3 School Committee meetings on Tuesday, Dec 9, 2025

2 School Committee subcommittees are scheduled to meet at 6 PM in the 3rd floor Conf room (Budget) and the 3rd floor Training room (Policy).

3 School Committee meetings
on Tuesday, Dec 9, 2025

The full School Committee is scheduled to meet at 7 PM in the Council Chambers on the 2nd floor.

I'll "follow the money" and record/report on the Budget subcommittee meeting. 

Franklin TV will broadcast the full School Committee meeting from Council Chambers. I'll participate to report on the meeting.

That provides a detailed update on 2 of the 3 meetings. If someone is willing to take notes on the Policy meeting, I can work with them to share those notes.

Agenda documents include remote participation info:

Budget -> https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12092025-2047

Policy -> https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12092025-2046

full School Committee ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12092025-2043

The Onion reveals that at the end of the road, Franklin no longer Matters

Yes, given half the recent survey respondents didn't know we had a Public Access TV studio 

or that

3 quarters didn't even know that there was a Public Access radio station broadcasting locally generated news and music shows

the time has come to hang it up. To put the keyboard, camera, and mission of “following the money” to find out what that brings to the quality of life here in Franklin, MA to an end.

Franklin no longer Matters

What that means for you:

• You'll need to navigate town business going to multiple webpages instead of getting the one stop timely and accurate news that was available at Franklin Matters on a daily basis
• Or at Franklin Matters Weekly with a weekly outlook on the week ahead and a look back at the week that was
• You'll need to wake up to the realization that your understanding of Town of Franklin business is self focused, generally incomplete, and mostly inaccurate without the dose of real time reporting that Franklin Matters has provided

You will rue the day when something you could find on Franklin Matters is no longer available

• the daily agenda of cultural & community events along with the Town meetings
• the agenda doc in advance of the meeting
• real time reporting during the many of the meetings
• brief recap of the meeting ready the next day with the video link
• the audio of the meeting a cople of days later includes the recap and the meeting video link
• the approximate 100 interviews per year especially
• the Town Council Quarterbacking sessions that condense a meeting to about 30 minutes
• or the Chalboard Chat sessions which also condense school district meetings to about 30 minutes
• the high school sports results for each of the fall, winter and spring seasons
• the high school and other school events on the calendar
• did I miss something?

Fortunately, this is April 1. I am not yet ready to step aside, especially on such a foolish day.

If you haven't yet subscribed to either the daily dose or the weekly outlook, today would be a good day to do so -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/welcome.html

Thanks for reading!

• 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, so that some day (not on April 1), I can step aside leaving this reporting in good hands.

Thanks to The Onion for the inspiration.

Why Franklin.news? (audio)

FM #1331 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1331 in the series. 

Why Franklin.news?

Timely and accurate information is so important these days. Major shifts in the media landscape have challenged our normal news outlets so they stop printing, cut back coverage, or simply go out of business.

Franklin TV, Franklin Public Radio, and Franklin Matters are the three public service community oriented valid sources of information that come together under the Franklin.news umbrella.

The Franklin.news portal will deliver the 3 Public Education, and Government (PEG) TV stations, 3 corresponding YouTube channels, the low band FM radio broadcast, audio podcasts, and the news reporting on town and school meetings, and events.

You can sign up for the daily digital newsletter in a simple 2 step process, add your email address, respond when the confirmation email comes in, and you'll get the newsletter in your Inbox once a day. It leads off with the calendar of events and town meetings and closes with the combined TV and radio schedule for that day

In between are all the important items for that day, reporting on past meetings, agendas for future meetings, info on cultural events, etc. We provide the links to the Franklin TV/ YouTube videos, and the podcast audio shows from Franklin Public Radio.

Too busy to participate in town or school meetings, we understand that and provide a quick recap summarizing the key items of each session we cover. The summary also includes the video or audio (or both) as well as the agenda, docs released for that session, and my set of notes captured during the meetings we cover. While we can’t and don’t cover all the meetings (at least until that ‘clone’ thing starts working), the major meeting video and agendas are provided.

This is all part of our public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let us 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

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1331-franklin-news-promo-12-02-24/

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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"

Why Franklin.news? (audio)

Opinion | Journalism may never again make money. So it should focus on mission. - The Washington Post

"America is struggling with several crises, most notably a radical, antidemocratic leader and movement controlling one of its major political parties. America’s journalism industry is also in crisis: Its traditional funding sources are drying up, leading to mass layoffs.

Right now, these crises aren’t that connected. But they should be. The journalism industry should reorganize itself to focus squarely on America’s crises, both to help the country and give itself a clear mission and purpose that could make it more financially viable in the long run. We need more reporters reading environmental impact studies and school-improvement plans, with salaries funded by readers who are essentially giving a tithe to democracy. And perhaps fewer journalists in football stadiums."

Continue reading the article at The Washington Post (gift article link) ->

https://wapo.st/497eh4Y

We focus on the mission here with Franklin.News. I "follow the money" focusing or reporting on the School Committee, Finance Committee, and Town Council with as many of their subcommittee meetings as practical. We also look at what these funds provide us for the quality of life here in Franklin, MA. 

