MassVoter.com← New Bedford School CommitteeNew Bedford School Committee · 2026–2027 term · Regular meeting · 6:01 p.m.
April 13, 2026
19 recorded votes, 4 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF)
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Note on these minutes: These minutes list Mayor Mitchell as absent, and most counts say 1 absent, but several printed roll calls list him as voting yes. Those votes are noted and their individual votes are not shown; we will ask the School Committee office to confirm.
Present: Christopher Cotter, Jack Livramento, Jr., Melissa Costa, Richard Porter III, Vonmarie Moniz, William “Brad” Markey
Absent: Jon Mitchell
Every vote, in order
Approve School Choice for the 2026-2027 New Bedford Public Schools (NBPS) school year
To approve School Choice for the 2026-2027 New Bedford Public Schools (NBPS) school year
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted on a motion made by Mr. William Markey and seconded by Mr. Christopher Cotter to approve School Choice for the 2026-2027 New Bedford Public Schools (NBPS) school year. 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 - Absent Mr. William Markey - Yes 6-Yeas, O-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Markey, second: Cotter)
Clase the Public Hearing for 2026-2027 School Choice and open the regular meeting of the School Committee
To clase the Public Hearing for 2026-2027 School Choice and open the regular meeting of the School Committee
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted on a motion made by Mr. Richard Porter and seconded by Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr. to clase the Public Hearing for 2026-2027 School Choice and open the regular meeting of the School Committee 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 - Absent Mr. William Markey - Yes 6-Yeas, 0-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Porter, second: Livramento)
Accept the regular meeting minutes of March 9, 2026, as presented and placed on file
To accept the regular meeting minutes of March 9, 2026, as presented and placed on file
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted on a motion made by Mr. Christopher Cotter and seconded by Mr. Richard Porter to accept the regular meeting minutes of March 9, 2026, as presented and placed 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 Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr. - Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell - Absent Mr. William Markey - Yes 6-Yeas, 0-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Cotter, second: Porter)
Accept the Transfer Report from March 2026 as presented and placed on file
To accept the Transfer Report from March 2026 as presented and placed on file
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted on a motion made by Mr. William Markey and seconded by Mr. Christopher Cotter to accept the Transfer Report from March 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 5|Page Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr. - Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell - Absent Mr. William Markey - Yes 6-Yeas, 0-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Markey, second: Cotter)
Accept the Finance and Operations Reports from March 2026 as presented and placed on file
To accept the Finance and Operations Reports from March 2026 as presented and placed on file
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted on a motion made by Mr. Christopher Cotter and seconded by Mr. William Markey to accept the Finance and Operations Reports from March 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 - Absent Mr. William Markey - Yes 6-Yeas, 0-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Cotter, second: Markey)
Accept the April 2026 Personne! report as presented and place it on file
To accept the April 2026 Personne! report as presented and place it on file
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted on a motion made by Mr. Christopher Cotter and seconded by Mr. William Markey, to accept the April 2026 Personne! 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 Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr. - Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell -- Absent Mr. William Markey - Yes 6-Yeas, 0-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Cotter, second: Markey)
Approve the 2026-2027 Schoo! Committee Meeting Calendar as presented. 7 6|Page The Schoo! Committee voted on a motion made by Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr., and seconded Mr. Christopher Cotter to approve t
To approve the 2026-2027 Schoo! Committee Meeting Calendar as presented. 7 6|Page The Schoo! Committee voted on a motion made by Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr., and seconded Mr. Christopher Cotter to approve the 2026-2027 School Committee Meeting Calendar as presented
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted on a motion made by Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr., and seconded Mr. Christopher Cotter to approve the 2026-2027 Schoo! Committee Meeting Calendar as presented. 7 6|Page The Schoo! Committee voted on a motion made by Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr., and seconded Mr. Christopher Cotter to approve the 2026-2027 School Committee Meeting Calendar as presented. The rojl 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 - Absent Mr. William Markey - Yes 6-Yeas, 0-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Livramento, second: Cotter)
Vote to approve the 2026-2027 School Committee Meeting Calendar
To approve the revision to the 2026-2027 District School Year Calendar as presented
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted on a motion made by Mr. William Markey, and seconded by Mr. Christopher Cotter to approve the revision to the 2026-2027 District School Year Calendar as presented. The roll call vote was as follows: Ms. Von Marie Moniz - Yes Mr. Richard Porter lll - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Melissa Costa - Yes Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr. - Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell - Absent Mr. William Markey - Yes 6-Yeas, 0-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Markey, second: Cotter)
To approve the revision to the 2026-2027 District School Year Calendar as presented
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted on a motion made by Mr. William Markey, and seconded by Mr. Christopher Cotter to approve the revision to the 2026-2027 District School Year Calendar 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 - Absent Mr. William Markey - Yes 6-Yeas, 0-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Markey, second: Cotter)
Delegate the duties of the Chairman of the Finance and Operations to School Committee members to approve warrants and transfers through July 31, 2026, as presented
