1st Budget Hearing for FY 2026: Finance Committee hears of the Franklin School budget (audio)

FM #1436 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1436 in the series. 

This session shares the Finance Committee meeting conducted Monday, April 28, 2025. All 8 members of the Committee were present in Council Chambers for the first of the series of Budget Hearings for FY 2026.

This session covered Education; Tri-County, Norfolk Aggie and Franklin Public Schools. Only Franklin was there to present in person. The Chair almost closed the meeting without mentioning the other two budget items.  

Quick recap:

• School Superintendent Lucas Giguere and Interim Business Administrator Jana Milotti made the presentation supported at different points by Dr Dutch and Asst Supt Paula Morano

• 

  FY 2026 School budget

  The slides of the presentation can be found ->   https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/5586512/4_28_25_FY26_FinCom_Budget_Hearing__1_.pdf

• The school budget fits within the Town allocation which assumes a successful override vote on June 3. The school budget is an increase over last year by $2.9M

• Redistricting brought significant savings to the tune of $3.1M

• If the override fails, $2M would be cut from this budget (per current Town documented allocation) resulting in no decrease in sports or transportation fees, staff reductions, higher class sizes, etc. See the photo of slide page 25

• Tuesday night the budget items for public works and public safety are up for discussion. The meeting will be in the 3rd floor training room.

The recording runs about 53 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1436-tof-finance-cmte-budget-hearing-1-04-28-25/

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

Franklin TV recording available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2k6pGMSzeU 

Finance Cmte agenda ->    https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04282025-1700 

My notes captured during the meeting via Twitter

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_SkYWy0EmCwPxh8w_PRvUJI2QDbclXKD/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. 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"

Town Of Franklin Resolution 25-29: Parmenter Deed recording

MEMORANDUM

Date:    April 25, 2025 

To:     Town Council

From:    Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator

            Amy Frigulietti, Deputy Town Administrator 

RE:     Parmenter Deed recording

The Council will consider recording the deed to the 20 +/- acre site of the former Parmenter School.

On January 28, 2025 the Franklin School Committee voted unanimously to dispose of the site and turn it over to the Town in accordance with state law.

The proposed Deed seeks to name the parcel as the “Gerald Murdoch Parmenter Memorial Complex” thus memorizing his name in perpetuity. If any structure is built upon the parcel, it will always contain the name of Mr. Parmenter. If the current school building is not demolished, it will also maintain the name. The Town Council has naming rights on all town owned public property and can always consider further naming recognition in the future.

We have attached the original deed, which despite some claims in town, did not memorialize that there was to be a schoolhouse permanently on the property. The Town Attorney will answer any legal questions.

We hope to have a Police Station Building Committee meeting later this June or July to provide new updates on the site selection process for a new Police Station. The consultant has now evaluated over 100 sites within town for the station and will provide updates on those options. The Parmenter site, in addition to Davis-Thayer, are being surveyed and analyzed to see what parts of each parcel are buildable and what constraint there may be on the parcels. These sites have been suggested in the past as they are of no new cost to the taxpayers and they are both strategically located to attend to law enforcement’s needs.

The Police Station Building Committee has not selected a site and will likely not select a site until the end of this calendar year, or possibly in 2026.

We expect open houses of the station in the Summer and Fall of 2025.

Town Of Franklin Resolution 25-29: Parmenter Deed recording

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

TOWN OF FRANKLIN RESOLUTION 25-29

Transfer of Care, Custody, Management and Control of Town-owned Property Containing the Building Known as “Gerald Murdock Parmenter Elementary School” from the Franklin School Committee to the Franklin Town Council, for Municipal Purposes

WHEREAS, the Town owns improved property containing a building known as Gerald Murdock Parmenter Elementary School, located at the southwesterly corner of the intersection of Wachusetts and King Streets and shown on Franklin Assessors’ Map 297 as parcel 50, Title reference: Norfolk County Registry of Deeds Book 2968 Page 219 (hereinafter: “Property”) for school purposes; and

