Facility Analysis Subcommittee: Long term plan could close 5 school buildings

Recap:

• Where are we? Recall that there was an ask if Davis Thayer could be closed to save money?
• The Facility Analysis Subcommittee was formed and set up their 5 step process. They are still on step 1. A public information session was held in March (before the shutdown). Another public information session will be scheduled for November TBD.
• A demographic analysis was done and handed over to the architects for use in their facility assessment. Oh, the demographic analysis will be redone with the official Oct 1 numbers. It should be interest for that analysis to see how well the forecast turned out. That would be an update sometime in the future to the Subcommittee (no timeline provided).
• The work by the subcommittee stopped during the summer after the first preview of the report was presented June 11. Stopped due to the work required by the District to prepare the re-opening plan for all schools in September. Now that schools are back albeit remote and moving to hybrid, there is time for the committee to resume its work.
• So the architect report gets presented with the data gathered and analyzed. The five options for consideration were presented. Instead of closing one elementary school, the long term report recommendation is to close the three oldest elementary schools, keeping three elementary schools to feed to one central middle school (yes, closing two other middle schools) all feeding to the one high school.
• How about that for generating some conversation?

Screen captures of the presentation deck shown during the meeting are available. https://photos.app.goo.gl/RB1AXrc4abYTPEm56

We all await the copy of the report to be posted to the Schools page so we can read and digest the remainder of it.


----
As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.
 
The Twitter hashtag can be found online  #scfa0930
https://twitter.com/hashtag/scfa0930?src=hashtag_click

• Ready for the SchComm Facility Analysis meeting to start. #scfa0930
• Meeting bridge just opened  #scfa0930
• Roll call of committee members but no protocol announcements. Stokes (chair) Pfeffer and Scofield present. Still in step 1 of the 5 step process #scfa0930 added COVID related spacing requirements to analysis
• Craig Olson, Kaestle Boos to present report. Report to be shared after meeting; preliminary report was shared in May, this is updated from that #scfa0930
• Data based report, all data pre COVID, #scfa0930 Capturing slides as they are shared, some we'll need to wait for report publication to see, he went to quick only video would have caught
• Adjusted zoom windows for better screen capture #scfa0930
• Individual school analysis for each school in report #scfa0930
• Oak and Keller #scfa0930
• Kennedy and Parmenter #scfa0930
• Jefferson #scfa0930
• Middle schools #scfa0930
• Enrollment projections not unique to Franklin a national issue with some areas)stares affected more than others #scfa0930
• Excess capacity in both elementary and middle School levels #scfa0930
• Key slide of options considered in report
• The various option slides part 1 of 2 #scfa0930
• Option slides part 2 of 2 #scfa0930
• Interesting recommendations to make one middle school, with 3 feeder elementary schools all to the FHS facility #scfa0930
• Now that the data is out the discussion can commence. Some folks won't like, it will take time to understand the implications #scfa0930
• Q on Title 1, student dependent, not school dependent. #scfa0930 redistricting is always an issue not so much for the students but for the parents
• Survey better to do sooner than later, #scfa0930 McKibben working on additional update for his demographics, will include the Oct 1 actual vs his model from last year. COVID is a major variable.
• Community info session to be scheduled on this, date to SchComm not yet set so it would be after Oct, early Nov, being defined via email. #scfa0930
• No recommendations to SchCom at this time, motion to adjourn, second, passed 3-0 via roll call
• That's all for schools for now, soon to be reporting on the listening session at 6:30, catch you there #scfa0930 

 

 

long term plan could close 5 school buildings

Wednesday night: 2 important meetings

First meeting: 

Facilities Analysis Sub Committee Meeting
Wednesday, Sep 30 -  5:00 PM
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/09/facilities-analysis-sub-committee.html

The consultants will come back with the completed facility analysis for review and discussion. This committee had suspended work during the summer due to the preparations required for reopening schools.

Second meeting:

Economic Development Subcommittee - Business Listening & Networking Session #1: Downtown Franklin, The Crossing & Franklin Cultural District

Wednesday, Sep 30 - 6:30 PM

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/09/economic-development-subcommittee.html

The Market Study provides a lot of insights to what Franklin could do to improve. This is the first of a series of listening sessions to gather input before making the action and priority list.

