FPS School Facilities and Educational Master Plan Report

May 10, 2024

 

Dear FPS Community,

 

This is a follow-up to the FPS Comprehensive School Facilities Analysis recommendation presented to the School Committee on April 30th. Based on the questions we received from the community, we created a Comprehensive School Facilities Recommendation Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) linked to the FPS website to answer as many questions as possible at this time. 

 

Thank you to all who submitted your questions. The FAQ is categorized under the following topics:

1. Process

2. Community

3. Student Support

4. Transportation/Traffic

5. Budget

6. Facilities

7. Human Resources

8. Other

We will continue to update the FAQ with additional responses and provide more information as it becomes available.  As previously shared, some information can only be determined if the recommendation from the architectural firm and master planner is approved.  In addition to the FAQ, please find the FPS School Facilities and Educational Master Plan Report linked on our FPS website. 

 

We recognize these options result in significant change within the district.  The recommendations from the architectural firm and master planner were put forth with great respect and consideration for the educational experience of all Franklin students. Our goal is to ensure a balanced and equitable distribution of enrollment, resources, and opportunities while striving for the most modern facilities to support our students' growth and development.

 

Maintaining students' connectedness to school and community remains paramount. Should the school committee vote to approve the recommendation, you can anticipate routine updates regarding the next steps and future community engagement opportunities throughout the process. The district is also drafting a preliminary implementation framework that expands upon the recommended timeline guided by master plan recommendations.   

 

Sincerely,

Franklin Public Schools

Facility Master Plan Report ->   https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/franklin_public_schools_school_facilities_and_educational_master_plan_report_redacted11.pdf

FPS School Facilities and Educational Master Plan Report

Comprehensive School Facilities Planning Subcmte schedules Listening Session (redistricting) - May 7 at 7 PM, FHS

Franklin Public Schools

Franklin School Committee

Comprehensive Facilities Planning Subcommittee Listening Session

May 7, 2024 - 7:00 - 9:00 PM

Location: Franklin High School Auditorium

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."

● Public Input on Master Planning Recommendation

No remote participation enabled per the agenda doc ->

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/comprehensive_facilities_planning_subcom-5_7_24_revised.pdf

 

Comprehensive School Facilities Planning Subcmte schedules Listening Session - May 7 at 7 PM, FHS

For reference find the presentation doc from the April 30 meeting

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/comp_school_facilities_recommendation_presentation-_april_30_2024.pdf

The frequently asked questions are updated here ->

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/comprehensive_schools_facilities_assessment_faq_0.pdf

Find additional info on the new website created for this

https://www.franklinps.net/district/comprehensive-school-facilities-assessment

Redistricting FAQs published, add your questions if they aren't already on the listing

Dear Franklin Public Schools Community,

This is a follow-up to this week’s presentation to the School Committee regarding the recommendation of the Comprehensive School Facilities Assessment.  We believe this recommendation will bring balance and equity to the district while stabilizing enrollment fluctuations and creating a more sustainable model for the future.

We listened to the committee and public comments, and we are in the process of gathering questions and grouping them into themes in an FAQ to address the questions that we can answer at this time.  You are invited to continue sharing questions via email (facilities-planning@franklinps.net), and we will use those questions as we update this FAQ document. 

A vote on this recommendation will come on May 14. 

Sincerely,
Franklin Public Schools

Redistricting FAQs published, add your questions if they aren't already on the listing

Find all the info in one place -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/comprehensive-school-facilities-assessment

Comprehensive School Facility Planning Subcommittee meeting set feedback forums on redistricting proposal (audio)

FM #1187 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1187 in the series. 

This session shares the Comprehensive School Facility Planning Subcommittee meeting of Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Subcommittee Chair Dave Callaghan, Al Charles, Erin Gallagher, Supt Lucas Giguere, Asst Supt Paula Marano, Business Administrator Dr Bob Dutch, Facility Director Mike D’Angelo, and Facility Deputy Director Kevin Hart participated.

Summarized topics of the discussion

• Review of the feedback from the School Committee meeting on Tuesday April 30, comprehensive facility planning website being updated

• Discussion on how to handle the former DT students/families

• Discussion feedback session (to be posted as a workshop) for School Committee, confirmed Saturday, May 4 at FHS, also scheduling a session on May 7 at 6 PM (location TBD).

