FPS Redistricting Advisory Cmte meeting of Feb 7, 2023 (audio)

FM #937 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 937 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Franklin Public Schools Redistricting Advisory Committee Meeting held in hybrid format with folks at the FHS Media Center on Tuesday, February 7, 2023 as well as some members who participated remotely.

Given this was a working session, the major whole group sections of the meeting audio is what is shared here. There is one break in the audio when the breakout discussion was held at each table. The audio for the table breakout is replaced by a brief music interlude.

Quick Recap

• Review of the objectives and timeline

• Presentation on 3 options depicted in a new “storymap”

• Feedback discussed at each table and to be collected via survey form for the committee

• Next steps - public forums scheduled for Mar 7 and Mar 13 with survey form to collect feedback. Both sessions will present same material; one in person, one via remote

• Next advisory meeting Mar 21 to prepare for School Committee presentation scheduled for Apr 25 and School Committee vote scheduled for May 9

The edited meeting audio recording runs about 72 minutes. Let’s listen to whole group discussion position of Redistricting Advisory Committee Meeting of Feb 7

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-937-fps-redistricting-advisory-cmte-mtg-02-07-23

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Agenda doc for Feb 7, 2023 meeting

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/events/redistricting_advisory_subcom_2_7_23.pdf 

Redistricting Advisory Committee page ->

https://www.franklinps.net/school-committee/2023-redistricting-advisory-committee 

My notes in one Twitter threader document   

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yLyRq1KAklkXvAIJEUfiSu72zKG_DRZ2/view?usp=share_link 

The photo album shared via Twitter of the pix taken of the meeting and presentation slides https://photos.app.goo.gl/v5bVgM8RrhD2bejP6 

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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

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"

FPS Redistricting Advisory Cmte meeting of Feb 7, 2023 (audio)

Franklin Public School Redistricting Analysis - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Revised December 15th, 2022

Q: What is Redistricting?

A: School attendance zones define school enrollment based on residential address. Simplified, Redistricting is the action of altering school attendance zones.

Q: What is a Redistricting Analysis?

A: A Redistricting Analysis, involves the examination of projected enrollment, facility usage to support instructional capacity, geographical proximity for families and transportation related logistics across the district and town, ensuring an equitable and diverse distribution of students. The Redistricting Analysis process champions community input by soliciting feedback based on data driven scenarios facilitated by the redistricting analysis consultant (Applied Geographics) and presented to the Franklin Public Schools Redistricting Advisory Committee and Franklin Community.

Q: Why are we doing a Redistricting Analysis?

A: The decision to pursue a redistricting analysis was a result of the following findings…

• Franklin’s last redistricting effort was in 2002 with the opening of the Helen Keller/ Annie Sullivan complex, 20 years ago. The needs of the district have altered over time
• Usage of space has evolved to prepare students with the essential skills outlined in the Franklin Public School’s Portrait of a Graduate, promote student engagement and support student learning with a variety of specialized programs designed to meet evolving student needs
• The Davis Thayer School was closed in 2021, Davis Thayer students were then transferred to Helen Keller Elementary school
• Total enrollment is forecasted to decline until 2026 - 2027 and it is anticipated there will be an gradual increase anticipated in 2029 - 2030*

*Referencing the Franklin Public Schools Population and Enrollment McKibben Study (2019)*

Redistricting is a necessary process that allows public school districts to evaluate the distribution of students and optimize facility utilization to best support educational programming within the district for the foreseeable future.

Q: What is the Redistricting Advisory Committee?

A: The Redistricting Advisory Committee will participate in a redistricting analysis of Franklin Public Schools in collaboration with AppGeo Redistricting Analysis Consultant by providing input, feedback, and local context on proposed scenarios to potential updates to attendance boundaries within Franklin. The committee is composed of parents/ guardians, educators, District and building based administration and school committee members.

Q: I’m not on the Redistricting Advisory Committee, how do I provide input?

A: Once scenarios have been workshopped through the Redistricting Advisory Committee, we will present opportunities for public input as part of the Community Feedback phase.

 

Q: Who makes the decision on Redistricting?

A: The final decision regarding redistricting rests with the Franklin School Committee.

