School Committee hear the details on "level service" budget that comes in at 2.5% increase (audio)

FM #1658 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1658 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. All 7 members of the committee were present. 

Quick recap:

• The committee conducted the budget hearing for the FY 2027 school budget. Excluding the health care costs ($8.8M), they presented a 'level service' budget that stays within a 2.5% increase. Multiple questions to clarify amounts, rational, and sometimes accounting moves were raised and discussed. Many compliments on the layout and clarity of the budget were provided to Supt Lucas Giguere and to Business Administrator Jana Melotti

• The next step on the budget will be the School Committee vote on Feb 24. The complete timeline is provided in the budget folder

The recording runs about 2 hours and 45 minutes

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1658-school-cmte-mtg-fy-27-budget-hearing-02-10-26/

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Additional links to the meeting recap, Franklin TV video, and key documents for this session

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/02/school-committee-hear-details-on-level.html    

the school budget for FY 2027 

All the docs associated with the budget for FY 2027 

https://www.franklinps.net/documents/about-us/school-district-budget(2)/fy2027-budget/860340 

Budget timeline https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/Fpsd/37787646-f072-494b-b560-903c09ba25be/UPDATED_-_Budget_Calendar_FY27.pdf?disposition=inline

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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!

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

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 get preview of FY 2027 school budget with 2.5% increase, assuming health costs transfer to Town account (video)

The Franklin School Committee met as scheduled on Tuesday, Jan 27, 2026. All 7 members were present in the Council Chambers.

Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-UxhayAn6s

The agenda can be found -> https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/Fpsd/8d6ca562-53e6-4ea4-a1af-54dc11571527/SCAGENDA-1-27-26.pdf?disposition=inline

Released documents will be posted to the 'packet folder' ->  https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2025---26-meeting-packets/january-27%2C-2026-sc-meeting-packet/24906664

Quick recap

• The committee and community got a preview of the FY 2027 school budget. Excluding the health care costs ($8.8M), they presented a 'level service' budget that stays within a 2.5% increase
• The discussions with the Town to transfer the health care costs to the Town account 910 are in process. A Memo of Agreement (MOA) is being prepared to cover the details of the transfer. The Committee will schedule a special meeting to vote to approve the transfer next week

My notes in one PDF file ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/140kTZI5bmwVFlufRsU54cNneJ2BytZ-c/view?usp=drive_link

A copy of the presentation via photos captured during the presentation

https://photos.app.goo.gl/4FRM9xmqLKzUwXFY8

FY 2027 school budget with 2.5% increase, assuming health costs transfer to Town account

3rd of 6 Joint Budget Listening Sessions held, more questions & answers (audio)

FM #1368 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1368 in the series. 

This session shares the Joint Budget Listening Session held Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at the Franklin Senior Center. All 10 members participated along with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. School Supt Lucas Giguere missed the session due to school break week.

Brief statements by TA Hellen and School Committee Vice Chair David McNeill opened the session before going to the audience for questions and comments. At least 13 folks stepped up to comment or ask a question, some multiple questions.

Link to the Town page with the budget materials for both Town and School sides

https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=500 

As of today, $3.6M short, may change slightly but that is the ballpark for today. Town budget coming out in April.

Cherry sheet link to MA Dept of revenue as referenced by Town administrator Jamie Hellen https://www.mass.gov/cherry-sheet-estimates 

The recording runs about 2 hours 12 minutes , so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1387-joint-budget-listening-session-3-02-19-25/

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The agenda doc 

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02192025-1559 

The agenda packet includes:

a. Town Administrator FY26 Budget Update #4 Memorandum - https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4201/Town-Administrator-FY26-Budget-Update-4-Memorandum- 

b. Updated FY26 Budget Model (1/30/25)  - https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4191/02b-FY26-Budget-Control-Sheet---Control-Summary 

c. Estimated Override Matrix  - https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4190/02c-Override-Tax-Rate-Impact-Calculationxlsx---Sheet1 

d. Board of Assessors Request Letter  https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4189/02d-Board-of-Assessors-Support-for-Administrative-Assistant

The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->    https://www.youtube.com/live/HWM25y_m2Bk?&t=552 

Franklin Public Schools had a tri-fold handout available for participants. A PDF copy for you to view and download is here ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1q02Jpzl96WslZNUv6hMeXzwEmwVXCuoM/view?usp=drive_link 

My notes captured during the meeting can be found in one PDF -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1639lkClEA8IfavpdIKCQq_MbW2i1AsMB/view?usp=drive_link 

The Dr Bergen, School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan discussion on the history of school cuts  Audio link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pqiBAoPBMg 

The Fire Dept presentation on ambulance call volume at the Feb 5 Town Council meeting

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/02/town-council-approves-capital-budget_8.html 

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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. 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"

3rd of 6 Joint Budget Listening Sessions held, more questions & answers (audio)

Chalkboard chat reviews the redistricting decisions (audio)

FM #1310 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1310 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 in person at the Franklin TV & Radio Studio on Monday, November 4, 2024. We recapped the School Committee meeting of Oct 22, 2024. 

 

We cover 

• Approval of the Davis Thayer exemption for the Redistricting approved at the earlier October meeting 

• The implementation work that now begins in earnest

• The budget work continues with Joint Budget revelation of $3.7M shortfall

The recording runs about 30 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1310-chalkboard-chat-with-dave-callaghan-11-04-24/

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Contact info for Dave Callaghan -> callaghand@franklinps.net   

School Committee Meeting

• Agenda for Oct 22, 2024 session ->   https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/4941932/SCAGENDA_10-22-24.pdf 

• Franklin TV video of session -> https://www.youtube.com/live/ff3Vn-2hi0g?si=0REBBEJdliJoXiyW&t=186 

• My notes for the SchCmte Mtg 10/08/24 in one PDF ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1F633bBHQYfntqvuKD_XocZBsiRQouF1j/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. 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"

Chalkboard chat gets inside the redistricting decisions (audio)

In this Chalkboard Chat session, we talk of the School Budget as released for the Feb 13 School Committee Mtg (audio)

FM #1150 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1150 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my recorded conversation with Franklin School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan. We had our conversation in person at the Franklin TV Studio on Monday, February 26, 2024. 

The School Committee had their regular meeting on Tuesday, February 13, 2024. We recap that meeting in our discussion. 

Recall that Tuesday, a snow storm was forecast, school canceled, the meeting went virtual and the snow didn’t fully come to pass in the amount expected.

Topics:

• SAFE Coalition Overview - Jennifer Knight-Levin

• Budget Overview

• Costa Rica Field Trip Proposal

• Italy Field Trip Proposal

• Joint Budget Subcommittee of March 6 starts the formal process to develop the FY 2025 budget

The recording runs about 43 minutes so let’s listen to my “chalkboard chat” with School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1150-chalkboard-chat-02-26-24

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Contact info for Dave Callaghan  callaghand@franklinps.net 

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

2/13/24 meeting Agenda doc  ->  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/scagenda_2-13-24docx.pdf 

Meeting packet folder ->  https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/february-13-2024-school-committee-meeting-packet 

Franklin TV video for replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpgZMxaUY0I 

The “Chalkboard Chat” image was the result of a joint collaboration with Mickayla Callaghan. Thank you!

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

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"

In this Chalkboard Chat session, we talk of the School Budget