 

a recent photo of DelCarte but not directly related to either meeting

What if COVID deaths were in your neighborhood?

What if all COVID-19 deaths in the United States had happened in your neighborhood?

Find out what would happen if your neighborhood was the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic in the United States.

Compelling visual interactive:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/national/coronavirus-deaths-neighborhood/?itid=hp_dontmiss

What if COVID deaths were in your neighborhood?

Facilities Analysis Sub Committee Meeting - Sep 30

Facilities Analysis Sub Committee Meeting
Wednesday, Sep 30 -  5:00 PM

 

Virtual Meeting (Links in agenda)

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/agenda_dt_subcom_9.30.2020.pdf 

 

 

 

 

Facilities Analysis Sub Committee Meeting - Sep 30

 

US Census Bureau - Report on Housing for Aging Population

As the School Department looks at the demographics to determine the projected enrollment over the next ten years, one aspect of the 19 assumptions provided in the report, was a given turnover in housing to "maintain" a stable population.  Higher turnover could increase population, lower turnover could lessen population. 

Given our population is also growing older, aside from services provided by the Senior Center, do we have enough housing for the older population? This report on a US perspective takes a look at that aspect.

"The U.S. Census Bureau has released a new population report on the readiness of housing to meet the needs of the nation’s aging population. The report – Old Housing, New Needs: Is America’s Housing Ready for an Aging Population? – uses data from the 2011 American Housing Survey (AHS) to provide national-level estimates of housing units with aging-accessible features, such as handrails or grab bars in bathrooms, step-free entryways, and wheelchair-accessible kitchens, as well as geographic differences in the prevalence of homes with these features.

This report also examines the demographic and economic characteristics of households where older adults reported difficulty using these home features compared with households where older adults reported no such difficulty."

Shared from the US Census
https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2020/demo/p23-217.html

Download from the US Census page:
https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2020/demo/p23-217.pdf

Or the Franklin Matters copy:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aI3EyGi_Of0iCYvUSQKLNL7zPPlOu2VK/view?usp=sharing

US Census Bureau - Report on Housing for Aging Population

FM #221 School Committee Demographics Overview HMMS - 3/5/20 (audio)

FM #221 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 221 in the series.

The School Committee Facility Analysis Subcommittee held an information session to review the demographics study released recently. The session was well attended (approx 35) in the Horace Mann Middle School cafeteria on Thursday, March 5, 2020.

Superintendent Sara Ahern and Subcommittee Chair Elise Stokes coordinated to deliver the presentation and handle the questions. The session deliberately included names tags and a brief intro of folks to each other sitting around the middle school cafe tables.

Subcommittee Chair Elise Stokes

There is a brief interruption of happy shouting in the recording from the student performance or rehearsal for such taking place in the auditorium next to the cafeteria.

The presentation doc is supposed to be made available. When it is, the link will be shared here.

There will also be a separate page to collect and share information as the facility study makes progress. As was revealed in the presentation and discussion, this will take some time to complete properly. The key will be what the facility analysis reveals when it is shared in May at a School Committee meeting.

The presentation doc from the School Committee meeting (including the audio) can be found here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/fm-212-school-committee-meeting.html

Regular listeners perhaps will recognize my voice chiming in with a question or two, and the comment on the lack of senior type housing available in the Franklin market. “Senior type” meaning single level, one or two bedroom units. Most of the condos and apartments are multiple levels.

The audio segment runs about an hour, so let’s listen in to the presentation and discussion of the demographics study 
https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-221-school-committee-demographics-overview

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

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 Franklinmatters.org/
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"

The milestones along the facility study path

School Committee meeting recap - Feb 25, 2020: Demographics report available; budget outlook presents math problem

The two major topics from the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Feb 25, 2020 were the first look at the demographics study report and two, the Superintendent's Recommended budget for FY 2021.

The demographics report is provided below along with the presentation document. There is a second review of the report scheduled for Thursday, March 5 at the Horace Mann Middle School cafe at 7:00 PM.

