Franklin School Committee meeting goes long on the School Improvement Plans (audio)

FM #1828 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, numbers 1828 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at 7:00 PM. 6 of the 7 members were present in Council Chambers, 1 participated remotely.

Quick recap

• While the District Improvement Plan was reviewed last meeting, this session gets to the next level down, the school level plans. They started with ECDC, the Elementary k-2, then 3-5, then middle school and high school. Each administrator(s) presented the key 4 four goals. After all the initial presentations were made, the committee then in reverse order asked questions or commented on what was presented (high school, middle school, 3-5, K-2 and ECDC)

• Copy of the plan not yet posted to the FPS District page. It will be added here when available

• The plan was ultimately approved as submitted and discussed by 7-0 vote. There was an amendment proposed to modify a goal or two but after clarification and discussion the amendment was withdrawn

• The Interacting with Law Enforcement Officers Engaged in Civil Law Enforcement (PROTECT Act) was up for first reading. Due to the timing (DESE submitted guidance just before school opened) and this was supposed to be in place before school started. The second reading was voted to be waived to move the measure into policy quickly

Let’s listen 

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1828-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-09-22-26/

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Franklin TV video is available for replay -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w99jBCX0p60 

The agenda doc - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09222026-2519 

My full set of notes captured during the session

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KmZTifWEAGaFdkbTDEdKZGAgwcisDfq9/view?usp=drive_link

Photos of the slides presented can be found in one album

https://photos.app.goo.gl/K41YzLZdDQicN6TH7

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

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"

Agenda for the Finance Committee meeting Wednesday, Sep 23, 2026

Finance Committee Meeting 

Agenda & Meeting Packet 

Wednesday, September 23, 2026 = 6 PM

1. Call to Order

2. Public Comments - Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. In compliance with G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 20 et seq, the Open Meeting Law, the Finance Committee cannot engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Finance Committee may ask town staff to review the matter. Nothing herein shall prevent the town staff from correcting a misstatement of fact.

3. Election of Officers - Chair, Vice Chair & Clerk

4. Approval of Minutes

a. June 3, 2026  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/10915/2a-FinCom-Minutes-6-3-2026

5. Introduce Michelle Monsegur, Deputy Town Administrator - Press Release  https://franklinma.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/190

 

6. FY27 Budget Update, FY28 Budget Projection & Five Year Fiscal Forecast

a. FY27 Budget Update Memorandum  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/10922/6a-MEMO---FY27-Update-and-Five-Year-Forecast-seal-letterhead

b. Five Year Forecast Model  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/10980/5b-Five-Year-Fiscal-Forecast---Control-Summary-Forecast

c. FPS District Improvement Plan (2025-2026)   https://www.franklinps.net/page/improvement-plans

d. 10-Year Infrastructure vision  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/10981/5d---10-YR-DPW-Plan-Presentation---August-2026

e. 2026 Capital Plan (not updated for 2027)  https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?AMID=44

7. The Bill Dowd “Deep Dive Series”

a. Financial Policies - 2026-2027 Fiscal Policies  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/11015/7a-2026-2027-Fiscal-Policies

8. Future Agenda Items/Next meeting date:

a. Upcoming Town Council Tax Rate Workshops

i. Memo to BOA  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/10916/BOA----Tax-Rate-Workshops-Memo

b. October 21, 2026 (Finance policies, DPW Enterprise Funds)

c. December 9, 2026

9. Finance Committee Member Comments

10. Adjourn

The agenda also contains remote participation info

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09232026-2522

SchCmte Policy subcommittee tackles fiscal policies, promotes PROTECT Act item to full committee (exclusive audio)

FM #1817 - This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1817 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee Policy Subcmte meeting held on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. All 3 members (Dave Callaghan (Chair), Al Charles, Reis Hansen) participated in the session held in the 3rd floor training room. Superintendent Giguere, Dr Tina Rogers, and Dr Bob Dutch also participated.

