Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
"State leaders released on Monday the broad outlines of new educational standards students would be required to meet to graduate from high school, including mandatory courses, senior projects or portfolios, and financial literacy.
The proposed seven-part “framework” aims to replace the 10th grade test requirement voters did away with last year. But the framework included exam-like “end-of-course assessments.” The potential for new testing drew immediate criticism from the Massachusetts Teachers Association, which helped lead the drive to repeal the prior MCAS testing standard.
Governor Maura Healey and other proponents of the plan presented it as a necessary step for the state to maintain its number one ranking in the nation on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, a status jeopardized by a decadelong decline in achievement."
Boston Globe article on new high school graduation framework
FM #1586 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1586 in the series.
This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. All 7 members of the newly elected committee were present.
Quick recap:
Supt Giguere opens the session, solicits nominations for Chair.
One made by Callaghan for Griffith. Vote on the nomination passes 7-0
Nominations asked for Vice Chair. One made, Griffith nominates Callaghan. Vote on the nomination passes 7-0
Policy - 2nd Reading/Adoption. Superintendent recommends adoption of the following policies as discussed:
IKF - Graduation Requirements
IKFE - Competency Determinations
Discussion on the adjustments to the grad requirements and competency which fine tuned the language for clarity. Moved to accept as discussed, passes 7-0
Discussion Only Items, informational for new members and for the weather as winter approaches for all
A.Inclement Weather Notice
B.Review of District/Superintendent’s Goals
C.ACCEPT Quarterly Update
Spent time on the rationale and objectives for each of the subcommittees or liaisons for the SchCmte to assist the new members as which ones to select. Chair will make alignment and reveal for next meeting so they can begin scheduling meetings as needed
Franklin School Committee (L-R): Hansen, Griffith, Callaghan, O'Sullivan, Mausolf, Charles, Karunakaran
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"
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"
I recommend moving the following policies to a second reading as discussed:
IKF - Graduation Requirements
IKFE - Competency Determinations
B.Superintendent’s Goals
I recommend approval of the Superintendent’s Goals as discussed.
IV.Discussion Only Items
A.October 1 Report
B.ACCEPT Quarterly Report
V.Information Matters
A.School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
B.School Committee Liaison Reports
School Committee Meeting
VI.Consent Agenda
A.Approval of Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from your October 14, 2025 School Committee meeting as detailed.
B.Athletics Gift
I recommend the acceptance of $2,000.00 from the Gridiron Club for Supplemental Supplies as detailed.
C.FHS Gift
I recommend the acceptance of $2,457.00 from the Theater Boosters for in-house enrichment as detailed.
VII.Citizen’s Comments
VIII.New Business
To discuss any future agenda items
IX.Executive Session
A.As per M.G.L. c. 30A, § 21 (3) To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares
X.Adjournment
Agenda doc also includes remote participation info ->
"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.Attendance -
II.Distribution of Approved Policies
A.none
Ill.Discussion of Policies sent to School Committee
A.None
IV.Policy Revisions & New Policies - New Discussion Item
A.IKF: Graduation Requirement (new)
B. IKFE: Competency Determination (new)
The agenda doc contains remote participation info ->
Part of Corey Silva's remarks at the MasterPeace Service Dog Graduation on Saturday, June 14
"Mike Masters, affectionately known as “The DogFather,” co-founded MasterPeace Dog Training in Franklin with his wife Fran in 2001. What they envisioned as a fun ten-year retirement project became so much more. Mike was a passionate dog owner, trainer, and competitor—most notably with his service dog Paxton, a Spinone Italiano. His passing was a tremendous loss to both the service and agility dog communities.
Dogs adored Mike, and the feeling was mutual. He began teaching agility in the 1990s, when the sport was just beginning in the U.S. Many top competitors holding multiple MACH titles began their journey with Mike’s guidance.
Even more remarkably, Mike was training his own service dogs as far back as the early 1980s—long before service dogs were widely understood or accepted. In one memorable story, he removed himself from his wheelchair and crawled up a flight of stairs to show a skeptical landlord why his service dog, Mariah, was essential for operating the elevator.
