MassVoter.com← New Bedford School CommitteeNew Bedford School Committee · 2026–2027 term · Regular meeting · 6:03 p.m.
February 9, 2026
13 recorded votes, 1 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF)
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Present: Jon Mitchell, Christopher Cotter, Jack Livramento, Jr., Melissa Costa, Richard Porter III, Vonmarie Moniz, William “Brad” Markey
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Accept the 2026 Sub-Committee assignments as presented
To accept the 2026 Sub-Committee assignments as presented
Yes: Cotter, Livramento, Markey, Mitchell, PorterNo: Costa, Moniz
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted on a motion made by Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr., and seconded by Mr. Christopher Cotter to accept the 2026 Sub-Committee assignments as presented. The roll call vote was as follows: Ms. Von Marie Moniz - No Mr. Richard Porter Ill - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Melissa Costa - No Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr. - Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell - Yes Mr. William Markey - Yes 5-Yeas, 2-Nays, 0-Absent.” (Motion: Livramento, second: Cotter)
Take agenda item 2B off the table
To take agenda item 2B off the table
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted UNANIMOUSLY on a motion made by Mr. Christopher Cotter and seconded by Mr. Richard Porter to take agenda item 2B off the table. The vote was as follows: Ms. Von Marie Moniz - Yes Mr. Richard Porter Ill - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Melissa Costa - Yes Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr. - Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell - Yes Mr. William Markey - Yes 7-Yeas, 0-Nays, 0-Absent.” (Motion: Cotter, second: Porter)
Approve the 2026 Sub-Committee meeting dates as presented
To approve the 2026 Sub-Committee meeting dates as presented
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted UNANIMOUSLY on a motion made by Mr. Christopher Cotter and seconded by Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr. to approve the 2026 Sub-Committee meeting dates as presented. The vote was as follows: Ms. Von Marie Moniz - Yes Mr. Richard Porter Ill - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Melissa Costa - Yes Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr. - Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell - Yes Mr. William Markey - Yes 7-Yeas, 0-Nays, 0-Absent.” (Motion: Cotter, second: Livramento)
Accept the regular meeting minutes of January 12, 2026, as presented and placed on file
To accept the regular meeting minutes of January 12, 2026, as presented and placed on file
From the minutes
“motion made by Mr. Christopher Cotter and seconded by Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr., to accept the regular meeting minutes of January 12, 2026, as presented and placed on file. The vote was as follows: Ms. Von Marie Moniz - Yes Mr. Richard Porter II] - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Melissa Costa - Yes Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr. -- Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell - Yes Mr. William Markey - Yes 7-Yeas, 0-Nays, 0-Absent.” (Motion: Cotter, second: Livramento)
Accept the Transfer Report from January 2026 as presented and placed on file
To accept the Transfer Report from January 2026 as presented and placed on file
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted UNANIMOUSLY on a motion made by Mr. Christopher Cotter and seconded by Mr. William Markey to accept the Transfer Report from January 2026 as presented and placed on file. The vote was as follows: Ms. Von Marie Moniz - Yes Mr. Richard Porter III - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Melissa Costa - Yes Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr. - Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell - Yes Mr. William Markey - Yes 7-Yeas, 0-Nays, 0-Absent.” (Motion: Cotter, second: Markey)
Accept the Finance and Operations Reports from January 2026 as presented and placed on file
To accept the Finance and Operations Reports from January 2026 as presented and placed on file
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted UNANIMOUSLY on a motion made by Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr. and seconded by Mr. Christopher Cotter, to accept the Finance and Operations Reports from January 2026 as presented and placed on file. The vote was as follows: Ms. Von Marie Moniz - Yes Mr. Richard Porter III - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Melissa Costa - Yes Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr. - Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell - Yes Mr. William Markey - Yes 7-Yeas, 0-Nays, 0-Absent.” (Motion: Livramento, second: Cotter)
Accept the February 2026 Personnel report as presented and place it on file
To accept the February 2026 Personnel report as presented and place it on file
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted UNANIMOUSLY on a motion made by Mr. Christopher Cotter and seconded by Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr., to accept the February 2026 Personnel report as presented and place it on file. The vote was as follows: Ms. Von Marie Moniz - Yes Mr. Richard Porter Ill - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Melissa Costa - Yes 4|Page Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr. - Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell - Yes Mr. William Markey - Yes 7-Yeas, 0-Nays, 0-Absent.” (Motion: Cotter, second: Livramento)
