Report on the Future of Work

"THE NATURE OF work is changing due to technology, automation, and the explosion of remote work. Addressing the challenges posed by these shifts will require not only traditional workforce supports like job training, but also a change in how society addresses the factors that allow employees to be successful, from childcare to public transit. 

That was the key theme of a report released Tuesday by the legislatively created Commission on the Future of Work, chaired by Sen. Eric Lesser, a Longmeadow Democrat, and Rep. Josh Cutler, a Pembroke Democrat. Its 17 members represented business, labor, higher education, and related fields.  

“For many workers, success will depend on new work supports and infrastructure such as flexible childcare and eldercare, responsive public transportation, adequate housing stock, robust mental health services, access to broadband, and digital literacy,” the report says.   "

Continue reading the article ->

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/economy/technology-remote-work-shaping-future-labor-force/

Download the actual report ->  https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bfeb5489f877013da900c61/t/6241cbeed836906d13d2e4dd/1648479254920/futureofworkreport.pdf

"We need to bring everyone into the tent.

That’s how Joseph Bevilacqua, president of the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce, summed up the findings of a state commission that studied the future of work, a panel on which he served. The general theme of the commission’s recommendations, released on Tuesday, revolve around figuring out ways to ensure as many people as possible share in the success of Massachusetts’ innovation economy.

For employers, it’s about finding the workers to fill tens of thousands of open jobs across the state. For individuals, it’s about acquiring the skills necessary to fill those jobs, particularly positions that offer career advancement opportunities, a living wage, and strong benefits."

Continue reading the article online (Subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/03/29/business/four-takeaways-latest-report-future-work-mass/

 

A state panel on Tuesday issued recommendations about the "future of work" in Massachusetts, which lawmakers hope to include in bills before the legislature this year.TIM GRAHAM/PHOTOGRAPHER: TIM GRAHAM/GETTY I

MA topics recap - pilot payments, infrastructure funding, land preservation, and remote meeting access

“It’s about fairness. It’s about how do you want to participate in this city that you get city services from: police, fire, public works. I think you should share in those costs.”

So spoke Boston’s late former mayor, Thomas Menino, back in 2010, when talking about nonprofit universities and hospitals—”eds and meds” in popular parlance—and their community responsibilities.

House Bill 3080 (Senate Bill 1874) authored by Erika Uyterhoeven of Somerville and cosponsored by 19 fellow state legislators, would finally realize Menino’s vision and empower cities to set common rates. Under the legislation, cities could require  payments of up to 25 percent of commercial property tax rates for nonprofits with over $15 million in property and could include provisions for in-kind community benefit contributions in lieu of cash."

Continue reading the article online ->

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/opinion/pilot-payments-should-be-standardized-statewide/

"EFFORTS TO REPLACE  the MBTA’s entire Green Line trolley fleet, a statewide move toward electric vehicle adoption, and projects to make infrastructure more resilient in the face of climate change impacts would all get a boost under a $9.7 billion bond bill Gov. Charlie Baker outlined on Thursday.

Nearly two months after he first hinted at plans to file a new transportation bond bill, Baker offered an initial glimpse at a proposal the head of the MBTA expects will play a “catalytic role” to maximize money headed to Massachusetts under a new federal infrastructure law.

Once filed, the legislation will kick off debate over years of investments in the state’s pothole-dotted roads and bridges, aging public transit, and infrastructure ill-equipped to withstand the brunt of climate change."

Continue reading the article online ->

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/transportation/baker-proposes-9-7b-infrastructure-bond-bill/

"WE OFTEN THINK  of floods, hurricanes, snowstorms and the like as threats to our normal way of life, but the COVID pandemic has shown us a unique threat that affects everyone in a very different way — isolation and inability to gather together.  What brought many of us through the last few years was the availability of nearby open spaces for outdoor passive recreation.  As much as we need to plan for 100-year floods, we also need to plan for 100-year pandemics.  Enter the Public Lands Preservation Act.

