School Committee gets updates on FY 25 budget, redistricting, new website in only July meeting (audio)

FM #1243 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1234 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, July 9, 2024. 6 members participated, 5 in chambers, one remote (Gallagher), one was absent (Sompally).

Quick recap:

• FY 2025 budget update - provided status on the hiring process, 29 open positions, multiple moving parts, jobs posted, recruiting active, some already hired (# not specified). 

• Awaiting word on possible move of the Town Council to add another $1M at their meeting July 17. These funds, if approved, would be used for non-personnel restoration of programs, supplies, etc.

• Redistricting status update - work progressing, principals announced, asst principals announcement forthcoming, work on the district alignment progressing, still working toward a release target of Sept/Oct. Date likely to be available later this summer. The info would go to the School Committee for review.

• New website published as of July 1. Mobile client available for download to Apple or Android devices. Links still being fixed, content generally there and items being added as identified.

The recording runs about 70 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1243-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-07-09-24

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

Agenda doc  -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/events/franklin_school_committee_meeting_5.pdf     

Meeting packet folder -> (other docs released for this meeting, some of them available after the meeting)  https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2023---24-meeting-packets/june-18%2C-2024/653629 

My notes in one PDF ->  

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MyqmefrU9Uc0hDTPGUs1Jm8sulLGFybI/view?usp=drive_link 

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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"

new website as of July 1, mobile version available

School Committee gets updates on FY 25 budget, redistricting, new website in only July meeting (video)

The Franklin (MA) School Committee met as scheduled Tuesday, July 9 or their only formal session in July. 6 members participated, 5 in chambers, one remote (Gallagher), one was absent (Sompally)

Quick recap:

• FY 2025 budget update - provided status on the hiring process, 29 open positions, multiple moving parts, jobs posted, recruiting active, some already hired (# not specified). 
• Awaiting word on possible move of the Town Council to add another $1M at their meeting July 17. These funds, if approved, would be used for non-personnel restoration of programs, supplies, etc.
• Redistricting status update - work progressing, principals announced, asst principals announcement forthcoming, work on the district alignment progressing, still working toward a release target of Sept/Oct. Date likely to be available later this summer. The info would go to the School Committee for review.
• New website published as of July 1. Mobile client available for download to Apple or Android devices. Links still being fixed, content generally there and items being added as identified.

The agenda doc ->     https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/events/franklin_school_committee_meeting_5.pdf

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

My full set of notes captured during the meeting in one PDF ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MyqmefrU9Uc0hDTPGUs1Jm8sulLGFybI/view?usp=drive_link

new website as of July 1, mobile version available

This Chalkboard Chat recaps the current Schools situation awaiting results of the Special Election June 11 (audio)

FM #1232 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1232 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with School Committee Chairperson Dave Callaghan. This is a new episode of our continuing “Chalkboard Chat” series. We had our discussion in the Franklin TV & Radio studio after our respective participation in the Strawberry Stroll on Friday, June 7, 2024. 

 

We talk about 

• The school budget & the override scheduled for June 11

• Redistricting next steps proceeding no matter the override vote results

• Harsh reality of cuts pending if the override vote fails

• Reminder to vote on June 11 and make sure your friends & neighbors do so as well

The recording runs about 35 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1232-chalkboard-chat-06-07-24

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Contact info for Dave Callaghan -> callaghand@franklinps.net  

School Committee page => https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee  

School budget ->  https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget/pages/1-fy2025-budget 

Redistricting page -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/comprehensive-school-facilities-assessment 

Other episodes mentioned

Senior Center Q&A -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/06/many-override-questions-answered-at.html 

School redistricting update -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/06/last-comprehensive-school-facility.html 

Donna Grady FEA President ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/05/talking-about-teaching-education-with.html

Jay Horrigan, Franklin TV & Radio colleague ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/05/jay-i-cover-franklins-current-issues-in.html 

2 Schools Committee Chairpersons share their views (current & former)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/04/dr-bergen-dave-callaghan-talk-about.html

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

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"

This Chalkboard Chat recaps the current Schools situation awaiting results of the Special Election June 11 (audio)

"Last" Comprehensive School Facility Planning meeting for this Subcommittee review progress towards redistricting (audio)

FM #1228 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1228 in the series. 

This session shares the Comprehensive School Facility Planning Subcommittee meeting of Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Subcommittee Chair Dave Callaghan, Al Charles (remote), Erin Gallagher, Supt Lucas Giguere, Asst Supt Dr Tina Rogers, Asst Supt Paula Marano, Business Administrator Dr Bob Dutch, Food Service Director Colin Boisvert, and Facilities Director Mike D’Angelo participated.

This the last meeting of this subcommittee. There will likely be another subcommittee and/or combined with liaisons to provide oversight and School Committee involvement as the redistricting implementation moves forward.

Review of the Phase I planning for June was provided. Progress on the timeline is being made with announcements coming before the end of this school year. 

Preliminary data shared to highlight the juggling being done to help determine the best alignment for equity in enrollment for the new schools, distribution of the students for demographic and other factors. The redistrict line remains to be determined and that proposal will likely be shared in advance of a school committee vote to approve that alignment in Sept/Oct.

The administrative teams for the new schools (principals, assistant principals, etc.) will be announced in advance of the final alignment so they can be involved in the next level of planning. Architect and landscape designers are being engaged to review the bus loops on the facilities for possible improvements to the traffic flow.

The meeting recording runs about 55 minutes.

Audio link ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1228-comprehensive-school-facility-plng-mtg-06-05-24

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Agenda for this session ->  https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/agenda/comprehensive-facilities-planning-sub-committee-2 

PDF of the Phase I June timeline -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/137BNmXPQ6OjO9UKv-P2cSO-egnrIUmSN/view?usp=drive_link 

My notes captured via Twitter can be found in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RC9WzBElBzvBd28MphziTVo7k2jjGlYn/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

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"

"Last" Comprehensive School Facility Planning meeting for this Subcommittee review progress towards redistricting (audio)

This Town Council Quarterbacking session covers the FY 2025 budget, the override, school redistricting, and the Master Plan (audio)

FM #1224 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1224 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. The Council met on Wednesday and Thursday (May 22 & May 23) to conduct their 2-night  Budget Hearing for the FY 2025 budget. Our schedules coordinated to talk on Tuesday after Memorial Day.

We look to focus on 

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

Topics for this session:

• Town budget for FY 2025 & override June 11

• School redistricting

• Master Plan goals & objectives, review for Franklin’s future

• Summer time events

• Vote on or before June 11

The recording runs about 26 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Tom.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1224-town-council-quarterbacking-05-28-24

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The Franklin TV broadcast of budget hearing #1 - 05/22/24  ->  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0UvopOrvAs

The Franklin TV broadcast of budget hearing #2 - 05/23/24  -> 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRc-8mCAPws 

Agenda and supporting documents for #1 -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/may_22_2024_town_council_meeting_agenda.pdf 

Agenda and supporting documents for #2 -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_meeting_agenda_may_23_2024.pdf 

My notes for #1 captured via Twitter can be found in one PDF file -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1O69NgV1ANM3iJq5TFUm4ALkGmbTMc_sD/view?usp=drive_link 

My notes for #2 captured via Twitter can be found in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HVhORTXoOdWGOgZryo8tmzYdLkXDTBy1/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

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"

This Town Council Quarterbacking session covers the FY 2025 budget, the override, school redistricting, and the Master Plan (audio)