Agenda for Franklin School Committee - October 14 at 7 PM

Franklin School Committee 

October 14, 2025 at 7:00 PM

Municipal Building – Council Chambers 

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.”

 

Call to Order                                 Mr. Callaghan

Announcements from the Chair

Pledge of Allegiance 

Moment of Silence

I. 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

Agenda for Franklin School
Committee - October 14 at 7 PM

II. Guests/Presentations

A. Club Update

B. Franklin Food Pantry

III. Discussion/Action Items

A. none

IV. Discussion Only Items

A. none

V. 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 your September 30, 2025 School Committee Meeting as detailed. 

B. Lincoln 3-5 Gift

I recommend the acceptance of $800.00 from the Lincoln St 3-5 PCC for field trips as detailed. 

C. Student Activity Club Approval

I recommend approval of the Student Activity Clubs as detailed.

VII. Good of the Order

VIII. Citizen’s Comments

IX. New Business

To discuss any future agenda items

X. Executive Session

A. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with the FEA, Van Drivers, Cafeteria, ESP/LPN and Secretaries units as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the School Committee and the chair so declares.

XI. Adjournment

Agenda doc -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10142025-1948

2025-26 Meeting Packet Materials

https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2025---26-meeting-packets/october-14%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/857413

School Committee conducts shortest meeting of the year - Sep 30, 2025 (audio)

FM #1523 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1523 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. All 7 members of the committee were present. 

Quick recap:

• Supt Report: continue to make adjustments to the traffic, Transportation website has an update for the school arrivals/Dismissals  https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/6062062/Start_of_School_Traffic_Information.pdf

• New page FEF legacy program, online form to accept donations ... Additional info being added as the program gets fleshed out   https://www.franklinps.net/page/the-fef-legacy-program

• Student Clubs & Activities Approval 

• Procedural vote on account cleanup for inactive clubs, more next time for an update on current or new clubs. Amt of about $250 or so... https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/6059572/Discussion_Action_A_-_Student_Clubs-Activities.pdf   

• Will be transferred to use of other clubs.  Vote on motion, passes 7-0

• Adjourning to executive session not to return to open meeting, Moved, passes 7-0

The recording runs about 43 minutes

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1523-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-09-30-25/

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

Franklin Public Schools

Franklin TV video is available for replay -> 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39AoKQewDIA 

The Agenda doc -> 

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/6059542/SCAGENDA_9-30-25.pdf 

The packet folder also contains other docs released before or after the meeting

https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2025---26-meeting-packets/september-30%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/855018 

My notes captured during the meeting -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NAnlr9uiozVLd9MK1ROfdltU9uOqsUwe/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

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach out. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

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"

School Committee conducts shortest meeting of the year (video)

The Franklin School Committee met on Tuesday, September 30, 2025 as scheduled. All 7 members were present in the Council Chambers.

Franklin TV video is available for replay -> 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39AoKQewDIA

The Agenda doc -> 

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/6059542/SCAGENDA_9-30-25.pdf

The packet folder also contains other docs released before or after the meeting

https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2025---26-meeting-packets/september-30%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/855018

My notes captured during the meeting -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NAnlr9uiozVLd9MK1ROfdltU9uOqsUwe/view?usp=drive_link

Quick recap:

• Supt Report: continue to make adjustments to the traffic, Transportation website has an update for the school arrivals/Dismissals  https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/6062062/Start_of_School_Traffic_Information.pdf
• New page FEF legacy program, online form to accept donations ... Additional info being added as the program gets fleshed out   https://www.franklinps.net/page/the-fef-legacy-program
• Student Clubs & Activities Approval 
• I recommend approval of the Student Clubs and Activities as discussed. 
• Procedural vote on account cleanup for inactive clubs, more next time for an update on current or new clubs. Amt of about $250 or so... https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/6059572/Discussion_Action_A_-_Student_Clubs-Activities.pdf  
• Will be transferred to use of other clubs.  Vote on motion, passes 7-0
• Adjourning to executive session not to return to open meeting, Moved, passes 7-0

Town Council welcomed 2 new Police hires, moved zoning bylaws to 2nd reading, hears of solicitation process, and personnel updates (audio)

FM #1517 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1517 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, September  17, 2025. 7 of the 9 members of the committee were present (Chandler, Pellegri absent). 

