School Committee gets multiple updates on summer learning, transportation, etc. in 1 hour meeting (video)

The Franklin School Committee met as scheduled on Tuesday, August 11 in Council Chambers. All members participated, one (O'Sullivan) remotely.

Franklin TV video is available - https://www.youtube.com/live/VMpYB91A8Fw?&t=27

The Agenda document - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08112026-2448 

Quick recap

• Superintendent report provides updates on multiple items; planning for Sept, transportation, hiring status (positions open, a better view to be provided next time), work on facilities progressing. Ms Melotti out on maternity leave, Dr Bob Dutch back to fill in while she is out, important school start dates on webpage - https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars/
• Joint presentation and updates on summer learning from Student Services and Lifelong Learning. Slides shown were captured in one photo album https://photos.app.goo.gl/7BGZeLN2QWEezqFw7
• 
  Annual report submission approved, minor formating remains to be done by the Town as the annual report book is prepared for publication
• The 2nd reading on the restraint policy was approved as amended by the Policy Subcmte meeting prior
• Consent agenda was also approved. All votes, by the way, were via roll call and passed 7-0
  

My notes captured during the meeting in one PDF

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hvmIVrFX0EwMzsGCAbVXWcNqeu2T-DO8/view?usp=drive_link

Audio recording of the Horace Mann Legacy Subcommittee Meeting, Monday, August 10 (audio)

FM #1795 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1795 in the series. 

This session shares the exclusive audio from the Horace Mann Legacy Subcommittee Meeting held on Monday, August 10, 2026. The meeting was held in the 3rd floor training room. 

 

The recording runs about 75 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio link -   https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1795-horace-mann-legacy-subcmte-mtg-08-10-26/

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Meeting agenda 

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08042026-2436  

My notes in one PDF 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1w37wBgM4rHwGkXX5ZF6Kdod5ujkWMLXR/view?usp=drive_link 

Horace Mann Statue unveiled in 2017. The dedication post contains the audio of the event, including the FSPA performance of the song “Horace, Now There was a Mann“ as well as the dedication booklet (PDF)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/05/fm-130-audio-recording-of-horace-mann.html 

Horace Mann trifold used beginning at Strawberry Stroll

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KfKvOLhuXlzlor53vvErcTONj-6FFk24/view?usp=sharing 

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

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"

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Monday, August 10, 2026 ???

Monday, August 10

Franklin Lions Clothing Drive active through Aug 22   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/07/the-franklin-lions-conducting-clothing.html

7:00pm Franklin Democratic Town Committee (Franklin TV and Radio)

7:00pm Summer Concert Series: Bluegrass & Hillbilly (Franklin Senior Center)

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/DocumentCenter/View/9890

***   Town Meetings today ***

Franklin Housing Authority Meeting

Monday, August 10 Time: 4:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08102026-2437 

Franklin Public School Horace Mann Legacy Sub Committee Meeting

Monday, August 10 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08042026-2436 

Planning Board Meeting

Monday, August 10 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08102026-2438 

250th Anniversary Celebration Committee Meeting

Monday, August 10 Time: 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08102026-2439 

---------

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

Horace Mann Legacy Meeting Monday, Policy Subcmte & School Cmte Meeting Tuesday,

While the School Committee (& subcommittees) were relatively quiet during July, they are back this 2nd week of August.

• Franklin Public School Horace Mann Legacy Sub Committee Meeting

Rep Jeff Roy is scheduled for a visit to get an update on the work of the committee

Monday, August 10 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08042026-2436 

• Franklin School Committee Policy Subcommittee Meeting

A bunch of potential policies for review 7 revision are listed on the agenda

Tuesday, August 11 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08112026-2442 

• Franklin School Committee Meeting

Among the standard agenda items is the approval of the submission to the Town Annual Report, and a 2nd reading on the restraint policy reviewed at a prior meeting

Tuesday, August 11 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08112026-2448 

Horace Mann Legacy Subcommittee begins to coalesce around their work plan

FM #1778 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1778 in the series. 

This session shares the exclusive audio from the Horace Mann Legacy Subcommittee Meeting held on Monday, July 13, 2026. The meeting was held in the 3rd floor training room. 

 

The recording runs about 62 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1778-horace-mann-legacy-mtg-07-13-26/

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

Meeting agenda 

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07132026-2401 

My notes in one PDF 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/11J-yJbzxMfv9e7G0IOUHFQ_Ouj6Q5xY9/view?usp=drive_link 

Horace Mann trifold used beginning at Strawberry Stroll

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KfKvOLhuXlzlor53vvErcTONj-6FFk24/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"

Agenda for the Horace Mann Legacy Subcommittee - Monday, July 13 at 7 PM

Franklin Public Schools - Franklin School Committee

Horace Mann Legacy Subcommittee

July 13, 2026 = 7:00 PM

Municipal Building - 3rd Floor Training Room

AGENDA

"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."

● Campus Design Update

● Financial Review

● Farmer's Market Event

The agenda doc also contains remote participation info

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07132026-2401

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Monday, May 4, 2026 ???

Monday, May 4    

Horace Mann's Birthday (1796)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horace_Mann

For 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

Note: Senior Center checking on why their events are suddenly being shown as "All Day". You can use the monthly newsletter for specific program/event times

***  NO  Town Meetings today   ***

----------

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

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sunday, May 3, 2026 ???

Sunday, May 3

1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

1:15pm Sunday Speaker: Horace Mann (Franklin Historical Museum)

***  NO  Town Meetings today   ***

----------

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

Audio replay of the Horace Mann Legacy Subcmte Meeting April 27, 2027 is ready (audio)

FM #1739 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1739 in the series. 

Horace Mann birthplace monument in Franklin 

This session shares the exclusive audio from the Horace Mann Legacy Subcommittee Meeting held on Monday, April 27, 2026. The meeting was held in the 3rd floor training room. 

 

The recording runs about 1 hour & 21 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio link -  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1739-horace-mann-legacy-subcmte-mtg-04-27-26/

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

Meeting agenda https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04272026-2263 

My notes in one PDF 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1K0YXyEp3-9Y9AVbFRFm9kub4XsBW11nx/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"

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, May 2, 2026 ???

Saturday, May 2

9:00am Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

10:00am Horace Mann Birthday Party - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

10:00am    Windphone Pebble Paint (Franklin Public Library)

10:30am    Weekend Wiggles!    (Franklin Public Library)

10:30am Jane Jacobs Walk (Franklin TV and Radio 102.9 FM)

12:00pm Post Walk Gathering (Franklin TV and Radio 102.9 FM)

7:00pm Rob Bellamy (live music) (La Cantina Winery)

7:30pm Electric Youth & The Bost Show Band (THE BLACK BOX)

8:00pm Karaoke at The Raillery (Raillery Public House)

***  NO  Town Meetings today   ***

----------

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