WHEREAS, “Property” was gifted to Town by Ernest B. Parmenter and Maud A. Parmenter for the construction of an elementary school to be named in memory of their son Gerald Murdock Parmenter, a Franklin resident who distinguished himself during World War Two, and

WHEREAS, GL Chapter 40, Section 15A sets out the procedure to be followed when Town-owned property is no longer needed for the specific municipal purpose for which it is held; and

WHEREAS, the Franklin School Committee has determined that Property is no longer needed for school purposes and, as provided in said statute, has given written notice of its determination to the Franklin Town Council by memorandum dated January 15, 2025, a true copy of which is attached hereto as “Exhibit 1”,

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Franklin, acting by and through its Town Council, hereby transfers the care, custody, management and control of “Property” from the Franklin School Committee to the Franklin Town Council, for municipal purpose(s) as provided in GL Chapter 40, Section 15A, declares that “Property” shall henceforth be formally named and known as “Gerald Murdock Parmenter Memorial Complex,” and directs that a true copy of this resolution be recorded at Norfolk County Registry of Deeds.

This resolution shall become effective according to the Provisions of the Town of Franklin Home Rule Charter.

Copied from the Town Council agenda item -> 

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/5388/9a-Parmenter

Franklin All Town MICCA Showcase Concerts scheduled for 3/25 & 3/26

FRANKLIN MUSIC DEPARTMENT PRESENTS… 

Franklin All Town MICCA Showcase Concerts!  

Featuring performances from the Band,  Chorus, and Orchestra of the Annie Sullivan,  Horace Mann, Remington, and High School  performing groups.  

Franklin All Town MICCA Showcase Concerts

Tuesday, March 25, 2025 - 6 PM

• All Town Chorus and Orchestra

Wednesday, March 26, 2025  - 6 PM 

• All Town Bands

$5 Donations accepted at the door

Franklin Public Schools Receives Grant to Further STEM Career Learning

Superintendent Lucas Giguere, High School Principal Dr. Maria Weber, and Franklin Middle School Principal Craig Williams are excited to announce Franklin Public Schools will expand its Project Lead The Way (PLTW) programs to provide hands-on, applied learning and in-depth teacher professional development.

Franklin Public Schools have received additional grant funds from the One8 Foundation to offer new applied learning curricular programming from PLTW that will better prepare students for school and career success. PLTW is a nonprofit organization providing a transformative learning experience for PreK-12 students and teachers through computer science, engineering, and biomedical science coursework. With the PLTW curriculum, students apply their knowledge to solve real-world problems.

Students worked their way through the design
process and created toys and games
for other students.
(Photo Courtesy Franklin Public Schools)

“Expanding the Project Lead The Way curriculum resources and instructional materials available to our teachers will strengthen our students’ STEM futures,” said Eric Stark, Franklin Public Schools Director of Curriculum STEM. “I am proud of the real-world connections students are making and the challenges they are tackling.”

Franklin joins more than 12,000 schools across the country offering PLTW programs to millions of students.

“We are thrilled to bring more high-quality applied learning opportunities to our students and look forward to the impact this expansion will have on our school community,” said Principal Williams.

Since 2017, the One8 Foundation, the Massachusetts STEM Advisory Council, the Workforce Skill Cabinet, and the Massachusetts Life Science Center have supported expanding PLTW programming for students across the Commonwealth to better prepare them for a rapidly changing, data-rich world. PLTW coursework in biomedical science, engineering, and computer science provides students the skills to access opportunities in sectors that power the state economy.

“Students are hungry for experiences that allow them to apply what they are learning to solve real-world, meaningful problems,” said Joanna Jacobson, President of the One8 Foundation.  “Providing equitable access to hands-on applied learning programs that deliver academic gains while building critical thinking and complex problem-solving skills ensures students are engaged and interested in school and prepared for success in this ever-changing world.”