• Discussion on demographics trend and new visual created

• Discussion on some of the after school activities, like track which can’t realistically be done with the 3 different schools but could with the one combine middle school

The meeting recording runs about 26 minutes. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1187-comprehensive-school-facility-plng-mtg-05-01-24

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

Agenda for this session ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/events/franklin_public_schools_comprehensive_facilities_planning_sub_committee_meeting.pdf 

Link to schools website on redistricting -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/comprehensive-school-facilities-assessment 

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

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"

Comprehensive School Facility Planning presentation at April 30 SchCmte Mtg

Comprehensive School Facility Planning - slide on considerations

School Committee listens to a lot of "we need more time" comments (audio in 2 parts)

FM #1188-89 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1188-89 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting of Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in 2 parts. All 7 school committee members took part in Council Chambers. They broke briefly at 5 minutes for an Executive Session and returned about 10 minutes later. That portion of the audience audio was excluded to simplify the recording.

Part 1 

Covers the first two and one half hours of the meeting

• Student pledge

• FHS Student updates

• Executive Session & return

• Presentation on Comprehensive School Facilities Plan (redistricting)

• Questions and discussion from the School Committee

Audio link ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1188-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-04-30-24-part-1-of-2

Part 2

Covers the remaining 2 hours of the meeting

• Entire citizen comments and question period

• 5 minute break to allow crowd to leave before resuming meeting agenda

• Interim Business Administrator Appointment (voted to approve appointment)

• Override Memorandum of Understanding (discussed but not acted upon as it needs collaborative work)

• Discussion Only Items - ACCEPT 3rd Quarter Report

• Information Matters

• A. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports

• B. School Committee Liaison Reports

• Consent Agenda (passed unanimously)

• New Business & closure of session 

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1189-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-04-30-24-part-2-of-2

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

The Franklin TV broadcast of the almost 5 hour session is available for replay on YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWz6ewelhGo 

Presentation doc for April 30 meeting -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/comp_school_facilities_recommendation_presentation-_april_30_2024.pdf 

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

Meeting packet folder - the 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 

My notes captured via Twitter can be found in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1buTL7pQsslK3bG2emGvAR3tHvoVsQ4vV/view?usp=drive_link 

Photo album with the slides as captured during the presentation on Wednesday

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZogkwQrk91uVQxNm9 

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

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"

Supt Giguere, Dr Fran Locker, Ms Kate Jessup

What's happening Wednesday, May 1, 2024?

Wednesday, May 1

10:00am Veterans Coffee Social
5:30pm SAFE Gala
6:30pm Franklin Art Association

----------

Meeting schedule

Board of Health Meeting

Event Date:  Wednesday, May 1, 2024 - 5:00 pm

Conference Room, 3rd Floor

• audio recording by Franklin Matters/Franklin Public Radio for podcast later

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/boh_agenda_5.1.24_-_google_docs.pdf

Franklin Public Schools Comprehensive Facilities Planning Sub Committee Meeting

Event Date:  Wednesday, May 1, 2024 - 5:00 pm

3rd floor training room

• audio recording by Franklin Matters/Franklin Public Radio for podcast later

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/events/franklin_public_schools_comprehensive_facilities_planning_sub_committee_meeting.pdf

Economic Development Subcommittee

Event Date:  Wednesday, May 1, 2024 - 5:45 pm

Council Chambers

• broadcast via cable to Comcast 9, Verizon 29
• broadcast to YouTube at  http://bit.ly/43lBwVE 
• Zoom info - 5:45 pm  EDC  LIVE Chambers  see agenda doc

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/2024-05-01_edc_agenda_packet.pdf

Town Council Meeting

Event Date:  Wednesday, May 1, 2024 - 7:00 pm

Council Chambers

• broadcast via cable to Comcast 9, Verizon 29
• broadcast to YouTube at  http://bit.ly/43lBwVE 
• Zoom info - 7:00 pm Town Council  LIVE Chambers  see agenda doc

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/tc_agenda_5.1.24.pdf

What's happening Wednesday, May 1, 2024?

Why are there multiple calendars?

There is a Cultural events calendar upon which other community events are layered to create the Community calendar.

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

The Cultural calendar displays only the cultural events      https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/pages/calendar

Find the full Community event calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

Comprehensive Facilities Planning Subcmte - May 1 at 5 PM

Franklin Public Schools - Franklin School Committee

Comprehensive Facilities Planning Subcommittee

May 1, 2024 - 5:00 PM

Municipal Building 3rd Floor Training Room

● Update on Recommendation

Agenda doc contains remote participation info ->

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/comprehensive_facilities_planning_subcom-5_1_24.pdf

Comprehensive Facilities Planning Subcmte - May 1 at 5 PM

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