Massachusetts has a wonderful collection of State Parks with a huge variety of sites and activities along with Mass Audubon, The Trustees, The Trust for Public Land, and many local and regional private land trusts.  Most of the publicly owned open spaces are nominally protected in perpetuity under Article 97 of the Commonwealth Constitution.  However, the protection can be removed by a two-thirds vote of each branch of the Legislature.  Forty to fifty laws are enacted every legislative session removing protection from parcels protected “in perpetuity.”  How can we prevent this erosion of public land?  Enter the Public Lands Preservation Act."

Continue reading the article online ->

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/opinion/protecting-the-states-protected-lands/

"THE DARKNESS OF the pandemic brought a surprise element of transparency to government, and a range of groups, including those representing individuals with disabilities, this week are calling on the Governor’s Council to resume online streaming of meetings where elected officials vet judicial candidates.

“In the case of government entities based in Boston, like the Governor’s Council, live streaming enables people to tune in from every corner of the state; discontinuing remote access is devastating for regional equity,” eight groups wrote in a letter Thursday that was sent to the eight-member council and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, who chairs council meetings where Gov. Charlie Baker’s judicial nominees are considered. “Remote access is the latest instance of universal design — alongside curb cuts, elevators, closed captioning, audiobooks, and other features — that began as accommodations and expanded to universal popularity. Like these innovations and others emerging during the pandemic, remote access to public meetings should become a permanent feature.”

Continue reading the article online ->

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/groups-call-for-making-online-meeting-access-permanent/

 

MA issues recap - pilot payments, infrastructure funding, land preservation, and remote meeting access

Washington Post: "Corporate America is coming around to remote work"

"Nearly two years after millions of Americans became abruptly acquainted with Zoom, questions about what the post-pandemic office will look like can be answered with a quick look around: It’s already here.

The case for the functionality of remote work has largely been settled: The wheels of productivity continued to hum on Wall Street and in Silicon Valley and other corporate strongholds even as their sprawling offices lay vacant. Employees stayed home and learned how to live at work. And throughout 2021, profits rolled in.

Corporate leaders attempting to coax employees back to the office have largely accepted the inevitability of the hybrid work model — a strategy buttressed by the reality of raging coronavirus rates, a tight labor market and the nation’s more than 10 million job openings. Now they are learning to leverage its benefits, according to Adam Galinsky, a professor of leadership and ethics at Columbia Business School in New York. That includes more flexibility and less time commuting for employees, and lower real estate and operating costs for companies."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2022/01/15/remote-work-omicron/

Goldman Sachs headquarters in New York on Jan. 4. Wall Street’s push to refill office towers across the country was recently derailed by the highly transmissible omicron variant of the coronavirus. (Amir Hamja/Bloomberg)

Recap - School Committee - good work and progress highlighted room for opportunity on communications remains as school year closes

Quick Recap:

• Update on the Virtual learning academy (VLA) provided. This 'virtual school' served the remote students for all the elementary schools and without explicitly saying so found disparity among the different schools by grade level and brought the students to a good place for this challenging year. Interesting stat - 270 students started the year, 220 finished (50 went into school with return of in person learning).
• Update on the District Improvement Plan for their diversity, inclusion and equity work highlights the need for additional communications as many in the community were unaware of this work being done with a cross section of stakeholder representation. For a recent example, the FHS incident report was shared only with the direct FHS community and not the broader Franklin community
• Davis Thayer transition moves to next phase as building materials, etc. get determined to move or whatever. Decision to turn building over to Town is still a future item, timeline TBD.
• Workshop planned for July session in place of regular meeting, discussion of an outside audit a possible topic to find out what we have, where we could be and plan accordingly. The 3rd party view would augment the info provided to the Committee

----

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

 

Photos captured during the meeting and shared via Twitter can be found in one album

https://photos.app.goo.gl/F9uRGSN6ejSb3GkR8

The Twitter hashtag can be found online  #schcom0608

https://twitter.com/search?q=%23schcom0608&src=typeahead_click 

 

Agenda document - https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/agenda-6-22-21

 

Meeting packet folder - https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/june-22-2021-school-committee-meeting-packet

 

