School Committee welcomes new administrators, approves handbook changes, gets updates on hiring, transportation & facility projects (audio)

FM #1807 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1807 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at 7:00 PM. 6 of the 7 members were present; 1 participated remotely (O'Sullivan) (hence all votes were via roll call), 1 member absent (Callaghan).

Quick recap

• New administrators and Central office personnel were introduced and photos taken to share with the community

• Human Resources provided a hiring update, in a better position now with 17 openings than the prior 3 years, some of the openings are in the process of being fulfilled

• Review of the changes to the school handbooks for the high school, middle school, elementary and ECDC. Mostly minor changes at the lower levels, some key changes for the upper grades

• Later in the meeting, the handbooks were approved so they will be distributed electronically to all the parents and families

• Update on Transportation, only 40 on the waitlist, approx 280 had been on the waitlist, some having moved within the district or into the district but the majority simply missed the registration deadline in June

• bus schedules and routes are posted to the Schools page  https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/transportation/

• bus passes will be distributed by the schools when they open, elementary students will get a tag for their backpacks, middle and high school will get the standard pass

• Update on facility projects, some completed across the district some still in process, some funded but scheduled for later in the school year or next summer due to potential disruption of the school operations

• Committee entered Executive Session not to return to open meeting

Let’s listen (approx. 2 hours & 30 minutes)

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1807-school-cmte-mtg-08-25-26/

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Franklin TV video is available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOqCiAbY_s4 

The agenda doc - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08252026-2467

My complete set of notes captured during the meeting

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HWfAJ6oObFg475FYzqh8NS-TjQ3poSit/view?usp=drive_link 

Photo album of the handbook updates  https://photos.app.goo.gl/Ggp9R1C5182HgZY58 

Photo album of the Transportation update

https://photos.app.goo.gl/HwiGhfnd4DcgfNQn8 

Photo album of the Facility updates

https://photos.app.goo.gl/8RnTJnVhvbCK9oMt6 

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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 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!

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

Kiddos in grades K-7, did you hear about the musical instrument petting Zoo ??

"Join the FHS Music boosters for a special instrument petting zoo! 

Try out real string instruments with guidance from high school musicians!

Ideal for kids in grades K-7!"

Follow the Facebook event for updates  https://facebook.com/events/s/instrument-petting-zoo/1716545806129480/

Franklin Public Schools Fifth Graders Recognized at One8 Applied Learning Hub Student Showcase

Superintendent Lucas Giguere and Director of Curriculum STEM Eric Stark are pleased to share that fifth-grade students from Lincoln Street and Washington Street Elementary Schools recently presented Applied Learning math projects to over 500 industry professionals at the One8 Applied Learning Hub Student Showcase in Boston.

Both schools received awards for their impressive group projects. Washington Street’s team won the ST Math category and Lincoln Street’s team won Project of Distinction. 

Fifth-grade students from Lincoln Street and
Washington Street Elementary Schools presented projects
at the One8 Applied Learning Hub Student Showcase
on May 8. (Photo Courtesy Franklin Public Schools)

Students first began working on the projects in February, when they were tasked with working in groups to create a tri-fold poster explaining an ST Math game they use in class.

ST Math is a supplemental math program that teaches mathematical concepts through visual puzzles. Through its visual depictions of math concepts, the program removes language barriers for students and utilizes interactive puzzles to explain ideas.

The project challenged students to introduce the game to someone unfamiliar with it. Students explained how the game helped them develop a mathematical skill or concept, and considered how industry professionals use math within their careers.

Students shared their projects with professionals from across the state, including individuals from organizations such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Liberty Mutual. They also presented to several local organizations, including the Town of Franklin, Franklin School Committee and Franklin Public Schools.

The professionals provided feedback and discussed the projects with students. Through the conversations, students learned about the process of applying concepts learned in the classroom to real world scenarios.

"Projects like this allow our students to understand the curriculum from a different perspective," said Washington Street Elementary School Principal Evan Chelman. "As our students collaborated to teach others a math concept, they approached the course material from a new angle. It was exciting to see them work together and incorporate the feedback community members provided."

