FM #1669 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1669 in the series.
This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 6:00 PM. All 7 members of the committee were present in the virtual session conducted via Zoom. Superintendent Lucas Giguere, Asst Supt Tina Rogers, Asst Supt Paula Marano, School Business Administrator Jana Melotti also participated.
Quick recap:
Superintendent’s report, Lucas Giguere provides an update on the snow day processing, thanks to DPW for snow removal efforts, thanks also to the community for staying off the roads to enable clean up efforts.
Schools opening Weds with 2 hour delay, emergency bus ops ready to pick up students as usual. Appreciate flexibility with schedule during this winter period.
Callaghan compliments Lucas for coordinating with DPW, Lucas was able to do a ride along with Brutus during Monday, an amazing experience
Clarification on the 1 hour delay for teachers, vs. what had been happening prior. Intentional to help stagger the staff arrival vs. students
School Budget for FY 2027
FY 2027 line item detail - https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/Fpsd/2310ad24-dbbf-4303-850c-7485da4d9089/FY27-Line-by-Line-Item.pdf?disposition=inline
Business Manager Jana provides clarification on the Medicaid line item. Medical reimbursement is intricate, services provided to students per medical treatment plan. Parental approval required for billing and reimbursement, takes time to process
O'Sullivan provides comments on the prior Town Council discussion on the capital budget where some comments were inappropriate and divisive. Wants to continue the coordination and collaboration among Town and School orgs
2.5% increase over the prior year budget; within line with the Town requests for all departments
Vote on the motion, via roll call Passes 7-0
Lucas thanks the committee for the support in bringing in the budget in the advanced timeline, and for the direction as needed from time to time
B. Discussion Action B – 2026-27 School Calendar Vote I recommend adoption of the 2026-27 School Calendar as discussed.
Dr Rogers provides updates on the survey (parents & staff) in development of the school calendar for the next year
Q on what could be done to avoid further extension to last day? June 25 is currently last day, only option would be looking at the April vacation. A delay opening or an early dismissal both count as school days. Hoping for the best.
Last day is a half day and the other extended days are full days. Last year 4 half days were added to assist in prep for the move, redistricting last year.
Able to reduce half days due to cycle of curriculum development and community desires, may need go with more in a future calendar; tradeoffs on both sides for staff and students with the half days on Fridays
Q why choice of Friday as half days? A - two days on the calendar already as "have to" due to coordination with other districts, so to be consistent, the rest fell in.
Q what does the attendance record look like for half days leading to the weekend? A - don't have the data at hand but it can be factored in
Q better understanding of elementary va middle/high school parents A - 75% were primary level responses
FHS graduation June 4, 2027 was left off the draft shared before meeting, it has been added and wouldn't change
Chair Griffith adds to some of the statistical analysis of the survey in confirming the decisions made
Friday with half days vs. 5 Mondays we have no control over. A balancing act for both side
Want to be careful in the data dive and not wanting to make a choice between sets of parents when the calendar is meant for the whole district/community. Can help to reinforce use of the responses to hopefully get a broader representation of the families
With no further discussion, vote on the motion via roll call , passes 7-0
Round of updates from the subcommittee that have met or are scheduled to meet.
Citizen comment - just one tonight from Councilor Max Morrongiello commending them on the budget development and coming in with only the 2.5% increase
First use of Threads to capture my notes and I am disappointed with it (apparently doesn’t keep them in sequence, and doesn’t keep all of them - for use in reporting those items are unacceptable.)
The recording runs about 1 hours and 20 minutes
Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1669-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-02-24-26/--------------
Franklin TV video - https://youtu.be/FsWd1552cuI?si=-qL8Jn8EdgTYGMSJ&t=355
All the docs associated with the budget for FY 2027
https://www.franklinps.net/documents/about-us/school-district-budget(2)/fy2027-budget/860340
Meeting agenda and released documents
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/02/franklin-ma-agenda-for-school-committee.html
Thread copy (such as it is) https://www.threads.com/@franklinmatters.ma/post/DVKIebXCTFa?xmt=AQF0enqjCQ787Jhw-3viCokfG2ha2bg2P_v68RDjQX5ZO8eS5KmTmExOsExiXTFmTe28bMI&slof=1
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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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