Franklin Matters: policy

Showing posts with label policy. Show all posts

Thursday, March 12, 2026

Finance Committee gets a good discussion on policies, and an update on the grant process yielding $112M over 10 years (video)

The Franklin Finance Committee met on Wednesday as scheduled March 11, 2026. 6 members were present, 2 absent (1 open position reportedly to be filled soon).

Franklin TV video is available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/live/UZl8H4Koptg?&t=476

Agenda (updated 3/11/26) - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03112026-2189

My notes in one PDF - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oxC1JQgvl3PoNs-2qaHf9vacux3JvsZY/view?usp=drive_link

Quick recap

a healthy and engaging discussion on the policies, to be resumed at one of the budget hearings in April before making a recommendation on changes (if any) to the Town Council
Presentation on the grant process and the yield of $112M over 10 years, an average of $10M/year
Future Agenda Items / Next meeting Dates:

a. April 6, 7, 8 & 9, 2026 - Anticipated Finance Committee Budget Hearings
b. May 28, 2026 - FY27 Budget discussion - first look at health care numbers as open enrollment would have closed Apr 30
c. June 3, 2026 - FY27 Budget discussion and vote to recommend budget with changes (if any) for the Town Council to vote on at their June 10 session

Photo album of the grant presentation slides shared

https://photos.app.goo.gl/kLdsxaJEHqXjYEzT7

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

This Chalkboard Chat shares insights into the FY 2027 budget and implications (audio)

FM #1652 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1652 in the series.

This session shares my conversation with School Committee Chair Paul Griffith. We had our discussion via Zoom on Monday, February 2, 2026. We condense and get into the explanations behind the key items from the recent School Committee meeting January 27, 2026.

Our conversation covered the following topics:

Budget, and budget implications

Budget hearing Feb 10, budget vote Feb 24

Health care costs proposed to move to Town Account 910

Simplification, ensure all depts now have apples to apples budget comparison

Hold harmless, Chap 70 local contribution under re-evaluation

Special education reimbursement, cost advantages of in house programs

Policy updates

Remote participation

Middle school awareness of pathways

ECDC tuition re-voted to correct an oversight

Our conversation runs about 49 minutes. Let’s listen

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1652-chalkboard-chat-02-02-26/

The YouTube video of our conversation -> https://youtu.be/dh4BqY7UvtI

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School Committee page (with contact info) - https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/school-committee

School Committee subcommittee assignments -

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

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

FY 2027 budget presentation doc -

https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/Fpsd/f0eb6e5e-b914-4650-9811-892c46570b5f/FINAL---FY27-Superintendents-Recommended-Budget-%282%29.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

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

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I hope you enjoy!

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Sunday, January 25, 2026

Franklin, MA Agenda for School Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 27, 2027

Franklin School Committee

January 27, 2026 7:00 PM

Municipal Building – Council Chambers

Call to Order Dr. Griffith

Announcements from the Chair

Pledge of Allegiance

Moment of Silence

I. Routine Business

A. Review of Agenda

B. Payment of Bills Mr. Callaghan

C. Payroll Dr. Griffith

D. FHS Student Representative Comments

E. Superintendent’s Report

II. Guests/Presentations

A. Superintendent’s Recommended FY27 Budget

III. Discussion/Action Items

A. Policy - Second Reading/Adoption
I recommend adoption of Policy IHAIA - Middle School Pathway Exploration as discussed.

B. Policy - First Reading
I recommend moving Policy BL - Remote Participation to a second reading as discussed.

C. ECDC 2026-27 Tuition Rate (from last meeting)
I recommend approval of the ECDC 2026-27 tuition rate as discussed.

IV. Discussion Only Items

A. Monthly Financial Report (from last meeting)
B. School Healthcare

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 January 13, 2026 meeting as detailed.

B. FHS Gifts
I recommend the acceptance of $2,760.72 for In-house enrichment as follows: Jostens/The Mascot Shop $ 240.93
Grinn & Barrett Enterprizes, Inc. $2,519.79

C. FHS Scholarships
I recommend the acceptance of $6,000.00 for scholarships as follows: Thomas Wagner $5,000.00
Roberta DeBaggis Trahan $1,000.00

D. Lincoln & Washington St. Recurring Field Trip
I recommend approval of the request of Mary MacMurray to take music students to the Veteran’s Auditorium, Providence, RI on May 22, 2026 as detailed.

E. Lincoln St. Recurring Field Trip
I recommend approval of the request of Katherine Nayler to take 4th & 5th graders to Roger Williams Zoo, Providence, RI on 5/29/26 (Gr 4) & 6/12/26 (Gr 5) as detailed.

F. New Student Activity Account
I recommend approval of the new Student Activity Account (ACHIEVE) as detailed.

G. FHS GIft
I recommend the acceptance of $1,100.00 from the FHS PCC for Supplemental Supplies as detailed.

VII. Citizen’s Comments

VIII. New Business

To discuss any future agenda items

IX. Executive Session

A. Per M.G.L. c. 30A, § 21 (3) To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares.

X. Adjournment

Thursday, January 22, 2026

Franklin Public Radio wfpr.fm schedule for Thursday, January 22, 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:

Franklin Public Radio wfpr.fm schedule for Thursday

8:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 6:00 PM - Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock covering Franklin, its local government, services, and events

This shares the FPS School Committee Policy Subcmte mtg 1/13/26
- https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/01/audio-recording-for-school-cmte-policy.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)"

Enjoy hearing Pauly G and The Vibe featuring Billy Joel's "The Stranger" Album released on September 29, 1977. The Stranger delivered four Top-25 hits on the Billboard charts: "Just the Way You Are" (No. 3), "Movin' Out" (No. 17), "Only the Good Die Young" (No. 24) and "She's Always a Woman" (No. 17). "Just The Way You Are" won Grammy awards for Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
The Vibe Billy Joel Playlist Hour airs all live Stranger and later years hits plus a surprise cover. Turn it up Billy Joel and his amazing 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

Sunday, January 18, 2026

Audio recording for the School Cmte - Policy Subcmte Mtg - Jan 13, 2026

FM #1630 - This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1630 in the series.

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee Policy Subcmte meeting held on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. All 3 members (Dave Callaghan (Chair), Al Charles, Reis Hansen) participated in the session held in the 3rd floor training room. Supt Lucas Giguere and Dr Tina Rogers also participated.

Quick recap:

Opening discussion on an update to the remote participation policy which dated from pre-COVID. This brings it up to current authorized practice per State law.

Added clarification on a remotely only session where remote for the public goes down. (Note there is also a Backchannel process being put together to enable communication among the meeting conductors and organizers).
Motion to bring as modified to School Committee as a first reading, second, passes 3-0

Discussion on crowd funding to help provide materials, is there a policy?

Yes, there is a policy and process, can review at the building level to ensure coverage

Discussion on the state championship signage, inconsistent in appearance and there is no policy. Complicated by State ownership of the existing sign (and land) and process around it. How do we create something equitable, consistent and sustainable?

Need to determine the equivalence of the title achieved; MIAA, MSAA, METG, DECA, etc.
Consideration for digital, the cost is coming down and it will make it easier to maintain going forward
Additional research to be done to bring together something as a 'strawman' for a policy for further review and discussion

Motion to adjourn, passes 3-0

The recording runs about 54 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio link ->

https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1630-school-cmte-policy-subcmte-mtg-01-13-26/