After Mariah, Mike went on to self-train two more Golden Retrievers and Paxton, his “heart dog.” He also helped many others with disabilities train their own service dogs here at MasterPeace. His legacy lives on today through the MasterPeace Service Dog Program.
So while I never got to meet Mike, I became a part of his community here. I built my own service dog curriculum from everything I could find—books, mentors, experience. I leaned on the knowledgeable trainers around me, especially Kelly Taylor, who teaches many popular classes on Saturday mornings. That work led to a conversation with Fran and Patty about creating a formal program for owner-trainers here at MasterPeace.
Mike has been the spiritual mentor and inspiration that guided this program into existence.
Today we celebrate the achievements of two service dog teams.
Grisel and Luna
You’ve worked with me diligently over the last two years—even before this program officially launched. Luna’s service dog tasks include deep pressure therapy, interrupting repetitive behaviors, retrieving medication with water, and bringing her leash. Together, you’ve earned the AKC Canine Good Citizen, the MasterPeace Home Helpmate title, and passed the MasterPeace Public Access Test. My favorite of Luna’s accomplishments, however, was watching her overcome her fear of automatic doors and loud noises through countless training sessions at Stop & Shop and Forge Park Station.
Isabel and Nalah
You’ve worked so hard over these last two years and were among the first to attend our inaugural Service Dog 101 Workshop. Nalah’s service dog tasks include deep pressure therapy, retrieving medication with water, and her leash, and locating a seat for you. Together, you’ve also earned the AKC Canine Good Citizen, the MasterPeace Home Helpmate title, and passed the MasterPeace Public Access Test. Nalah is our first nosework dog turned service dog—a transition made possible by the beautiful bond you two share. I hope she inspires more teams to follow that path.
To conclude, I want to say how special it has been for me to witness owner trainers train their own service dogs. I’ve learned firsthand that the act of training your own service dog is therapeutic in itself. The bond that forms through that process is like nothing else.
I often liken dog training to a passage from one of my favorite books, The Little Prince. In it, the prince tames a wild fox, and the fox says:
“To me, you are still nothing more than a little boy who is just like a hundred thousand other little boys. And I have no need of you. And you, on your part, have no need of me. To you, I am nothing more than a fox like a hundred thousand other foxes. But if you tame me, then we shall need each other. To me, you will be unique in all the world. To you, I shall be unique in all the world…”
The bonds you’ve built with your dogs here at MasterPeace are just that—unique in all the world."
Service Dog Graduation Ceremony - Saturday, June 14 - MasterPeace Dog Training
This Saturday, June 14 at 11:30 AM, MasterPeace Dog Training will be hosting its first-ever Service Dog Graduation Ceremony. We’ll be celebrating the incredible journey of our first two graduates, Luna and Nalah, who have completed over two years of intensive training and are now fully certified service dogs.
This event also commemorates the life and legacy of Mike Masters the co-founder of MasterPeace Dog Training who was a disabled man with a service dog. This ceremony marks the 10th anniversary of his passing, and we are honored to dedicate it in his memory.
On Thursday it was Tri-County’s big night. Then, next night, Franklin High. Again, we worked with Wrentham Cable8 and NorthTV to assemble crew and connections to the entire Tri-County region of 11 cities and towns. Then, next day, we were on the Panther football field for Franklin High. In years past the prep and installation of cameras and gear could take two days. We’ve refined the technology and our approach to ‘big events’ technical prep/setup to take under 4 hours.
Franklin TV: Graduation(s)
These days it also ‘takes a village’ to deliver large event coverage. Thanks go out to our crew(s) for making it all happen: Chris Flynn, Chris Leverone, Meredith Roberts, Taylor Tremblay, Chris Cadorette, Jared Ware, Liz Harkins, Brian McCoy, Marc Berman. Willian Stewart, Colin Boisvert.
Across the various Town Services: DPW, Building Management, Police, etc. The attitude is always “Let’s make it happen for the kids’. Need that mountain moved?
No problem. Where would you like it placed, and when do you need it there?