• Real time reporting underway for the School Committee meeting, last one of this school year #schcom0622

Virtual Learning Academy update

• Presentation on the virtual learning academy https://franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/vla #schcom0622
• VLA started with 270 students and when in person returned they only dropped to about 220. #schcom0622
• Digital learning integrationists were invaluable to the academy. #schcom0622
• Overview of the VLA a testament to creativity, collaboration of the teachers, etc. #schcom0622
• More slides from presentation deck #schcom0622
• The VLA principal also did a guest role sharing experience from a prior role as a park ranger at the Badlands Natl Pk. #schcom0622
• What was a favorite part of school? A sample of the results #schcom0622
• 4th grade one word response to the school year #schcom0622

District Improvement Plan - goals update

• Next up district improvement goals update on SEL and related topics #schcom0622 (a cool practice to take a few collective breaths)
• Presentation deck for this update so you can follow along https://franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/sel.
•  #schcom0622#schcom0622 SEL site reference with monthly focus points https://sites.google.com/franklinps.net
• Counseling is a growing need #schcom0622
• Staff support via professional Development #schcom0622
• Monitoring to ensure effective delivery, along with check-in #schcom0622
• Diversity update #schcom0622
• Diversity next steps #schcom0622
• SEL and school safety, some of the protocol will remain, #schcom0622
• Feedback from students received to enhance the handbook with relatable language and examples of what some of the violations would be. #schcom0622 make it in more of kid friendly language

Discussion action items

• Discussion action items, https://franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/d1-policy #schcom0622 motion to move to second reading, passes 7-0

Reopening status

• Next up, reopening status https://franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/status-update-6-18-21 #schcom0622 COVID pool testing ends with the closure of school. DESE updated requirements for summer school in regards to masks, encouraged for unvaccinated; clinic last week for middle schools, 120 first vaccines

Information matters

• Information matters, reminder in budget brochure to be shared; policy meeting July 28; workshop at July 27 meeting in lieu of regular meeting #schcom0622 Next meeting July 13, mostly routine things; raising possible outside audit for workshop discussion
• Dr Bergen comments on last day of school year. #schcom0622

Consent agenda

• Consent agenda motion to approve, seconded, desire to split them as D'Angelo was not part of the two meetings, she abstains from both of those separate votes; other three combined passes 6-0 (Spencer left) via roll call #schcom0622
• Motion to adjourn, passes 6-0 via roll call That's all for tonight, catch you next time!

  

Audio recording of meeting to be available in couple of days

 

good work and progress highlighted room for opportunity on communications remains as school year closes

Franklin Public Schools, MA: Return to 'In Person' Update to Families - Apr 1, 2021

April 1, 2021

"Dear Franklin Families,    
 
We hope you are doing well. This letter contains important information about pool testing, attendance expectations, instruction during quarantine, and reminders about travel. First, however, I want to begin with some important acknowledgments.
 
I want to acknowledge our remote only students, families, and faculty/staff. Much of our recent efforts have been in eager anticipation of a return to full and in-person school. I want to take a moment to acknowledge and recognize the dedication and creativity of our remote only teachers, paraprofessionals, and administrator in our Virtual Learning Academy. I also want to acknowledge how much we are thinking of our K-12 remote only students and families and, through our re-entry planning, are striving to keep our connections to you in our minds. We know this year has not been easy! Going forward, instruction in the VLA will continue as it has been. As we move ahead, remote-only instruction at the middle and high schools will have a different rhythm and feel with more students in the building, but you will still be receiving instruction from your currently assigned classroom teachers.
 
I also want to acknowledge the students and staff who have been full-time and in-person since the beginning of the year. Many of our special education teachers, school nurses, secretaries, van drivers, paraprofessionals, and related service providers have been in school five days a week since September. In so many ways, the successes of our PreSchool and five-day specialized programs have paved the way for our in-person return K-12. Our nurses’ efforts in keeping everyone safe are most noteworthy!
 
