Lucas & Colin close out the 2025-26 School Year & talk summer projects (audio)

FM #1768 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1768 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my discussion with School Superintendent Lucas Giguere and Operations Director Colin Boisvert. We recorded our conversation in the FPS Central office conference room on Monday, June 15, 2026.  

Key topics

• Closing out the 2025-2026 school year

• School budget complete, summer work back to ‘normal’

• Summer projects across the schools to get ready for September

• Reflections on last summer, plans for summer 2026

The recording runs about 35 minutes. Let’s listen to our conversation.

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1768-franklin-public-schools-2025-26-school-year-closeout-06-15-26/

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School budget page -  https://www.franklinps.net/documents/about-us/school-district-budget(2)/fy2027-budget/860340 

One page summary - https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/Fpsd/2a015b07-c2a9-4913-ab84-2c2b384961b1/FY27-FPS-1-pager-Budget-Request.pdf?disposition=inline 

Facilities presentation - (add link when available) 

Community calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar 

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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

• 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!

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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"

School Committee gets updates on Facilities, AI, and evaluates the Superintendent (audio)

FM #1766 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1766 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at 7:00 PM. 6 members of the Committee participated, 1 absent. 

Quick recap

• Presentation and discussion on Facilities focused on school projects completed as part of the redistricting, and those left remaining, some of which are funded, some are pending funding and some are for future

• Presentation and discussion on the potential intentional implementation of AI as an educational tool as well as how to use AI being taught to the students. The work over the last four months has developed 4 main principles to guide the further discussion and planning. Additional updates will be made as progress is made

• Superintendent evaluation was discussed and approved. The doc with the feedback, goals and accomplishments is to be posted to the Schools page soon

• The Committee entered into Executive Session not to return to open meeting for contract negotiations approx. 10:30 PM

Let’s listen (approx. 3 hours & 15 minutes)

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1766-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-06-09-26/

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Franklin TV video is available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/live/hgHgIZ5L_iY?&t=235 

The agenda document https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06092026-2356  

The presentations documents should be posted to this folder   https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2025---26-meeting-packets/june-9%2C-2026-sc-meeting-packet/28109200 

 

Photos of the Facility presentation

https://photos.app.goo.gl/t3rkbwCxnDm6A9Wy6 

Photos of the AI discussion presentation

https://photos.app.goo.gl/TqNxhuTk8og7WqRp8 

The working 4 guiding principles on AI as presented

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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

• 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 gets update on Lifelong Learning at March 24 session (audio)

FM #1712 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1712 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 7:00 PM. All 7 members of the Committee were present in Chambers. 

Quick recap:

• Students scheduled for the pledge got to the meeting for the incorrect 6 PM start and will be rescheduled to another meeting

• Superintendent's report

• substitute nurses being looked for

• Winter sports round up

• earmark funded for middle school library (still needs to make through the budget cycle)

• Innovation labs grant also awarded

• FHS family science night April 9 from 5 to 8 pm

• Lifelong learning update

• For Solutions, the students to teacher ratios; K - 1 to 10, others grades are 1 to 12, 1 to 13

• Footlighters program hiring for, trying to fulfill that position, complications in the hiring process had hindered the hiring to date. Still being worked

• Over 900 adults taking part, a wide variety of offerings from sports to arts, etc.

• Funding question, Lifelong learning is effectively another revolving fund, fee based and those fees can only be used within the program

• Discussion/Action Items

• A.   Student Opportunities Act Plan Vote

• B. Endorsement of Request for Statement of Interest for Development of Strategic Plan

• both passed by 7-0 votes

• Subcommittee updates

• Citizen comment - I stepped up to say thanks for the participation at the Q&A and to provide 2 future dates for their calendars

• April 18, Favorite Poem Reading at the Library 

• On May 2, the 3rd annual Jane Jacobs walk, meet at the TV studio walk about 1 mile or so, return to the studio. Discussions of housing, zoning, which are all budget related. It is a generally good discussion with insights shared

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1712-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-03-24-26/

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The Franklin TV video is available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/live/uQe3rLUq6e8?&t=87 

The agenda for this session - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03242026-2201 

My full set of notes taken during the meeting in one PDF -  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZuJSdiqLK1QBa9NdcjVsk5KVX7AH2MX3/view?usp=drive_link 

Photo album of the slides presented for Lifelong Learning

https://photos.app.goo.gl/adaJ3sZeYK5ih5t28 

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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

• 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 their last session of their elected term - 10/28/25 (audio)

FM #1570 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1570 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. All 7 members of the committee were present. 

Quick recap:

• Recognition of Erin Gallagher & David McNeill not returning

• Pledge students, a nice touch

• Policy first readings

• Graduation requirements

• Competency determinations

• Superintendent’s Goals, aligned with District’s Goals

• October 1 report, enrollment trends

The audio runs about  1 hour 33 minutes. Let's listen in ->

https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1570-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-10-28-25/

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Franklin TV video is available for replay -> 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtitdxM_a2A  

The agenda doc -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10282025-1977   

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/october-28%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/859754   

My full set of notes in one PDF -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-utM6sD6UggBNAMgWnQsG0g_lfmqo-on/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 Chair Dave Callaghan condenses the recent meeting to about 25 mins (audio)

FM #1566 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1566 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with School Committee Chairperson Dave Callaghan. This is a new episode of our continuing “Chalkboard Chat” series. We had our discussion via Zoom on Thursday, October 30, 2025. We had the opportunity to recap the School Committee meeting of October 28, 2025. 

 

We cover 

• Recognition of Erin Gallagher & David McNeill not returning

• Pledge students, a nice touch

• Policy first readings

• Graduation requirements

• Competency determinations

• Superintendent’s Goals, aligned with District’s Goals

• October 1 report, enrollment trends 

The meeting recap runs about 26 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1566-chalkboard-chat-10-30-25/

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Contact info for Dave Callaghan -> callaghand@franklinps.net   

Franklin TV video is available for replay -> 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtitdxM_a2A 

The agenda doc -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10282025-1977 

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/october-28%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/859754 

My full set of notes in one PDF -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-utM6sD6UggBNAMgWnQsG0g_lfmqo-on/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 Chair Dave Callaghan condenses the recent meeting to about 25 mins (audio)