School Committee votes to allow 54 former DT students & siblings not to redistrict at a cost of $75K (video)

The Franklin, MA School Committee took a long time and some tough votes to make two decisions on the redistricting process before them on Tuesday. Given that one was a decision 'tabled' from their prior meeting, and another was almost 'tabled' to a future meeting, one would hope that such decisions do get made on time in future meetings otherwise they'll run the risk of running out of time, period.

The Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/ff3Vn-2hi0g?si=0REBBEJdliJoXiyW&t=186

The meeting agenda can be found ->   https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/4941932/SCAGENDA_10-22-24.pdf

Quick recap:

• Decision on the overall redistricting proposal was approved at their last meeting but one aspect of that 'tabled' to this meeting: the choice on how to include the former Davis Thayer students. The motion had been amended and then tabled for further clarification on the total number of students involved. The number grew in the time between meetings so if the parents of former DT students choose to stay with Keller rather than move to the new district, they (1) provide their own transportation for the duration of their students elementary education (2) the district comes up with a net new teacher for one year (approx. $75K) to pay for the increase in enrollment in the new north elementary rather than the south. With the approval (by a 4-3 vote) tonight, the District will now be contacting those affected parents who will need to make a decision in the next couple of weeks. The numbers provided for students covered by this opportunity are if all choose to take it. One would think that providing the extra transportation (rather than taking advantage of the district busing) would result in not all taking this choice. We'll see how it works out.
• A change to the calendar for this school year was approved to add 3 half days in June to provide a block of 4 half days to enable the teachers and other personnel time to pack for the move before the school year ends. As the override failed, this is one of the consequences of the lack of money the district has to operate. The vote to approve was passed by 6-1 after a motion to 'table' the decision for 1 meeting failed by a 3-4 vote.
• Approval of the goals for the superintendent passed by a 7-0 vote.
• Consent agenda was passed by a 7-0 vote. 

My notes for the full session are captured in one PDF file ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1F633bBHQYfntqvuKD_XocZBsiRQouF1j/view?usp=drive_link

Photos of the Davis Thayer decision information can be found in one album ->

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ow3w1ZoXM7dDrMD88

School Committee votes to allow 54 former DT students & siblings not to redistrict (video)