School Committee hears of and approves the District Improvement Plan & FHS trip to Far East in 2025 (video)

The Franklin School Committee met as scheduled on Tuesday, Sep 12, 2023. 6 members were present in Council Chambers, one absent (Bernstein).

Brief recap:

• Update from Superintendent Giguere on school opening, so far good, academic year has opened in heat which everyone worked through, over 800 faculty, over 4600 students
• Successfully hired all teachers, down to 11 ESPs needed, 2 open spots for interventionists, thanks to all who were part of the process
• Migrant housing update: refers to the press release, DESE also alerted District, families joining on a staggered basis, approx. 25 school age children with the families already housed, collaborating to enroll, register and get them welcomed to the schools, funding assistance to be provided, dollars remain unconfirmed. Updates to be provided as info is available
• Intros of the new administration around the district
• Next up, the district improvement plan (DIP), slides not yet posted to the meeting folder, so pix will be captured for an album to be shared as we go https://photos.app.goo.gl/LxQbpaU4Ft8qPFS86 
• Committee members asked and received clarifications on points made during the DIP presentation, in the action items, the DIP was approved as presented by 6-0-1 (6 for, none against, 1 absent)
•  Presentation on a proposed trip to Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand for spring of 2025. Presentation copy can be found   https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/discussion_action_a_-_vietnam-cambodia-thailand_trip.pdf  
• motion to approve trip as presented was seconded and passed by 6-0-1
• Consent agenda was recommended for approval and it passed by 6-0-1
• A round of updates from the various subcommittees on meetings held and or scheduled (details in the video and in my notes)
• Meeting adjourned

Franklin TV video for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/G-8ECoHrh8M?si=r9hZow6Jim8WXGxS&t=59

Meeting packet folder -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/september-12-2023-school-committee-meeting-packet

Agenda doc & remote participation info ->    https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_9-12-23.pdf

My notes captured via Twitter during the meeting and then in a single PDF for easy reading 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QdkJB2fxemPuN_nCWV6Dmq9tdc_QQsIh/view?usp=drive_link

Franklin, MA: School Committee Agenda for Sep 12, 2023 Meeting

Franklin, MA: School Committee Agenda for Sep 12, 2023 Meeting

Franklin School Committee

September 12, 2023 - 7:00 PM

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. Introduce new Administrators

B. District Improvement Plan

III. Discussion/Action Items

A. Vietnam/Cambodia/Thailand Trip - Chris Penza

I recommend approval of the request of Chris Penza to take FHS students to

Vietnam/Cambodia/Thailand in April, 2025 as detailed.  

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NGGLzLL4kKSD0n6Z2DgyzT9ZAXb7feFs/view?usp=drive_link

B. 23-24 District Improvement Plan

I recommend approval of the 23-24 District Improvement Plan as presented.

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 22, 2023 meeting as

detailed.

VII. Good of the Order

VIII. Citizen’s Comments

IX. New Business

To discuss any future agenda items

X. Adjournment

Meeting packet folder -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/september-12-2023-school-committee-meeting-packet

Agenda doc & remote participation info ->   https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_9-12-23.pdf

Franklin, MA: School Committee Agenda for Sep 12, 2023 Meeting

Redistricting vote fails by 6-1 vote at Franklin School Committee Meeting (audio)

FM #994 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 994 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, May 9, 2023.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: all of the School Committee members, school district personnel along with some of the public in the Council Chambers. Some members of the public participated via Zoom conference bridge.

Quick recap:

• The School Committee met on Tuesday night at their regular meeting. They heard an update from the Keller Elementary School, an update on the District Improvement Plan, and voted 6-1 on an amendment to the original redistricting motion, to effectively do nothing for redistricting

• The 6 votes all talked of the need for the master facility plan, but although that was included in the original proposal before them, the minor adjustment now was passed on in favor of doing nothing

• The entered Executive Session and did return to approve a contract reached with ESP/LPN bargaining unit before closing out the full meeting

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 the School Committee meeting of May 9, 2023

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-994-fps-school-committee-mtg-05-09-23 

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

Agenda document -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_5-9-23.pdf 

Keller presentation document

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/keller_school_may_9_school_committee_presentation.pdf 

District Improvement Plan update ->  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/sc_5_9_23_strategic_objective_1_-1.pdf 

Redistricting Analysis Report

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/redistricting_analysis_recommendation_report_2022-23.pdf 

Packet folder contains the documents released for this meeting 

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/may-9-2023-school-committee-meeting-packet

Franklin TV video replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/W-9CbY5MeDY?feature=share

My notes captured during the meeting (in one PDF file)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qB4ZIFXY9R4zNJ5hxoHrLnt242ECaUsN/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"

Franklin, MA: School Committee Agenda

Redistricting vote fails by 6-1 vote at Franklin School Committee Meeting (video)

The School Committee meet on Tuesday night at their regular meeting. They heard an update from the Keller Elementary School, and update on the District Improvement Plan, and voted 6-1 on an amendment to the original motion, to effectively do nothing for redistricting. The 6 votes all talked of the need for the master facility plan, but although that was included in the original proposal before them, the minor adjustment now was passed on in favor of doing nothing. 

