Quick Recap:
- The FHS student updates were interrupted by some members of the audience, a shouting match ensued, and a break in the meeting was gaveled by the Chair
- As the meeting back to business, they heard a presentation from the Science National Honor Society, status update on re-opening, and the Oct 1 enrollment report (with lots of details)
- The MASC resolutions were discussed, and while most passed, the exact vote outcome was not clear (all seven members were in the Chambers and roll call was not required)
- Given the DESE decision to extend the mask policy was announced Tuesday afternoon, the policy proposal had been reworded to provide room for implementation of future changes. The decision to apply for the waiver (as FHS has reached 82% vaccination rate) was approved. The masks don't go away immediately. The next school committee will hear of the proposed implementation plan before it is set in motion. Given what has been happening around with other districts, a cautious approach is quite likely with more of a relaxed implementation after the holidays (assuming the number of COVID cases remains low)
- Recognition of the three members not returning (they are not running for re-election) was moved from meeting opening to just before the Executive Session. They received a plaque and a token of appreciation
- The Committee entered executive session not to return to public meeting and the broadcast/live stream ended
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As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real time via the Zoom/live stream
The Twitter hashtag can be found online #schcom1026
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23schcom1026&src=typed_query
Agenda doc -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/scagenda_10-26-21_0.pdf
Meeting packet folder - > https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/october-22-2021-school-committee-meeting-packet
Photos captured during the meeting and shared via Twitter can be found in one folder https://photos.app.goo.gl/8pD4yEPwTQjcSLhh7
- Getting ready for live tweeting/ reporting on the Franklin #schcom1026 meeting
- Meeting packet folder contains agenda doc, connection info, and anything else released 4 this meeting. Superintendent's report gets added on Weds https://franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/october-22-2021-school-committee-meeting-packet… #schcom1026
- In a time warp? #schcom10126 we'll find out soon…
- Something of a time warp in that the live stream started before some folks were allowed into the Zoom session (at least me) #schcom1026
- Motion to move the recognition of departing members to end of meeting, moved, seconded, (to conclude all business) before executive session #schcom1026 passes (likely 7-0; to be confirmed as members are viewed)
- Citizen comment on 'protected students' who is who determines? Shouldn't be a division looking for definition. #schcom1026
- Husband of candidate Videra reads the section left out of the statement from the candidate forum quote from The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
- Parent with comment on student lunch time and recess time, Franklin has done nothing in the 8 years she has been complaining about, then shifts to sex talk for 9 year olds, "the hate you give" being read earlier than recommended #schcom1026
- Parent speaking on the DESE extension and lack of initiative for FPS to go on their own, #schcom1026 no survey done of parents to see where they fall on this
- Parent talking about possible coercion for vaccine to kids as discussed by SchCom at prior meeting
- Resident complains about the lack of Franklin TV for making the #SchCom1026 videos available.
- FHS students plugging production of "Mamma Mia" Nov 12-13; trunk or treat this weekend in FHS parking lot; National Honor society project to run theater clinic for elementary students; #schcom1026 Medway doing regular testing in lieu of masks
- FHS seniors coming back and now starting to feel stress as college apps are being done, hard transition; enforcing masks, students not following be considerate of those around and their well-being #schcom1026
- Spirit week, include photos to add soul to the school, gym decorated, corner colors by class, cabaret last week, Dalton award from Globe for sports, #schcom1026 student responds to protected student question, everyone is protected
- Meeting takes a break as parent objects to FHS student comment on harassment and voices are raised #schcom1026
- Chair gaveled for break after request for silence was not adhered to, zoom muted, live stream audio switch to radio. Assume it will come back some time #schcom1026
- Someone on Zoom complaining about violating open meeting, actually no. Once gaveled for a break, they are not in an official meeting, when they gavel back the meeting will resume. #schcom1026
- Gaveling back to order. #schcom1026
- Everyone was respectful in their comments, that same respect should be accorded the FHS students. #schcom1026
- Next up Superintendent Report, Professional development schedule for Nov 2; congrats to FHS for Dalton award, leaving room for parking at the gym for election #schcom1026 FDA working towards making vaccine available when approved in a local clinic
- With round of committee option to comment or question the report, confirms that all seven are indeed in the Chambers this evening #schcom1026
- FHS students presenting on national honor society for science #schcom1026 https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/sci-nhs
- Screen grabs on science nights conducted by group pre-COVID #schcom1026
- YouTube channel created during COVID to share the experiments #schcom1026
- Working with elementary school to develop a science project for their curriculum #schcom1026 ad-hoc comments on promotion of DEI setting a good role model for younger students given tonight's events