The demographics show the student enrollment decline will continue to drop from the peak of 6300, currently 5100 to about 4500 before settling and eventually rising again. The factors and assumptions for the numbers are provided. The two critical factors to maintain the numbers projected are keeping the mortgage interest rate under 5% and having existing home sales reach 275 units per year. If either of these factors change, the numbers would be off. If, for example, the home sales don't reach 275, the enrollment likely would continue to drop.

More discussion around the numbers will be forthcoming. This is the first of two steps to help decide the future of Davis Thayer. The second piece is due in an April time frame and is the facility analysis. What are the space requirements to provide the education to the current and projected enrollment and how do the existing facilities provide that space?

My back of the scrap paper analysis says a building can be closed, if the enrollment does continue to drop, perhaps even two could be closed. What the facilities analysis shows will be key to understand what is needed and how we can provide it. Stay tuned.

The Superintendent's Recommended budget came out of the gate asking reasonably for the critical needs to be met. Some several hundred thousands of other requirements didn't make the 'critical' cut. There is another $1.2M in unmet needs NOT included in the budget as shown.

The math problem comes into this as the whole of Franklin's budget can only grow about $3M. So even if the critical needs budget was desired, and ALL of the $3M went to the schools. One, that leaves police, fire, DPW, Library with no increase for anything over what they had least year. Two, that also means $900K of the critical needs doesn't make the budget this year.

Of course, the gap will get resolved before the budget is finalized in June, the real question is how. What and where will the cuts come from? Expecting $3M to be 'found' is unrealistic.

Additional details from the meeting can be found in my notes recorded live during the meeting in the links below.
 
Meeting docs

You can also find the demographics study on the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/demographic-presentation

FPS Demographics Presentation from Franklin Matters

Assumed to be supporting documentation for the presentation
(was not referenced during the meeting but was posted to the packet web page)
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/enrollment-forecast

FPS FY 2021 Superintendent's Recommended Budget from Franklin Matters

Also available on the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/supt-rec-budget-presentation

My meeting notes

• Live reporting: New business to Closing (Executive Session)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/live-reporting-new-business-to-closing.html

• Live reporting: Discussion/Action Items - Discussion

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/live-reporting-discussionaction-items.html

• Live reporting: Recommended budget FY 2021

 https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/live-reporting-recommended-budget-fy.html

• Live Reporting: School Committee - Feb 25, 2020

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/live-reporting-school-committee-feb-25.html

The future of Davis Thayer is being studied this year

FM #212 - School Committee meeting - demographics study 2/25/20 (audio)

This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 212 in the series. We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

The expected demographics study was presented during the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Feb 25, 2020. Expected? Yes, This is ONE key piece of the information that needs to be gathered and digested to enable the School Committee and community to make a decision on what needs to be done to prepare for enrollment and facilities.

The potential for closing the Davis Thayer school has been talked of off and on for several years. The work is now underway to look at that and what it would mean for the district and community as a whole.

The demographics study presented is ONE key piece of the information needed for such a decision. As outlined by Superintendent Sara Ahern at the end of the presentation segment, the SECOND key piece is expected in or around April as the facility analysis arrives from that consultant.

For our existing school facilities, what capacity do we have for students in each building based upon current or anticipated requirements? The capacity report should provide the answer to that question. One could go back to when each building was built and look at what it was designed for but the educational requirements have changed considerably since then. Davis Thayer for example, since it is the key item driving the question, was built as a high school and is now being used as an elementary school.

Along the course of the discussion you’ll hear James McKibben comment on space requirements. Note - this was not part of his charter, his was only to focus on the demographics - however, from his experience in working with other districts, he can say that due to special education requirements the space (that is, square foot requirements) per student will increase.

Pay attention to the assumptions, there are 19 of them. Mr McKibben counts a couple as more critical than others. The mortgage interest rate most would acknowledge as important. The lower it is, the more willing buyers will be. Of interest is the amount of existing home sales required to maintain our population. Per his calculations, 275 homes per year.

