Showing posts with label Ahern. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ahern. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 1, 2021

FM #554 - Town Council Budget Hearing #2 - 05/27/21 (audio)

FM #554 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 554 in the series. 


This session shares the Franklin, MA Town Council budget hearing #2 held on Thursday, May 27, 2021. 


The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: members of the Town Council and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, Attorney Cerel was remote along with the public via the Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.


The second of two budget hearings for the FY 2022 town budget. This session runs less than the first night (only an hour and 43 minutes) as the Council gets to finish up questions from the prior night, vote to approve the $138M operating budget, and take care of a couple of other legislative items.


The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda. Let’s listen to the Town Council meeting of May 27, 2021

Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/b315015c-a3a1-46b2-93fe-1247595670a7



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Agenda document 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/5-27-21_tc_agenda.pdf 


Town of Franklin budget page  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget 

Franklin Schools budget page  https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget 


My notes from the meeting

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/05/recap-town-council-may-27-2021-138m-fy.html 

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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 www.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"

 

Superintendent Sara Ahern providing updates to the budget hearing
Superintendent Sara Ahern providing updates to the budget hearing

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Town of Franklin - budget growth and split between municipal and schools - FY 2012 to FY 2022

As part of the continuing series to prepare for the Finance Committee budget hearings (which begin next week) and the Town Council budget hearings (in May), check out the link to the details on the history of the budget year over year from FY 2012.

The chart depicts the split between the municipal portion of the budget (police, fire, etc...) (orange color) and the school portion (both K-12 and others) (blue color) as well as showing the growth of the budget year by year.


municipal and school split over the FY 2012-FY2022 period
municipal and school split over the FY 2012-FY2022 period

Prior posts

School budget, executive summary by School Superintendent Sara Ahern

 

Monday, March 1, 2021

Franklin Art Teachers featured in NEA publication

"We are so proud of the creativity of our faculty and staff! @MsDoherty_ART  #franklinpsnews 
Arts Education During COVID: The Show Must Go On! | NEA 
I must also include
@ArtsyMrsMinor & Ms. Whelan! 
Read the article online = https://t.co/YTdG58qijV"


Shared from Superintendent Sara Ahern's Twitter:   https://twitter.com/saraeahern/status/1365698214322728962

Saturday, December 19, 2020

FM #416 Finance Committee Meeting - 12/15/20 (audio)

FM #416 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 416 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Finance Committee meeting held Tuesday, Dec 15, 2020. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid mode; some of the key participants were in the Council Chambers, the remainder participated virtually via Zoom conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Quick Recap:

  • The promised 'deep dive' into the school budget almost happened. "almost" in that if one viewing the meeting had fully read all the pre-released documents, they could sorta follow the questions and answers. Unfortunately, a key question answer was interrupted. I think (yes, my observation) the Central Office (Sara and Miriam) missed a couple of opportunities to make a better case for the budget details and what the district has done.
  • That said - the new monthly format for the FinCom meetings is a work in process and holds great promise. As an adjunct for the Town Council, the opportunity for detailed discussions on particular departments has only really occurred in these meetings. The Council used to get full presentations from each department as part of the budget hearings before more recently switching to their shorted 'hold' and question process.
  • The transfer from the water enterprise 'emergency fund' to make the payment for the water treatment plant was authorized. This was the payment that ended up mis-directed as part of the spear phishing incident.
  • Preliminary discussion on topics for the next few meetings and a review of the current stabilization fund balances was covered before the meeting closed.

The recording runs two hours and seven minutes, so let’s listen to the Finance Committee meeting of Dec 15, 2020.  Audio file =   https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HycL9GLS


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Meeting agenda and related files  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/12-15-20_fincom_agenda_2.pdf

My notes:  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/12/finance-committee-recap-of-dec-15-2020.html

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


We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm). 

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/

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"

Finance Committee member Susan Dewsnap
Finance Committee member Susan Dewsnap




Monday, August 3, 2020

FM #321 FPS Superintendent Sara Ahern on Reopening Status - 7/31/20 (audio)

FM #321 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 321 in the series.

This session shares my conversation with Superintendent Sara Ahern regarding the school fall re-opening status. Our conversation was conducted via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Sara provides an overview on the task force and process to work on the preliminary plan. The preliminary plan is due to be submitted to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) by close of business on Friday, July 31. (It was submitted after we recorded this conversation with the preference to open with 'remote learning' in September).

The show notes contain links to the School Committee meeting agenda and reference documents as well as the audio from the meeting covering the preliminary plan and discussion.