Accept the revision of Monday, March 9, 2026, to be staff professional development day as presented
To accept the revision of Monday, March 9, 2026, to be staff professional development day as presented
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted UNANIMOUSLY on a motion made by Mr. Christopher Cotter and seconded Mr. Richard Porter to accept the revision of Monday, March 9, 2026, to be staff professional development day as presented. The vote was as follows: Ms. Von Marie Moniz - Yes Mr. Richard Porter Ill - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Melissa Costa - Yes Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr. - Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell - Yes Mr. William Markey - Yes 7-Yeas, 0-Nays, 0-Absent.” (Motion: Cotter, second: Porter)
Approve the Out of State travel and Out of School Time Field Studies as presented
To approve the Out of State travel and Out of School Time Field Studies as presented
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted UNANIMOUSLY on a motion made by Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr., and seconded by Mr. Christopher Cotter to approve the Out of State travel and Out of School Time Field Studies as presented. The vote was as follows: Ms. Von Marie Moniz - Yes Mr. Richard Porter Ill - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Melissa Costa - Yes Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr. - Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell - Yes Mr. William Markey - Yes 7-Yeas, 0-Nays, 0-Absent.” (Motion: Livramento, second: Cotter)
Authorize the Solicitors Office attorney Katherine Schuko, to approve the minutes and release the 2024/2025 minutes packet as presented
To authorize the Solicitors Office attorney Katherine Schuko, to approve the minutes and release the 2024/2025 minutes packet as presented
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted UNANIMOUSLY on a motion made by Mr. Christopher Cotter and seconded by Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr., to authorize the Solicitors Office attorney Katherine Schuko, to approve the minutes and release the 2024/2025 minutes packet as presented. The roll call vote was as follows: Ms. Von Marie Moniz - Yes Mr. Richard Porter Ill - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Melissa Costa - Yes Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr. - Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell - Yes Mr. William Markey - Yes 7-Yeas, O-Nays, 0-Absent.” (Motion: Cotter, second: Livramento)
Adjourn the meeting and enter executive session pursuant to Massachusetts General Law Chapter 30A, Section 21(a), for the following purposes and return to open session: 1
To adjourn the meeting and enter executive session pursuant to Massachusetts General Law Chapter 30A, Section 21(a), for the following purposes and return to open session: 1
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted UNANIMOUSLY on a motion made by Mr. Jack Livramento Jr., and seconded by Mr. Christopher Cotter to adjourn the meeting and enter executive session pursuant to Massachusetts General Law Chapter 30A, Section 21(a), for the following purposes and return to open session: 1. Purpose (3) to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining and negotiations with union personnel: e AFSCME e NBEA Unit B e NBSSU e NBEA Unit A 2. Purpose (2) to discuss negotiations with Non-Union Personnel, specifically for the positions of: e Superintendent e Deputy Superintendent The roll call vote was as follows: Ms. Von Marie Moniz - Yes Mr. Richard Porter Ill - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Melissa Costa - Yes Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr. - Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell - Yes Mr. William Markey - Yes 7-Yeas, 0-Nays, 0-Absent.” (Motion: Livramento, second: Cotter)
Ratify the NBSSU contract beginning on July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2029, as presented
To ratify the NBSSU contract beginning on July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2029, as presented
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted UNANIMOUSLY on a motion made by Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr., and seconded by Christopher Cotter to ratify the NBSSU contract beginning on July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2029, as presented. The roll call vote was as follows: Ms. Von Marie Moniz - Yes Mr. Richard Porter III - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Melissa Costa - Yes Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr. - Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell - Yes Mr. William Markey - Yes 7-Yeas, 0-Nays, 0-Absent.” (Motion: Livramento, second: Cotter)
Adjourn the meeting
To adjourn the meeting
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted UNANIMOUSLY on a motion made by Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr., and seconded by Christopher Cotter to adjourn the meeting. The roll call vote was as follows: Ms. Von Marie Moniz - Yes Mr. Richard Porter III - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Melissa Costa - Yes Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr. - Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell - Yes Mr. William Markey - Yes 7-Yeas, 0-Nays, 0-Absent.” (Motion: Livramento, 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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