School Committee: Comprehensive Facilities Assessment

What started as a question "could we close Davis Thayer?"  has produced a report that potentially could close three elementary schools, consolidate the middle schools into one building, and provide a better educational experience at less cost  for Franklin students.

Read the Executive Summary of the Comprehensive Facilities Assessment:

"The Franklin Public Schools occupy multiple facilities ranging from 6 to 96 years of age. Over this period we have seen monumental shifts in how we educate students, particularly with regards to technology and educational delivery methods used. These changes have an impact on the ability of a facility to function as it was intended and as it needs to in the future. 

In December of 2019, the Franklin Public Schools engaged Kaestle Boos Associates (KBA) to develop a Comprehensive Facilities Assessment focusing on capacity and the educational adequacy of the current schools. 

Prior to engaging KBA, the District was provided with a Demographics Report that indicated enrollment was going to decline by approximately 12% over the next 10 years. 

Utilizing this data, educational assessments of existing facilities and an inventory of existing spaces was collected through site visits and conversations with District leadership. 

The results of the analysis indicate that Franklin Public Schools facilities are currently 26% under capacity and are anticipated to continue to decline to 31% in the next 10 years. 

If no changes were to occur the school facilities would: 

• all continue to operate under capacity 
• continue to create a financial burden in the maintenance of these underutilized facilities 
• suffer reduced educational adequacy in schools built prior to 1996 "

Download your copy of the detailed report here: 

https://www.franklinps.net/district/davis-thayer-facilities-analysis/pages/comprehensive-facilities-assessment-report

View the presentation copy as scheduled for review and discussion at the School Committee meeting Tuesday, October 27, 2020.

 

FPS: Comprehensive Facility Analysis Report from Franklin Matters

 

School Committee: Comprehensive Facilities Assessment

 

On this date: Feb 23, 2011 - Long Range Financial Planning Committee meeting

I did live reporting from the Long Range Planning Committee meeting on Feb 23, 2011:

Live reporting - Long Range Financial Planning Committee

Present: Doug Hardesty, Deb Bartlett, Craig DiMarzio, Graydon Smith, Sue Rohrbach, Steve Whalen,
Absent: Jeff Nutting, Orrin Bean, John Hogan,  Ken Harvey, Tina Powderly

Approval of minutes - postponed to next meeting
Action items - none

Discussion:
Metrics and benchmarking - Steve Whalen (Vice Chair, Town Council)

background, research analyst for an investment banking firm
drawn in by a comment made by J Nutting at a meeting sometime ago; "a town's budget is a reflection of their values"
started collecting data, started with a map and filled in data for the communities around us
The DOR site is a tremendous source of info, so much data is available
came up with 30 communities
walking through the info on his comparison worksheet
color coded communities by single versus split tax rate
we have a low tax rate compared to other communities with either a split or single tax rate
we are 21st in comparison on the average tax bill (of the 30)
we are 26th on relative tax burden which is a comparison of tax rate to community wealth
we rank 28th in percent of local property tax contributing to the total community revenue
we rank 1st in the percent of state aid contributing to the total community revenue

Continue reading about the meeting and the introduction of the community comparison

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/02/live-reporting-long-range-financial_23.html

The five year forecast the Committee put together and completed (in 2012) has been updated and re-issued each year as part of the budget cycle.

The initial 2012 report:

https://www.franklinma.gov/finance-committee/files/financial-plan-committee-report-2012

The FY 2018-2022 version can be found here

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/five_year_fiscal_forecast_fy18_-_fy22.pdf

On this date: Feb 23, 2011 - Long Range Financial Planning Committee meeting

Franklin, MA: Long Range Financial Planning Committee

The Long Range Financial Planning Committee is one that has changed considerably in the last 14 months. It started as a committee with representatives from the Town Council (3), School Committee (2), and Finance Committee (2). In December 2010, it was reformed as a committee completely made up of 'citizens' - that is residents with no other direct board membership. 

Vision
The Long Range Finance Committee is a citizen advisory group tasked with helping citizens and Town officials better understand Franklin’s long-term financial outlook and the various courses of action available to secure Franklin’s financial future.

Mission
The Committee will achieve this vision by (i) evaluating and reporting on the Town’s five-year financial projection, (ii) assessing the nature and potential magnitude of the Town’s significant financial risks, particularly those that give rise to a structural deficit, and (iii) recommending steps to close the gap between future expected revenues and expenditures in an effort ultimately to achieve fiscal sustainability.

Additional information and links to the reports issued by the committee can be found on the Franklin website
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_BComm/Long%20Range%20Financial%20Planning%20Committee



One of the papers made available to candidates for office in the Franklin November 2011 election was as follows:

Financial Challenges in Franklin:

Informing Public Debate in Advance of the 2011 Town Elections

Prepared by the Long Range Finance Committee

Introduction
As we approach the 2011 Town election cycle, candidates and voters alike have an opportunity to discuss the issues that matter most to residents of Franklin. Understandably, the pre-election dialogue gravitates toward timely matters that are likely to be voted upon in the near term or simple topics that can be answered in a few sentences. The downside of this dynamic, however,is that we often overlook the more complex challenges the Town of Franklin is facing. The purpose of this document is to help candidates and voters appreciate the nature and magnitude of Franklin’s growing financial challenges. We summarize the key issues and highlight resources that will help inform public debate.

