr. Ross Grace, Jr. - Yes Ms. Melissa Costa - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Colleen Dawicki- Yes Mr. Jack Livramento - Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell - Yes Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 7-Yeas, o-Nays, 0-Absent.” (Motion: Bruce Oliveira, second: Livramento)
Support the proposed Massachusetts Fair Share Amendment that would create an additional tax of four percentage points on annual income above one million dollars and dedicate the funds raised by this t
To support the proposed Massachusetts Fair Share Amendment that would create an additional tax of four percentage points on annual income above one million dollars and dedicate the funds raised by this tax to quality public education, affordable public colleges and universities, and for repair and maintenance of roads, bridges, and public transportation
Yes: Costa, Dawicki, Grace, Livramento, MitchellNo: CotterAbstained: Bruce Oliveira
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted on a motion made by Mr. Jack Livramento and seconded by Ms. Colleen Dawicki to support the proposed Massachusetts Fair Share Amendment that would create an additional tax of four percentage points on annual income above one million dollars and dedicate the funds raised by this tax to quality public education, affordable public colleges and universities, and for repair and maintenance of roads, bridges, and public transportation. The roll call vote was as follows: Mr. Ross Grace, Jr. - Yes . Ms. Melissa Costa - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - No Ms, Colleen Dawicki- Yes Mr, Jack Livramento - Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell - Yes Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Abstained 5-Yeas, 1-Nays, 0-Absent.” (Motion: Livramento, second: Dawicki)
Submit a Statement of Interest form to the Massachusetts School Building Authority regarding the Charles S. Ashley Elementary School located at 122 Rochambeau Street, New Bedford
To submit a Statement of Interest form to the Massachusetts School Building Authority regarding the Charles S. Ashley Elementary School located at 122 Rochambeau Street, New Bedford
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted UNANIMOUSLY on a motion made by Mr. Bruce Oliveira and seconded by Mr. Christopher Cotter authorizing the Superintendent to submit a Statement of Interest form to the Massachusetts School Building Authority regarding the Charles S. Ashley Elementary School located at 122 Rochambeau Street, New Bedford The resolution is as follows: “having convened in an open meeting on March 7, 2022, prior to the closing date, the School Committee of the City of New Bedford, in accordance with its charter, by-laws, and ordinances, has voted to authorize the Superintendent to submit to the Massachusetts School Building Authority the Statement of Interest form dated February 2, 2022 for the Charles S. Ashley Elementary School located at 122 Rochambeau Street, New Bedford, which describes and explains the following deficienctes and the priority category(s) for which an application may be submitted to the Massachusetts School Building Authority in the future under priority 7, replacement, renovation or modernization of school facility systems, such as roofs, windows, boilers, heating and ventilation systems, to increase energy conservation and decrease energy related costs in a school facility. This Statement of Interest is specifically for replacement of an obsolete building; and hereby further specifically acknowledges that by submitting this Statement of Interest form, the Massachusetts School Building Authority in no way guarantees the acceptance or the approval of an application , the awarding of a grant or any other funding commitment from the Massachusetts School Building Authority, or commits the City of New Bedford to filing an application for funding with the Massachusetts School Building Authority” as presented. The roll call vote was as follows: Mr. Ross Grace, Jr. - Yes Ms. Melissa Costa - Yes 4|Page ii. Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Colleen Dawicki - Yes Mr. Jack Livramento - Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell - Yes Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 7-Yeas, o-Nays, 0-Absent.” (Motion: Bruce Oliveira, second: Cotter)
Submit a Statement of Interest form to the Massachusetts School Building Authority regarding the Jireh Swift Elementary School located at 2203 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford
