MassVoter.com← New Bedford School CommitteeNew Bedford Former Member
Joshua Amaral
Elected citywide · 1 term in this record
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Start my ballot →Record at a glance · 2020–2021 term
On split votes, Amaral voted the same way as…
- Christopher Cotter100% (5 of 5)
- Bruce Oliveira100% (10 of 10)
- Colleen Dawicki90% (9 of 10)
- Jon Mitchell89% (8 of 9)
- Jack Livramento, Jr.80% (4 of 5)
- John Oliveira0% (0 of 9)
How these numbers work
- Counted from the official minutes, for 2020–2021 term only. Committee meetings and routine votes (adjourning, approving minutes) are not counted.
- Attendance counts the meetings where the minutes list Amaral as present or absent at the start.
- Only votes the minutes record member by member are counted. Voice votes and votes given only as a count (for example 6-3 with no names) are not.
- Percentages are shown only when there are at least 10 meetings or votes to count.
- A split vote is one where at least one member voted yes and another voted no. “In the minority” means on the side with fewer votes; ties are not counted.
- “Whole committee” combines every member’s record for the same term.
These numbers describe the record; they are not a grade. A no vote, an abstention or a minority vote is neither good nor bad. MassVoter never rates officials.
Attendance
At the start of 11 of 12 School Committee meetings in 2020–2021 term.
Missed
- Nov 8, 2021 · Regular: Absent
Every meeting (12)
- Nov 8, 2021 · Regular: Absent
- Oct 18, 2021 · Regular: Present
- Sep 20, 2021 · Regular: Present
- Sep 8, 2021 · Special: Present
- Aug 9, 2021 · Regular: Present
- Jul 12, 2021 · Regular: Present
- Jun 14, 2021 · Regular: Present
- May 10, 2021 · Regular: Present
- Apr 12, 2021 · Regular: Present
- Mar 8, 2021 · Regular: Present
- Feb 8, 2021 · Regular: Present
- Jan 11, 2021 · Regular: Present
Votes where members disagreed · 2020–2021 term
Oct 18Approve the Fall River Public Schools request to join…Motion: to approve the Fall River Public Schools request to join the…Passed Unanimous, 6 present (John Oliveira absent) · Amaral: Yes
October 18, 2021: Approve the Fall River Public Schools request to join the South Coast Education Collaborative as presented
To approve the Fall River Public Schools request to join the South Coast Education Collaborative as presented
Voted: Yes
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 on a motion made by Mr. Christopher Cotter and seconded by Ms. Jack Livramento to approve the Fall River Public Schools request to join the South Coast Education Collaborative as presented. The roll call 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, O-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Cotter, second: Livramento)
Sep 20Accept the Transfer report as presented to the School…Motion: to accept the Transfer report as presented to the School CommitteePassed Unanimous, 6 present (John Oliveira absent) · Amaral: Yes
September 20, 2021: Accept the Transfer report as presented to the School Committee
To accept the Transfer report as presented to the School Committee
Voted: Yes
The printed roll call is partly unreadable in the scanned minutes for Jon Mitchell; the count (6–0) and the other names show this member voted yes.
