School Committee Meeting gets feedback issue resolved, approves handbooks, hears of bus plan & more (audio)

FM #1266 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1266 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, August 27, 2024. 7 members participated; 5 in chambers, two were remote (Callaghan, Sompally).

Quick recap:

• Superintendent Giguere reported on the opening professional development days Monday & Tuesday; all together at FHS Monday with a welcome, breakfast, group activities and a student produced video; teachers and staff with school based activities 

• Staffing update: hired 44 positions this summer, 6 teacher vacancies, 9 ESP vacancies, and 9 other non-union vacancies remain as of 8/27/24. As noted in follow up questions, this # is a little higher than prior years, complicated by 48 resignations during the summer, most in the past 2 weeks, hiring process still underway. 

• Transportation update: 31 remain on wait list after a new bus was added to the school 'fleet'. The bus provider has the busses and drivers we need, the same number of busses as last year was what they started with, then added one Monday. There is one other bus funded by the State for the students at the hotel. 

• Transportation letter referenced ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/08/fps-letter-providing-school.html

• All students registered and paid (partially or fully) by deadline are slotted for a bus

• 31 students remain on a wait list after one bus was added

• Bus passes won't be checked until Sept 16 to allow for the "who's really riding, who's not" process to get sorted out

• Bus capacity in some cases may be high but those at the scheduled stops will get a ride at least thru the 16th

• Discussion and approval (7-0 vote via roll call) for the school handbooks; discussion focused on the changes some significant, some minor to the handbooks vs. prior year, photos of the slides for FHS, middle schools, and elementary schools are available in one album (when presentation gets updated to meeting page, link will be added) https://photos.app.goo.gl/hcjHqYuWPNvg4ca8A 

• Now that the handbooks are approved, they will be posted to the Schools page ->  https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/school-handbooks 

• FY25 Revised Final Budget Vote - I recommend approval of the FY25 School Budget in the amount of $77,470,190.00 as discussed ** Motion to approve, second, passes via roll call by 7-0 vote. Note that the "base" for next year would be $1m less than this due to the one time funds

• Policy 2nd Reading/Adoption - I recommend adoption of Policy GBEBD - Online Fundraising and Solicitation - Crowdfunding as discussed. ** Motion to approve, second, passes via roll call by 7-0 vote

The recording runs about 1 hour & 43 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1266-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-08-27-24/

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The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->  

https://www.youtube.com/live/sahovop6Kv0?si=sDlNZtXfQ-KJCgBg&t=1159

Agenda doc  -> https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/4746981/SCAGENDA_8-27-24.pdf    

Meeting packet folder -> (docs released for this meeting, some of them available after the meeting)  https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2024---25-meeting-packets/august-27%2C-2024-sc-meeting-packet/692601 

My notes in one PDF ->  

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lnpeEhrwjgVtZypRj-9T6iHGBfNHgjkT/view?usp=drive_link 

Handbook slides ->  https://photos.app.goo.gl/hcjHqYuWPNvg4ca8A 

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

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"

FHS slide on handbook changes

School Committee Meeting gets feedback issue resolved, approves handbooks, hears of bus plan & more (video)

The Franklin, MA School Committee met as scheduled  on August 27, 2024 beginning at 7 PM. After working through some sound feedback issues in Council Chambers with Zoom, the meeting really got into the agenda approx. 7:20 PM.

Franklin TV video link (starting with the resumption of the meeting) ->  https://www.youtube.com/live/sahovop6Kv0?si=sDlNZtXfQ-KJCgBg&t=1159

Quick recap:

• Superintendent Giguere reported on the opening professional development days Monday & Tuesday; all together at FHS Monday with a welcome, breakfast, group activities and a student produced video; teachers and staff with school based activities 
• Staffing update: hired 44 positions this summer, 6 teacher vacancies, 9 ESP vacancies, and 9 other non-union vacancies remain as of 8/27/24. As noted in follow up questions, this # is a little higher than prior years, complicated by 48 resignations during the summer, most in the past 2 weeks, hiring process still underway. 
• Transportation update: 31 remain on wait list after a new bus was added to the school 'fleet'. The bus provider has the busses and drivers we need, the same number of busses as last year was what they started with, then added one Monday. There is one other bus funded by the State for the students at the hotel. 
• Transportation letter referenced ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/08/fps-letter-providing-school.html
• All students registered and paid (partially or fully) by deadline are slotted for a bus
• 31 students remain on a wait list after one bus was added
• Bus passes won't be checked until Sept 16 to allow for the "who's really riding, who's not" process to get sorted out
• Bus capacity in some cases may be high but those at the scheduled stops will get a ride at least thru the 16th
• Discussion and approval (7-0 vote via roll call) for the school handbooks; discussion focused on the changes some significant, some minor to the handbooks vs. prior year, photos of the slides for FHS, middle schools, and elementary schools are available in one album (when presentation gets updated to meeting page, link will be added)
• https://photos.app.goo.gl/hcjHqYuWPNvg4ca8A
• Now that the handbooks are approved, they will be posted to the Schools page ->  https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/school-handbooks
• FY25 Revised Final Budget Vote - I recommend approval of the FY25 School Budget in the amount of $77,470,190.00 as discussed ** Motion to approve, second, passes via roll call by 7-0 vote. Note that the "base" for next year would be $1m less than this due to the one time funds
• Policy 2nd Reading/Adoption - I recommend adoption of Policy GBEBD - Online Fundraising and Solicitation - Crowdfunding as discussed. ** Motion to approve, second, passes via roll call by 7-0 vote