To submit a Statement of Interest form to the Massachusetts School Building Authority regarding the Jireh Swift Elementary School located at 2203 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted UNANIMOUSLY on a motion made by Mr. Bruce Oliveira and seconded by Mr, Jack Livramento authorizing the Superintendent to submit a Statement of Interest form to the Massachusetts School Building Authority regarding the Jireh Swift Elementary School located at 2203 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford. The resolution is as follows: “having convened in an open meeting on March 7, 2022, prior to the closing date, the School Committee of the City of New Bedford, in accordance with its charter, by-laws, and ordinances, has voted to authorize the Superintendent to submit to the Massachusetts School Building Authority the Statement of Interest form dated February 8, 2022 for the Jireh Swift Elementary School located at 2203 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford, which describes and explains the following deficiencies and the priority category(s) for which an application may be submitted to the Massachusetts School Building Authority in the future under priority 7, replacement, renovation or modernization of school facility systems, such as roofs, windows, boilers, heating and ventilation systems, to increase energy conservation and decrease energy related costs in a school facility. This Statement of Interest is specifically for replacement of an obsolete building; and hereby further specifically acknowledges that by submitting this Statement of Interest form, the Massachusetts School Building Authority in no way guarantees the acceptance or the approval of an application , the awarding of a grant or any other funding commitment from the Massachusetts School Building Authority, or commits the City of New Bedford to filing an application for funding with the Massachusetts School Building Authority” as presented. The roll call vote was as follows: Mr. Ross Grace, Jr. - Yes Ms. Melissa Costa - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Colleen Dawicki - Yes Mr. Jack Livramento - Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell - Yes Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 7-Yeas, 0-Nays, 0-Absent.” (Motion: Bruce Oliveira, second: Livramento)
Submit a Statement of Interest form to the Massachusetts School Building Authority regarding the Elizabeth Carter Brooks Elementary School located at 212 Nemasket Street, New Bedford
To submit a Statement of Interest form to the Massachusetts School Building Authority regarding the Elizabeth Carter Brooks Elementary School located at 212 Nemasket Street, New Bedford
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted UNANIMOUSLY on a motion made by Ms. Colleen Dawicki and seconded by Mr. Christopher Cotter authorizing the Superintendent to submit a Statement of Interest form to the Massachusetts School Building Authority regarding the Elizabeth Carter Brooks Elementary School located at 212 Nemasket Street, New Bedford. The resolution is as follows: “having convened in an open meeting on March 7, 2022, prior to the closing date, the School Committee of the City of New Bedford, in accordance with its charter, by-laws, and ordinances, has voted to authorize the Superintendent to submit to the Massachusetts School Building Authority the Statement of Interest form dated February 17, 2022 for the Elizabeth Carter Brooks Elementary School located at 212 Nemasket Street, New Bedford, which describes and explains the following deficiencies and the priority category(s) for which an application may be submitted to the Massachusetts School Building Authority in the future under priority 5, replacement, renovation or modernization of school facility systems, such as roofs, windows, boilers, heating and ventilation systems, to increase energy conservation and decrease energy related costs in a school facility. This Statement of Interest is specifically for roof replacement; and hereby further specifically acknowledges that by submitting this Statement of Interest form, the Massachusetts School Building Authority in no way guarantees the acceptance or the approval of an application , the awarding of a grant or any other funding commitment from the Massachusetts School Building Authority, or commits the City of New Bedford to filing an application for funding with the Massachusetts School Building Authority as presented. The roll call vote was as follows: Mr. Ross Grace, Jr. - Yes Ms. Melissa Costa - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Colleen Dawicki -- Yes Mr. Jack Livramento - Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell - Yes Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 7-Yeas, 0-Nays, 0-Absent.” (Motion: Dawicki, second: Cotter)
Adjourn the meeting, not return to regular session, and enter into executive session for the following purpose:
To adjourn the meeting, not return to regular session, and enter into executive session for the following purpose:
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted UNANIMOUSLY on a motion made by Mr. Christopher Cotter and seconded by Mr. Jack Livramento to adjourn the meeting, not return to regular session, and enter into executive session for the following purpose: The roll call vote was as follows: Mr. Ross Grace, Jr. -- Yes Ms. Melissa Costa - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Colleen Dawicki- Yes Mr. Jack Livramento - Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell - Yes Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 7-Yeas, o-Nays, 0-Absent.” (Motion: Cotter, second: Livramento)
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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