Quick recap:

• Discussion on the recent release of new model policies, procedures and guidance by the Healey-Driscoll Administration today to help K-12 schools and child care programs respond to civil immigration enforcement, protect confidential information and implement the PROTECT Act ahead of the 2026–2027 school year. The District already had internal procedures covering such circumstances, this release brings it to a policy level with minimal wording changes to agree with the standards. Recommendation to move policy as discussed (include track changes in the doc)for first reading to the Sch Cmte, motion to move second, passes 3-0 

• Next up a series of fiscal policies and take the opportunity to build out a review of these, esp. since the budget timeline has changed. It will take time to roll through these and make modifications before bringing them to the full committee. They have the time to do so without rushing. The superintendent adds a comment to better clarify the transparency involved discussion around how the community is involved. "greatest educational return." Discussion on the fine line between advocating for school needs vs. recognition of town fiscal funding reality

• Up for next time; policy on access to school grounds during the school day, encouraging use of the facility outside of school hours, and the freedom to read act is being reviewed to see what policies may be required for update

• Meeting adjourns, folks move to Chambers for full School Committee meeting

The recording runs about 51 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1817-school-cmte-policy-subcmte-mtg-09-08-26/

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The meeting agenda can be found -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09082026-2485 

My full set of notes taken during the meeting can be found in one PDF ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IF18b3caQKDgzNkfSalZUMrtwHb2uCQ3/view?usp=drive_link 

Gov Healey’s press release on the guidance that drove the first discussion item

https://www.mass.gov/news/healey-driscoll-administration-releases-new-guidance-to-implement-protect-act-in-schools-and-child-care-programs

School Committee Policy manual - https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/policy-manual 

School Committee Subcommittee assignments

https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/subcommittees-and-liaisons 

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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"

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 ???

Tuesday, September 8

Trash and recycling collection will be delayed one day due to the holiday.

Those normally on Monday, are now scheduled for Tuesday, etc.

Santa Fe Burrito fund raiser for FHS Boys Soccer

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/09/fhs-boys-soccer-fund-raiser-at-sante-fe.html

12:00pm Community Closet (Franklin United Methodist Church)

4:00pm FSPA Open House (38 Main St)

5:00pm Tuesday Night Cruise (Kings Brick Oven Pizza & Pub)

6:30pm Friends of the Franklin Library September Board Meeting (Franklin Public Library)

7:00pm FBRTC Rail Trail Cmte Mtg (Franklin TV and Radio)

For additional details on Library events -> https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

For additional details on Senior Center events ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/10676/September-2026-Newsletter?bidId=

*** Town Meetings today ***

Franklin Public Schools Policy Subcommittee Meeting

Tuesday, September 8 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09082026-2485 

Franklin School Committee Meeting

Tuesday, September 8 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09082026-2487 

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Find the full Community event calendar https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication: https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx

The School district calendar is found https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar

Agenda for the Franklin School Committee Policy Subcommittee Meeting - Sep 8 at 6 PM

Franklin School Committee

Policy Subcommittee Meeting

DATE: 9/8/26 TIME: 6:00 PM

I. Attendance -

II. Review of Minutes

III. Approved Policies

A. JKAA- Seclusion and Timeout Policy.

IV. Discussion of Policies sent to School Committee A.

V. Discussion & Revisions on Policies From Previous Policy Meetings

A. none

VI. Policy Revisions & New Policies - New Discussion Items

A. ACL: Interacting with Law Enforcement Officers Engaged in Civil Law Enforcement (PROTECT Act)

B. Fiscal Policies

1. Policy DA - Fiscal Management Goals

2. Policy DB - Annual Budget

3. Policy DBC - Budget Deadlines & Schedules

4. Policy DBG - Budget Adoption Procedures

5. Policy DBD - Budget Planning

C. Access to Buildings & Grounds

D. IJOAA - Field Trips

E. MASC Updated Policies

The agenda doc contains remote participation info

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09082026-2485 

Franklin Public Radio wfpr.fm schedule for Thursday, August 20, 2026

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio has a brand new schedule for the locally produced shows that fill our air waves. 

It is available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm or in the local Franklin, MA area at 102.9 on the FM dial.

Tune in to listen to the following:

8:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 6:00 PM - Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock covering Franklin, its local government, services, and events  (Repeats Saturday at 3:00 PM)

• This hour features the School Committee Policy Subcmte meeting held on Tuesday, August 11, 2026  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/08/school-cmte-policy-subcommittee-reviews.html

9:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 7:00 PM - first hour

10:00 AM, 3:00 PM, and 8:00 PM - second hour

Turntable – "Enjoy a fun experience with co-hosts The Vibe and Pauly G sharing personal discussions about a featured rock n roll vinyl record (1st hour) and the best, all music Vibe Playlist (2nd hour)"  

• The Turntable Show is featuring the 1977 hit album "Rumours" and Fleetwood Mac this week.  Rumours is one of the best selling albums of all time!  It's amazing - there are 7 hit songs on the record:  "Go Your Own Way",  "Dreams",  "Don't Stop", "The Chain",  "You Make Loving Fun",  Gold Dust Woman", and  "Second Hand News" and Vibe and Pauly G will air all of them and share their Rumours album experience!   
• The showcontinues with the Vibe Playlist List hour, which drops the needle on many Fleetwood Mac hits and signature songs live for listeners to enjoy the passion of this award winning band.
  

Find the playlist ->  https://tinyurl.com/TurntablePlaylists

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf 

School Committee gets multiple updates on summer learning, transportation, etc. in 1 hour meeting (video)

The Franklin School Committee met as scheduled on Tuesday, August 11 in Council Chambers. All members participated, one (O'Sullivan) remotely.

Franklin TV video is available - https://www.youtube.com/live/VMpYB91A8Fw?&t=27

The Agenda document - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08112026-2448 

Quick recap

• Superintendent report provides updates on multiple items; planning for Sept, transportation, hiring status (positions open, a better view to be provided next time), work on facilities progressing. Ms Melotti out on maternity leave, Dr Bob Dutch back to fill in while she is out, important school start dates on webpage - https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars/
• Joint presentation and updates on summer learning from Student Services and Lifelong Learning. Slides shown were captured in one photo album https://photos.app.goo.gl/7BGZeLN2QWEezqFw7
• 
  Annual report submission approved, minor formating remains to be done by the Town as the annual report book is prepared for publication
• The 2nd reading on the restraint policy was approved as amended by the Policy Subcmte meeting prior
• Consent agenda was also approved. All votes, by the way, were via roll call and passed 7-0
  

My notes captured during the meeting in one PDF

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hvmIVrFX0EwMzsGCAbVXWcNqeu2T-DO8/view?usp=drive_link

School Cmte Policy Subcommittee reviews multiple policies, sets up for financial policy reviews (audio)

FM #1796 - This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1796 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee Policy Subcmte meeting held on Tuesday, August  11, 2026. All 3 members (Dave Callaghan (Chair), Al Charles, Reis Hansen) participated in the session held in the 3rd floor training room. Dr Tina Rogers and Paula Marano also participated.

Quick recap:

• comment for discussion on page 3 of the restraint policy, suggestion to better clarify the separation of what is or isn't allowed by state and or here in Franklin; should be run by P Marano to confirm discussion on proposed 

• adult meal price from $4.75 to $5.75 at FHS higher utilization and a good amount from the other schools, relatively low financial piece of the overall budget adults get the same meal generally just an adult portion rather than student portion. pricing hasn't been changed since 2023. motion to approve recommendation for the adult meal fee from $4.75 to $5.75

• Ms Marano joins the discussion to review the earlier restraint item, she agrees with the minor modification discussed to clarify will be amended during the formal meeting 2nd reading later today

• next up discussion on technology and AI appropriate use in the classroom, informal advisory group of parents who responded to the survey, work still underway, needs to be done within the district too district improvement goals will include screentime on the scope, intentional use key 

• next up, field trip forms consolidated amongst the schools to be more consistent will be able to address this in the early school year as field trips are not anticipated right away 

• next up, community use of school facilities, should be available outside of school hours, during school hours, student and operations safety comes first so signage and communications around opportunity for a PSA video to help raise awareness of this item

• several items on budget and fiscal policy have not been touched since 2016. One makes reference to posting in newspaper. Would be good to review and potentially revise, then send to Budget Subcmte for their review and wordsmithing as necessary before bringing to full committee. Picking up these next time

• Meeting adjourns, folks move to Chambers for full School Committee meeting

The recording runs about 49 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1796-franklin-ma-school-cmte-policy-subcmte-mtg-08-11-26/

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School Committee Subcommittee assignments

https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/subcommittees-and-liaisons 

The meeting agenda can be found -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08112026-2442 

My full set of notes taken during the meeting can be found in one PDF ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WlBkiyMfp-4d_K_m2aywqetojQ7s1-08/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 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"