I also want to give a big “shout out” to our custodians who have been working so diligently to keep our schools safe with their daily disinfecting and cleaning routines. Additionally, the Facilities Department has been working tremendously hard in these past several weeks to get our schools up and running with furniture and other materials for April 5 and 12. In addition, our cafeteria staff and our teachers are actively preparing for more in-person students.
 
Last but certainly not least, our administrative team deserves an enthusiastic round of applause. I feel so fortunate to be working with such a dedicated, student-centered, and wise group of school leaders. Their hearts are focused on the core of what we do -- teaching and learning -- and doing so in ways that keep everyone in their buildings safe. They are always thinking of others -- students, staff, and families alike. They are rolling up their sleeves and doing whatever needs to be done -- supporting teachers, delivering lunch, substitute teaching, delivering materials to homes, and tending to many, many conversations and e-mails -- to name just a few. Please join me in giving them all of the appreciation they deserve."
 
Continue reading the update from Superintendent Ahern at this link: https://t.co/5lA2cWZgsu  or with this PDF version  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MJ35s0lpSpX_XJWGC-xfu9-NDXtkCrxL/view?usp=sharing

 

 

Franklin Public Schools, MA: Return to 'In Person' Update to Families - Apr 1, 2021

Pantherbook: Girl Up club leads “A Discussion on Gender Equality" ; FHS switches to 'in person' learning Apr 12

"On Thursday, March 25, students met through the Girl Up club for “A Discussion on Gender Equality.” The meeting was led by Girl Up Teen Advisor Angelina Perez.

The meeting drew local participants as well as Girl Up members from LA, the British Virgin Islands, Syracuse, and Washington D.C.

The discussion started with the simple question, “How have you been impacted by sexism or misogyny?”  

High Schoolers from Franklin and around the country met over Zoom to discuss gender equality. Photo used with permission from Angelina Perez

Quickly, the floodgates opened and girls shared deeply personal stories."

Continue reading the article online

https://franklinpanthers.us/news/2021/03/31/girl-ups-profound-discussion-on-gender-equality/ 

April 12th is the finalized date for when Franklin High will be having nearly eighty percent of their students back in school. The CDC recently approved that it is safe for students to now be three feet apart in classrooms.

When talking to Mr. Hanna he explains how there are many different safety measures put in at FHS for not only the students, but the staff as well. There will be a maximum of twenty four desks per classroom all measured to be at least 3 feet apart, there will also always be six feet between a teacher and a student.

Continue reading the article online

https://franklinpanthers.us/top-stories/2021/03/31/what-will-returning-back-to-fhs-look-like-now-three-feet-apart/

 

 

FHS switches to 'in person' learning Apr 12

Remote work and the " new normal"

"The post-vaccine workplace is taking shape, and for many it’s going to be a hybrid model, allowing more remote work but with clear expectations that some days a week will be in the office.

Workforce experts are bracing for a whole new set of post-pandemic upheavals, in some instances more transformative than the unplanned move to working from home last March, with some making efforts to avoid pre-pandemic remote-work mistakes.

“In a lot of ways it’s going to be more disruptive than when we went all remote,” said Brian Kropp, vice president of research at Gartner."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/03/30/hybrid-office-remote-work-citigroup-ford-target/

 

"Since the pandemic sent workers home last year, a slew of modifications have been made to office buildings to protect against the spread of the coronavirus. Now, as companies prepare to bring workers back, experts say even more changes are on the way.

Expect expanded gathering spaces and fewer personal workstations, for instance, changes that are being fueled by the success of working from home. Companies like Google, Microsoft and Walmart have already announced proposals for hybrid work models that will allow employees to continue to work remotely at least a few days a week."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/30/business/office-return-space.html 

 

MA News: "be mindful that our behavior affects the entire community"

"An outbreak of COVID-19 cases among Swampscott High School students following a recent off-campus event is having a widespread impact on the town, prompting officials to switch the school to remote learning and urging unvaccinated residents to get tested for the virus as soon as possible.

On Saturday, town and state public health experts were working to determine the scope of the outbreak, which Superintendent Pamela Angelakis has deemed Swampscott’s largest since the pandemic began. The high school will be limited to remote learning until April 5, she said.

