Showing posts with label school budget. Show all posts
Showing posts with label school budget. Show all posts

Friday, February 14, 2025

Voices of Franklin: The impact of school budget cuts

My name is Katherine Kellett, and I am an English Teacher at Franklin High School.


Thank you, Superintendent Giguere and School Committee Chair Callaghan for giving educators the opportunity to share our thoughts and perspectives tonight. We especially appreciate the opportunity to speak early in the evening so that we don’t have to stay up too much past our bedtimes.


We are here tonight to talk to you and to the Franklin community about the impact of the budget cuts on educators and students over the past year. As educators, we come to this profession with a passion for helping students become the best versions of themselves. We want them to reach their potential and become thoughtful, productive, caring citizens of this world. We celebrate their successes with them, and we pick them up when they are in crisis.


However, the strain on resources in this community has affected our ability to educate in the fullest way we can. Over the last two years, we have lost over 50 educators, 20 of whom were given pink slips last week due to the reorganization. Let me give you an example from my experience.


In the English department at the high school, we have lost three teachers over the last two years. Their students have been distributed to the remaining English teachers, creating larger class sizes. I have four AP English Language sections this year, each with 25-26 students. This class size is up from 18-21 students last year. I have had to reduce the number of timed essays I assign because of the physical limitation on how much I can grade (and I am a fast grader!). 


Moreover, we have been told that without a significant reduction of paper usage, teachers may face a white paper freeze in the coming months. I teach a diverse group of students, many of whom struggle with impulse control, so to rely solely on screens and technology to deliver my instruction would mean that I am not meeting the needs of all students, a charge from the state that I take very seriously. 


Educating students is the most important–I would dare say sacred–responsibility that a community has. To do that, educators and students need adequate resources. The Town of Franklin must choose to fund schools adequately in order to maintain the standard of excellence that I and my colleagues hold dear. Franklin must prioritize student-facing positions above all else–that means teachers, counselors, speech and occupational therapists, psychologists, and nurses–as well as the physical resources–yes, including paper–that they need to succeed and reach their full potential.


I stand here tonight with many colleagues, who are eager to share their personal stories. Thank you again for your willingness to hear our voices as the town works to construct a budget for next year


Katherine Kellett
Franklin High School English Teacher


Guidelines for your submission

Voices of Franklin:  The impact of school budget cuts
Voices of Franklin:  The impact of school budget cuts

Thursday, February 13, 2025

Franklin School Committee hears concerns from teachers before vote to approve FY 2026 budget (audio)

FM #1380 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1380 in the series. 


This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Feb 11, 2025. All 7 members participated in Council Chambers. 


The public section of the meeting was comparatively short. They did enter Executive Session to discuss contract negotiations and did not return to the public meeting.


Quick recap

  • The Keller Student Council stepped forward to lead the Pledge of Allegiance to open the meeting

  • During the Superintendent's report, there was recognition of 4 FHS musicians who were selected to the All-State Music Festival; Emma Anderson (French horn), Ace Eagerman (string bass), Alex Fioavanti (?) and Emily Lou, (violin) 

  • During the discussion prior to the vote on the budget, a number of teachers from elementary, middle, and high school stepped up to comment on the decline of funding over the years, the impact on the students and their educational development effects on college prep with a limit on foreign language options less than optimal and not talked of impacts to the new schedule at both elementary & middle levels while individual classes size is maintained within guidelines,the teacher workload increases

  • The committee did vote 7-0 on the proposed budget; I assume it is possible to make further adjustments (as hoped for by some of the teachers) given the position we are in for this budget cycle

  • The budget as approved does assume a successful  override although that decision remains before the Town Council at a March meeting, after the listening sessions are completed. Date and amount of override to be determined

  • School calendar for the 2025-2026 year was approved. It does start after Labor Day this year to enable the move in Sept 2025 to be completed. Resumption of pre-Labor Day start is expected for the next school year

  • Discussion on a draft of the School Committee meeting calendar covered multiple topics mostly around the local election in November and to prepare for a new committee to be able to transition into their new role more easily than prior

  • Motion to enter into Executive session, not to return to public meeting for contract negotiation discussions


The recording runs about 1 hour & 40 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1380-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-02-11-25/



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


Photos taken during the meeting can be found in one album
 

The Franklin TV video is available for replay here -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfqefUMtloU&t=51 


The agenda doc can be found -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/School-Committee-35/?#_02112025-1571 


Meeting packet (other docs as they are released after the meeting will get posted here) -> https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2024---25-meeting-packets/february-11%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/756881 


My full set of notes taken during the meeting can be found in one PDF ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xUU7zppEaNgj9xN442EdbZnFvnqI3VSM/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. 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 posed with All-State Music Festival; Emma Anderson (French horn), Ace Eagerman (string bass), Alex Fioavanti (?) and Emily Lou, (violin)
School Committee & Supt Gigure posed with All-State Music Festival; Emma Anderson (French horn), Ace Eagerman (string bass), Alex Fioavanti (?) and Emily Lou, (violin)

2nd Joint Budget Listening Sessions gets more questions & answers (video)

The second in the series of 6 Joint Budget Subcommittee Listening Sessions was held on Wednesday, Feb 12 at the Remington-Jefferson cafetorium.