Meanwhile the TV team produces live broadcasts of other Town meetings, high school sports, music programs, etc. for our 3 cable channels on both Comcast and Verizon. These programs also usually end up on the corresponding YouTube channels.

The "radio gang" explores blues, politics, mental health, jazz, wine, and other current and valuable topics for radio broadcast or podcast (radio on demand).

So Franklin, MA residents end up with

• video of meetings, high school sports, and other Town events
• audio of meetings, interviews, etc.
• the digital text with citizen journalism attempting to keep you informed on what matters here in Franklin

Watch Listen Read 

This is all our 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 want to help with video, audio or reporting on meetings, feel free to reach out

Watch Listen Read

The School Committee and Town Council have meetings scheduled for Tue & Wed respectfully

The School Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Feb 14, at 7 PM has among the items on their agenda the following:

Guests/Presentations

A. JFK Highlights – Dr. Connolly, Mr. Haynes

B. Belize Presentation – Ms. Balliro & Ms. Quigley

C. Advisory Update – MS Advisors & Principals

D. EduSpeak Update – Tim Frazier

Agenda doc with remote participation info -> 

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/agenda-2-14-23

Meeting packet folder -> 

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/february-14-2023-school-committee-meeting-packet

School Committee meeting

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

For Wednesday, the Economic Development Subcommittee meeting that had been scheduled for 6 PM has been moved to March 1 at 5:45 PM. The agenda will review accessory dwelling units.

The Town Council meeting on Wednesday at 7 PM has among the items on its agenda the following:

Three key items regarding money: 

• Resolution 23-18: FY23 Capital Improvement Plan
• Resolution 23-19: Free Cash to Stabilization Accounts Transfers
• Resolution 23-20: Water Retained Earnings Transfer to Water Main Capital Project R19-05

And two referrals to the Planning Board on Inclusionary Zooning

• Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-889: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend the Franklin Town Code at  Chapter 185, Attachment 7., Part VI, Use Regulation Schedule: Residential Uses - Referral to the Planning Board 
• Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-890: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend the Franklin Town Code at  Chapter 185, Section 5 - Referral to the Planning Board 

The agenda doc also includes remote participation info ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/feb_15_2023_agenda.pdf

FM #831 - Town Council Meeting - Audio Recording - 07/20/22

 FM #831 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 831 in the series. 

This session shares the Town Council meeting conducted on Wednesday, Jul 20, 2022. The meeting was held in the Municipal Building Council Chambers. 

After the two recognitions, the Council took a brief break for photos and resumed their session. 

a. Proclamation: Margaret (Peg) Simpson

b. Proclamation: FHS Unified Basketball Team

The Council entered Executive session to discuss multiple contract approvals and returned to open session to vote on the 6 contracts before formally closing the meeting.

The show notes contain a link to the Town Council agenda.

The recording runs just about 3 hours (excluding the break and Executive Session). Let’s listen to the Town Council meeting of July 20, 2022.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-831-town-council-meeting-07-20-22

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Town Council agenda

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/july_20_2022_town_council_meeting_agenda.pdf

Town Council video (YouTube)  https://youtu.be/xsn7kOA_S9I 

Photos from the meeting can be found in one album ->   https://photos.app.goo.gl/tptZmBMX44z85Px79

My notes in this ThreadReader PDF ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1y8HddB5SGMKVe_vvGpy_5seRpyASnCsT/view?usp=sharing

My recap of the meeting was shared here -> 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/07/recap-town-council-recognizes-100th.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

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"

Chair Tom Mercer with the FHS Unified Basketball team

Councilor Melanie Hamblen with Margaret (Peg) Simpson

School Committee recap: FHS Unified basketball team appears and presentation/discussion on approaches to student behavior

FM #794 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 794 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the regular Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held Tuesday, May 10, 2022.  6 members present, 1 absent.

Quick Recap:

• FHS student updates, Superintendent report highlight a number of events and accomplishments around the district (Superintendent report usually posted day after meeting but last couple are missing)
• FHS Unified basketball team appeared in Council Chambers. They will represent MA in the Special Olympics this summer. A special recognition for a program that has made great strides through the years and around the district
• Presentation and discussion on “Approaches to Student Behavior” a highly interesting and engaged conversation. Very impressive approach, note that it does take time (i.e. people power) to implement and manage.
• The School Committee entered executive session to continue work on their contract negotiations. 