Our conversation runs about 11 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Sara on the preliminary plan and process.

Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/H6nSl5dK



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School Committee agenda
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/07/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda_26.html

School Committee meeting packet
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/july-28-2020-school-committee-meeting-packet

Franklin Public Schools - Re-opening page
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/07/franklin-public-schools-re-opening-plan.html

Re-opening Plan presentation doc
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/reopening_school_presentation_for_sc_7_28_2020_updated_with_new_info.pdf

My real time reporting via Twitter summarized
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/07/school-committee-recap-re-opening-fully.html



--------------
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/
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"

FM #321 FPS Superintendent Sara Ahern on Reopening Status - 7/31/20 (audio)
FM #321 FPS Superintendent Sara Ahern on Reopening Status - 7/31/20 (audio)

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

FM #313 Franklin (MA) School Committee Re-Opening Update - 7/14/20 (audio)

FM #313 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 313 in the series.

This session shares Superintendent Sara Ahern updates on the school fall re-opening status to the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, July 14, 2020. The meeting was conducted via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Sara acknowledges much work is underway, much work remains to be done, she does not have all the answers, and the info shared may still change. The initial plan will be reviewed by the School Committee at their July 28 meeting before being submitted to the State by July 31, 2020.

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda and reference documents.

The statement runs just about 25 minutes, so let’s listen to Sara's statement updating the School Committee and community on July 14.

Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/Hys9X83K



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School Committee agenda
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/07/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda.html

School Committee meeting packet
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/july-14-2020-school-committee-meeting-packet

My real time reporting via Twitter summarized
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/07/school-committee-recap-anti-racism.html

--------------
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/
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"

FM #313 Franklin (MA) School Committee Re-Opening Update - 7/14/20 (audio)
FM #313 Franklin (MA) School Committee Re-Opening Update - 7/14/20 (audio)

Friday, June 5, 2020

Franklin Public Schools: FY 21 Budget Development and Personnel

To: Franklin Public Schools Families
From: Sara Ahern, Superintendent of Schools 
Date: June 5, 2020
Re: FY 21 Budget Development and Personnel


In my recent memo to the School Committee, which was forwarded to the community, I framed the financial situation facing the Franklin Public Schools. At this time, we are very uncertain about what our school budget will be but we do know that under the current Town Budget Blueprint, using the Governor’s Budget figures from January, that we are facing $3.4 million in reductions including about 25 positions.

We anticipate that the budget gap will widen when we learn more about likely reductions to state aid, due to state revenue forecasts falling short of projections by about $6 billion. Unfortunately, we do not anticipate knowing this until further along in the summer. If state aid were to be cut by 10%, we would estimate a shortfall of $5.4 million from the School Committee’s adopted budget. State aid cuts could be greater.

We are striving to be creative wherever possible to mitigate the loss of positions, however we do expect personnel to be impacted. Yesterday afternoon, we held a virtual meeting with all non-Professional Teaching Status (non-PTS) faculty in FEA Unit A. (These are our professional educators who are in their first three years in the district). At this meeting, I shared that we are issuing all non-PTS faculty members non-renewal notices in advance of the June 15 statutory deadline. By following this process, we will gain time to further develop the budget and have the needed flexibility when additional information is known from the state about state aid to Franklin.

I did not share this information immediately with the community out of respect for our staff members and the intention of giving them space to process and absorb this information.

We are deeply saddened to have to take such a dramatic approach in developing our budget this year. The recruitment and development of talented educators is something that we take very seriously and we are very proud of the work our non-PTS educators accomplish each and every day. We are hopeful that some of our non-PTS faculty will be able to be reappointed in the future and we will do so as soon as we are able.

For more information about the budget, we encourage families to view the Livestream of or attend the June 9 School Committee meeting when another budget discussion will take place. If you have questions, we encourage you to reach out to the Superintendent’s Office at 508-553-4819. Although we are working remotely, your voicemail will be directed to e-mail and you will receive a timely response.