Summary of Key Issues
In October 2009, the Long Range Finance Committee issued a report on Franklin’s financial outlook for the period from FY 2010 to 2014, finding that Town and School services are declining steadily because costs are rising faster than revenues (a “structural deficit”) and warning that this trend would continue indefinitely if not addressed. The Committee recommended that town leaders: (i) agree on the problem; (ii) develop a comprehensive, multi-
year plan for achieving a services neutral budget, and (iii) improve transparency and accessibility of financial information. 

Over the past two years, the economic recession has compounded the problem, and the financial outlook for Franklin, along with cities and towns across the Commonwealth, has deteriorated. Preliminary estimates show that expenses for existing Town and School services are on track to outpace revenue by 8-10% of the Town’s total operating budget over the next 5 years. This projection does not include additional expenses that will be required to address the Town’s aging infrastructure and begin funding its significant OPEB (other post-employment benefit) obligation. The residents of Franklin, together with Town officials, determine when and how these complex financial issues are to be confronted. The 2011 election cycle is the ideal time to move this discussion to center stage. 

How to Prepare for Discussions about Franklin’s Long Term Financial Outlook?
1. Read the “Five Year Financial Outlook” prepared by the Long Range Finance Committee in October 2009. An Executive Summary and mid year update are also available. These materials can be found on the Town of Franklin website.  Reports

2. Learn about OPEB. The Town currently follows a “pay as you go” approach for its OPEB obligation, which means it pays the minimum costs incurred in that year even though this minimum is insufficient to meet the future obligation. Across the Commonwealth, municipalities are assessing whether to continue “pay as you go” or to move towards fully funding the future obligations. In Franklin, the FY 2010 funding shortfall was approximately $5M or 5% of the operating budget, based on an $80M unfunded obligation. White papers and other general information can be found on the web. We have not recommended any specific resources in order to avoid linking ourselves with any particular political point of view that may be associated with the authors or sponsoring organizations. 

3. Compare Franklin with other towns. The Committee’s “Five Year Financial Outlook” compares Franklin to neighboring and peer towns across a wide range of relevant categories, including sources of revenue, municipal spending and school spending. If you prefer to do your own comparisons, considerable data is available on the web as follows: 

a. Massachusetts Department of Revenue Mass DOR
b. Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Department of Education

4. Follow the activities of the Long Range Finance Committee. The Committee is currently focused on four topics: (i) long-term infrastructure requirements, (ii) post-employment benefit obligations, (iii) legislative impediments to addressing the structural deficit, and (iv) benchmarking the residential tax burden. The Committee’s meeting schedule is also available on the Town’s web page and posted in Town Hall.

Another School Year!

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Another School Year!

via Lifelong Learning by Pandora Carlucci on 9/1/11

The 2011 - 2012 school year has experienced a delayed start due to power outages associated with Tropical Storm Irene. That said, teachers, staff and administrators throughout the district have worked diligently to re-shape the start of the new school year.

Adult Education: Tracy Cheney is returning to offer three courses for Child Care Providers that are timely and provide needed continuing education points. The classes for this term include: The Ten P's of Partnering with Parents, Transition Magician, and Creating a Classroom that is Inclusive.

Other classes that support careers include: Social Media - Learning how to effectively use social media tools to support your business; Tips on Writing and Publishing your Book; and, the Virtual Assistant -- What is it?

Adult Education also offers classes in Belly Dancing, Bollywood Dancing, Line Dancing, a Thriller Dance Workshop for Adults, and a Father/Daughter Valentine's Dance.

Check our website for additional courses in Yoga, Zumba, Tai Chi, Self Defense for Women, Fitness for Women, Basketball, Volleyball, art, cooking, photography and more!

www.franklin.k12.ma.us select Lifelong from the top banner.

We hope to see you soon!

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• Subscribe to Lifelong Learning using Google Reader
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Live reporting - Life Long Learning

b. Lifelong Learning Update – Pandora Carlucci

This year has been a challenge and an opportunity due to the economy.
They have forged numerous partnerships over the past several months.
Working with Dean College, YMCA "Mass in Motion"

Piloting a toddler program at Davis Thayer

Piloting a program at ECDC for 24-36 month old children

Cheese cave at Formaggio Kitchen in Cambridge

Franklin Liquor with wine tasting and wine trials for evening students

Partnering with American Red Cross for a 'pet first aid class'

Solutions - before and after school extended care program at all six elementary schools

No catalog for the Summer 2011 program, too expensive to print

Star Plus - 4 weeks of choices for middle school students

High School Experience - Aug 15 - 19 (later this summer than usual)
had 50% of the incoming class, shooting for 2/3 of the incoming class this year

Math  is Fun - Math Academy

"Let your life speak" - for incoming senior High School students
3 day workshop practice interviewing and essay writing

Summer Art - 2 week program in arts

Summer music program - 2 weeks at beginning of summer (band, string, chorus)

Class of 1961 for June at Graduation, located 44 members, looking for another 44 members


Rohrbach - thank you, every year there is something new and different.
We talk about thinking outside the box, you are creative and sustaining

Carlucci - There are over 200 faculty in all the variety of programs



Franklin, MA