Q: When will a decision be made on Redistricting?

A: After facilitating community input and working with the redistricting advisory committee, the Space Needs Subcommittee will present findings and possible recommendations for the School Committee late Spring 2023. The School Committee will make any related decisions thereafter.

Q: Will Schools be closed?

A: There is no predetermined plan for redistricting. The purpose of the redistricting analysis is to provide a thorough examination of district needs. A data driven and community informed process will result in a recommendation(s) that will be presented to the school committee, who will make the final decision regarding redistricting that best serves distinct needs.

Q: Weren’t scenarios for projected enrollment proposed in the 2020 Facilities Assessment Report? Why aren’t we just presenting those scenarios?

A: The 2020 Facilities Assessment Report was completed by our consultant (Kaestle Boos Associates). Some scenarios proposed in the 2020 Facilities Assessment Report may be explored by our redistricting consultant to inform/guide proposed scenarios. The 2020 Facilities Assessment Report did not account for the space required by in-district specialized programming to meet the special education needs of the district which can vary from year to year. The District has done research on the use of each facility to then account for our specialized programs along with our redistricting analysis consultant, to ensure we are completing a comprehensive analysis that considers the impact of our specialized programs.

If you have additional questions, please visit our Redistricting Analysis webpage at www.franklinps.net/district/redistricting-analysis for more information. Additional questions can be directed via email to redistrictinganalysis@franklinps.net.

Franklin Public School Redistricting Analysis - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Redistricting Advisory Committee holds their Kickoff session Tuesday - 11/15/22 (audio)

FM #879 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 879 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Franklin Public Schools Redistricting Advisory Committee Kickoff Meeting held in the FHS Media Center on Tuesday, November 15, 2022. Some members participated remotely.   

Given this was a working session, the major whole group sections of the meeting audio is what is shared here. There are breaks in the audio when 

• The members at each table introduced themselves

• Time to read the handout before the breakout discussion was provided

• The breakout discussion was held at each table

The breaks are indicated by a few seconds of music then the group discussion resumes

The edit meeting audio recording runs about 55 minutes. Let’s listen to Redistricting Advisory Committee Kick off Meeting

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-879-fps-redistricting-advisory-cmte-kickoff-11-15-22

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Kickoff meeting agenda -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/11/reminder-franklin-school-committee.html 

Redistricting Advisory Committee page ->

https://www.franklinps.net/school-committee/2023-redistricting-advisory-committee 

Davis Thayer Facility Analysis page -> (includes links to McKibben demographics and Kaestle Boos Facility Assessment report) https://www.franklinps.net/district/davis-thayer-facilities-analysis

My notes in one Twitter threader document   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jE0y-NVlHADF3I4LYRUvaAwEfSZIRJG8/view?usp=share_link 

The photo album shared via Twitter of the pix taken of the meeting and presentation slides   https://photos.app.goo.gl/qnVcuezxBXi2T4Hb8 

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

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

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"

Redistricting Advisory Committee holds their Kickoff session Tuesday

Reminder: Franklin School Committee - Redistricting Advisory Subcommittee - Nov 15, 2022 at 6 PM

 Franklin Public Schools - Franklin School Committee

Redistricting Advisory Subcommittee

November 15, 2022 - 6:00 PM

Franklin High School Media Center

A G E N D A

"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."

● Call to Order

● Introductions

● Project Goals and Objectives

● Timeline

● Project Approach/Workflow

● Guiding Principles

● Town Background

● District Background

● Questions/Discussion

● Adjourn

The agenda with remote connection info ->

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/redistricting_advisory_subcom.pdf

Redistricting Advisory Subcommittee - Nov 15, 2022 at 6 PM

School Committee: Space Needs Subcommittee Meeting - June 6 at 6:30 PM

Space Needs Subcommittee Meeting

Virtual Meeting (Link in agenda)

A G E N D A

"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."

● Call to Order

● Discussion of Data

● Preparation for 6/14 School Committee Presentation

● Adjourn

Agenda doc and remote connection info (meeting is virtual only)

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/spaceneedssubcom-6_6_22.pdf

School Committee: Space Needs Subcommittee Meeting  - June 6 at 6:30 PM

School Committee Space Needs Subcommittee - 05/10/22 (audio)

FM #792 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 792 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the School Committee - Space Needs Subcommittee meeting held in the 3rd floor training room on Tuesday, May 10, 2022. 

