Last week the Fall River School Committee rewarded the good work being done by Superintendent Maria Pontes by coming to terms on a four-year contract. Pontes says she is ready to put in the effort to move the district forward.
Pontes became interim superintendent last July following the resignation of Matthew Malone. She was appointed to the job permanently earlier this year. During an interview this week Pontes says she is grateful for the support of the school committee and is looking forward to stabilizing the department following the controversies surrounding Maalone’s tenure in office.
Coming off remote and hybrid learning caused by the pandemic, one of the biggest problems facing city schools is closing the learning gaps caused by students not meeting in person. Pontes says there are no easy fixes to closing those gaps and progress will need to be made incrementally.
One indicator of how the district is succeeding is the results of the yearly MCAS tests, which are being administered this month and next.
The school department has an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the educational landscape of Fall River thanks to an infusion of funds from the state and federal governments. The school committee approved the FY 2023 budget last week, a spending plan that will exceed $200 million. Pontes says the added financial resources will go directly to supporting students.
Pontes says efforts continue to retain qualified teachers. The city experiences substantial teacher turnover each year and the district has worked on providing a competitive wage to keep teachers in Fall River.
Focusing on the successes within the district is important but challenges persist. Pontes says the school department is keeping a close eye on COVID infection numbers even though cases within schools remain low. She is also not afraid to admit that bullying is a problem that is taken seriously.
Photo courtesy of the Herald News
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