With their revised projects, the fifth graders presented their work at Franklin High School during the Science National Honor Society’s Family Science Night on April 9.

The months of hard work paid off on May 8, when the students traveled to the TRACK at new balance and presented their projects at the One8 Applied Learning Hub Student Showcase. They received written and verbal feedback from industry professionals, whose notes praised the projects and allowed students to draw connections between their own and the professionals’ work.

“We prioritize aligning our curriculum and student experiences with current industry practices,” said Superintendent Giguere. “Through our partnerships with the One8 Applied Learning Hub and ST Math, our students can attend meaningful events such as the showcase. These opportunities allow them to see firsthand how their classroom lessons apply to the outside world."

The final product each group displayed at the showcase was a tri-fold poster with an ST Math puzzle and description, the math concept behind the game, the connection between the game and the real world and how it relates to at least one profession.

“We are very proud of the groups that presented at the One8 Student Showcase,” said Lincoln Street Elementary School Principal Brad Hendrixson. “The months of hard work paid off as our students took home multiple awards and had insightful conversations with industry professionals. These hands-on events truly make a difference in our students' learning experience, and we were happy to see them thrive during their showcase presentations."

About the One8 Foundation and the One8 Applied Learning Hub

The One8 education team identifies, supports and scales high impact programs and approaches that help schools and teachers prepare students for success in a rapidly changing, data rich world. One8 imagines a future where high-quality applied learning opportunities that make learning relevant, stimulating and rewarding are a regular part of the student experience driving impact for all students. 

The One8 Applied Learning Hub helps Massachusetts schools get the most out of Applied Learning programs by providing implementation support, educator community building, and student opportunities that bring learning to life. The One8 Applied Learning Hub currently supports seven programs in the Commonwealth: the Democratic Knowledge Project, Investigating History, OpenSciEd, PBLWorks, Project Lead The Way, Skew the Script, and ST Math. 

Visit www.one8.org and www.one8alhub.org to learn more.

Additional photos can be found - https://photos.app.goo.gl/BqXRa4vnYddi331X7

Franklin School Committee gets a mid year update on the District & School Improvement Plans (audio)

FM #1732 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1732 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 7:00 PM. All 7 members of the Committee were present in Chambers. 

Quick recap:

• The complete administrative leadership team across the district was present to provide a midyear update on the District and School Improvement plans

• The 'current' District and School plan can be found - https://heyzine.com/flip-book/24ecc9f7e5.html#page/1. The updates as approved last night should be updated to the school page in a day or so.

Let’s listen (approx. 3 hours 7 minutes)

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1732-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-04-14-26/

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Franklin TV video is available for review - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IF4JTAfLa5E 

Agenda doc also contains remote participation info

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04142026-2250 

The meeting packet folder contains the doc released before the meeting and after the meeting

https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2025---26-meeting-packets/april-14%2C-2026-sc-meeting-packet/26737086 

My notes in one PDF - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vRqOLinf4Pyzl_K-5sm6fjBuhOqbceig/view?usp=drive_link 

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

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"

New elementary school logos designed by Franklin's Kayla Jean Creative

via Kayla Jean Creative

"I’m anxiously awaiting the arrival of my two elementary kiddos on their first day back to school. If you’re not local to Franklin, our town had a big redistricting and a lot of feels along with it. I was honored to have been asked by our PCCs to help design our elementary school logo as part of the redistricting process. 



Franklin elementary and middle school kiddos will be cubs until they’re high school panthers, and while we match the high school look and feel - this small step in creating matching logos is so much bigger than that.

We’re one big unified district after this wild ride we’ve been on in this community. I’m so excited for a fresh start and a strong path forward and humbled to have played a small part in it. I hope it was a great first day for ALL of my little Franklin Cubs!"

Shared from ->   https://www.instagram.com/p/DOHAI1jjjmY/

School Committee approves handbooks, gets updates on opening, approves Horace Mann Campus name (video)

The Franklin School Committee met as scheduled on Tuesday, August 26 in Council Chambers. All 7 members were participated in person.

Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/EWVb7O-b_ag?&t=67

Meeting agenda ->  https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/5979277/SCAGENDA_8-26-25.pdf

Meeting packet folder (items released for the meeting, in some cases posted a day or two after the meeting) ->   https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2025---26-meeting-packets/august-26%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/846929

Quick recap

• Excitement among the teachers and school personnel as they all make the final preparations for the redistricting to open with schools on Tuesday, Sep 2. Minor tweeks to some of the bus routes, stops will be notified shortly. 56 personnel hired this summer, 2 teacher openings, 13 ESP's openings remain and sone nonunion positions too, work is still underway attempting to fill the positions
• Handbook significant changes, only a few were discussed. There is only one elementary handbook now for the 4 schools in the 2 buildings. All the handbooks were approved unanimously in separate votes (ECDC, elementary, middle and high school)
• Voted to create a subcommittee to expand upon how to honor the legacy of Horace Mann, beyond the naming of the campus where ECDC, the Middle School and High School are now located on Oak St. The campus naming was a second vote as the two items were related and there was good discussion among the committee as to the scope and objectives of the proposed (now approved) committee. Member of the full SchCmte will notify the Chair of their interest. The Chair will confirm, the subcommittee will craft a scope and objectives doc for the full committee to approve. Members of the community including the Historical Commission and other such stakeholders will be involved.

My full set of notes in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/14VB3GuDdCAG-U80a3pT3nIp5GSZZhUSJ/view?usp=drive_link

 

School Sign updates per Redistricting

On one of my "reporting by walking around" expeditions, I captured a bunch of photos. It really was an expeditions as I drove to some key spots then walked to take the photos. I could not have walked all over town in the same day.

This set of photos shows the school sign changes put in place for the redistricting to be implemented in September.

Washington Street Elementary Complex

Washington Street Elementary Complex

Lincoln Street Elementary Complex

Lincoln Street Elementary Complex

Early Childhood Development Center - Pond St

Early Childhood Development Center - Pond St

Early Childhood Development Center - Oak St

Early Childhood Development Center - Oak St

Franklin Middle School

Franklin Middle School

Additional photos can be found in one album ->   https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZYJEAMVvyAfyPaYbA

Talking about the summer reading blitz and "Meet Me in the Middle" (audio)

FM #1463 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1463 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation about the Summer Reading Blitz and the middle school program “Meet Me in the Middle.”  We talk with Erin O’Leary and Caleigh Keating, the collaborators who fill in the details on summer reading efforts for readers of all ages. We recorded this conversation virtually on Thursday, May 29, 2025. 

• Caleigh Keating, Youth Services Librarian

• Erin O’Leary, Reading Specialist at Horace Mann Middle School

We cover the following in our conversation

• Library events for the June school half days

• Reading program sign up for grades 0-6, teens, and adults

• Middle school “Meet Me in the Middle” reading program

• The middle school will begin in September with some common points around reading (the 6 books)

The recording runs about 37 minutes

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1463-summer-reading-blitz-05-29-25/

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Franklin Public Library page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/233/Franklin-Public-Library 

Meet Me in the Middle info page ->  https://www.franklinps.net/o/hmms/article/2230185 

Erin O’Leary email address -> olearye@franklinps.net 

Caleigh Keating email address -> ckeating@minlib.net 

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

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"

Talking about the summer reading blitz and "Meet Me in the Middle" (audio)

Summer star classes have space available this summer

Summer star classes have space available this summer

There are still a few spots left in these elementary-age summer classes and more from Lifelong Learning! 

Details: tinyurl.com/35cstdts.

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

School Committee approves elementary report card changes, letter of support for alternate cable fee revenue (video)

The School Committee met as scheduled on Tuesday evening, April 29, 2025. 

 

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

Among the key agenda items were the following:

 

III. Discussion/Action Items

A. Elementary Report Cards

I recommend approval of the proposed changes to the Elementary Report Card as discussed.   

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

B. Letter of Support

I recommend approval of the letter of support for an Act to Modernize Funding for Community Media Programming as discussed.  

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

IV. Discussion Only Items

A. Campus Naming Discussion

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

 

FYI - My notes will catch up eventually. I was in the Finance Committee meeting held at the same time covering the FY 2026 budget hearings.