The presentation doc is linked in the show note so you can follow along.
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/demographic-presentation

FPS Demographics Presentation from Franklin Matters

Assumed to be supporting documentation for the presentation
(was not referenced during the meeting but was posted to the packet web page)

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/enrollment-forecast


More analysis and insights will be discussed over time as we all digest the numbers. The discussion runs about an hour and 10 minutes so without further ado, let’s listen in.   https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-212-school-committee-meeting-demographics-study

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

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but I can't do it alone. I 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 this, 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/
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"

James McKibben presenting the demographics study to the School Committee

Live Reporting: School Committee - Feb 25, 2020

Present: D'Angelo, Pfeffer, Scofield, Bergen, Spencer, Stokes
Absent: Keenan


I. Routine Business
A. Review of Agenda
B. Citizen’s Comments

"In the spirit of open communication, “the Committee will hold a public participation segment (also called Citizen’s Comments) about matters not related to an agenda item at the beginning of each regular School Committee meeting. The Committee will listen to, but not respond to any comment made…. A Committee member may add an agenda item to a future meeting as a result of a citizen comment…. The Committee will hear public comments related to an agenda item when the Chair deems appropriate during the Committee meeting. Topics for discussion during the meeting must be limited to those items listed on the Committee meeting agenda for that evening…. ” - from Policy BEDH

C. FHS Student Representative Comments

• nice Feb break, well needed
• FHS theater performance coming this weekend
• MICA showcase performance Mar 10
• as of Weds 100 days to graduation
• best buddies prom, March 20
• DECA to Boston this weekend

D. Superintendent’s Report
March 3 - professional development day , also Presidential Primary
elementary and secondary groups for sessions for trauma training
curriculum teams meeting on frameworks
science standards at Elementary

also 15 mins for cyber security training

extra care in cleaning schools over the week break
following the MA DEP for public health alerts
follow protocols for good hygiene habits (akin to flu)

SAFE Coalition open house, Feb 13
new office suite in Norfolk

open meeting law re: web site outage, info was posted on Friday so in advance of the time period required for open meeting law requirements


II. Guests/Presentations
A. Franklin Demographic Presentation 
– Jerome McKibben, McKibben Associates

difference between forecast and projections
population forecasts drive the enrollment

if assumptions are followed, the forecast should be within 2%

key assumption is the mortgage interest rate, buyer side of the market
with dual incomes and college debt, key to mortgage approvals

275 existing home sales for next ten years

retirement doesn't drive downsizing, death of one or mobility of one are key factors

population distribution key to enrollment, not births, deaths, or migrations

presentation to be added Weds
audio to be made available later this week
(Note: there is also another presentation forum on this topic scheduled for March 5 at Horace Mann cafeteria)

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/demographic-presentation

FPS Demographics Presentation from Franklin Matters

Assumed to be supporting documentation for the presentation
(was not referenced during the meeting but was posted to the packet web page)

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/enrollment-forecast

lots of discussion, lots of nuances. stay tuned for the copy to read and review on your own


building capacity report due in April time frame

FPS: Community Information Night about Enrollment Forecast - March 5

February 25, 2020

Good afternoon,

We are writing to make you aware that Jerry McKibben of McKibben Associates will be presenting a district-wide enrollment forecast to the School Committee at tonight's meeting. This enrollment forecast uses the town's demographic data to predict school-age enrollment for the next ten years.

In order to provide the community with additional opportunities to hear the information and ask questions, the Facilities Analysis Subcommittee of the School Committee is holding a follow-up community information session on Thursday, March 5 from 7-8:30 PM in the Horace Mann Middle School Cafeteria. Childcare will be available.

Please use this form to RSVP, which will help our planning: https://forms.gle/MkuQfb2Q1ryWyaLNA

Kindly,

Franklin Public Schools

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - February 25, 2020

Vision Statement

The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.

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.”