Franklin Middle School will use grant funds to expand its PLTW Gateway program. Specifically, students will experience Computer Science for Innovators and Makers, Design and Modeling, and Medical Detectives units.

In one class this year, students worked their way through the design process and created a toy or game for other students.

“To ensure these toys were not just another STEM project but truly functional for occupational therapy, I collaborated with the occupational therapists (OTs) from Annie Sullivan Middle School and Helen Keller Elementary School for feedback and guidance,” said STEM Teacher Emily Carens. “I had the privilege of delivering the completed projects to the Occupational Therapy (OT) room, and the OTs were beyond grateful and impressed by the creativity, effort, and thoughtfulness students put into their work. Students demonstrated empathy and problem-solving skills, creating toys that will make a real difference in their school community. PLTW helped make this possible by creating the curriculum to show students that they can make an impact on their community.”

Franklin High School will use grant funds to start its PLTW Biomedical Science program. Students may take Principles of Biomedical Science and Human Body Systems as part of its developing Innovation Career Pathway. Funds from the grant will support teacher professional development and the purchase of materials and equipment for PLTW courses.

In addition, as a school with PLTW programming in Massachusetts, Franklin Middle and High School will have access to a regular set of teacher professional learning opportunities, student project showcases, and connections to industry professionals offered by the Mass Learning Project and the One8 Applied Learning Hub.

Shared from -> https://41518511.hs-sites.com/franklin-receives-grant-to-further-stem-career-learning

Mental Health: Diane Plouffe & Jamie Barrett (video)

Dr Anne Bergen: 

"Welcome to Mental Health, the crisis of our time. 

My name is Anne Bergen. I am the host of this series of programs brought to you by Franklin TV whose mission is really to bring important topics relevant to the community out so we can inform the residents aware of issues that are very very important. 

The issue we have to address is mental health."

Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YF0EhkQQZD8

Mental Health: Diane Plouffe & Jamie Barrett (video)

Franklin High School lunch featured Local Grass Fed Beef (video)

FHS lunch featured Local Grass Fed Beef (video)

To watch the video on how it was made click: https://youtube.com/shorts/mSBJpYmXV0k?feature=share 

Franklin High School featured Local Grass Fed Beef from Weatherlow Farms in Westport, MA served with Bok Choy and Fried Rice !  

We used the top round cut to make our scratch made - 17 hour - Beef and Broccoli for lunch today!

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/14sKCKtGVf/?mibextid=xfxF2i

Franklin Public Schools: School is canceled Thursday, Feb 6 due to weather forecast

February 6, 2025

School is canceled Thu, Feb 6

Dear Franklin Public Schools Staff and Families,

After consulting with the Franklin DPW and reviewing the timing of icy road conditions predicted during our school dismissal window, the Franklin Public Schools will be closed on Thursday, February 6, 2025. 

All afternoon and evening activities are canceled.

Respectfully,

Franklin Public Schools

State of the Franklin Schools - January 27 at 7 PM at Franklin TV Studio

Mark your calendar for this!

School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan and Vice Chair David McNeill will present a brief presentation on the "State of the Schools: and spend time with Q&A.

State of the Franklin Schools - January 27 at 7 PM at Franklin TV Studio

Franklin Food Service video shows how a local grass fed meal is prepared (video)

how a local grass fed meal is prepared

Franklin Public Schools, MA (@FranklinPSNews) posted on Tue, Jan 07, 2025:

"Today, Franklin High School featured Local Grass Fed Beef on their menu from Weatherlow Farms in Westport, MA served with a Ginger Lemon Risotto.  

To watch the video on how it was made, visit: https://t.co/AYUR0JdhZi "

Shared from -> https://x.com/FranklinPSNews/status/1876715334880600373

Franklin Public Schools Schedule Series of Winter Concerts

Winter Concerts

The concerts are all listed on the Community & Cultural calendar.

