Joint Budget Subcmte hears of shortfall in new growth, hears update on School Budget, plans next session (audio)

FM #1078 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1078 in the series. 

This session shares the Town of Franklin (MA) Joint Budget SubCommittee meeting held on Wednesday, October 11, 2023. The meeting was conducted in the Council Chambers. Remote participation was enabled for the public for this session. 

The Joint Budget Subcommittee is composed of the 4 members of the Town Council, 4 members of the Finance Committee and 3 members of the School Committee (to avoid a committee quorum for each of the respective bodies).

Chair - Tom Mercer, Brian Chandler, Cobi Frongillo, and Melanie Hamblen of the Town Council

George Conley, Nataly Riley, Nicole Corbosiero, and Lauren Nagel of the Finance Committee

David McNeill, David Callaghan, and Denise Spencer of the School Committee

Quick recap:

• Town Administrator Jamie Hellen provided a brief update on FY 24, change in new growth coming, reduction of $250K, implications remain TBD

• Schools updated some of their numbers, starting to plan for FY 25, to include the 4 years after, due approx.. Mar/Apr; looking into comparable communities (i.e. Hockomock League)

• Finance Committee meeting Nov 8, Town Council meeting Nov 15, Tax rate hearing set for Tuesday, Nov 21 (Yes, note it is a Tuesday!)

• Next Joint Budget Subcmte session in Jan 2024 (TBD)

The show notes contain a link to the agenda, the Franklin TV meeting video, and to my notes.

The recording runs 75 minutes, so let’s listen to the Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting of October 11, 2023. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1078-franklin-ma-joint-budget-subcmte-mtg-10-11-23

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video link ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3sqZhpIT9Q 

Meeting agenda -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/joint_budget_subcommitee_agenda_-_oct_11_2023.pdf 

Photo album capturing some of the School presentation

https://photos.app.goo.gl/v1qW8nmPYUQTcLgm8 

My notes captured via Twitter and collected in one PDF

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YHP7KFAXd6DDwtAKGLIUwnEFOX_qFte7/view?usp=drive_link 

Joint Budget Subcommittee page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/joint-budget-subcommittee 

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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"

one of the FPS slides used for the budget update

Franklin, MA: Joint Budget Subcommittee Meeting - Oct 11 at 5:30 PM

Joint Budget Subcommittee Meeting

(Members of the Town Council, School Committee, and Finance Committee)

October 11, 2023 at 5:30 PM

Agenda

1. FY24 Budget Update - Town Administrator and Superintendent of Schools

The agenda doc contains remote participation info ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/joint_budget_subcommitee_agenda_-_oct_11_2023.pdf

Note: FY24 is the current budget we are operating under. FY25 would be next years budget. The Budget year is fiscal, beginning July 1 and running through Jun 30. The year when June 30 occurs is the "fiscal year" for the budget. Hence, next June 30 is 2024 and the budget year is FY24.

The FY24 budget materials can be found -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-24-budget-materials

Shared from the Town budget page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget

State Rep Jeff Roy FY 2024 budget wins for Franklin

Via the Franklin Food Pantry: 

"A huge thank you to State Rep Jeff Roy for his continued support and advocacy for The Pantry. We are so grateful!"

State Rep Jeff Roy FY 2024 budget wins for Franklin

Shared from -> https://facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02yXaeAtChJCF93bc9Y9JYXsTsoFmeK3pomWgh9RAtKFTuu2pYZxguLoXH5re963Gyl&id=100064488767698&mibextid=Nif5oz

MA State budget signed, one of the line items cut is "Hey Sam"

"GOV. MAURA HEALEY on Wednesday signed into law her first state budget, setting a different tone than the Republican who held the corner office for the previous eight years.

She invited Senate President Karen Spilka and House Speaker Ron Mariano to join her at the signing ceremony, signaling a united front among the top three Democrats on Beacon Hill. It was a departure from past practice under former governor Charlie Baker; Mariano called it a new precedent.

Overall, the $56 billion budget gives all three Democrats items they can crow about. Healey trumpeted a measure she initiated to cover “last-dollar funding” so students over age 25 can attend community college for free. She also highlighted a big boost in funding (1 percent of the state budget) for the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, the largest increase ever in K-12 school funding, and a 48 percent increase in funds for the state’s emergency shelter program."

Continue reading the article online -> https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/with-democrats-united-healey-signs-56b-budget/ 

The Mass Municipal Assoc also provides coverage ->  https://www.mma.org/gov-healey-signs-fy24-state-budget/

Boston Globe provides coverage of the signing ->

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/08/09/metro/gov-maura-healey-state-budget/

Via Senator Rausch wasn't pleased with one of the line items cut

"I am pleased that @MassGovernor signed much of the FY24 budget today, but concerned about several significant cuts, incl. complete elimination of funding for Hey Sam, a 100%-successful youth mental health text line, amid an ongoing #mentalhealth crisis. My full statement"

Senator Rausch statement on "Hey Sam"

How late is the State budget? Really? What is in the state budget is the more important question!