Franklin TV video replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/W-9CbY5MeDY?feature=share

Meeting packet folder ->  https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/may-9-2023-school-committee-meeting-packet

Agenda doc -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_5-9-23.pdf

My notes captured via Twitter during the meeting can be found in one PDF ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qB4ZIFXY9R4zNJ5hxoHrLnt242ECaUsN/view?usp=share_link

Franklin, MA: School Committee Agenda

Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting Oct 11, 2022 (audio recording)

FM #862 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 862 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Oct 11, 2022. The meeting was conducted in the Council Chambers with one member remote so a roll call vote was recorded every time where needed. 

School Committee Chair Denise Spencer opens the meeting at 7:00 PM. 

Key items on the agenda

Legislator of the Year Award presented by MASC to Senator Becca Rausch

Improvement plan presentations and discussion for 

• Middle schools (Horace Mann, Remington, & Annie Sullivan)

• Franklin High School

MASC resolutions reviewed & voted on as amended

Creation of a Redistricting Advisory Council approved

The show notes contain a link to the full agenda and to my notes & photos captured via Twitter during the meeting. 

The recording runs about three hours, thirty minutes, so let’s listen to the Franklin School Committee on Oct 11, 2022. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-862-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-10-11-22

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

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

Meeting agenda doc 

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/scagenda_10-11-22.pdf

 

Meeting packet folder

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/october-11-2022-school-committee-meeting-packet

 

My notes captured via Twitter and compiled into one PDF doc ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DF-bRWLpEwNeNeWGFvngIjQYWtSnn8Ov/view?usp=sharing

Photos from the meeting (mostly screen shots of the presentations not yet posted to the packet folder)  https://photos.app.goo.gl/SMsQcCJmzJFKzqwNA 

YouTube video replay for this meeting ->   https://youtu.be/Aj7BugMBAQg

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

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"

Legislator of the Year Award presented by MASC to Senator Becca Rausch

Franklin, MA: School Committee Meeting Agenda for Oct 11, 2022

 Franklin School Committee

October 11, 2022 -7:00 PM

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 Ms. Spencer

C. Payroll Ms. Stokes

D. FHS Student Representative Comments

E. Superintendent’s Report

II. Guests/Presentations

A. 2021 MASC Legislator of the Year Award

B. 6-12 School Improvement Plans

 

III. Discussion/Action Items

A. FPS Middle School Improvement Plans

I recommend approval of the Middle School Improvement Plans as presented.

B. FPS High School Improvement Plan

I Recommend approval of the High School Improvement Plan as presented.

C. Policy - 1st Reading

I recommend moving policy JICH - Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drug use by students to a second reading as discussed.

D. MASC Resolutions

I recommend approval of the following resolutions:

1. Regarding Sanctuary Laws for Transgender Students

2. To Increase the Maximum Balance Allowed by the Special Education Reserve Fund

3. Membership of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education

4. Preserving Local Governance of Massachusetts Schools

5. Personal Financial Literacy Education

6. Establishment of a Regional School Assessment Reserve Fund

E. Redistricting Sub Committee

I recommend the establishment of a “Redistricting Advisory Committee” to the School Committee as discussed.

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 September 27, 2022 School Committee meeting as detailed.

B. Music Gift

I recommend acceptance of a check for $225.00 from the Franklin Music Boosters for in-house enrichment as detailed.

C. Keller Gift

I recommend acceptance of a check for $1100.00 from the Keller PCC for field trips as detailed.

VII. Citizen’s Comments

VIII. New Business

To discuss any future agenda items

IX Adjournment

Meeting agenda doc with remote connection info

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/scagenda_10-11-22.pdf

Meeting packet folder

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/october-11-2022-school-committee-meeting-packet

Franklin, MA: School Committee Meeting Agenda for Oct 11, 2022

School Committee hears the District Improvement Plan, elementary improvement plans, and approves consultant expense for redistricting study (audio)

This session shares the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Sep 27, 2022. The meeting was conducted in the Council Chambers. 

School Committee Chair Denise Spencer opens the meeting at 7:00 PM. 

The show notes contain a link to the agenda and to my notes.

The recording runs about two hours, thirty-five minutes, so let’s listen to the Franklin School Committee on Sep 27, 2022.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-851-franklin-ma-school-committee-mtg-09-27-22

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

Meeting agenda ->   https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_9-27-22.pdf

Meeting Packet Folder ->

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/september-27-2022-school-committee-meeting-packet

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

My notes in this ThreadReader PDF ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M0YYtKEh0vN20tg-CBcslcVsPE4D183W/view?usp=sharing 

Photos from the meeting (mostly screen shots of the presentations not yet posted to the packet folder)  https://photos.app.goo.gl/RD7WtNS9FvkdDwaS6

YouTube video replay for this meeting ->   https://youtu.be/buy1Dv9_HUk

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

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"

Franklin, MA School Committee hears District Improvement Plan updates, recognizes 19 retirees (audio)

FM #803 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 803 in the series. 

This session of the radio show is the audio recording of the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting conducted on Tuesday, Sep 24, 2022. All seven members of the committee were present. After the set of retiree recognitions, the meeting took a break and then resumed. 

The recording runs about 2 hours and 27 minutes, so let’s listen in.

 Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-803-school-committee-mtg-05-24-22

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

Agenda document ->   https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_5-24-22.pdf

 

Meeting packet folder with documents released for this meeting ->   https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/may-24-2022-school-committee-meeting-packet

Franklin TV YouTube video ->    https://youtu.be/gP5hyu8WZ3I

My notes via Twitter -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pO0ZkELeiMwFcz4sZg_NGLfujYDkmuo-/view?usp=sharing 

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

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"