Dave condenses the School Committee meeting of Aug 12 in this Chalkboard Chat (audio)

FM #1494 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1494 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 via Zoom on Thursday, August 14, 2025. We had the opportunity to recap both the School Committee meeting of August  12, 2025. 

 

We cover 

• Summer Learning Review - Paula Marano & Patty Gay, updates on lifelong learning, as well as extended school - 

• link to album which captured the slides shared found https://photos.app.goo.gl/WwFUYqSSqCrzx6gH8 

• Summer Move Update - Colin Boisvert - great detail, well organized, there is a whole lot happening across the redistricting move efforts, getting rooms and building ready, signs completed (shared here earlier), transportation updates due next week via bus routes, bus stops, additional drop off, pick up info also scheduled from principals. 

• Photo album of the slides https://photos.app.goo.gl/JRbK3Ez1K9yxjCAX9  

• 2024 Annual Report Draft Review - discussed verbally, no doc shared, feedback due back to Supt Giguere soon

• Engagement, budget, candidates

The recording runs about 26 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio link ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1494-chalkboard-chat-08-14-25/

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

Franklin TV video for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RElB5OknJg 

Meeting agenda doc ->

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08122025-1851 

Meeting packet folder contains the docs released before and after the meeting ->

https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2025---26-meeting-packets/august-12%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/842818 

My notes in one PDF doc ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CsjvTsjM0u3b3Qs_pJUcNlGr8falxQ03/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"

Dave condenses the School Committee meeting of Aug 12 in this Chalkboard Chat (audio)

School Committee catches up on Summer Activities (video)

The School Committee met as scheduled on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. Both the Chair and Vice-Chair were away so Ruthann O'Sullivan hosted the session. The remaining members of the committee were present.

Franklin TV video for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RElB5OknJg

Meeting agenda doc ->

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08122025-1851

Meeting packet folder contains the docs released before and after the meeting ->

https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2025---26-meeting-packets/august-12%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/842818

Quick recap:

• Summer Learning Review - Paula Marano & Patty Gay, updates on lifelong learning, as well as extended school - link to album which captured the slides shared found https://photos.app.goo.gl/WwFUYqSSqCrzx6gH8
• Summer Move Update - Colin Boisvert - great detail, well organized, there is a whole lot happening across the redistricting move efforts, getting rooms and building ready, signs completed (shared here earlier), transportation updates due next week via bus routes, bus stops, additional drop off, pick up info also scheduled from principals. Photo album of the slides https://photos.app.goo.gl/JRbK3Ez1K9yxjCAX9 
• 2024 Annual Report Draft Review - discussed verbally, no doc shared, feedback due soon

Summer Move Update 

My notes in one PDF doc ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CsjvTsjM0u3b3Qs_pJUcNlGr8falxQ03/view?usp=drive_link

Franklin, MA: School Committee - agenda for meeting Aug 12 at 7 PM

Franklin School Committee 

August 12, 2025 - 7:00 P.M.

Municipal Building – Council Chambers 

Call to Order Mr. Callaghan

Announcements from the Chair

Franklin, MA: School Committee -
agenda for meeting Aug 12 at 7 PM

Pledge of Allegiance 

Moment of Silence

I. Routine Business

A. Review of Agenda

B. Payment of Bills

C. Payroll

D. FHS Student Representative Comments

E. Superintendent’s Report

II. Guests/Presentations

A. Summer Learning Review - Paula Marano & Patty Gay

B. Summer Move Update - Colin Boisvert

C. 2024 Annual Report Draft Review

III. Discussion/Action Items

A. None

IV. Discussion Only Items

A. None

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 June 24, 2025 School Committee meeting as detailed.

B.   FEF Gift

I recommend the acceptance of $167,557.47 from the dissolution of the Franklin Education Foundation for in-house enrichment as detailed.

VII. Good of the Order

VIII. Citizen’s Comments

IX. New Business

To discuss any future agenda items

X. Adjournment

Meeting agenda doc includes remote participation info ->

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08122025-1851

Meeting packet folder contains the docs released before and after the meeting ->

https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2025---26-meeting-packets/august-12%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/842818

Franklin Public Schools Superintendent Lucas Giguere Earns National Credential in Educational Facility Planning

Franklin Public Schools is pleased to announce that Superintendent Lucas Giguere has earned the prestigious Accredited Learning Environments Planner (ALEP) designation from the Association for Learning Environments (A4LE).