Chris Lisinski (@ChrisLisinski) tweeted on Mon, Jul 31, 2023:

Just how late was the annual state budget lawmakers sent to Gov. Healey on Monday?

Only three other budgets since FY2000 have been completed later, one of which was in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic upended everything, per @masstaxpayersfd data. #mapoli  https://t.co/MjQF0gjlqs 

What is in the state budget is the more important question!

Shared from Twitter -> https://t.co/ypnCUKs33L

"Less than 24 hours after negotiators inked a compromise on a $56.2 billion annual spending plan, House and Senate lawmakers, with little debate, voted Monday to send the fiscal year 2024 package to Governor Maura Healey.

The chambers’ action on the budget legislation, representing a record level of spending, came nearly a month after the July 1 deadline for the start of the new fiscal year.

The budget is now in Healey’s hands for the next 10 days, and what happens next remains to be seen. Lawmakers used the governor’s budget proposal as a roadmap in crafting their own, but she could seek to further shape the spending plan, the first of her term in the corner office."

Continue reading the Boston Globe article (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/07/31/metro/massachusetts-budget-2024/

The Conference Committee report on the FY 2024 budget can be found ->

https://malegislature.gov/Budget/ConferenceCommittee

The link to the actual legislation document H 4040 ->    https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H4040

The continuation legislation to fund August in lieu of the final budget. Signed by Gov Healey on July 31, 2023 -> https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H4022

Via MA Senate Twitter ->  https://twitter.com/MA_Senate/status/1685851177802403840

What is in the state budget is more important - 1

What is in the state budget is more important - 2

What is in the state budget is more important - 3

What is in the state budget is more important - 4

MA budget to the Governor next week finally, maybe??

"After weeks of negotiations and two stopgap spending bills, state House and Senate Democrats announced Friday afternoon that they finally reached an agreement on the state budget for the fiscal year that started July 1.

While they did not announce any details, budget leaders said they are confident they will be able to vote on the budget on Monday.

“Our respective teams are actively engaged in ironing out the details and working diligently to finalize the agreement,” Senator Michael J. Rodrigues and Representative Aaron Michlewitz, who serve as budget leaders in their respective chambers, said in a statement. “We are confident that the Conference Committee Report will be filed in the coming days, ensuring that both the House and Senate will take up the report on Monday in formal session.”

Continue reading the Boston Globe article (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/07/28/metro/massachusetts-house-senate-budget-vote-late/

Michael J. Rodrigues, the Senate Ways and Means Chair, speaks to reporters in the Massachusetts State House on August 1, 2022.CARLIN STIEHL FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE

"This year were the “Tier One” cuts ... "Tier Two" cuts next year will be more severe"

Via School Committee Chair Denise Spencer:

Franklin Public Schools has been ringing the alarm bell for 15+ years.

2020 was going to be the swift kick in the rear, but the covid money came in and served as a band-aid. And for the last three years we've been warning people - the money is running out. I don't see another global pandemic happening anytime soon. There are no more handouts. I can't even say the day is here because we've passed the point of no return.

This year were the “Tier One” cuts (see photos in separate post), as discussed at the budget subcommittee meetings, Finance Committee, Town Council, regularly scheduled School Committee meetings…

Tier Two cuts next year will be more severe (read: think programs such as Music, Arts, Foreign Language, not to mention Sports - freshman, froshman JV, Extracurricular Activities, Small Class Sizes, etc. etc..)

The information is out there. Do some research and spend some time to reflect on what you want your community to be.

If you have questions, you can go back and watch some meetings… 

• FRANKLIN TOWN HALL TV - YouTube  http://bit.ly/43lBwVE Here you can find recordings of School Committee, Finance Committee, Town Council, Joint Budget, Budget Hearings…
• Franklin Matters: https://www.franklinmatters.org/  Steve does a great job of collecting information and sharing
• Franklin School Committee: https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee

Here you can find meeting packets, agendas, budget information and more

I encourage folks to attend the August 2nd Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting.

Linking historical articles that show this is NOT a new problem

https://www.milforddailynews.com/.../will.../42531477/)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/.../officia.../41275973007/

https://www.milforddailynews.com/.../frankli.../41194886007/

Going forward from FY 2024, what is sustainable? (audio)

FPS school budget reductions summarized now that the FY 2024 budget for is finalized

As shared by School Committee Chair Denise Spencer.

The Franklin Public School budget reductions in the FY 2024 budget.

