Boston Globe: "The budgets for the bus go up and up"

"Massachusetts is set for another year of statewide municipal budget strain. With high inflation pushing up costs, and Prop 2½ constraining how much cities and towns can raise taxes, this spring will likely lead to tense town hall meetings across the state.

One budgetary strain stands out in particular: the skyrocketing cost of transporting schoolchildren. There are steps the state could take to ease this growing burden, and as more towns renegotiate their bus contracts and face massive jumps in costs, lawmakers should take a closer look at remedying this fiscal land mine.

FPS buses in the Holmes yard on Panther Way

In Fall River, school bus transportation costs ballooned from $8 million a year in 2021 to nearly $16 million in 2025. In 2024, Dartmouth was hit with a 26 percent increase in school transportation costs, with only one company bidding for the work. Last year, despite cutting eight buses from its fleet, Marlborough paid 8 percent more in the first year of its new transportation contract.

First: The industry of school bus transportation has changed dramatically since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Rich LaBrie, a consultant at Alliance Education Associates who specializes in school transportation. Pre-pandemic school bus drivers were, on average, older than other trucking professionals, rarely afforded health benefits, and generally worked only part-time."

Continue reading with this "shared" link -   https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/02/10/opinion/school-bus-costs/?s_campaign=sharetool_copypaste_view

Franklin Police ran “Operation Magic School Bus” on Wednesday; be aware, they'll be back

Franklin Police ran “Operation Magic School Bus”

OPERATION MAGIC SCHOOL BUS

This morning we executed “Operation Magic School Bus” in partnership with Holmes Busing.

We’ve noticed an increase in complaints online regarding motor vehicle violations surrounding school buses picking up kids in the morning. Operation Magic School Bus paired an officer in an unmarked patrol cruiser with a bus driver. We followed behind their routes and enforced school bus violations.

To those who choose to violate our school bus laws willingly, carelessly, or negligently, just know the Magic School Bus Unit is out there.

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17zh66X6Z4/

Tri-County bus routes for 2025-2026 to be aware of

Tri-County bus routes for 2025-2026 to be aware of

The Tri-County Regional bus routes are available for review. Several (but not all) of the buses have Franklin stops (except for the destination).

https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4143/Tri_County_Vocational_Tech/52058d34-97e9-4a27-9b0d-a5f50203a8dd/TC-Bus-Routes-2025-2026.pdf?disposition=inline

Shared from ->   https://www.instagram.com/p/DN3CP6JXPGm/

What are the Franklin school bus routes? When do they run?

The Franklin Public School bus routes were sent to parents/families on August 19. For those of us who may be driving around Franklin during the 6:30 AM to 8:15 AM time frame, the bus stops and routes are available here.

FPS bus communication memo -> 

What are the Franklin school bus routes?
When do they run?

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/5969489/8-19_Bus_Route_Communication.pdf

FPS bus routes for 2025-2026 ->   https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/5969464/8-19_FPS_Bus_Routes.pdf

Other bus and transportation items can be found on the PFS page ->   https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/transportation/

Franklin School Cmte: Policy Subcmte Mtg - 06/24/25 (exclusive audio)

FM #1475 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1475 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee Policy Subcmte meeting held on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. 2 members participated in this virtual session; Chair O’Sullivan and member McNeill, Callaghan was absent.  Supt Giguere, Ops Director Boisvert, Jana Melotti and Dr Rogers represented the Central Office.

Quick recap:

• Primary discussion on this agenda is fees, recommendation to keep the current 3 tier approach with the minor adjustment of moving wrestling from Tier 3 to Tier 2, from $350 to 600, Tier 1 remains at $1000. Fees can't be reduced due to the shortage of revenue from failed override

• Athletic fees approved by 2-0-1 vote (Chair O'Sullivan & McNeill present, Callaghan absent)

• Transportation fee discussion background on how the $387 was calculated to be the base charge with a cap. 2.5% escalation built into the prior schedule. Attempting to increase/keep ridership up as part of the redistricting; 2492 registered, 2466 for past year, 16 on waitlist

• Motion to accept new fee schedule, $387, cap at 3 riders (1161) Second, passes 2-0-1

• Question on research for boosters supporting stipends for after hour clubs, etc. Research into policy, state law on what is possible, what are the rules of the road via info for support from boosters. How do we all work together on this? Yes, that can be liked into

• Question on police detail for building rentals, are we comparable to other towns? Can we scale requirements based on attendance? Yes, that can be liked into

• Motion to adjourn, passes 2-0-1 (1 absent)

The recording runs about 20 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1475-school-cmte-policy-subcmte-mtg-06-24-25/

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The meeting agenda can be found -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06242025-1792 

My full set of notes taken during the meeting can be found in one PDF ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1i6scbz2f-uqM-vwN3dIzVzXwlL8Jh7wn/view?usp=drive_link

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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. 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.

Franklin School Cmte: Policy Subcmte
Mtg - 06/24/25 (exclusive audio)

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 Bus Registration open until June 20

School Bus Registration open until June 20

Don’t forget to register for School Bus Transportation if you haven’t already!

Registration is open now through June 20.

Visit https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/transportation/ for more information!

Chasity & Jillian share the May 2025 event highlights happening at the Senior Center (audio)

FM #1441 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1441 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Chasity Cheng, Senior Center Deputy Director and Jillian Rochat, Administrative Assistant, both with the Franklin Senior Center. We had our discussion in the Franklin Radio Studio on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.

 

We talk about 

• All the key event highlights for May, including

• Eat around the World - Australia

• Van and pavilion ribbon cutting May 15 at 10 AM

• Veterans breakfast May 23

• Teasers for June, including the Senior Olympics

The show notes include links to the Senior Center page, the calendar of events, and to subscribe to the monthly newsletter. 

The recording runs about 39 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1441-senior-ctr-may-2025-event-highlights-04-30-25/

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Franklin Senior Center page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/583/Franklin-Senior-Center-Council-on-Aging 

May 2025 newsletter -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5446/May-2025-Newsletter?bidId= 

Senior Center calendar view (just FSC events) -> https://franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37&showPastEvents=false 

Subscribe to the newsletter -> by calling 508-520-4945

Olympics musical snippet borrowed from https://archive.org/details/tvtunes_10963?

 

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

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 it!

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

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Chasity & Jillian share the May 2025 event highlights happening at the Senior Center (audio)

This Chalkboard Chat condenses the School Committee meeting of April 29, 2025 (audio)

FM #1440 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1440 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 in the Studio on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. We had the opportunity to recap the School Committee meeting of April 29, 2025. 

 

We cover 

• Transportation, busing sign up now active, due by June 20

• Elementary Report Cards 

• Letter of Support 

• Campus Naming Discussion

• Override discussion, vote on or before June 3; any questions, please reach out to find out

The recording runs about 33 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1440-chalkboard-chat-04-30-25/

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

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

Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/ZUcSpIZK3Ms?&t=175

Meeting agenda doc -> https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/5568671/SCAGENDA_4-29-25.pdf 

Elementary Report Cards = https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/5568674/Discussion_Action_A_-_Elem._Report_Cards.pdf 

Letter of Support = 

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/5568677/Discussion_Action_B_-_Letter_of_Support.pdf 

Meeting packet folder -> https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2024---25-meeting-packets/april-29%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/792078 

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

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"

 

This Chalkboard Chat condenses the School Committee meeting of April 29, 2025 (audio)