Fall River Special Ed Subcommittee Refers Six Program Items to Full School Committee

FALL RIVER — June 22, 2026 — Fall River's special education subcommittee referred eight agenda items to the full School Committee at its June 22 meeting, including a proposed in-district public day school for students with autism and complex medical needs that could reduce the district's $2.6 million annual out-of-district placement bill. Assistant superintendents presented a feasibility study request for the PACE building, identifying roughly 30 students currently placed or awaiting placement out of district — at costs ranging from $100,000 to $160,000 in tuition plus up to $87,000 in transportation per student — who could potentially be served in-district. The panel also voted unanimously to refer a renewal of the Cartwheel telehealth counseling contract at a $97,500 district cost for up to 200 student seats, a Regulated Classroom framework contract targeting pre-K through grade 2 dysregulation (staff reported 187 elementary crisis referrals this school year, with 40 reaching inpatient care), a lead BCBA job description carrying a $4,000 stipend negotiated in the 2025 collective bargaining agreement, and an expansion of Stone Therapeutic Day School by four classrooms over two years. A motion to refer staggered start times — including a 10:30 a.m. to 5:25 p.m. schedule for the redesigned RPA — passed 2-1, with member Mr. Dias dissenting on grounds that the agenda had been amended on the morning of the meeting in apparent violation of the Open Meeting Law's 48-hour notice requirement.