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| BFCCPS enrollment lottery scheduled for Feb 25, 2026 at 1 PM |
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| Heather Zolnowski |
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| Enrollment Applications Now Open |
The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School's mission is to assist parents in their role as primary educators of their children by providing students with a classical academic education coupled with sound character development and community service. Our mission is supported by four distinct, yet interconnected pillars that provide for a collaborative, rigorous education for all students. These pillars guide, direct and define the school in all it does.
FM #1566 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1566 in the series.
This session shares my conversation with School Committee Chairperson Dave Callaghan. This is a new episode of our continuing “Chalkboard Chat” series. We had our discussion via Zoom on Thursday, October 30, 2025. We had the opportunity to recap the School Committee meeting of October 28, 2025.
We cover
Recognition of Erin Gallagher & David McNeill not returning
Pledge students, a nice touch
Policy first readings
Graduation requirements
Competency determinations
Superintendent’s Goals, aligned with District’s Goals
October 1 report, enrollment trends
The meeting recap runs about 26 minutes, so let’s listen in.
Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1566-chalkboard-chat-10-30-25/--------------
Contact info for Dave Callaghan -> callaghand@franklinps.net
Franklin TV video is available for replay ->
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtitdxM_a2A
The agenda doc ->
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10282025-1977
The packet folder also contains other docs released before or after the meeting
My full set of notes in one PDF ->
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-utM6sD6UggBNAMgWnQsG0g_lfmqo-on/view?usp=drive_link
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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"
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| School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan condenses the recent meeting to about 25 mins (audio) |
FM #1134 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1134 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Jan 9, 2024. The meeting was held in the Council Chambers.
Due to a Verizon internet outage at the Franklin TV Studio, the meeting was recorded for broadcast later and available via Zoom. Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8BvAH3q6xM&list=PLNyv0AkVasIR_a80hAfFnQoFngebCICow&index=46
Quick recap:
Internet out at TV studio, meeting via Zoom but not through to cable, it is being locally recorded for broadcast later, Audio recording also being made, Owl camera out to use for this meeting and Zoom session
Skipped ahead to Superintendent report, will come back to the FHS student update assuming they connect successfully
Facility planning underway, subcmte met last week. 3 piece process: (1) demographics, (2) educational adequacy and how to support it, (3) age and use of the space in the schools; More info coming as the presentation is scheduled for completion later this school year
Workshop on executive function, 90 mins for adults only, sign up through Lifelong Learning (link to be shared later)
Regards to the weather, please communicate also through the reverse 911 process
Dr Dutch provided an update on the state funding for the newly arrived students, submitted not received yet. Student update on activity at the high school
Oak St administration team to provide an update on the school activities this year so far
Good question on languages and how the new folks, especially the younger ones, are catching on? 'Wheels on the bus' sung in multiple languages is a thing to hear! language is building every day in K and 1
Question to expand on trauma informed practices, some kids are having tough times, how do you handle them? Lesley Univ presenting a course on this topic for a grad level course being set up for this. 27 staff members at Oak will be taking this course
Interview by students focused on 3, 4, and 5th grade students. Adapted also for the lower levels. Coming up later this year!
Next up, program of studies at FHS, Mr Hanna and H McVey
Personal finance and community service coming back for FHS graduation requirements for future classes
Students will receive a copy of the courses available to them, as opposed to prior years advised to review the listing (turns out many didn't)
Timeline reviewed for information process & enrollment
Panther Pride night Feb 12, a good one for the incoming 9th graders (currently 8th graders)
Recurring FHS Varsity Cheerleading National Competition, approved by 7-0 vote
Capital Budget Proposal - I recommend approval of the Capital Budget Proposal as discussed. Motion to approve, second, passes 7-0; Budget subcmte had met earlier and approved this request
The meeting runs about 1 hour and 55 minutes so let’s listen to the School Committee meeting held on Jan 9, 2024. Audio link - > https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1134-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-01-09-24
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School Committee page => https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee
Meeting Agenda doc -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/1-9-24-agenda
Meeting packet folder -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/january-9-2024-school-committee-meeting-packet
Oak St highlights -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/MyeaEisD1EuirtpTA
FHS program of studies -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/aeMBP35oMNzM5QHs5
My notes in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qXpStXQX6JrK5nRluvpygt-tkT3o9GCZ/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
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"
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| FHS student providing update on FHS activities during School Cmte meeting via Zoom session |
"For much of recent history, intimate private colleges and universities have thrived here, as much a part of the region’s identity as tumbledown stone walls and scenic coastlines, the local highways bristling with signs signaling that another quintessential New England campus is just an exit away.But the business model for the small liberal arts school is much less viable these days, as the population of high school graduates continues to decline and more young people are skeptical of, or unable to bear, the hefty cost of a college degree. Already in Massachusetts, more than 20 colleges closed completely or merged into larger institutions since 2014, according to the state Department of Higher Education.And industry insiders expect more of the smaller or lesser-known schools to fade away, while a handful of private universities boasting massive endowments will continue to flourish.Two of the nation’s big credit rating agencies reported dire financial outlooks for the year for the higher education sector: Fitch Ratings says conditions in the sector are “deteriorating,” and Moody’s Investors Service says the outlook is “negative.”
"At the dawn of the 19th century, the world population hit a big milestone: 1 billion people.Over the next 220 years, the number grew to eight times that, or the 8 billion people who live on the planet today, with half of the growth occurring since 1975.This continuous climb in global population has been possible thanks to advancements in healthcare and nutrition. However, the UN forecasts that rapid growth will slow down—and may even stop entirely by 2100—because of falling fertility rates.What does that mean for modern nation states conditioned to expect a constant influx of new citizens and labor to power their economies? And how can those changing economies adapt to a shrinking population?To understand that, we need to first untangle fertility rates, and why they’re falling."
FM #910 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 910 in the series.
This session shares the Franklin, MA School Committee Budget Subcommittee meeting held on Wednesday, Jan 4, 2023. The meeting was conducted in the 3rd floor training room. Remote participation was enabled for this session per their agenda. As the Chair was remote, the votes were via roll call.
Chair Dave McNeill opened the meeting. School Committee member Dave Callaghan was present to start, member Meghan Whitmore arrived at approx. 6:15. Superintendent Lucas Giguere, Business Manager Miriam Goodman, Asst Supt Paula Marano and Asst Supt Dr. Tina Rogers also participated.
Quick recap
School Capital Budget Request was previewed with a late change to possibly reduce it from $900K to about $400K
ECDC Enrollment is increasing and a new classroom needs to be added for March to meet the new 17 students expected who are turning 3; can be covered from revolving funds for now but will require hiring a teacher and aides and be part of next budget request
FY24 Budget Timeline no current adjustment due to new Governor and her budget which is not due until early March, will proceed with estimates based upon last year and adjust along the way as necessary
The show notes contain a link to the agenda and to my notes.
The recording runs about 44 minutes, so let’s listen to the Budget Subcommittee meeting of Jan 4, 2023. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-910-school-cmte-budget-subcmte-mtg-01-04-23
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Budget Subcommittee agenda
My notes in this ThreadReader PDF ->
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Tcsb-fd21ZYQzYxUsrhhCKx8RuJNswco/view?usp=share_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
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"
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| School Committee Budget Subcommittee hears of capital budget request & another room needed for ECDC (audio) |