- Next up discussion action item; MASC resolutions for delegate representation at conf next week, motion on resolution 1 https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/d-res #schcom1026 vote not clear but would pass (Pfeffer no, someone else no, possible abstain also)
- MASC resolution 2 Pfeffer also speaks to no on this, (the resolution would enable MASC to lobby on our behalf for these) #schcom1026 vote likely 6-1
- Resolution 3 - Pfeffer also speaks to no, Keenan where is the prioritization on these? How does that come to play? Superintendent adds some clarification around funding and priorities and funding sources, res 4 would require time on learning change for recess #schcom1026 Vote on res 3, likely 6-1
- #schcom1026 resolution 4 Pfeffer also speaks to no due to her lack of understanding of the wording; vote likely 6-1
- Resolution 5 - Pfeffer likes this one! Zero tolerance policy should be avoided whenever possible, use restorative practice, vote 7-0
- Resolution 6 an alternative to MCAS, vote 7-0
- Resolution 7 SchComm and receivership; Pfeffer speaks to no on this (?) Discussion on this as intending to restoration of local control - vote 6-1 likely #schcom1026
- Resolution 8 - Pfeffer too altruistic statement, chances of getting in her opinion slim to none, voting no; vote hard to say but likely not passed
- Resolution 9 - voting 6-1 #schcom1026
- Policy for approval https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/d-b-pol-2ndrd #schcom1026 vote 7-0
- Policy for approval https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/d-c-pol-1strd move to second reading vote 7-0
- Policy on face coverings https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/d-e-pol-adoption #schcom1026 FHS at 82% would allow for approval of waiver to DESE motion to waive 1st reading, assume waiver approved would come back with implementation plan vote 7-0
- Motion on policy to approve, passes 7-0 #schcom1026, implementation plan would still come back to Committee for approval (likely post election)
- Reopening report/ Oct 1 enrollment report
- Reopening report; smaller increase in vaccination rates, info is accurate, DESE has time delay in reporting, ours is direct access; #schcom1026 https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/10-22-status-update
- Oct 1 enrollment update https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/october_1_enrollment_report_2021.pdf
- Update on McKibben study and look back, lunch is free, may have deterred folks from applying previously, free lunch #s, more English learners in district this year; increase in diversity among student population #schcom1026 page 5 indicates resident students going elsewhere
- Page 6 will be updated after another report is filed, timeline on charter expansion includes in recap, 33 students from FHS last year did attend an online school in MA #schcom1026
- Policy subcom has been busy, joint PCC last meeting today attended by Pfeffer, good work being done by group, equitable spending across the elementary schools being looked at #schcom1026 adventure continues; SWAC touts upcoming forum on Nov 16 for community, flyer coming, hybrid
- New business; Nov 9, organization meeting, vote on leadership and subcommittees; MCAS update later in Nov, update on waiver and next steps for facial covering implementation (assuming waiver accepted) #schcom1026 consent agenda approved, passes 7-0
- Recognition of departing #schcom1026 members, last two years were most challenging, pandemic, budget, facility analysis; Keenan first, Pfeffer next, Bergen next
- Photos to be added, plaque, token of appreciation given to the three members in recognition #schcom1026
- Keenan: Appreciate the patience, we haven't always agreed but is has been an honor and a privilege, it takes a lot to whomever is elected, keep it civil and kind, #schcom1026 "it is easier to listen the more civil and kind it is"
- Pfeffer: to do this properly we need to ask questions, examine the costs and manpower, how does the school get money? how does the town get money? New members should be given a copy of Roberts Rules of Order #schcom1026
- Bergen: thanks to the community for the honor of serving, thanks for your patience in the world of Zoom, tech is not one of my strengths; showed concern for staff as well as the students; wrote a few closing remarks - the Portrait of a Graduate is an impressive accomplishment
- Schools and town services are affected by the budget shortfall it is up to the residents to decide, we provide an objective transparent view of the budget and issues, legislative forums among others outreach efforts #schcom1026
- Rigorous academic education as well as physical emotional well-being, what Horace Mann knew, opioid problem hasn't gone away, emotional health issues are growing around us, a community issue, #schcom1026 we need to understand the toll it takes on us and the children
- In my time, 9 superintendents, never had one dealt with the challenges that Dr Ahern has in her term, it has not been done by her alone, along with her central office staff and the principals across the district, the whole staff bus drivers, custodians, etc. #schcom1026
- Thanks to Chris Sterns and Franklin TV for making the meetings happen, thanks, Horace Mann would be proud of us today. #schcom1026
- MJ interjects to give thanks, Judy jokes that she'll go to the Planning Board next. MJ acknowledges knowing Dr Bergen and working with her
- Motion to enter executive session, not to return to open meeting, to discuss negotiation and legal issues Via roll call passes 7-0
- That's all for tonight (yup, late to this, what a night!) #schcom1026
- Audio recording of meeting to be available in couple of days
The YouTube version of the meeting can be found https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/what-happened-at-franklin-school.html
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| FHS Science National Honor Society provides update |