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CdZRAcQ4h/

FPS: Community Relations Subcommittee scheduled to meet November 19, 2024 at 5:30

Franklin Public Schools - Franklin School Committee

Community Relations Subcommittee

November 19, 2024 -> 5:30 - 6:30 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."

● 2024 - 2025 Community Relations Goals

● District Website and App Updates & Improvement Plans

● 2024-2025 School Committee Newsletter

● 2024 - 2025 Communication Ideas/Opportunities

Agenda doc also has remote participation info -> 

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

FPS: Community Relations Subcommittee scheduled to meet November 19, 2024 at 5:30

Your Voice Matters: Shape the Future of Franklin Public Schools

Dear FPS Community,

As we continue to develop our school budget, we are providing an opportunity for you to provide feedback on the Franklin Public Schools budget planning development. We are excited to launch our Stakeholder Budget Survey to gather your insights through a more inclusive budget development process.

Your feedback is important in several ways:

1. It helps us understand what matters to you as a stakeholder invested in the system. By gaining insight into your perspective, we can continually refine our approach to better 

Your Voice Matters

support our students, teachers, and families. 

2. It informs our budgeting strategy for district programming as we seek to meet the needs of our students effectively.

Participating in the survey is easy and will take only about 10 minutes. However, your feedback could have a lasting impact for years to come. Simply click here to get started.

Thank you for being a part of our community and for supporting the Franklin Public Schools!

This survey will close on Thursday, Nov 21, 2024

Take the survey here ->   https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeEZ8Fy_1dGl649hmkbd2uYI37eOZBlshQkQP71Bge82E4qVg/viewform

Shared from -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/11mxUcxuu40qWp-kFi9Z8iNWrAgN9dJsh/view

Three Franklin Middle School Science Teachers Present at Open SciEd Community Day

Superintendent Lucas Giguere and PreK-12 Director of Curriculum STEM Eric Stark are pleased to share that three Franklin middle school science teachers recently presented during an Open SciEd (OSE) Community Day, provided by the One8 Applied Learning Hub.

Franklin Public Schools is in its third year of implementing the OSE curriculum. As part of the district's partnership with the One8 Applied Learning Hub, teachers are encouraged to share their knowledge and experiences implementing the OSE curriculum in their own classrooms. Teachers also attend these community days to learn and share best practices.

Franklin Middle School science teacher Jessica Ternullo presenting at an Open SciEd Community Day on Oct. 9. (Photo courtesy One8 Applied Learning Hub)

On Oct. 9, Franklin science teachers Jessica Ternullo, Emily Laliberte, and Danny Kelley facilitated two sessions at the One8 Applied Learning Hub Community Day event in Norwood.

The three teachers shared best practices with over 100 Massachusetts science middle school teachers whose districts implement the Open SciEd curriculum.

Ternullo and Laliberte facilitated a session on supporting all students in an Open SciEd classroom. Throughout their discussion, Ternullo and Laliberte discussed ways for teachers to make the curriculum accessible for all students. They included new strategies that can be incorporated into classroom routines, as well as different accommodations and assessments to utilize.

Franklin Middle School science teacher Danny Kelley presenting at an OpenSciEd curriculum training on Oct. 9. (Photo courtesy Franklin Public Schools)

Kelley and Ternullo held a session on strategies to support the use of driving question boards. They discussed the different strategies they have implemented in their science classrooms to enhance the use of driving question boards.

"I would like to thank all three of the Franklin teachers who presented for contributing to the Open SciEd community and for sharing ideas that will help the more than 40,000 students accessing OSE in Massachusetts become more thoughtful scientists, listeners, and creators," said One8 Applied Learning Hub Teaching and Learning Manager Heather Haines.

“I love community days because I always leave with awesome strategies and tools,” Kelley said. “The strategies I gain help me as a teacher with planning and curriculum design, and more importantly, they help me elevate students’ experiences.” 

“I feel as though the professional development I have received from OSE and the One8 Applied Learning Hub over the past three years is some of the most valuable and applicable that I have ever participated in,” Ternullo said. “It was such a joy to feel like I was giving back to that same community.”