Meeting agenda doc ->

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/4746981/SCAGENDA_8-27-24.pdf

My set of notes captured during the meeting ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lnpeEhrwjgVtZypRj-9T6iHGBfNHgjkT/view?usp=drive_link

FHS slide on handbook changes

School Committee approves updates to school handbooks, sets new date for FHS graduation as May 31, 2024 (audio)

FM #1045 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1045 in the series. 

The Franklin (MA) School Committee met on Tuesday, August 22, 2023 as scheduled.  Six members were present (1 absent - Whitmore).

Quick recap

• Several updates, including personnel hiring status, were provided by Superintendent Lucas Giguere

• In the first of 2 Discussion/Actions items, the 2023-24 Student & Family Handbook Approval was received. Among the elementary and middle school changes most were housekeeping, minor corrections, updates to names and roles, etc. Most of the principals were available either in person or via Zoom for questions.

• FHS Principal Josh Hanna spent some time on the updates to the high school handbook to address the Credit Attendance policy, Updated Cell Phone / Electronic Device policy, Updated Academic Dishonesty (Artificial Dishonesty), and Clarity around Bathroom Use policy

• Principal Hanna and Supt Giguere also spent time explaining the rationale behind the graduation date change. It had initial been set as the "first Friday in June" as that was the standard, then as they looked at the calendar and how the weeks and other school events (MCAS among them) fell, it made sense to change it. The Committee approved

Let’s listen to the School Committee meeting of August 22. 

The total meeting audio runs about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1045-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-08-22-23

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School Committee page -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee 

The agenda doc 

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/scagenda_8-22-23.pdf

The packet folder can be found ->

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/august-22-2023-school-committee-meeting-packet  (Note some docs are scheduled to be updated after the meeting)

YouTube link -> https://www.youtube.com/live/OKz4ioRKmxM

My notes can be found in one PDF file ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VFNh0WlWJbVT4gRJwod5ULotPRs-nhbV/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 franklin.news/ or 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"

School Committee approves updates to school handbooks

School Committee approves updates to school handbooks, sets new date for FHS graduation as May 31, 2024 (video)

The Franklin (MA) School Committee met as scheduled on Tuesday, Aug 22, 2023. 6 of the 7 members were present (Whitmore absent).

Quick recap

• Several updates, including personnel hiring status, were provided by Superintendent Lucas Giguere
• In the first of 2 Discussion/Actions items, the 2023-24 Student & Family Handbook Approval was received. Among the elementary and middle school changes most were housekeeping, minor corrections, updates to names and roles, etc. Most of the principals were available either in person or via Zoom for questions.
• FHS Principal Josh Hanna spent some time on the updates to the high school handbook to address the Credit Attendance policy, Updated Cell Phone / Electronic Device policy, Updated Academic Dishonesty (Artificial Dishonesty), and Clarity around Bathroom Use policy
• Principal Hanna and Supt Giguere also spent time explaining the rationale behind the graduation date change. It had initial been set as the "first Friday in June" as that was the standard, then as they looked at the calendar and how the weeks and other school events (MCAS among them) fell, it made sense to change it. The Committee approved

The agenda doc 

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/scagenda_8-22-23.pdf

The packet folder can be found ->

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/august-22-2023-school-committee-meeting-packet  (Note some docs are scheduled to be updated after the meeting)

YouTube link -> https://www.youtube.com/live/OKz4ioRKmxM

My notes can be found in one PDF file ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VFNh0WlWJbVT4gRJwod5ULotPRs-nhbV/view?usp=drive_link

School Committee approves updates to school handbooks

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Meeting Agenda for Aug 22, 2023

Franklin School Committee 

August 22, 2023 - 7:00 P.M.