Slide 1

FPS FY 2024 budget reductions - positions

Slide 2

FPS FY 2024 budget reductions - services

Slide 3

FPS FY 2024 budget reductions - ESSER grant funding

Slide 4

FPS FY 2024 budget reductions - adjustments

Additional details can be found on the resolution voted on to approve these ->

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/discussion_action_a_-_revised_fy24_budget_vote.pdf

The full set of FY 2024 school budget info can be found ->

https://www.franklinps.net/fy24budget

The full set of Town of Franklin FY 2024 budget can be found -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-24-budget-materials

Note: The Town sets a dollar amount for Franklin schools. The School Committee & School District are responsible for managing the details of operating the school district for that dollar amount.

Shared from Chair Spencer's Facebook posting ->

https://www.facebook.com/groups/723957848435496/posts/1491582888339651/

Where do we go from here? 

Fortunately, the recording of the conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, Town Council Chair Tom Mercer, School Superintendent Lucas Giguere, and School Committee Chair Denise Spencer is available. You can listen to see what the plans are to use the Joint Budget Subcommittee meetings to turn the annual five year outlook into a financial model to show what could be required to support all of the needs of the Town for the next several years.

The conversation runs about 54 minutes. Let’s listen to the recording of the way forward discussion on Tuesday, June 27, 2023. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1020-fy2024-going-forward-06-27-23

 Note: The Joint Budget Subcommittee is scheduled to meet Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at 7 PM. (Agenda and remote participation info will be posted a couple of days before the meeting)

From the May audio archives - If you missed it then, you can catch up to it now (audio)

FM #993 -  Spend a few minutes with this "must listen" summary from Town Administrator Jamie Hellen on FY 2024 ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/05/franklinites-spend-few-minutes-with.html

FM #1001 - The audio of the Town of Franklin Memorial Day ceremony held on the Town Common at the end of the parade on Monday, May 29, 2023. -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/05/town-of-franklin-memorial-day-ceremony.html

FM #1002 - The audio of the Favorite Poem Project Reading held in the Franklin Public Library on Saturday, April 29, 2023 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/06/the-favorite-poem-project-reading-for.html

You can find more in the Franklin Matters Radio podcast page here ->   https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/

Franklin Matters Radio podcast page

Fiscal Year 2024 1st Quarter Real Estate and Personal Property Tax Bills due August 1, 2023

Fiscal Year 2024 1st Quarter Real Estate and Personal Property Tax Bills due August 1, 2023

Notice from the Treasurer/Collector

Fiscal Year 2024 Real Estate and Personal Property Tax Bills - First Quarter

Treasurer/Collector Kerri A. Bertone has mailed the Fiscal Year 2024 first quarter real estate and personal property tax bills.  Payment is due by August 1, 2023. 

Payments received after the due date are charged 14% interest.

Read more

School Committee agonizes over budget cuts, hears an update from Oak St and about the middle school school civics program (audio)

FM #1012 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1012 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares part of the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, June 13, 2023.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: all of the School Committee members, school district personnel along with some of the public were in the Council Chambers. Some members of the public participated via conference bridge.

Brief recap:

• Moment of silence to recognize the tragic passing of an FHS graduating senior

• During the Superintendent's Report, 2 highlights were shared. (1) a quick overview of the Spanish trip during Spring break. (2) recognition of three FHS outdoor track athletes for their accomplishments at the Meet of Champions

• Recognition of Michelle Kingsland Smith retiring for the 2nd time this year with 50 years of education experience. Recognition of Miriam Goodman's retirement as Business Administrator

• Middle school civics program provided an update on the process across the three schools and a student presentation from Horace Mann.

• The Oak St Elementary team provided and interactive question and answer update on the happenings and progress within the school this year

• The additional funds from the Town saves some positions but there are still 26.7 positions removed from the budget, 16 of which were enrollment related. The Committee agonized over the cuts, appreciating the effort and thought that went into trying to minimize the impacts of these. One member said as hard as it is this year, we'll look back to this budget next year as a good one. And that is not something to look forward to

Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents released for this meeting are included in the show notes. The link to my notes taken during the meeting is also provided.

Let’s listen to this segment of the School Committee meeting June 13, 2023

 

Timing on the recording when each segment Starts

• Spain trip - approx. 12 minutes

• Girls Outdoor Track - approx. 20 minutes

• Michelle Kingsland Smith - approx. 29 minutes

• Middle School Civics - approx. 42 minutes

• Oak St Update - approx. 73 minutes

• Discussion Action Items (budget) - approx. 1 hour 56 minutes

Audio file ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1012-franklin-ma-school-committee-mtg-06-13-23

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Meeting packet folder ->  https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/june-13-2023-school-committee-meeting-packet

Meeting agenda doc (includes remote participation info) ->   https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_6-13-23.pdf

My notes captured during the meeting (in one PDF file)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q2Uwk3QIX9rejAPGl2offT65fqVLCOYf/view?usp=drive_link 

Franklin TV Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/live/EVNd_SfjvbY?feature=share

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

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"

Franklin, MA: School Committee Meeting Agenda for June 13, 2023