“It was an honor to get to share some of the things that I do each day to make science accessible for my students,” Laliberte said.

Learn more about Open SciEd here.

Franklin Middle School science teachers Jessica Ternullo and Emily Laliberte presenting at an OpenSciEd curriculum training on Oct. 9. (Photo courtesy Franklin Public Schools)

View in browser Franklin Public Schools Shares Update on 2024-25 District Reorganization Plan FRANKLIN — Superintendent Lucas Giguere wishes to share an update on Franklin Public Schools' 2024-25 District Reorganization Plan. On Tuesday, Oct. 8, the Franklin School Committee voted unanimously to create a boundary line determining students' assignments to elementary schools. To increase equity across all schools, Franklin is developing a new boundary line, establishing two new school communities located in the north and south within reasonable proximity to the Town's school complex locations This Pre-K-to-8 reorganization, which will take effect for the 2025-26 school year, is based on the recommendation of the School Facilities and Educational Master Plan Report. This plan includes creating a central unified middle school, consolidating five elementary schools into four schools in two complexes (each K-2 & 3-5), one early childhood school (Pre-K), and anticipated expansion at the existing Pond Street building as part of a broader plan to establish a childcare center for staff, etc. This will occur in phases over time. The new boundary line promotes more equitable learning environments, balances class sizes, and optimizes the District's resources to meet enrollment needs. The Master Plan recommendations align with Franklin's long-term vision to provide the best educational experiences for every student in the District. The reorganization is necessary due to declining enrollment over the last 20 years and the closure of Davis Thayer Elementary School in 2021. The Master Plan aims to provide learning environments that support high-quality educational experiences for all students, appropriate physical spaces to meet program and enrollment needs now and in the future, and phased implementation of short-, mid-, and long-term improvement strategies. Franklin Public Schools conducted a redistricting analysis in previous years, which served as a foundation for the decisions made in 2024. This reorganization will allow Franklin to put students and staff in the District's most modernized facilities. The new boundary line for 2025-26 will place 1,027 students in the north elementary zone and 904 students in the south zone, which provides sustainability and consideration for future population shifts. "This reorganization provides incredible opportunities for our community. This change is about more than just balancing enrollment numbers — it's about creating new opportunities for growth, collaboration, and learning," Superintendent Giguere said. "By adjusting our boundaries, we are fostering a more inclusive and diverse student body, allowing our children to expand their social networks and learn alongside peers from different neighborhoods and backgrounds. This will also allow us to strategically invest in the facilities we already have in a fiscally responsible manner while ensuring that every student has access to a high-quality education and the resources they need to succeed." Anyone with questions can email district-reorganization@franklinps.net. ### A message from Franklin Public Schools John Guilfoil Public Relations, P.O. Box 22, Georgetown, MA 01833, United States, (617) 993-0003

District Reorganization Community Forum - Sep 30 at 7 PM at FHS (no remote participation)

Franklin Public Schools

Franklin School Committee

School Committee Special Meeting

District Reorganization Community Forum

September 30, 2024 - 7:00 - 8:30 PM

FHS Media Center

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

District Reorganization Community Forum

law."

●  Meet the Future Elementary and Middle School Administrative Teams

●  Invite community member input on the PreK-8 Reorganization and Elementary

Attendance Areas.

Agenda doc -> https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/4873426/SC_Community_Forum_-_9_30_24.pdf

Franklin Public Schools, MA: new app for Franklin Public Schools

Franklin Public Schools, MA (@FranklinPSNews) posted Fri, Sep 20, 2024:

We're thrilled to announce the new app for Franklin Public Schools! It's everything Franklin Public Schools, in your pocket.

Download for Android https://t.co/IgJgmt5RYF
Download for iPhone https://t.co/iSnUpDQ9bG

new app for Franklin Public Schools

Shared from -> https://t.co/tGvdubeCF9