I. Routine Business
A. Review of Agenda
B. Citizen’s Comments

"In the spirit of open communication, “the Committee will hold a public participation segment (also called Citizen’s Comments) about matters not related to an agenda item at the beginning of each regular School Committee meeting. The Committee will listen to, but not respond to any comment made…. A Committee member may add an agenda item to a future meeting as a result of a citizen comment…. The Committee will hear public comments related to an agenda item when the Chair deems appropriate during the Committee meeting. Topics for discussion during the meeting must be limited to those items listed on the Committee meeting agenda for that evening…. ” - from Policy BEDH

C. FHS Student Representative Comments
D. Superintendent’s Report

II. Guests/Presentations
A. Franklin Demographic Presentation 
– Jerome McKibben, McKibben Associates
B. FY21 Superintendent’s Recommended Budget

III. Discussion/Action Items
A. Policy – First Reading
I recommend moving Policy BEDH – Public Participation at School Committee meetings to a second reading as detailed.
B. Establish New Student Activities Club
I recommend approval of the establishment of new student activities as detailed.

IV. Discussion Only Items 
- none

V. Information Matters
A. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports (e.g. Ad Hoc Supt. Evaluation, Ad Hoc Facilities Analysis, Budget, Community Relations/Public Schools Advocacy, Policy, Transportation)
B. School Committee Liaison Reports (e.g. Joint PCC, Substance Abuse Task Force, School Wellness Advisory Council)

VI. New Business
A. To discuss any future agenda items

VII. Consent Agenda
A. Approval of Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from the February 11, 2020 school committee meeting as detailed.
B. Executive Session Minutes
I recommend approval of the executive session minutes from the February 11, 2020 school committee meeting as detailed to be released.
C. Music Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $30.00 from music parents for in-house enrichment for the music department as detailed.
D. Keller Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $851.00 from Keller PCC for field trips as detailed.

VIII. Payment of Bills Dr. Bergen

IX. Payroll Ms. D’Angelo

X. Executive Session
Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with the FEA as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the School Committee and the chair so declares.

XI. Adjournment


"Please note that the Superintendent's Reports or any Presentations will not be posted prior to the meeting"
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/february-25-2020-school-committee-packet

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - February 25, 2020

Franklin Business Roundtable Agenda - Nov 14, 2019

Franklin Business Roundtable

Thursday, November 14, 2019 | 7:45 – 9:30 AM 

Dean College Campus Center = Campanella Board Room

The purpose of the Business Roundtable session is to understand and prioritize needs of local businesses within Franklin as part of the Market Analysis Plan. The roundtable session will be an hour and forty-five minutes long and be held in the Campanella Board Room of Dean College.

INTRODUCTIONS

• Do you own or manage a business in Franklin?

• If yes, why did you choose to do business in Franklin?

• In what part of Franklin is your business?

• Downtown Franklin Commercial District
• The Crossing
• The Mixed Business Innovation District
• Route 140, west of Union Street
• Route 140, east of Ruggles Street
• Other

OVERVIEW OF THE FRANKLIN MARKET ANALYSIS

• Role of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council in the Market Analysis
• Franklin Study Project Deliverables
• Town Demographics and Socioeconomic Data

KEY QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

1. What do you like about Franklin’s downtown? How does the downtown positively affect your business?
2. How could the Town improve its services/processes? Are there opportunities for the Town to change certain processes or regulations to attract desired economic development?
3. Where should the town prioritize its economic development investments and what kind of economic development do you want to see in Franklin?
4. Can and should the Town do more targeted marketing to specific businesses or developers?
5. Do you find that businesses in Franklin do well in comparison to neighboring communities? Why or why not?
6. What is your vision for Franklin’s downtown, The Crossing area and the Mixed Business Innovation District? How could they be improved?

Be sure to take the Economic Development Survey! You can find it on the Town’s Economic Development Site: https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/franklin-economic-development-survey

Franklin Business Roundtable 11/14/19 from Franklin Matters

Economic Development Survey

https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/franklin-economic-development-survey

"the gender gap in wages narrowed last year for the first time since 2007"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"In a stark reminder of the damage done by the Great Recession and of the modest recovery that followed, the median American household last year finally earned more than it did in 1999. 

Incomes for a typical U.S. household, adjusted for inflation, rose 3.2 percent from 2015 to 2016 to $59,039, the Census Bureau said. The median is the point at which half the households fall below and half are above. 

Last year’s figure is slightly above the previous peak of $58,665, reached in 1999. It is also the first time since the recession ended in 2009 that the typical household earned more than it did in 2007, when the recession began. 