An estimated 100 residents were exposed to COVID-19 as a result of the new outbreak, said Sean Fitzgerald, the town administrator, though that figure could change as the town’s contact tracing continues."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/03/20/metro/after-significant-outbreak-covid-cases-among-swampscott-students-officials-urge-unvaccinated-residents-get-tested/

MA State News: climate change bill likely to get signed; Remote work likely here to stay

 

"WITH BOTH BRANCHES of the Legislature approving climate change legislation by veto-proof majorities, the Baker administration on Thursday declared victory and signaled that the governor will sign the bill into law.

“The governor and I are very pleased the Legislature adopted the vast majority of our amendments,” said Katie Theoharides, the governor’s secretary of energy and environmental affairs.

She said she couldn’t definitively say the governor will sign the bill until it actually reaches his desk and he can see it in its final form, but she signaled that was likely. “We are very pleased by the inclusion of key amendments as well as technical changes,” she said."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/environment/baker-administration-very-pleased-with-climate-change-bill/

 

The MA Legislature's press release on the passage of the climate change bill

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/03/ma-legislature-passes-landmark-climate.html

The link to the legislation itself  https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S9

Remote work looks like it’s here to stay

"EASTERN BANK USED to be a typical employer. Be in the office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with an hour break for lunch. Its employees in Lynn, Boston, and elsewhere fought the traffic with other rush hour commuters.

No more. That model, says CEO Bob Rivers, is likely gone for good.

Once the pandemic eases, Eastern Bank plans to implement for the first time a widely available work-from-home policy, which will give employers more options for whether they want to come into the office or not.

“Being able to work in this way with greater flexibility we think will make us a better employer, and certainly a more competitive employer,” Rivers said."

Continue reading the article online  https://commonwealthmagazine.org/economy/remote-work-looks-like-its-here-to-stay/

FM #487 - School Committee Mtg - 03/09/21 - P3 of 3 (audio)

FM #487 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 487 in the series. 

This session shares part 3 of the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Mar 9, 2021. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: some of the School Committee members, Central Office personnel, and key guests were in the Council Chambers; the remainder, along with the public, were remote via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the just almost three hour meeting into three logical segments:

• First - covers the opening through the Keller Elementary presentation (approx. 39 minutes)
• Second - School Budget - first view- Supt Ahern and her staff walk through the budget highlights (approx. 53 mins)
• *** Third *** - from the return to in person learning plan through to the end of the public meeting (approx. 85 minutes)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda and to my notes. The meeting packet folder will hold the other documents released for the meeting.

Let’s listen to this segment of the School Committee meeting of Mar 9, 2021

Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/2d6d06a5-1bad-4be2-bacc-ad2a58c87630

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

Agenda doc   https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_3-9-21.pdf 

Superintendent’s Report
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/superintendents_report_to_school_committee_march_9_2021.pdf 

Keller presentation doc   https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/keller-presentation 

Recommended Budget  https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/supt-rec-budget-3-9-21

Return to in person plan  https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/person-presentation-3-9-21 

Meeting packet folder 
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/march-9-2021-school-committee-meeting-packet 

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/03/school-committee-recap-march-9-meeting.html 

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

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

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" 

School Committee recap - March 9 meeting - Keller puts on a show before budget and reopening updates

Quick Recap:

• Keller kids helped to put on the showcase of what's happening at the school this pandemic year.
• Plans for the Davis Thayer transition to Keller underway, more updates as the work progresses
  
• First pass on the school budget reviewed. Time line shared for next steps as it develops. Numbers to be filled in as they come available.
  
• Reopening status updated to share the bringing back o in person, effectively doing away with hybrid. Working on bringing in the hybrid folks. Some flexibility at elementary level, more at middle school and less at high school for parents/students who are remote to come back in person. 
• Pool testing commenced across the district, still time to sign up for it. All negative results ts far. Contact tracing results also showed no in person transfer of COVID-19.
  

