Showing posts with label school budget. Show all posts
Showing posts with label school budget. Show all posts

Thursday, March 28, 2024

School Committee gets an update on the Comprehensive School Facilities Planning underway in Special Meeting Tuesday (audio)

FM #1163 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1163 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares the Franklin MA School Committee Special Meeting conducted March 26 to provide committee members and the community with an update on the Comprehensive School Facilities Planning underway. The meeting was held in the Council Chambers. All seven of the School Committee members were present.


Quick recap:

  • Supt Giguere set up for Dr Fran Locker to provide her insights and findings as part of the workshops, she has facilitated

  • Capturing the slides with photos (as they were shared), the presentation copy should be posted to the School page in the next day or so. When I find it, I’ll add the link here


The meeting runs about 1 hour and 40 minutes. Let’s listen to the School Committee Special Meeting held on March 26, 2024. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1163-franklin-ma-special-school-committee-mtg-03-26-24



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School Committee page => https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee 


Meeting Agenda doc  ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/events/sc_special_mtg._agenda_-_3_26_24.pdf 


Supt Giguere overview -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/csfc_march_2024_update.pdf 


Photo album of the meeting & those slides Dr Locker shared -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/GasFSL4EuKTwduid9 


My notes captured during the meeting via Twitter in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ahFGCJkEf71dEhqzWJgV6e01tP1Hx70z/view?usp=drive_link 


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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  


This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

  • If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

  • If you don't like something here, please let me know


Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.


For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/


If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com


The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.


I hope you enjoy!

------------------


You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"


Dr Fran Locker presenting to the School Committee
Dr Fran Locker presenting to the School Committee

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Comprehensive School Facilities Assessment - Status Update March 26, 2024

Throughout the 2023-24 school year, we have been working towards developing a master plan through the Comprehensive Facilities Assessment Subcommittee. Our goal is to provide a short-term and long-term vision that utilizes our assets strategically and fiscally responsibly. 

We are in the process of conducting that plan through the comprehensive assessment of school facilities. This is a follow-up to last year‘s redistricting assessment.  It was voted not to redistrict then and recommended that we broaden our scope and look at the district as a whole. 

Since then, we have updated our student enrollment forecast using the 2020 census data with post-pandemic figures using McKibbon and associates who conducted the last forecast.  We have also used the KBA Facilities Assessment Report 2020 as a foundation upon which to develop further.  This report outlined several options for Franklin's future. Some of these options were deemed not viable at the time due to the need for a long-term master plan.  KBA Architect Kate Jessup conducted an educational adequacy assessment of our buildings to determine the suitability of each school and the spaces within it. For example, more information was needed to account for specialized programming within the district. 

Dr. Fran Locker and Associates have been overseeing all aspects of this work with the goal of delivering a master plan with recommendations to the School Committee this Spring, 2024.  They most recently facilitated Portrait of a Graduate Application and Educational Visioning workshops in March with representative stakeholder groups.  

On March 26th, Dr. Locker will provide an update to the entire School Committee on the process. We will then host stakeholder forums in early April, which will serve as a mechanism to gather additional input from various stakeholder groups.  Forums are scheduled to take place in April 2024.

This spring, Locker and Associates will develop a final report that will include organizational options to best educate all students and present recommendations to the School Committee. 

Once again, our goal is to provide a short-term and long-term vision for the Franklin Public Schools by utilizing our assets strategically and fiscally responsibly.  While facilities assessment and budget are intertwined, it’s important to emphasize that school reorganization or closure alone will not address the district's funding deficit. However, they could play an integral role in developing a more sustainable budget.  

We are committed to this process, which will help us plan for the future and explore all options. 

We will continue to share information as we move forward, including posting all presentations and reports here.


Comprehensive School Facilities Assessment - Status Update March 26, 2024
Comprehensive School Facilities Assessment - Status Update March 26, 2024

Dave & I recap the School Committee budget public hearing and prep for vote on April 9 (audio)

FM #1162 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1162 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares my recorded conversation with Franklin School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan. We had our conversation in the Franklin TV & Radio studio on Monday, March 25, 2024. 


The School Committee had their regular meeting on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. We recap that meeting in our discussion. The major item of the meeting was the public hearing on the school budget.  We spend time on that as well as the Comprehensive School Facilities Planning work also underway which has long term budget implications. 


