Franklin, MA: School Committee Meeting, agenda for April 30, 2024

Franklin School Committee

April 30, 2024 - 7:00 P.M

Municipal Building – Council Chambers

Call to Order Mr. Callaghan

Pledge of Allegiance

Moment of Silence

I. Executive Session

A. As per M.G.L. c. 30A, § 21 (a) (2). To conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel or to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with nonunion personnel

II. Routine Business

A. Review of Agenda

B. Payment of Bills Mr. Callaghan

C. Payroll Mr. McNeill

D. FHS Student Representative Comments

E. Superintendent’s Report

III. Guests/Presentations

A. Master Planning Report and Recommendations

IV. Discussion/Action Items

A. Interim Business Administrator Appointment

I recommend the appointment of Interim School Business Administrator pending

contract negotiations as discussed.

B. Override Memorandum of Understanding

I recommend approval of the Override Memorandum of Understanding as

discussed.

V. Discussion Only Items

A. ACCEPT 3rd Quarter Report

VI. Information Matters

A. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports

B. School Committee Liaison Reports

VI. Consent Agenda

A. Approval of Minutes

I recommend approval of the Minutes from the April 9, 2024 School Committee

Meeting as detailed.

B. Music Gifts

I recommend acceptance of two check totaling: $5377.00 from music parents as

follows:

$55.00 Field Trips

$5322.00 In-House Enrichment

C. Scholarships

I recommend acceptance of two check totaling $12500.00 for FHS Scholarships

as detailed.

$2,500.00 DCU Bank

$10,000.00 Fernando P. Baglioni Scholarship Fund

VII. Citizen’s Comments

VIII. New Business

To discuss any future agenda items

IX. Adjournment

Agenda doc includes remote participation info ->  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/sc_special_mtg._agenda_-_4_25_24.pdf

Meeting packet folder - location of all docs released for this meeting (note some posted after the session) ->

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/april-30-2024-school-committee-meeting-packet

Franklin, MA: School Committee Meeting, agenda for April 30, 2024

Comprehensive School Facilities Planning proposal to right size the school district in fewer schools

Good Evening, FPS Community,

I am writing to provide an update on this evening’s Comprehensive School Facilities subcommittee meeting.  As previously shared on 4/19/24, Locker Master Planning and Kaestle Boos and Associates are finalizing their assessment of the district’s facilities to identify both short-term, midterm, and long-term solutions to continue providing high-quality education opportunities for our students while creating a more fiscally sustainable model for our district.

Two options emerged from this work, which were shared and discussed. Visual maps that depict both options are attached to this email to provide more context.

Both options developed resulted in two strategic changes for the 2025-26 school year.

1. Unifying our three middle schools into one middle school in one location, the current Horace Mann/Oak Street complex. This will result in the closure of the three middle schools as they currently exist.

2. Unifying our five elementary schools into four elementary schools in two locations, the current Remington/Jefferson Complex and the current Annie Sullivan/Helen Keller Complex. This will result in the closure of the five elementary schools as they currently exist and the redistricting of all students between these complexes.  As a result, the Kennedy and Parmenter Elementary Schools would become unoccupied in their current capacity.

school district in fewer schools

Further, the two recommended options differed in grade-band structure at the K-5 level.

Option A

Identifying two K-5 complexes, the current Keller/Sullivan and Remington/Jefferson complexes, that would function as four elementary schools.  Labeled on the map are “North Elementary K-2” and “North Elementary 3-5” schools at the Keller/Sullivan complex, and “South Elementary K-2” and “South Elementary 3-5” schools at the Remington/Jefferson complex.

Option B

Identifying one K-2 elementary site at the current Keller/Sullivan complex and one 3-5 elementary site at the current Remington/Jefferson complex.  However, the Comprehensive School Facilities subcommittee determined this was not a viable option to move forward to a School Committee vote. This decision was made when considering the impacts of transportation, additional school transitions for students, and the creation of a large number of class sections within each grade level, which does not align with the stakeholder feedback to preserve smaller learning communities within larger schools.

Lastly, both options maintain ECDC at its current site and allow for future expansion at the current Kennedy Elementary School.

The results from the Master Facilities Plan will be shared at the next school committee meeting on April 30, 2024, along with a recommendation to the School Committee.  Franklin stakeholders are invited to share input during public comment at that meeting.

School Committee Members will vote on a final recommendation at the following School Committee meeting on May 14, 2024. A vote to take action on this option will result in strategic master planning during the 2024-25 school year, followed by implementation for the 2025-26 school year.

We recognize these options result in significant change within the district, and we are committed to thoughtfully planning and sharing information as it becomes available. Please be on the lookout for a follow-up email from your building principals as well.