Trudi Renwick, the bureau’s assistant division chief, cautioned that the census in 2013 changed how it asks households about income, making historical comparisons less than precise. 

Still, the Census data is closely watched because of its comprehensive nature. It is based on interviews with 70,000 households and includes detailed data on incomes and poverty across a range of demographic groups."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 
http://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20170912/american-household-income-finally-topped-1999-peak-last-year

Census.gov is a welcoming website chock full of information. Every time I visit, I have to be careful not to get lost following the info and the various paths it can lead.

Franklin's quick stats can be found here
https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/franklintowncitymassachusetts,MA/PST045216

 Franklin's quick stats can be found here

AARP Livability Index - leaves out Franklin

Given Franklin's demographics (forecasted to be getting to an older population rapidly), the AARP article caught my eye.

To compile AARP’s new lists of the most livable places in the U.S., it wasn’t only our research that counted—it was also your opinions. The top-10 lists that follow are based on the AARP Livability Index, a new online tool designed to help communities better serve the nation’s aging population. 

To create the index, the AARP Public Policy Institute surveyed 4,500 Americans 50 and older to determine the aspects of community most important to them. We then developed seven categories around those results—housing, neighborhood, transportation, environment, health, engagement and opportunity, taking into account 60 different factors to rate communities in those categories. 

The Bulletin crunched the numbers some more to find which cities and neighborhoods come out on top. We weren’t looking for the trendy or glitzy. We wanted the most livable. You might be in for some surprises.

One surprise is that Franklin gets only a middling score on their rating system.

Check out their Most Livable Cities

Check out their Best Cities for Staying Healthy

And where does Franklin rate?

If you’re like most of us, you probably want to stay in the community where you live now. The AARP Livability Index identifies how well your community is doing. Go to aarp.org/livabilityindex to find out.

The interactive system should allow you to chose up to three communities to compare. Maybe there were too many comparing when I did it, it did not respond. Trying again should be worth it. 

Demographics help explain

There are a significant number of residents under 18 years old living in Franklin. Between 1990 and 2003, Franklin’s total population increased by 33.8%; during the same time, the number of residents under 18 increased by 58.3%9.

...

In 2007, nearly 970 students enrolled in the Franklin Public Schools had a disability, of which, nearly 7% had physical disabilities.11 Franklin recognized the need to provide accessible areas to individuals of all ability levels and over the past several years, has been successful in upgrading all the Public School playgrounds to meet ADA compliancy requirements.

...

Another population of interest in Franklin is its elderly residents. Census 2000 indicates 8.2% of Franklins 2000 population was age 65 years or older. As Franklin’s population ages, it is important for the Town to ensure the needs of priority populations are met. In 2008 the Town opened the newly constructed Senior Center. The Center provides Franklin’s seniors with a location to gather and programs geared towards this population’s recreation needs.

When one wonders why the School Budget has become such an item, the demographics of the Town can provide some insights. Read more in the Open Space and Recreation Plan on the Town web site here (PDF)

http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Planning/2008plan

Vote Analysis

I need to get to the Town Clerk's office to get the details on the recent election. I'd like to get into some planning for what may come up during 2008. With the requirements for fixing the library, renovating the high school amongst the major capital requirements, nevermind trying to restore the $2 million dollars the school budget got cut this past year, there are plenty of needs but few sources of income other than an other override.

I found this article with some insights on the youth vote. As strong as the elderly vote is here, the youth vote is going to become as important as any other section of the demographics.

Now a disclaimer, I plan to do this analysis not to play one group against another. That is not how to win at this game. I plan to do the analysis to simply better understand the demographics of the town.

For example:

Tip #1: The youth vote is not synonymous with students. In fact, students make up only a small part of the eligible youth vote. Only 21% of all 18-29 year olds are currently attending a college or university. That means that when you report on "students", you are leaving out the other 79% of all the individuals that make up the "youth vote." These people serve in our military, are struggling to raise families - and yes, have very different concerns from college students. I understand that makes it difficult for you to cram them into a cookie-cutter story about student aid activism and tuition costs, but you do them and your readers and our democracy a disservice when you limit your coverage to students.

Food for thought.