Franklin Public Schools: FY 21 Budget Development and Personnel
Franklin Public Schools: FY 21 Budget Development and Personnel

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

FM #284 FPS Superintendent Sara Ahern 5/31/20 (audio)

FM #284 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 284 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Franklin Public Schools Superintendent Sara Ahern. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about
  • School budget for FY 2021 and the decision process
  • What does school in Sept look like?
  • Remote learning to close out this school year
  • Graduation planning for June 5
Links to the key web page references we make are included in the show notes

The recording runs about 42 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Sara.   Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HsJr6Bh7



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Finance Committee budget hearing #4 and vote to recommend a budget for Town Council Jun 4, 2020  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/2020-06-04_finance_committee_agenda_2.pdf

The Franklin Public Schools budget page https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget

Details on the FY 2021 budget https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget/pages/fy-2021-budget

Davis Thayer Facility analysis page https://www.franklinps.net/district/davis-thayer-facilities-analysis

Next School Committee meeting scheduled for June 9, 2020

--------------
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/
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"

FM #284 FPS Superintendent Sara Ahern 5/31/20 (audio)
FM #284 FPS Superintendent Sara Ahern 5/31/20 (audio)


Sunday, October 13, 2019

Franklin Newcomers & Friends meeting: Nov 20

The Franklin Newcomers and Friends club welcomes you to attend our November event. We are meeting one week later than our usual 2nd Wednesday of the month. On November 20th, we’re hosting two speakers . . . Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Franklin School Superintendent Sara Ahern. They’ll be updating us regarding the FY 2021 Budget and other important matters in Franklin. Come with your questions!

No need to RSVP, just join us at 7:30 at “3”! We run our meetings September through May at “3” Restaurant, 461 W. Central Street, Franklin. Heavy appetizers and beverages are complimentary; a cash bar is available.

Residents of Franklin, or any surrounding town that doesn't have a Newcomers organization, are welcome to join us the 2nd Wednesday of the month (occasionally we switch Wednesdays to accommodate holidays or speakers).

Additionally, we hold many fun and varied events to stay connected throughout the year. Look for us on our website www.franklinnewcomers.com, or on our Facebook page or on Meetup.com, Franklin Newcomers & Friends Club.

 
Franklin Newcomers & Friends meeting: Nov 20
Franklin Newcomers & Friends meeting: Nov 20


Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Live Reporting - Dr Ahern -Entry Plan Findings


not prescriptive, not answers or solutions, just findings

highlights from the report

visited 160+ classrooms, participated in as much of the school day and events as possible; conducted interviews with multiple folks from different segments of the community; parent forums, community forum, 

loved the student focus groups at all the schools 
(did not participate in a focus group with students at ECDC)

also conducted a data and document review; created a word cloud from the students input

her word "welcoming"


Dr Ahern presenting to the School Committee
Dr Ahern presenting to the School Committee

word cloud from students
word cloud from students

first key strength is the teachers
first key strength is the teachers
more strengths of the Franklin School District
more strengths of the Franklin School District
2 leadership teams; the School Committee, Superintendent and Central office. The other leadership team is the Central office and district wide leaders.

28 within first 3 years in role of the 37 in this second leadership group

uncovering disconnect, couldn't put into some neat themes and patterns


contemporary teaching in learning
contemporary teaching in learning

no easy answers, already doing something in these arenas

second major opportunity is in continuity of services

other areas of opportunity
other areas of opportunity
third area of opportunity is consistency across the district
recognize different culture and schools but hat can be common

homework committee an example of working across the district within the framework
homework committee an example of working across the district within the framework
challenges to be addressed



budget and enrollment challenge
budget and enrollment challenge
more details to be found in the report (hopefully to be available soon)

next steps
next steps
draft strategy by end of year, use at offsite during summer and bring to School Committee for approval in August


Sunday, August 20, 2017

End of School Year status update provided on School Improvement Plans

Catching up to share the summary for the School Committee (SC) held on Tuesday, August 8.

The School Committee heard updates from all the schools and the Central Office on the progress made on the Improvement Plans during the 2016-2017 school year. The updates were provided by the school principals. The presentation docs are shown below. You can follow the links to my notes recorded during the meeting for other details of the conversation. The full video of the meeting is available for replay by Franklin TV and that link is also found below.

After the schools provided their update, the Central Office, Superintendent Sara Ahern and Assistant Superintendents Peter Light and Joyce Edwards provided a preview of the District Improvement Plan for the coming school year. An offsite planning session was planned for Aug 16-18 during which the plan would be discussed, reviewed and refined to bring back to the SC for the Aug 22 meeting.

Note: the presentation docs include the status updates also provided at midyear. If you have seen those, you can skip to the end of year details listed for each school.


Middle Schools and High School




Elementary Schools




District Improvement Plan preview





the ball fields at FHS were getting water earlier this week
the ball fields at FHS were getting water earlier this week


Meeting video available for replay on demand by Franklin TV
http://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?PGD=franknma&eID=482