Quick recap:

• Town Clerk Nancy Danello provides update on biennial election status

• School Cmte Chair Dave Callaghan provides an update on school opening and traffic issues being worked

• 2 new hires effectively back filling for positions authorized within the reduced Police Dept staffing were sworn in and pinned by family members

• 2 public hearings were opened separately; one for the 2 commercial kitchen bylaws to enable the operation of a commercial kitchen within a residence if on septic (not on town sewer); and second, a set of 6 bylaws to create the Crossing Neighborhood zoning district. It would be similar to the Downtown zoning with a couple of exemptions. Councilor Frongillo recused himself from these discussions and votes as his father's business operates in the proposed zoning area

• In legislation for action 

• all 8 of the zoning changes moved to a second reading

• The Council voted to formalize the early in person voting schedule for the November election as announced

• A couple of water & sewer extensions were approved

• A definition of a collection container was accepted and authorized to extend the current use by religious organizations to non-profits, in particular the American Legion and VFW

• A presentation on Solicitation Permits by Police Chief Thomas Lynch and Deputy Police Chief James West was made to provide some info on the process in response to an incident earlier this year. 

• In the Town Administrator's Report 2 key items were covered; 

• one a series of personnel moves; B Taberner's replacement was announced, M Kinhart and M D'Angelo are retiring, Breeka Li Goodlander to return from pregnancy leave in mid-Oct; 

• second, the Assessors revealed new growth will be about $271,000 shorter than projected earlier this year. This will need to be adjusted somehow before the tax rate hearing in Nov/Dec. It seems to be reflecting the slowdown in growth due to interest rates, uncertainty, and the 'nimby-factor', etc.

• The Council entered into executive session not to return to public meeting

The recording runs about 2 hours & 16 minutes

Audio link ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1517-town-council-mtg-09-17-25/

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

Franklin TV video available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQsgBfKN8cY 

The agenda and docs released for this session can be found

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09172025-1911 

My notes in a single PDF can be found ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MNwWCGlCOgPnqbmMecTz5TqaesbmSt4z/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

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach out. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

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"

Jalen Samuels & Kyle Vaught

Jalen Samuels & Kyle Vaught getting pinned

Franklin, MA: Agenda for School Committee meeting Tuesday, Sep 30, 2025 at 7 PM

Franklin School Committee 

September 30, 2025 - 7:00 PM

Municipal Building – Council Chambers

Call to Order Mr. Callaghan

Announcements from the Chair

Pledge of Allegiance Moment of Silence

 

I. 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

portrait of a graduate

II. Guests/Presentations

A. none

III. Discussion/Action Items

A. Student Clubs & Activities Approval

I recommend approval of the Student Clubs and Activities as discussed.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/6059572/Discussion_Action_A_-_Student_Clubs-Activities.pdf

IV. Discussion Only Items

A. none

V. 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 your September 9, 2025 School Committee meeting as detailed.

B. Districtwide Gift

I recommend the acceptance of $500.00 from Linda Walsh for supplemental supplies/curriculum materials as detailed.

VII. Citizen’s Comments

VIII. New Business

To discuss any future agenda items

IX. Executive Session

A. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with the FEA, Van Drivers, Cafeteria, ESP/LPN and Secretaries units as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the School Committee and the chair so declares.

X. Adjournment

Agenda doc also contains remote participation info

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/6059542/SCAGENDA_9-30-25.pdf

The packet folder also contains other docs released before or after the meeting

https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2025---26-meeting-packets/september-30%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/855018

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Wednesday, September 24, 2025 ??

Wednesday, September 24

1:00pm Scribblers Writing Group (recording session) (Franklin Senior Center)

Library & Senior Center events

For additional details on Library events ->    https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

For additional details on Senior Center events ->        

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

**  Town Meetings today   **

Town Council - Executive Session Only (added 9/22/25 AM)

Wednesday, September 24    Time: 5:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09242025-1921

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

What's happening in Franklin, MA

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar