Finance Committee hears the Human Resources update, a must listen for Franklin residents (audio)

FM #637 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 637 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin, MA Finance Committee meeting held on October 13, 2021.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: members of the Finance Committee, Town Administration personnel, and some members of the public were in the Council Chambers, the remainder were remote via the Zoom conference bridge.

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda including documents released for this agenda and to my notes from the meeting. 

The meeting recording runs just over 2 hours so let’s listen to the Finance Committee of October 13, 2021.

** Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/d302bc54-9245-4e7e-bd42-f3843296f23f

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Meeting agenda  https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/10-13-21_finance_committee_agenda.pdf

Human Resources presentation doc  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/fincomm-presentation-october142021.pdf

My meeting notes  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/finance-committee-hears-update-from.html 

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Finance Committee hears the Human Resources update

Finance Committee hears update from Human Resources, and ARPA funds

Quick Recap:

• Senior tax abatement (work off) program update coming to Town Council session (Oct 20, 2021). Veterans update also scheduled for an increase.
• Human Resources Director Karen Bratt provided an update on the hiring, background checks, negotiations, etc. that her office participates in. Approx. one third of Town employees have been replaced since 2018 as the generational turnover take place. 
• The audio of this segment of the meeting will become a "must" listen as there are so many details on the cost drivers for the Town and School budgets. There is a separate School HR function but there is coordination between the two on health plans and negotiations.
• Town Administrator Jamie Hellen provided and update on the current ARPA or COVID related Federal funding to date with an outlook on what is expected. These funds are limited in use and are spread over several years. Some of the reimbursements from FEMA (in particular) can really take time to be received.

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As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session
 
The Twitter hashtag can be found online  #fincom1013
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23fincom1013&src=typed_query 
 
Agenda document -  https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/10-13-21_finance_committee_agenda.pdf

 

• Getting ready to live tweet the Finance Committee meeting beginning at 6:30 PM today. Agenda and remote connection info here https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/10-13-21_finance_committee_agenda.pdf  #fincom1013
• Meeting host will let you in soon. #fincom1013
• It is nice to be in the room where a meeting happens, it is very convenient to be in the Zoom where it happens #fincom1013
• 6 yes, no notices, on motion to approve Dowd as chair, Conley as Vice chair, and Nicole as clerk via roll call some absent #fincom1013 Abatement programs to be expanded for Town Council, wage to minimum, and total increase of amount veterans/disabled amounts ...
• Details on the program expansions contained on the agenda doc shared earlier and again here https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/10-13-21_finance_committee_agenda.pdf #fincom1013
• Jamie explains the details behind the proposal, limited by statue at minimum wage and $1500/year, hence amount is within the statue. #fincom1013 limit on number of people to participate in work off (100), veteran status is required.
• Motion to recommend motions first on senior citizen piece then on veterans piece, both pass via 6-0 via roll call votes #fincom1013
• Presentation by Karen Bratt on Human Resources for Town, screen grabs shared here (didn't find doc) #fincom1013
• So many photos/pages will create album to share. Presentation done, now in the Q&A segment, good background info on GIC plan option for town but not used #fincom1013 some collaborative strategies are more work than worth it long term.
• Interesting discussion on turnover and reasons for, some due to demographics (aging work population) #fincom1013 not many if any leaving for another town, one that did had recently come back. Less interest in filling OT hours and shifts than prior, work life balance
• "can't believe you are still using paper employee files" we will see it later, working to get a grant to help fund it. #fincom1013 Harvard Pilgrim did a 'rebate' but it wasn't much and took time to process. Talk of issues hiring, in some spots like those with CDL license
• Did get confirmation that the pres doc will be posted to the HR page #fincom1013 policy procedures manual online as well as collective bargaining agreements https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/fincomm-presentation-october142021.pdf
• Next up an update from Jamie on ARPA funds overview (preview of what Town Council will see next week) Alicia has been the master tracking these details, coordination of reporting, etc. Kudos to her for this work! #fincom1013
• Pres doc will be posted to this page https://franklinma.gov/town-budget/pages/pandemic-related-stimulus-funds #fincom1013
• School funds separate from Town funds #fincom1013 multiple pages in this update also, also to be posted to budget page. These funds are separate from town ops and capital budgeting. They can help fulfill requirements that would be funded by ops or capital funds
• Next up - future topics; contracts and grants can we get a view of these; MassWorks grant of $2.2m can distort analysis. What are you getting at? Maybe better to go at this by Dept. rather than overall. #fincom1013
• Budget overview and CPC update schedule for the meeting 11/10 #fincom1013 meeting adjourns

Audio recording of meeting to be available in couple of days

Town of Franklin: Human Resources Update - 10/13/21 from Franklin Matters

Finance Committee hears update from Human Resources, and ARPA funds

Recap: School Committee - approves Superintendent's goals; hears safety presentation; delays vote (again) on MASC resolutions;

Quick Recap:

• Superintendent's goals approved by 5-2 vote; some wanted to delay for next committee, next committee will be doing evaluation and has opportunity to adjust in conversation with Superintendent as needed. Goals were actually a slight modification to those set last year for a two year period (this is mid-point), minor adjustment to incorporate faculty feedback into overall education process
• Insightful safety presentation covering protocols and process established, a process of review and evaluation and adjustment that is ongoing
• MASC resolutions previewed last time and scheduled for vote this time were delayed again to next meeting for some to be better prepared
• Entered executive session on negotiation and did not return to open meeting

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As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session

 
The Twitter hashtag can be found online  #schcom1012
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23schcom1012&src=typeahead_click 
 
Agenda document -  https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/agenda/school-committee-meeting-27 
 
Meeting packet folder - 
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/october-12-2021-school-committee-meeting-packet 

 

 

• Getting ready for #schcom1012 meeting to begin shortly. https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/agenda/school-committee-meeting-27 
• #schcom1012 meeting begins, will go to executive session at end of meeting and not return to open session. Keenan not present at this time, apparently expected to be remote so roll call process in place for meeting

Citizen comment & FHS Update

• Review of agenda, no changes Citizen comment opens; #schcom1012 citizen speaking on mask policy; Nipun Goel FHS senior class president, update on prom this Fri. College Applications in full gear, drama performance next week, hope for mask policy to end soon
• Ravin Chaudhury, junior class president with updates; calendar fund raiser coming, PSATs on Saturday, Elisha Project volunteer work on past Saturday #schcom1012
• Citizen comment on MAss VAX program recap, maybe we have exhausted the folks who want the vaccine, inaccurate numbers quoted; Mark Bisson, current candidate for school Committee, questions on dashboard and implications #schcom1012

Superintendent Report

• Chap 70, $30/student is an increment to the amount of total, there were not 100 laid off, they did receive notices and many were called back for September. #schcom1012 ECDC parking lot paving underway, updates as required. Visiting author in school virtually in Nov
• Food services update, supply chain affecting meals, may not always be what was planned but they will be healthy #schcom1012 MetroWest survey this fall, did not happen in 2020 due to COVID, info to parents, etc. coming. Informative data for health planning purposes

Safety presentation

• Next up, safety presentation; follow along with the doc here https://franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/safety-presentation #schcom1012
• Slides captured from screen views #schcom1012
• Overview of safety protocols, transient vs valid; cross functional team coordinates with other safety folks across district and in Town #schcom1012 training and refreshers, threat assessment key; internal dashboard to be developed to enable resource access
• SRO - school resource officer; #schcom1012 after action report, what was done, what could be better, etc. table top drills, a walk thru of an incident to trial the process and steps to take, drills fire and safety good to practice.
• Review of terms for type and nature of incident #schcom1012
• Community and relationships matter esp. during incidents, #schcom1012 diversity matters here too
• Franklin Freedom Team webpage https://franklinfreedomteam.org press release was shared in July 2021 https://franklinmatters.org/2021/07/franklin-launches-freedom-team-to.html #schcom1012

Superintendent goals

• Next up, superintendent goals; presentation doc for review #schcom1012  https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/goals-pres 
• Top level goal areas in standard areas #schcom1012 goals proposed essentially cover a two year period
• Virtual coffee with parents, one coming up the 19th; parent education forums on key topics; #schcom1012
• Some of the goals specifically tied to the district and school improvement plans #schcom1012 more opportunities for teacher/staff interaction with Central Office
• #schcom1012 additional details from faculty/staff survey results provided to SchCom not meant as a separate item but by way of action and update as an example of goals Motion to approve, second, discussion Pfeffer wants to postpone to leave for next committee ...
• After further discussion, goes to vote, passes 5-2 (Pfeffer and D'Angelo vote no). These are a revision of 2 year goals delaying approval throws the cycle off, new committee can adjust if required. #schcom1012

Discussion - Action Items

• Pfeffer raises questions on MASC process; suggestion to postpone to further prepare for the questions and issues associated. #schcom1012 motion amended to postpone to next time passes 7-0 motion to move other items to next meeting, passes 7-0 both via roll call
• Next up, policy revised up for discussion now https://franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/d-c-pol-1st-read #schcom1012 move to 2nd reading, second, passes 7-0 via roll call
• Policy removal, https://franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/d-d-pol-elim covered in other areas, i.e. collective bargaining passes 7-0 via roll call #schcom1012

Discussion Only

• Reopening update #schcom1012 https://franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/bts-update moving up in vaccine rates, not likely to be at 80% by Oct 15, currently mandate extended to Nov 1, Horace Mann working thru a cluster of cases. 75% vax at FHS
• ESSER grant submitted, no word yet but anticipate that it will be approved as it was submitted within the guidelines. #schcom1012 community relations, wonderful event at Harvest Festival, lots of folks and info. Policy meeting Oct 21, then to candidates night at Senior Ctr
• Joint PCC meeting at end of month; substance abuse forum to be scheduled (Nov 17 to be confirmed). #schcom1012 School wellness meeting last week, next Nov 9
• New business, maybe policy, Oct 1 enrollment, MCAS update #schcom1012 Consent agenda, motion to accept, second, passes 7-0 via roll call
• Motion to enter executive session, not to return to public meeting, second, passes 7-0 via roll call That's all for tonight, catch you next time #schcom1012

Audio recording of meeting to be available in couple of days

 

School Committee - approves Superintendent's goals

Recap: School Committee meeting - 8/24/21

Quick Recap:

• The School Committee voted to adjust the agenda removing the mask policy from discussion for now as the DESE decision on masks was made earlier during the day and takes precedence. Comment time was provided and extended to accommodate the antivaccine folks
• In regular business, the handbooks modified for this school year were approved unanimously. Health and Safety was split into a separate section to acknowledge the COVID-19 protocols, With the approval, the handbooks will be distributed to the families in advance of school opening this year.
• Chair Bergen took a couple of minutes to thank those who have taken out papers to run for School Committee, letting them know this is an apolitical position, separate from the Town in many ways, there is an 8 hour course required to provide insights on how to operate successfully and legally within the guidelines. A good thing to make folks aware of. At least one successful candidate last time was even aware of the two meeting a month commitment until after they were elected. It is better to be prepared.

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As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session

 

The Twitter hashtag can be found online  #schcom0824 

https://twitter.com/search?q=%23schcom0824&src=typeahead_click 

 

Agenda doc (including connection info) ->  https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/sc-agenda-8-24-21

 

Agenda folder -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/august-24-2021-school-committee-meeting-packet

 

• Live reporting underway the School Committee meeting tonight. #schcom0824
• Agenda item on masking for students taken off agenda given DESE action earlier today. #schcom0824
• Citizen comment on the poor audio internal in the Chambers last week for the Policy subcommittee meeting was held #schcom0824
• Superintendent's report, doc shared the day after the meeting; new faculty orientation this week, approx. 35 participating. Q prior on surplus text where to go? Places/orgs defined. #schcom0824
• Thanks to the custodial and facility staff for their work to prep for opening, DPW for work on the grounds, Technology for their work preparing equipment for this year Motion and second to remove the policy items from agenda, passes 7-0 #schcom0824
• Accept collaborative update, superintendent represents the district req to create a fund for capital accounts, students go out of district, about 10 students participate in accept training; Pfeffer has a host of questions; Q's answered motion passes 6-0-1 (stokes recuses)
• Handbook updates provided by Giguere in coordination with the school vice principals (and legal review), health and safety in a separate section of handbooks, free lunch for all students this year. #schcom0824
• Health and safety section: https://franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/health-info-memo. And presentation doc https://franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/health-pres  #schcom0824
• Highlights in the presentation cover changes from last year to this #schcom0824 Info from DESE expected on masks and social distancing - no minimum standard to go for this year. Lunch will be hard, K-8 easier than FHS
• Testing options proposed #schcom0824 sub coverage for staff is a potential worry (as it was last year)
• Visitors will be allowed this year and monitored carefully #schcom0824 clarification on a few points around the presentation and discussion Chair Bergen provides insights on background before the comment section (20 mins)
• Parent comment on dissatisfaction with #schcom0824; parent of student with IEP and issues with mask and speech; parent says there is no room for mandate; parent upset with mask as incentive for vaccine and 80% as the requirement; parent (via zoom) (with poor connection)
• #schcom0824 parent wants to get the info out on the testing are they authorized tests? Or emergency authorized?; Parent commending SchComm for their work; parent respectfully disagrees with other speakers who claimed they included her; difference between tests/ timing of exposure
• Bridget Sweet, Board of Health Chair, acknowledges working with the School district to work with the guidelines from DESE. Asking to take heart that the BoH is doing what is best for everyone #schcom0824
• Parent asking for school work for those who are out under quarantine; #schcom0824 parent says no evidence for folks with masks and learning effects, need real metrics for when it will end; Superintendent responds on 3 points, goal the same, measures may differ ...
• 1 things are fluid, there will be updates, 2 binex now (?) is an antigen test and a nasal swab. The committee vote on the handbook as discussed, moved and second, passes 7-0 #schcom0824
• Back to school report https://franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/status-update-8-20-21 #schcom0824 Hockomock League still working on the sports protocol Still active in hiring, job fair had 15 candidates appeared last night, getting close to closing in on staff for this year
• Info matters - Jumped back to new hiring list, clarification how and why, can they be supported by the budget! Yes, they are backfills for existing roles Policy to set meeting, with DESE guidance to be reviewed #schcom0824 thanks to those setting up to run for SchComm
• 8 hour course required for SchComm, apolitical role, separate from town, #schcom0824 Next meeting, district improvement plan, etc. Motion on 8/10 minutes, second, passes 6-0-1 (Jen abstains) Consent agenda, motion to accept, seconded, passes 7-0
• Motion to adjourn , passes 7-0 That's all for tonight, catch you next time! #schcom0824

 

Audio recording of meeting to be available in couple of days

 

Superintendent Ahern updating the SchComm without her mask at the request of one member who couldn't hear her with the mask