Topics:

  • Superintendent Recommended Budget for FY 2025

  • Comprehensive School Facilities Planning

  • School budget vote scheduled for April 9


The recording runs about 35 minutes so let’s listen to my “chalkboard chat” with School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1162-chalkboard-chat-03-25-24



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Contact info for Dave Callaghan  callaghand@franklinps.net 


School Committee page => https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee 


Superintendent’s Recommended budget -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/files/recommended-fy25-budget


Budget book -> 

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/fy25_complete_budget_book.pdf 


03/19/24 meeting Agenda doc  ->  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_3-19-24.pdf 


Meeting packet folder ->  https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/march-19-2024-school-committee-meeting 


Franklin TV video for replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YXw4dnXUqk 


Franklin.News summary (with audio link) -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/03/school-committee-gets-details-on_01811056112.html 


The “Chalkboard Chat” image was the result of a joint collaboration with Mickayla Callaghan. Thank you!


--------------


We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  


This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

  • If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

  • If you don't like something here, please let me know


Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.


For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/


If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com


The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.


I hope you enjoy!

------------------


You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"


Dave & I recap the School Committee budget public hearing and prep for vote on April 9 (audio)
Dave & I recap the School Committee budget public hearing and prep for vote on April 9 (audio)

Friday, March 22, 2024

School Committee gets the details on the multiple budget scenarios facing them for a vote in April (audio)

FM #1161 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1161 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on March 19, 2024. The meeting was held in the Council Chambers. 


All 7 members of the Committee were present in Chambers. 


Quick recap:

FY25 Budget Open Hearing  (presentation doc not posted but the full budget book is available ->    https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/fy25_complete_budget_book.pdf)


2 quick points from School Committee member Paul Griffith during the Q&A for the presentation, I paraphrased here but go listen to what he said:

  • Great clarification questions from Cmte member Griffith Go back and listen (via the YouTube link) for his points on the class size as well as the support services (i.e. personnel titles) some legally required if not morally to provide the proper education for each student

  • If we are looking at the bare minimum of level services across the Town and schools, given the Town expected revenue, it is not whether there should be an override, it really should be a discussion on how much of an override we can afford (great point!)


Discussion/Action Items

A. Student Opportunity Act Plan Approval

B. Policy First Reading

C. Policy Second Reading/Adoption

D. ACCEPT Collaborative Agreement

all these items passed by a 7-0 vote


The meeting runs just over 3 hours (5 minutes) so let’s listen to the School Committee meeting held on March 19, 2024 . Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1161-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-03-19-24



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Franklin TV video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YXw4dnXUqk 


School Committee page => https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee 


Meeting Agenda doc  -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_3-19-24.pdf 


Meeting packet folder ->  https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/march-19-2024-school-committee-meeting 


My notes captured via Twitter were collected in a single PDF -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-1dD9wIUOeE_0ZS76jJsRgnKgtkScxAE/view?usp=drive_link 


Photos of the slides shown can be found in one album ->

https://photos.app.goo.gl/raH5wfZR6pU7yths6 


--------------


We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  


This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

  • If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

  • If you don't like something here, please let me know


Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.


For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/


If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com


The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.


I hope you enjoy!

------------------


You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"


Wednesday, March 20, 2024

School Committee gets the details on the multiple budget scenarios facing them for a vote in April (video)

The School Committee met as scheduled for their regular session on Tuesday, March 19 which extended to just after 10 PM as they dwelt on their FY 2025 budget proposal which included a public hearing.

School Superintendent Lucas Giguere and Business Manager Dr Bob Dutch presented their overview assisted by Asst Superintendents Dr Tina Rogers and Paula Marano.

The Franklin TV video recording is available for replay ->   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YXw4dnXUqk

Quick recap: 
FY25 Budget Open Hearing 
(presentation doc not posted but the full budget book is available ->    https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/fy25_complete_budget_book.pdf)

2 quick points from School Committee member Paul Griffith during the Q&A for the presentation, I paraphrased here but go listen to what he said:
  • Great clarification questions from Cmte member Griffith Go back and listen (via the YouTube link) for his points on the class size as well as the support services (i.e. personnel titles) some legally required if not morally to provide the proper education for each student
  • If we are looking at the bare minimum of level services across the Town and schools, given the Town expected revenue, it is not whether there should be an override, it really should be a discussion on how much of an override we can afford (great point!)

Discussion/Action Items
A. Student Opportunity Act Plan Approval
B. Policy First Reading
C. Policy Second Reading/Adoption
D. ACCEPT Collaborative Agreement
all these items passed by a 7-0 vote

My notes captured via Twitter were collected in a single PDF -> 

Photos of the slides shown can be found in one album ->

School Committee gets the details on the multiple budget scenarios facing them for a vote in April (video)
School Committee gets the details on the multiple budget scenarios facing them for a vote in April (video)