Photos captured during the meeting and shared via Twitter can be found in one album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/cJ8aV27DNSq2QanL8

----

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  #schcom0309

https://twitter.com/search?q=%23schcom0309&src=typed_query

• I am getting ready for the School Committee meeting tonight at 7. Are you ready? Agenda doc has details and connection info #schcom0309 https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_3-9-21.pdf
• All the options for watching, listening and/or participating tonight summarized here #schcom0309 https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/03/school-committee-meeting-viewing-options.html
• Over 100 in Zoom session to start this meeting. #schcom0309
• The zoom session is working for me but not the live stream. Anyone else an issue? Any trouble with cable? #schcom0309
• Up to 190+ on the Zoom session. #schcom0309 DT and Keller transition underway, 1st meeting last week, lots of familiarity amongst team to work on draft to share later. Ah - an update via the live stream, there is video!
• Superintendent's report (fully published after the meeting, in some cases several days) #schcom0309 touts Sen Spilka's forum coming Mar 19. Links to be shared when available. Next up the Keller presentation
• The Keller presentation doc was shared before the meeting, you can follow along with this https://franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/keller-presentation #schcom0309
• Announcement to start the day helps at Keller #schcom0309
• Special edition in November recognized local veterans on Veterans Day. #schcom0309 tech helped extend the celebration beyond the 4 walls
• Work this year continues to develop the core values #schcom0309
• Grade level meetings when students are remote done regularly. #schcom0309
• Multiple students chimed in to share their thoughts as the presentation continues #schcom0309
• #schcom0309 more slides for more of the Keller kids to talk to
• Good last slide to share gratitude #schcom0309
• BTW up to 210+ via Zoom (also only 6 of the 7 members present tonight - D'Angelo absent) #schcom0309
• Now moving to the FY 22 budget update, first time to view the budget for next year. #schcom0309 doc to be posted after meeting (I.e. sometime Weds)
• Budget assumptions to start with #schcom0309
• Level service proposal would be close to Supt recommended amount, second slide gets into the investments required #schcom0309
• Digital learning integration would be part of going forward required #schcom0309
• BTW up to more than 220 via Zoom now. Cyber position would be split between town and schools #schcom0309
• With Dr Edwards retirement taking opportunity to fill and add role for curriculum for elementary and middle levels #schcom0309 (for district our size, long overdue) some funding for the facility master planning work to begin (perhaps redistricting)
• Expectations for staffing as it evolves on elementary level #schcom0309 watching carefully for population and class sizes
• Decline in enrollment has also resulted in teacher reductions over the years mostly incorporated as part of the annual moves/leaves/retirement etc #schcom0309
• Returning to full in person for 1700 students at FHS will be a budget issue, staffing in particular. #schcom0309
• #schcom0309 where would the revenue come from? Mostly State; Town to be filled in over next 2 weeks. Otherwise some further adjustments required. "It is a process"
• What's next for the budget? #schcom0309 slide depicts the timeline
• #schcom0309 classrooms instructional, change year to year? Not clear. No ELA curriculum across at elementary level, question if bandwidth. Math pilot to be expanded next year and then we could get to ELA. Q on tiered support for catching up re: COVID. To be packaged 4 next time
• #schcom0309 if 2 people replace Joyce and it is budget neutral, what about everything else she does? Under review, planning to include position and descriptions for next time. "If considered on per pupil basis, 75% if the districts spend more than we do... Are we ok with that?"
• "How do we get on a journey to get more to the average?" #schcom0309 The budget reflects our values. Did I share the pie slide? There is very little room in this for finding money to save.
• Also reflect on the changes in roles required to support education today. This is not your father's classroom. And oh by the way 40 some teachers were cut due to the decline in elementary enrollment over the years #schcom0309
• Motion and second on policy to second reading passes via roll call 6-0-1 ( no against, 1 absent). https://franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/disc-policy-0 #schcom0309
• Next up capital budget request for Town approval via FinComm meeting Weds. #schcom0309 https://franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/disc-b-capital Motion to approve, second, passes via roll call 6-0-1 (none against, 1 absent)