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted on a motion made by Mr. Bruce Oliveira and seconded by Mr. Christopher Cotter to accept the Transfer report 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 Mitcheil - Yes Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 6-Yeas, 0-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Bruce Oliveira, second: Cotter)
Sep 8Oppose the Innovators Charter School application and information presented…Motion: to oppose the Innovators Charter School application and information presented to…Passed 4–1 · Amaral: Yes
September 8, 2021 (Special meeting): Oppose the Innovators Charter School application and information presented to the School Committee
To oppose the Innovators Charter School application and information presented to the School Committee
Voted: Yes
Yes: Amaral, Bruce Oliveira, Dawicki, MitchellNo: John OliveiraAbsent: Cotter, Livramento
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted on a motion made by Mr. Bruce Oliveira and seconded by Mr. Joshua Amaral to oppose the Innovators Charter School application and information presented to the School Committee. The vote was as follows: Mr. John Oliveira - No Mr. Joshua Amaral - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Absent Ms. Colleen Dawicki- Yes Mr. Jack Livramento - Absent Mayor Mitchell - Yes Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 4-Yeas, 1-Nays, 2-Absent.” (Motion: Bruce Oliveira, second: Amaral)
Aug 9Table consideration of the second and final reading of…Motion: to table consideration of the second and final reading of the…Failed 3–3 · Amaral: No
August 9, 2021: Table consideration of the second and final reading of the EBCFA Face Coverings policy
To table consideration of the second and final reading of the EBCFA Face Coverings policy
Voted: No
Yes: Dawicki, Livramento, MitchellNo: Amaral, Bruce Oliveira, CotterAbsent: John Oliveira
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted on a motion made by Ms. Colleen Dawicki and seconded by Mr. Jack Livramento to table consideration of the second and final reading of the EBCFA Face Coverings policy. The vote was as follows: Mr. John Oliveira - Absent Mr. Joshua Amaral - No Mr. Christopher Cotter - No Ms. Colleen Dawicki - Yes Mr. Jack Livramento - Yes Mayor Mitchell - Yes Mr. Bruce Oliveira - No 3-Yeas, 3-Nays, 1-Absent.” (Motion: Dawicki, second: Livramento)
Jun 14Approve the July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2024…Motion: to approve the July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2024 employment…Passed 6–1 · Amaral: Yes
June 14, 2021: Approve the July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2024 employment contract of Mr. Andrew O’Leary, Assistant Superintendent of Finance & Operations of New Bedford Public Schools as presented
To approve the July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2024 employment contract of Mr. Andrew O’Leary, Assistant Superintendent of Finance & Operations of New Bedford Public Schools as presented
Voted: Yes
Yes: Amaral, Bruce Oliveira, Cotter, Dawicki, Livramento, MitchellNo: John Oliveira
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted on a motion made by Mr. Bruce Oliveira and seconded by Mr. Joshua Amaral to approve the July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2024 employment contract of Mr. Andrew O’Leary, Assistant Superintendent of Finance & Operations of New Bedford Public Schools as presented. The roll call vote was as follows: Mr. John Oliveira - No 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, 1-Nays, 0-Absent.” (Motion: Bruce Oliveira, second: Amaral)
Jun 14Approve the July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2023…Motion: to approve the July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2023 Memorandum…Passed 6–1 · Amaral: Yes
June 14, 2021: Approve the July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2023 Memorandum of Agreement between the New Bedford School Committee and the New Bedford Federation of Paraprofessional Local 2378 as presented
To approve the July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2023 Memorandum of Agreement between the New Bedford School Committee and the New Bedford Federation of Paraprofessional Local 2378 as presented
Voted: Yes
Yes: Amaral, Bruce Oliveira, Cotter, Dawicki, Livramento, MitchellNo: John Oliveira
From the minutes
“The School Committee on a motion to ratify made by Mr. Bruce Oliveira and seconded by Mr. Christopher Cotter to approve the July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2023 Memorandum of Agreement between the New Bedford School Committee and the New Bedford Federation of Paraprofessional Local 2378 as presented. The roll call vote was as follows: Mr. John Oliveira - No 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, 1-Nays, 0-Absent.” (Motion: Bruce Oliveira, second: Cotter)
Jun 14Approve the July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2023…Motion: to approve the July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2023 Memorandum…Passed 6–1 · Amaral: Yes
June 14, 2021: Approve the July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2023 Memorandum of Agreement between the New Bedford School Committee and the New Bedford Support Specialist Union as presented
To approve the July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2023 Memorandum of Agreement between the New Bedford School Committee and the New Bedford Support Specialist Union as presented
Voted: Yes
Yes: Amaral, Bruce Oliveira, Cotter, Dawicki, Livramento, MitchellNo: John Oliveira
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted on a motion to ratify made by Mr. Christopher Cotter and seconded by Mr. Joshua Amaral to approve the July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2023 Memorandum of Agreement between the New Bedford School Committee and the New Bedford Support Specialist Union as presented. The roll call vote was as follows: Mr. John Oliveira - No 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, 1-Nays, 0-Absent.” (Motion: Cotter, second: Amaral)
May 10Approve the FY 2022 Net School Spending Budget in…Motion: to approve the FY 2022 Net School Spending Budget in the…Passed 4–1 · Amaral: Yes
May 10, 2021: Approve the FY 2022 Net School Spending Budget in the amount of $177,481,001 as presented to the School Committee
To approve the FY 2022 Net School Spending Budget in the amount of $177,481,001 as presented to the School Committee
Voted: Yes
Yes: Amaral, Bruce Oliveira, Dawicki, MitchellNo: John OliveiraAbsent: Cotter, LivramentoThe minutes describe this vote as unanimous, but the printed roll call and count (4–1) show a no vote.
