MassVoter.com← New Bedford School CommitteeNew Bedford School Committee · 2024–2025 term · Regular meeting · 6:02 p.m.
March 10, 2025
11 recorded votes, 0 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF)
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Present: Christopher Cotter, Bruce Oliveira, Jack Livramento, Jr., Colleen Dawicki, Ross Grace, Jr., Melissa Costa
Absent: Jon Mitchell
Every vote, in order
Accept the minutes from the regular meeting of February 9, 2025 as presented and place on file
To accept the minutes from the regular meeting of February 9, 2025 as presented and place on file
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted on a motion made by Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr. and seconded by Mr. Bruce Oliveira to accept the minutes from the regular meeting of February 9, 2025 as presented and place on file. The vote was as follows: Mr. Ross Grace, Jr. - Yes Ms. Colleen Dawicki - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Melissa Costa - Yes Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr.- Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell - Absent Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 6-Yeas, 0-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Livramento, second: Bruce Oliveira)
Move the agenda out of order and hear Public Comments first
To move the agenda out of order and hear Public Comments first
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted on a motion made by Ms. Melissa Costa and seconded by Mr. Bruce Oliveira to move the agenda out of order and hear Public Comments first. The vote was as follows: Mr. Ross Grace, Jr. - Yes Ms. Colleen Dawicki - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Melissa Costa - Yes Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr.-- Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell - Absent Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 6-Yeas, O-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Costa, second: Bruce Oliveira)
Grant permission for the William H
To grant permission for the William H
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted on a motion made by Ms. Melissa Costa and seconded by Ms. Colleen Dawicki to grant permission for the William H. Taylor Elementary School to accept the William H. Taylor Medal being gifted to the school by Reverend Hank Taylor as presented. The vote was as follows: Mr. Ross Grace, Jr. - Yes Ms. Colleen Dawicki - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Melissa Costa - Yes Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr. - Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell - Absent Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 6-Yeas, 0-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Costa, second: Dawicki)
Accept the Finance & Operations Transfer Report as presented and place on file
To accept the Finance & Operations Transfer Report as presented and place on file
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted on a motion made by Mr. Bruce Oliveira and seconded by Ms. Colleen Dawicki to accept the Finance & Operations Transfer Report as presented and place on file. The vote was as follows: Mr. Ross Grace, Jr. - Yes Ms. Colleen Dawicki - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Melissa Costa - Yes Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr. - Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell - Absent Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 6-Yeas, O-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Bruce Oliveira, second: Dawicki)
Accept the Finance & Operations Reports as presented and placed on file
To accept the Finance & Operations Reports as presented and placed on file
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted on a motion made by Mr. Bruce Oliveira and seconded by Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr, to accept the Finance & Operations Reports as presented and placed on file. The vote was as follows: Mr. Ross Grace, Jr. - Yes Ms. Colleen Dawicki - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Melissa Costa - Yes Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr.- Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell -- Absent Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 6-Yeas, 0-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Bruce Oliveira, second: Livramento)
Accept the Personnel report as presented and place on file
To accept the Personnel report as presented and place on file
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted on a motion made by Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr. and seconded by Mr. Bruce Oliveira to accept the Personnel report as presented and place on file. The vote was as follows: Mr. Ross Grace, Jr. - Yes Ms. Colleen Dawicki - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Melissa Costa - Yes Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr. - Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell - Absent Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 6-Yeas, 0-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Livramento, second: Bruce Oliveira)
The SOI submission closing date of, Friday, March 21, 2025 the School Committee of the City of New Bedford, in accordance with its charter, by-laws, and ordinances, has voted to authorize the Superint
To the SOI submission closing date of, Friday, March 21, 2025 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 March 21, 2025 for the Trinity Day Academy located at 181 Hillman St., 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
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted on a motion made by Mr. Bruce Oliveira and seconded by Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr. It was resolved having convened in an open meeting on March 10, 2025, prior to the SOI submission closing date of, Friday, March 21, 2025 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 March 21, 2025 for the Trinity Day Academy located at 181 Hillman St., 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 SOI is specifically for a roof, windows and door 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. The roll call vote was as follows: Mr. Ross Grace, Jr. - Yes Ms. Colleen Dawicki - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Melissa Costa - Yes Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr. - Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell - Absent Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 6-Yeas, 0-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Bruce Oliveira, second: Livramento)
Approve the 2025-2026 School Committee Meeting Date Calendar with the removal of the July 2025 meeting date as presented
To approve the 2025-2026 School Committee Meeting Date Calendar with the removal of the July 2025 meeting date as presented
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted on a motion made by Mr. Bruce Oliveira and seconded by Ms. Colleen Dawicki to approve the 2025-2026 School Committee Meeting Date Calendar with the removal of the July 2025 meeting date as presented. The vote was as follows: Mr. Ross Grace, Jr. - Yes Ms. Colleen Dawicki - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Melissa Costa - Yes Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr. - Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell - Absent Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 6-Yeas, 0-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Bruce Oliveira, second: Dawicki)
Approve the Chair or member of the Finance and Operations Sub-Committee to approve transfers on a weekly basis as presented
To approve the Chair or member of the Finance and Operations Sub-Committee to approve transfers on a weekly basis as presented
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted on a motion made by Mr. Bruce Oliveira and seconded by Ms. Colleen Dawicki to approve the Chair or member of the Finance and Operations Sub-Committee to approve transfers on a weekly basis as presented. The vote was as follows: Mr. Ross Grace, Jr. - Yes Ms. Colleen Dawicki - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Melissa Costa - Yes Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr. - Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell - Absent Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 6-Yeas, 0-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Bruce Oliveira, second: Dawicki)
Adjourn the meeting and enter into executive session pursuant to Massachusetts General Law Chapter 30A, Section 21(a), for the following purposes and not return to open session: 1
To adjourn the meeting and enter into executive session pursuant to Massachusetts General Law Chapter 30A, Section 21(a), for the following purposes and not return to open session: 1
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted on a motion made by Mr. Colleen Dawicki and seconded by Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr. to adjourn the meeting and enter into executive session pursuant to Massachusetts General Law Chapter 30A, Section 21(a), for the following purposes and not return to open session: 1. Purpose (3) to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining and negotiations with union personnel: a. New Bedford Educator's Association (NBEA) - Unit A John A. Parker Elementary School (updates) b. NBEA Unit A c. Federation of Paraprofessionals The roll call vote was as follows: Mr. Ross Grace, Jr. - Yes Ms. Colleen Dawicki - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Melissa Costa - Yes Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr. - Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell - Absent Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 6-Yeas, O-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Dawicki, second: Livramento)
Adjourn the meeting
To adjourn the meeting
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted on a motion made by Mr. Colleen Dawicki and seconded by Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr. to adjourn the meeting. The roll call was as follows: Mr. Ross Grace, Jr. - Yes Ms. Colleen Dawicki - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Melissa Costa - Yes Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr. - Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell - Absent Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 6-Yeas, O-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Dawicki, 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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