• #schcom0309 next up, reopening and return to full and in person would look like https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/reopening_schools_status_update_march_4_2020-2021_0.pdf
• It was a year ago this week that we shut down due to the onset of the pandemic. #schcom0309 middle school due back by 4/28, high school still TBD, therefore hybrid to be phased out as an option. Leverage this time to plan for summer and fall.
• https://drive.google.com/file/d/1svIwF6r5nFQGxafWgzyA055o9WnLc2bj/view
• Targeting to get a week in before the April break, also contingency to move furniture around, #schcom0309 are expecting 5 days fully in person; all this does depend upon some students to stay remote particularly at FHS
• What is still required? #schcom0309
• When both teacher and students masked, risk low... #schcom0309 other mitigations, pool testing, ventilation, air purifiers, etc.
• #schcom0309 co2 was already monitored building wide.
• #schcom0309 695 pool testing yesterday, all negative. Sign up by school per student, links available.
• Based upon contact tracing all exposure occurred outside the school #schcom0309
• #schcom0309 transportation guidance from DESE last month, bus windows about 2 inches for air exchange
• Lunches will vary building to building, some districts have gone with a shorter schedule and an early dismissal for a grab and go lunch. Stay tuned for what will be here. #schcom0309 kudos to the VLA teachers and the remarkable work they are doing
• No plan for another survey for elementary, if hybrid will come in, if remote will stay. Some classes remote are already large, so adjustments would be needed. Stricter attendance to be captured. #schcom0309 if space available may accommodate VLA students to come in
• Were planning for Apr 12 (state now says Apr 28), will be less flexible for attendance as with elementary, if remote so; if in, need to be, can't slide to remote. If sick, of course wouldn't be doing it anyway. #schcom0309 will survey middle school for the plan #s
• #schcom0309 (BTW still over 200 via zoom at this time) FHS has limitations with space, staffing, etc. 500 fully remote today, could bring some in but not all.
• #schcom0309 in general expectation for staff to be in person, with process for accommodation or leaves as necessary. Possible hiring for tutors and lunch monitoring, maybe additional teachers (VLA)
• Volunteer opportunities also. #schcom0309 most stored on site, some desks at DPW garage and these are all part of the active conversation.
• #schcom0309 1100+ students responses for hybrid survey, FHS to be surveyed again on collapsing the cohort
• Communications coming to VLA and others on how and where to make move if necessary. Reminder on class sizes. Can not accommodate 25 at elementary in class size with 3' distance. Not yet tracking teacher vaccinations, is covered by HIPPA and could be noted in summary
• Q on an individual quarantine? Level of detail not quite ready to get to yet, discussion yes, decisions not yet. Planning an 'attendance summit' to work on details and consistency around tracking and reporting. #schcom0309 info on volunteer to be folded into comms
• #schcom0309 discussion on furniture for use outside as the weather gets warmer. Tents, etc. The more pressure we can put to get vaccinations to distribute locally. Plan coming together, still need patience and grace.
• It is a team effort, want to note the principals and asst principals and getting the work done. Thank you. It is precarious with the variants about. #schcom0309 bus transportation sign up available on FPS page
• Q on MCAS, what about rumors about family opt out? New dates for elementary mid may to first week in June, 1 test day/subject/ day. Obligated to bring remote in for MCAS no remote options. It is a requirement, if they are absent, when the return they get tested #schcom0309
• There is no opt out for families for MCAS. #schcom0309 with dates sliding there is less flexibility in case of further interruptions. District sanctions? Less than 95% participation level affects report card. Currently suspended for this year.
• Info matters, budget Subcommittee video being worked on, meeting march 16 - 4:30; Legislative Forum last week, no next meeting yet #schcom0309 New business; budget hearing line item next time, more on reopening, position approvals as discussed earlier
• Consent agenda, #schcom0309 motion to approve seconded and passes 6-0-1 (0 against, 1 absent) Motion to enter executive session, not to return to open meeting, seconded, passes 6-0-1 (0 no, 1 absent). That's all for tonight, catch you next time!

 

"If considered on per pupil basis, 75% if the districts spend more than we do... Are we ok with that?"