To delegate the duties of the Chairman of the Finance and Operations to School Committee members to approve warrants and transfers through July 31, 2026, as presented
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted on a motion made by Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr, and seconded by Mr. William Markey to delegate the duties of the Chairman of the Finance and Operations to School Committee members to approve warrants and transfers through July 31, 2026, 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 - Absent Mr. William Markey - Yes 6-Yeas, 0-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Livramento, second: Markey)
Approve a submission of a MASC 2026 Resolution as presented
To approve a submission of a MASC 2026 Resolution as presented
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted on a motion made by Ms. Von Marie Moniz, and seconded by Mr. William Markey to approve a submission of a MASC 2026 Resolution as presented. The roll call vote was as follows: Ms. Von Marie Moniz - Yes Mr. Richard Porter ll - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Melissa Costa - Yes Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr. - Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell - Absent Mr. William Markey - Yes 6-Yeas, O-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Moniz, second: Markey)
Approve the submission of a MASC 2026 Resolution as presented
To approve the submission of a MASC 2026 Resolution as presented
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted on a motion made by Mr. Jack Livramental, Jr., and seconded by Mr. Christopher Cotter to approve the submission of a MASC 2026 Resolution as presented. The roll call 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 - Absent Mr. William Markey - Yes 6-Yeas, 0-Nays, 1-Absent.” (second: Cotter)
Approve the Out of State travel and Field Studies as presented
To approve the Out of State travel and Field Studies as presented
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted on a motion made by Mr. Christopher Cotter, and seconded by Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr, to approve the Out of State travel and Field Studies 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 - Absent Mr. William Markey - Yes 6-Yeas, 0-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Cotter, second: Livramento)
Re-open tabled business as presented
To re-open tabled business as presented
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted on a motion made by Mr. Christopher Cotter, and seconded by Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr., to re-open tabled business as presented. The roll call vote was as follows: Ms. Von Marie Moniz - Yes Mr. Richard Porter Ili - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Melissa Costa - Yes Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr. - Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell - Absent Mr. William Markey - Yes 6-Yeas, 0-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Cotter, second: Livramento)
Allow Ms. Von Marie Moniz to participate as a non-member of the Academic Achievement Sub-Committee for 2026
To allow Ms. Von Marie Moniz to participate as a non-member of the Academic Achievement Sub-Committee for 2026
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted on a motion made by Mr. Christopher Cotter and seconded by Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr., to allow Ms. Von Marie Moniz to participate as a non-member of the Academic Achievement Sub-Committee for 2026. The roll call vote was as follows: Ms. Von Marie Moniz - Yes Mr. Richard Porter Ill - Yes 8|Page Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Melissa Costa - Yes Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr. - Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell - Absent Mr. William Markey - Yes 6-Yeas, 0-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Cotter, second: Livramento)
Provide a FY27 School Committee Budget Workshop before the Public Hearing in May
To provide a FY27 School Committee Budget Workshop before the Public Hearing in May
The minutes give the count as 6 yes, 0 no, 1 absent, but the printed roll call reads: Jon Mitchell: yes; Christopher Cotter: yes; Jack Livramento, Jr.: yes; Melissa Costa: yes; Richard Porter III: yes; Vonmarie Moniz: yes; William Markey: 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. Richard Porter and seconded by Mr. Christopher Cotter for the Finance and Operations department to provide a FY27 School Committee Budget Workshop before the Public Hearing in May. 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 6-Yeas, 0-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Porter, second: Cotter)
Proceed to Executive Session and return to open session
To proceed to Executive Session and return to open session
The minutes give the count as 6 yes, 0 no, 1 absent, but the printed roll call reads: Jon Mitchell: yes; Christopher Cotter: yes; Jack Livramento, Jr.: yes; Melissa Costa: yes; Richard Porter III: yes; Vonmarie Moniz: yes; William Markey: 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, Jr., and seconded by Christopher Cotter to proceed to Executive Session and return to open session. 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 6-Yeas, O-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Livramento, second: Cotter)
Return to open session
To return to open session
The minutes give the count as 6 yes, 0 no, 1 absent, but the printed roll call reads: Jon Mitchell: yes; Christopher Cotter: yes; Jack Livramento, Jr.: yes; Melissa Costa: yes; Richard Porter III: yes; Vonmarie Moniz: yes; William Markey: 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. Richard Porter and seconded by Mr. William Markey to return to open session. The roll call vote was as follows: Ms. Von Marie Moniz - Yes Mr. Richard Porter Ili - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Yes Ms. Melissa Costa - Yes Mr. Jack Livramento, Jr. - Yes Mayor Jon Mitchell - Yes Mr. William Markey - Yes 6-Yeas, 0-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Porter, second: Markey)
Ratify the contract for Mr. Paul Bottome, Executive Director of Special Education beginning April 13, 2026, as presented
To ratify the contract for Mr. Paul Bottome, Executive Director of Special Education beginning April 13, 2026, as presented
The minutes give the count as 6 yes, 0 no, 1 absent, but the printed roll call reads: Jon Mitchell: yes; Christopher Cotter: yes; Jack Livramento, Jr.: yes; Melissa Costa: yes; Richard Porter III: yes; Vonmarie Moniz: yes; William Markey: 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. Richard Porter and seconded by Mr. William Markey to ratify the contract for Mr. Paul Bottome, Executive Director of Special Education beginning April 13, 2026, 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 6-Yeas, O-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Porter, second: Markey)
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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