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted UNANIMOUSLY on a motion made by Mr. Bruce Oliveira and seconded by Mr. Joshua Amaral to approve the FY 2022 Net School Spending Budget in the amount of $177,481,001 as presented to the School Committee. The vote was as follows: Mr. John Oliveira - No Mr. Joshua Amaral - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Absent Ms. Colleen Dawicki- Yes Mr. Jack Livramento - Absent Mayor Mitchell - Yes Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 4-Yeas, 1-Nays, 2-Absent.” (Motion: Bruce Oliveira, second: Amaral)
May 10Approve the FY 2022 Non-Net School Spending Budget in…Motion: to approve the FY 2022 Non-Net School Spending Budget in the…Passed 4–1 · Amaral: Yes
May 10, 2021: Approve the FY 2022 Non-Net School Spending Budget in the amount of $14,756,499 as presented to the School Committee
To approve the FY 2022 Non-Net School Spending Budget in the amount of $14,756,499 as presented to the School Committee
Voted: Yes
Yes: Amaral, Bruce Oliveira, Dawicki, MitchellNo: John OliveiraAbsent: Cotter, LivramentoThe minutes describe this vote as unanimous, but the printed roll call and count (4–1) show a no vote.
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted UNANIMOUSLY on a motion made by Mr. Bruce Oliveira and seconded by Mr. Joshua Amaral to approve the FY 2022 Non-Net School Spending Budget in the amount of $14,756,499 as presented to the School Committee. The vote was as follows: Mr. John Oliveira - No Mr. Joshua Amaral - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Absent Ms. Colleen Dawicki - Yes Mr. Jack Livramento - Absent Mayor Mitchell - Yes Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 4-Yeas, 1-Nays, 2-Absent.” (Motion: Bruce Oliveira, second: Amaral)
May 10Approve the 2022 Fiscal Year Budget $192,237,500 as presented…Motion: to approve the 2022 Fiscal Year Budget $192,237,500 as presented to…Passed 4–1 · Amaral: Yes
May 10, 2021: Approve the 2022 Fiscal Year Budget $192,237,500 as presented to the School Committee
To approve the 2022 Fiscal Year Budget $192,237,500 as presented to the School Committee
Voted: Yes
Yes: Amaral, Bruce Oliveira, Dawicki, MitchellNo: John OliveiraAbsent: Cotter, LivramentoThe minutes describe this vote as unanimous, but the printed roll call and count (4–1) show a no vote.
From the minutes
“The School Committee voted UNANIMOUSLY on a motion made by Mr. Bruce Oliveira and seconded by Mr. Joshua Amaral to approve the 2022 Fiscal Year Budget $192,237,500 as presented to the School Committee. The vote was as follows: Mr. John Oliveira - No Mr. Joshua Amaral - Yes Mr. Christopher Cotter - Absent Ms. Colleen Dawicki- Yes Mr. Jack Livramento - Absent Mayor Mitchell - Yes Mr. Bruce Oliveira - Yes 4-Yeas, 1-Nays, 2-Absent.” (Motion: Bruce Oliveira, second: Amaral)
Votes with no disagreement (65)
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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