Municipal Building – Council Chambers

Call to Order Ms. Spencer

Pledge of Allegiance 

Moment of Silence

I. Routine Business

A. Review of Agenda

B. Payment of Bills Mr. McNeill

C. Payroll Ms. Spencer

D. FHS Student Representative Comments

E. Superintendent’s Report

II. Guests/Presentations

A. none

III. Discussion/Action Items

A. 2023-24 Student & Family Handbook Approval

I recommend approval of the 2023-24 Student and Family Handbooks as detailed.   https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/discussion_action_a_-_23-24_student_family_handbooks.pdf

B. Graduation Proposal

I recommend approval of the 2023-24 HS Graduation date change as detailed.   https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/discussion_action_b_-_grad_proposal.pdf

IV. Discussion Only Items

A. none

V. Information Matters

A. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports

B. School Committee Liaison Reports

VI. Consent Agenda

A. Approval of Minutes

I recommend approval of the minutes from your August 8, 2023 School Committee Meeting as detailed.

B. Remington Gift

I recommend acceptance of a check for $101.02 from Shutterfly, LLC for in-house enrichment as detailed.

C. FHS Gift

I recommend acceptance of a check for $34.73 from Ohiopyle for supplemental supplies at FHS as detailed.

VI. Citizen’s Comments

VIII. New Business

To discuss any future agenda items

IX. Adjournment

The agenda doc also contain remote participation info

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/scagenda_8-22-23.pdf

The packet folder can be found ->

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/august-22-2023-school-committee-meeting-packet

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Meeting Agenda for Aug 22, 2023

FM #591 & 592 - School Committee Meeting - 08/24/21 - audio recording in 2 parts

FM #591 & 592 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, numbers 591 & 592 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, August 24, 2021.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: the School Committee members were in the Municipal Bldg along with some of the public, other members of the public joined via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

The recording runs about an hour and forty eight minutes (1 hour 48 minutes), so I split the meeting into two segments:

• First - covers the opening, the handbook updates, and re-opening status (~56 mins)

• Second - covers the citizens comments on the masking policy from DESE, the consent agenda, through to the closing of the meeting (~53 mins)

Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents released for this meeting are included in the show notes. The link to my notes taken during the meeting is also provided.

Let’s listen to this segment of the School Committee meeting Aug 24, 2021

 

Part 1 -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/5f222fa5-c28e-4fea-990e-c82a38fadb91

Part 2 -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/78bb69ef-d83c-49e9-9562-dd85585b60af

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School Committee Agenda doc (including connection info) ->  https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/sc-agenda-8-24-21

 

Agenda folder -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/august-24-2021-school-committee-meeting-packet

My notes captured during the meeting

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/08/recap-school-committee-meeting-82421.html 

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

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"

 

FM #591 & 592 - School Committee Meeting - 08/24/21 - audio recording in 2 parts

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Aug 24, 2021

School Committee Meeting

Municipal Building - Council Chambers (Virtual Link in Agenda)

• Call to Order 
• Pledge of Allegiance 
• Moment of Silence

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. none

III. Discussion/Action Items
A. Policy - Waiving 1st reading
I recommend waiving the First Reading of Policy EBCFA Face Coverings as discussed.
B. Policy Adoption
I recommend adopting policy EBCFA - Face Coverings as discussed.
C. ACCEPT Collaborative Capital Reserve
I recommend the approval of the creation of ACCEPT’s Capital Reserve with a balance limit of $1,000,000 for the purpose of accumulating funds for the acquisition, maintenance and improvement of capital items.
D. School Handbooks and Back to School Health and Safety
I recommend approval of the school handbooks as discussed.

IV. Discussion Only Items
A. Back to School Status Update - 8-20-21
B. Summary of New Hires

V.  Information Matters
A. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports (e.g. Ad Hoc Supt. Evaluation, 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 August 10, 2021 School Committee meeting as detailed.
B. Transfers
I recommend approval of the budget transfers as detailed.
C. FHS Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $901.90 from Stop & Shop for supplemental supplies at FHS as detailed.
D. Jefferson Donation
I recommend acceptance of the donation of furniture (valued at $3,350.00) from Cardi’s Furniture for the Jefferson Teacher’s Room.
E. Music Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $3,287.50 from music parents for in-house enrichment as detailed.
F. Student Activity Accounts
I recommend approval of the 2021-22 Student Activity Accounts as detailed.

VIII. Payment of Bills Dr. Bergen

IX. Payroll Atty. Pond-Pfeffer

X. Adjournment

meeting packet folder -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/august-24-2021-school-committee-meeting-packet

Agenda doc with connection info ->  https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/sc-agenda-8-24-21

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Aug 24, 2021