The ALEP designation is the highest standard of professional achievement in the field of educational facility planning. It recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional knowledge, skills, and leadership in designing and managing school environments that support student achievement, wellness, and community connection.

Superintendent Lucas Giguere

Superintendent Giguere was the only sitting superintendent selected to participate in this year's A4LE Academy cohort. He completed the program as the recipient of A4LE's annual national scholarship, which is awarded to just one participant each year in recognition of their leadership potential and commitment to educational innovation.

"We're incredibly proud of Superintendent Giguere for earning the ALEP designation, a prestigious national recognition of his expertise and leadership," said Franklin School Committee Chair David Callaghan. "His achievement is a testament to the forward-thinking vision guiding our schools, especially as Franklin undertakes a transformative district-wide reorganization. This credential affirms his deep commitment to designing learning environments that truly support all students now and into the future."

The ALEP designation enhances Franklin Public Schools' strategic planning efforts, including districtwide reorganization, equity-focused space design, and capital improvement planning. It equips the District with the tools and best practices to approach future building and renovation projects with confidence and purpose.

The ALEP credential must be renewed every three years and requires ongoing professional development in the areas of educational facility planning and design.

Shared from the FPS page -> https://www.franklinps.net/article/2311570

School Committee reluctantly approves personnel & funding cuts to FY 2026 budget (audio)

FM #1460 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1460 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. 6 members participated in Council Chambers, 1 remote (Sompally). 

Quick recap:

• A brief executive session was held before approving the new teacher contract for a 3 year term. Details of the amount approved were not shared, however, members of the negotiation subcommittee spoke highly of the collaboration and cooperation that resulted in a good deal for the district and the Town. The vote was unanimous and included Town Administrator Jamie Hellen (7-0-1) (1 absent)

• The budget adjustment reducing the proposed budget by $2M was previewed in a subcommittee meeting before the full committee meeting. 12 personnel are added to the 29 that were reduced by redistricting. Additional expenses were cut to bring the budget into balance per revised Town funding due to the failed override

• Bus fee will remain at $387, Sports fees will remain high at this year's levels for next year. A full analysis of the fees and participation will be conducted next year as part of the FY 2027 budget to see what can be done given the lower funding from the Town

• The Superintendent evaluation was approved as "Exemplary". A fair results given the multiple threads of work, budget, override, redistricting and oh, conducting school for the district at the same time

The recording leaves out the executive session (replacing with a brief music interlude) Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1470-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-06-10-25/

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

Franklin TV video for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYQVNOKqqR8 

The agenda doc also contains remote participation info ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06102025-1780 

The meeting packet folder (all the docs released before or after the meeting)

https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2024---25-meeting-packets/june-10%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/814634 

My full set of notes ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Rqv1NSxrFjWZdzwpeo2WJwq3H7FIwujA/view?usp=drive_link 

Pictures of the budget revisions can be viewed here ->    https://photos.app.goo.gl/YnKXoUH5NncMo2Wk6 

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

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"

School Committee reluctantly approves personnel & funding cuts to FY 2026 budget (audio)

Chalkboard Chat condenses the last School Committee of the school year (audio)

FM #1469 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1469 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 person on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. We had the opportunity to recap both the School Committee meeting of June 10, 2025. 

 

We cover 

• Executive session to approve teachers contract

• Vote on revised budget due to failed override, cutting $2M including 12 FTE positions, sports and activity fees remain as high this year

• Superintendent’s review approved

• School ends June 18, redistricting works continues to implement for Sept

• Reading program “Meet me in the Middle”

• Register for bus by June 20, fee set $387/student with a cap; if not registered by 20th no guarantee of a spot on a bus

The recording runs about 24 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1469-chalkboard-chat-06-11-25/

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

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

Franklin TV video for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYQVNOKqqR8 

Chalkboard Chat condenses the last
School Committee of the school year (audio)

The agenda doc ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06102025-1780 

The meeting packet folder (all the docs released before or after the meeting)

https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2024---25-meeting-packets/june-10%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/814634 

My full set of notes ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Rqv1NSxrFjWZdzwpeo2WJwq3H7FIwujA/view?usp=drive_link 

Pictures of the budget revisions can be viewed here ->    https://photos.app.goo.gl/YnKXoUH5NncMo2Wk6 

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

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"