The meeting reviewed data requested about aspects of the study in the prior meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for June 6 to preview the update to be provided to the full School Committee at the regularly scheduled meeting of June 14, 2022.

SubCmte Chair - Al Charles; committee members - Denise Spencer, Elise Stokes; Central office support - Supt Sara Ahern, Business Manager Miriam Goodman, Student Services Director Paula Marano.

The recording runs about 55 minutes, so let’s listen to the Space Needs discussion on May 10, 2022. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-792-schcmte-space-needs-subcmte-mtg-05-10-22

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Meeting agenda =>    https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/05/space-needs-facilities-assessment.html 

My notes for the meeting =>  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rP5gMrQv4kgPi2EdbaevJcypfk5Jh20V/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

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 Space Needs Subcommittee - 05/10/22 (audio)

Fertility Rates: Declined for Younger Women, Increased for Older Women (US Census data)

Demographics is a topic coming up from time to time in discussions around Franklin. What is our population? Why is our school population declining? The US Census stats show that our student population decline is not unique to Franklin.

Stable fertility rates 1990-2019 mask distinct variations by age. Learn more in this America Counts story.

America Counts: Stories Behind the Numbers Fertility Rates: Declined for Younger Women, Increased for Older Women Overall fertility trends from 1990 to 2019 were relatively stable, compared to previous decades but varied significantly by age, according to a Census Bureau analysis. The analysis, which looked at Census Bureau and National Center for Health Statistics data, shows fertility rates of women ages 20-24 declined by 43%, while those of women ages 35-39 increased by 67% during the roughly 30-year period. Read More Together, the data paint a compelling picture of how the age at which American women give birth has changed over time. Fertility rates in the United States gradually declined from 1990 to 2019. In 1990, there were about 70.77 births each year for every 1,000 women ages 15-44. By 2019, there were about 58.21 births per 1,000 women in that age group. Continue reading to learn more about: Fertility trends: 1990-2019 Shifting age structures Early 2000s mini birth boom Historical fertility patterns Help us spread the word about America Counts. Share this story on social media or forward it to a friend. Share This You May Be Interested U.S. Births Declined During the Pandemic: Several factors affect the birth rate but the pandemic did have an impact: births declined but began to rise again in March of this year. Learn More About America Counts America Counts tells the stories behind the numbers in a new inviting way. It features stories on various topics such as families, housing, employment, business, education, economy, emergency management, health, population, income and poverty. Contact our Public Information Office for media inquiries or interviews. Don't miss an America Counts story! Subscribe here.

Space Needs / Facilities Analysis Sub Committee - Mar 29 - 6:30 PM (virtual only)

Franklin Public Schools

Franklin School Committee

Space Needs & Facilities Assessment Sub Committee

March 29, 2022 - 6:30 P.M.  -  Virtual Only

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."

● Call to Order

● Subcommittee Objective, Goals & Expectations

● Space Needs & Facilities Assessment Historical Context

● Known Facilities Needs (maintenance, repairs, etc.)

● Review of Next Steps/Action Items

● Finalize Meeting Schedule

● Adjournment

Agenda doc including connection info ->   https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/agenda-spaceneedssubcom-3-29-22.pdf

Space Needs / Facilities Analysis Sub Committee

Snow day conversation with Franklin Public Schools Superintendent Sara Ahern - 01/07/22 (audio)

FM #694 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 694 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Franklin Public Schools Superintendent Sara Ahern. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about 

• School mid-year status, on first snow day

• Her personal status

• Much to do

• Working with new School Committee

• FY 2022 Budget adjustment

• Administrative searches underway

• Capital budget being readied

• FY 2023 budget in preparation

• Davis Thayer surplus decision remains along with the master facility plan work ahead of them

The recording runs about 21 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Sara

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-694-franklin-public-schools-supt-sara-ahern-01-07-22

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

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm). 

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

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

 

For additional information, please visit www.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"

 

FPS Superintendent Sara Ahern updates the School Committee at a meeting in Oct 2021