Respectfully,

Lucas Giguere

Superintendent

The map of the current district along with that for Option A and Option B can be found in this PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DO3B2-nn1S1wNucsrODU-nrIAWL7Meib/view?usp=drive_link

Comprehensive School Facility Plng Subcommittee recommends Option A for redistricting (audio)

FM #1181 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1181 in the series. 

This session shares the Comprehensive School Facility Planning Subcommittee meeting of Thursday, April 25, 2024. Subcommittee Chair Dave Callaghan, Al Charles, Erin Gallagher, Supt Lucas Giguere, Asst Supt Dr Tina Rogers, Asst Supt Paula Marano, Business Administrator Dr Bob Dutch participated.

Review of the feedback from the focus groups on visioning and portrait of the graduate were reviewed.

Facility proposal outlined with 2 options on how to handle the elementary schools. Option A to keep the facility as K-5, Option B to split the K-2 and 3-5. Option B would introduce a transition and put aside. It also did not align with feedback from the focus groups.

Subcommittee recommended to bring Option A forward to the School Committee meeting Tuesday, April 30.

The meeting recording runs about 70 minutes. Audio link https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1181-comprehensive-school-facility-plng-mtg-04-25-24

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Agenda for this session ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/04/fps-comprehensive-facilities-planning.html 

Letter to FPS community with summary -> 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/04/comprehensive-school-facilities.html 

My notes captured via Twitter can be found in one PDF file -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WFZHjNN7Ggf7rMXmZN29PgtAQTHP-nO_/view?usp=drive_link

PDF file with the 3 maps, current state, Option A and Option B  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DO3B2-nn1S1wNucsrODU-nrIAWL7Meib/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!

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

FPS: Comprehensive Facilities Planning Subcommittee Meeting - April 25 at 5 PM

Franklin Public Schools

Franklin School Committee

Comprehensive Facilities Planning Subcommittee

April 25, 2024 - 5:00 PM

Municipal Building 3rd Floor Training Room

A G E N D A

"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."

● Review of Master Facilities Report

● Evaluation of recommendations from the Report

Agenda doc contains remote participation info ->  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/comprehensive_facilities_planning_subcom-4_25_24.pdf

FPS: Comprehensive Facilities Planning Subcommittee Meeting - April 25 at 5 PM

In this Chalkboard Chat, Dave & Dave discuss the school budget situation with me (audio)

FM #1175 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1175 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Franklin School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan and School Committee Vice-Chair Dave McNeill. We met to record in the Franklin TV & Public Radio studio on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.  

Our conversation was a recap of the budget approved by the School Committee at their meeting of April 9, 2024 and the next steps toward what funding will be provided for their budget.

The conversation runs about 25 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Dave & Dave. Audio link ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1175-chalkboard-chat-04-16-24

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Contact info for Dave Callaghan  callaghand@franklinps.net 

Contact info for Dave McNeill  mcneilld@franklinps.net  

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

School Budget page -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget/pages/1-fy2025-budget 

The Franklin TV broadcast of the session is available for replay on YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8KxgjR7dhk

School Committee agenda ->  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/scagenda_4-9-24.pdf 

Meeting packet folder ->  https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/april-9-2024-school-committee-meeting-packet

Photos of the presentation doc shared ->   https://photos.app.goo.gl/PxKxwydbV64HKmFx9

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

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.franklin.news/ or  www.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"

In this Chalkboard Chat, Dave & Dave discuss the school budget situation with me (audio)

Audio Recording of the Comprehensive Schools Facilities Planning meeting of April 3, 2024 available (audio)

FM #1166 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1166 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Comprehensive Schools Facilities Planning on Wednesday, April 3, 2024.  The meeting was held in the 3rd floor training room and recorded by Franklin Matters.    

The meeting runs about 58 minutes   Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1166-comprehensive-school-facility-planning-mtg-04-03-24

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Meeting agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/1._arts_culture_20240130_170221_0000.pdf 

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

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.franklin.news/ or  www.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"

Audio Recording of the Comprehensive Schools Facilities Planning meeting of April 3, 2024 available (audio)

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 

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

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

Comprehensive School Facilities Community Forum - April 8 at 6 PM

Franklin Public Schools

Franklin School Committee

School Committee Special Meeting

Comprehensive Facilities Planning Community Forum

When: April 8, 2024 - 6:00 PM

Where:  FHS Cafeteria

Agenda

• Comprehensive Facilities Planning Community Forum

Agenda doc (no remote participation for this workshop)

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/sc_community_forum_-_4_8_24.pdf

Comprehensive School Facilities Community Forum - April 8 at 6 PM