The meeting opened at 7 PM and ran approx. 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-794-school-committee-mtg-05-10-22

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Agenda doc -> 
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_5-10-22.pdf 
 
Meeting packet folder (with other docs released for this session)
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/may-10-2022-school-committee-meeting-packet

My notes -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lLY9SCDvKusqfRV30SQjNiLx3I2WSoBN/view?usp=sharing 

Franklin TV Video link -> https://youtu.be/JcjrcaHzf90 

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

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 Unified basketball students & teachers provide an update

Trio of meetings today: Special School Cmte; EDC subcmte & Town Council

Franklin School Committee
Wednesday, April 13, 2022 - 5 PM
Municipal Building – Council Chambers

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/events/scagenda_4-13-22_special_mtg.pdf

Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting
Agenda & Meeting Packet
April 13, 2022 - 5:45 PM
Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building
3rd floor, Training Room

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-04-13_edc_agenda_packet_0.pdf

FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL
Agenda & Meeting Packet
April 13, 2022 - 7 PM
Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building
2nd floor, Council Chamber

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_april_13_2022.pdf



5:00 pm Special Meeting: LIVE, Chambers, School Superintendent Interview– Cable TV only
5:45 pm Economic Development: 3rd Floor Training Room, 878 2562 4489
7:00 pm Town Council: LIVE, Chambers, 859 5040 4004

Note: I'll start with the School Committee meeting in the Council Chambers, and move to cover the EDC meeting as that begins (assuming School Cmte meeting won't have ended) and then come back for the Council meeting in the Chambers.

FYI - other meetings and events can be found on the Town calendar ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar

Trio of meetings today: Special School Cmte; EDC subcmte & Town Council

Trio of Meetings Wednesday - April 6, 2022: Board of Health, Economic Development Subcommittee & Town Council

• 5:00 PM = Franklin, MA: Board of Health   

Agenda doc and remote connection info

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/events/boh_agenda_04062022_0.pdf

• 5:30 PM = Economic Development Subcommittee  

Agenda doc and remote connection info
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-04-06_edc_agenda_2.pdf

• 7:00 PM = Town Council 

Agenda doc and connection info

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/april_6_2022_town_council_agenda.pdf

Note: These are the ones I will be reporting on. There are other meetings in these time periods and until that 'cloning thing' works, or someone steps forward to help, they won't be covered.

Board of Health, Economic Development Subcommittee & Town Council

School Committee gets answers to their budget questions

Quick recap:

• The formal budget hearing of the proposed Franklin School budget for FY 2023 was held on Tuesday evening. In the format similar to that of the Town Council after the presentation overview, the budget was read at a line item level and members of the committee had an opportunity to "hold" the line for further discussion. The discussion began after the complete listing was read. 
• The presentation provided the overview on the budget development, timeline indicating next steps (Committee vote scheduled for Apr 12 meeting) and eventual hearings at Finance Committee and Town Council before final approval.
• I encourage folks to watch the replay (or listen to the audio). The nature of the questions were primarily concerning clarification of this or that increase/decrease and quickly answered sometimes without even referring to the thick budget book or their notes. The insights on how and why generally tied back to an objective of the district's approach to education based upon the "Portrait of a Graduate." It really was quite impressive to see the level of detail being used to answer questions as easily as it was. Only one question required a response of "Can I get back to you on that?"
• The classroom challenges today are met with approaches that are different from that of our classroom experiences, or that of our parents. The students are met where they are and helped along the way. Yes, we spend less than most other communities (either 75% or 78% spend more depending upon which measure is used) but the results we get are top quality.
• A clear indication of those student accomplishments are seen almost everyday with sports results, academic achievements, musical, or theatrical performances. We should all be quite proud of what we have. Could we do better? There is room for improvement yes, and some of the wish list was also referenced during the presentation. One community question raised this point in regards to a Deputy Principal position cut from the high school a few years ago. That role was acknowledged as being missed and is currently being made up in other ways as the district continues to evaluate how best to bring it back and what it could cost to do so.

School budget for FY 2023 (and prior)  https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget

Budget presentation document   https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/fy23_public_budget_hearing.pdf

Portrait of a Graduate   https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/pog_final_graphic_descriptors_.pdf

The Twitter thread of my notes and photos captured during the meeting can be found in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/18oZq9R2K7-viFx3WMI5-lcDumfgBdpZf/view?usp=sharing

The audio of the meeting (and transcript) will be available in a day or so.
 

School Committee gets answers to their budget questions 

Reminder: subscribe to stay in the know as we 'follow the money'

Since 2007, Franklin Matters provides a daily digital newsletter for Franklin residents and taxpayers to find out what is happening.  

How do we do that?

We 'follow the money' reporting on the Finance Committee, School Committee and Town Council meetings. Given the pandemic circumstances and with a consideration for the schedule, we are either in-person or reporting in real time on the meetings.

In addition to following the money, we look at the quality of life that this brings to Franklin. We report on the Board of Health, Community Preservation Committee, and as many others as possible.

What does this reporting provide for you?

Accurate and timely info, rich with details, and links to valid source materials including (in many cases) the recordings of the meetings of themselves. 

Thanks to the collaboration with our Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Town Council Chair Tom Mercer, we conduct and share a twice monthly series of conversations as we "Talk Franklin" and do some "Town Council Quarterbacking."

Since October 2019, producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This daily newsletter 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 reading, sharing, sending information along, and (of course) asking questions.

Subscribe here ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/welcome.html

• Meeting archives back to 2007 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/meeting-notes.html
• Franklin Matters audio recordings -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/fm-podcasts.html
• Franklin TV page -> https://franklin.tv/
• Franklin Public radio page -> https://wfpr.fm/
• Franklin Public Radio podcasts -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/franklin-matters-radio.html

Reminder: subscribe to stay in the know as we 'follow the money'