Franklin TV broadcast the event, it is available for replay ->   https://www.youtube.com/live/UWOc6uLkOO0?&t=356


The agenda packet includes:


My notes and a more complete recap will come in a day or so ->

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Franklin School Committee hears concerns from teachers before vote to approve FY 2026 budget (video)

The Franklin School Committee conducted their meeting Tuesday, Feb 11, 2025 at Council Chambers with all 7 members present.  The major item on the agenda was the vote on the Superintendent's Recommended budget for FY 2026.

The Franklin TV video is available for replay here -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfqefUMtloU&t=51


Quick recap:
  • The Keller Student Council stepped forward to lead the Pledge of Allegiance to open the meeting
  • During the Superintendent's report, there was recognition of 4 FHS musicans who were selected to the All-State Music Fesitval; Emma Anderson (French horn), Ace Eagerman (string bass), Alex Fioavanti (?) and Emily Lou, (violin)
  • During the discussion prior to the vote on the budget, a number of teachs from elementary, middle, and high school stepped up to comment
    • on the decline of funding over the years
    • the impact on the students and their educational development
    • affects on college prep with a limit on foreign language options less than optimal
    • and not talked off impacts to the new schedule at both elementary & middle levels while individual classes size is maintained within guidelines,the teacher work load increases
  • The committee did vote 7-0 on the proposed budget, I assume it is possible to make further adjustments (as hoped for by some of the teachers) given the position we are in for this budget cycle
  • The budget as approved does assume a successful  override althoughthat decision remains before the Town Council at a March meeting, after the listening session are completed. Date and amount of override to be determined
  • School calendar for the 2025-2026 year was approved. It does start after Labor Day this year to enable the move to be completed. Resumption of pre-Labor Day start is expected for the next school year
  • Discussion on a draft of the School Committee meeting calendar covered multiple topics mostly around the local election in November and to prepare for a new committee to be able to transition into their new role more easily than prior
  • Motion to enter into Executive session, not to return to public meeting for contract negotiation discussions
My notes in one PDF doc

slide from brief update on the FY 2026 school budget
slide from brief update on the FY 2026 school budget



Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Franklin is not alone in facing school district funding issues

"Residents of this town near the New Hampshire border have been on a roller coaster since early December over the future of its only school, which has just 150 students.

Franklin is not alone in facing school district funding issues
school district funding issues
At first the news was bleak: Ashby Elementary was one of two schools the North Middlesex Regional School Committee targeted for closure in December to remedy a projected $3.5 million shortfall for next year. One month later, the committee rescinded that vote, which also spared Spaulding Memorial School in neighboring Townsend.

But then on Thursday night, the committee moved forward with shuttering Ashby as part of the superintendent’s proposed budget, which would also likely require voters approve a tax increase to fully address the shortfall.

“It’s going to be detrimental to the community,” said Richie Sun, who has children in the second and third grades at Ashby. “People will move out and people won’t move in. Home prices will fall.”
Continue reading the article online -> (subscription may be required)
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/02/09/metro/massachusetts-school-districts-budget-cuts-inflation/

The 2nd of 6 Listening Sessions conducted by the Joint Budget Subcommittee will be held Wednesday at Remington/Jefferson cafetorium at 7 PM. Please attend to ask a question or make a comment. Please tune in via Comcast, Verizon or YouTube to watch and follow along.

Sunday, February 9, 2025

Franklin Public Schools, MA: a snapshot of the FY 2026 School Budget

Franklin Public Schools, MA (@FranklinPSNews) posted Fri, Feb 07, 2025:

Here is a snapshot of the FY 2026 Franklin Public Schools Budget https://t.co/fq6Eu7Mbav  
 
Here is a snapshot of the FY26 FPS Budget
Franklin Public Schools, MA:  a snapshot of the FY 2026 School Budget

While there are significant savings from the redistricting, this budget per funding from the Town does require the Town to pass an override. The Council will make that decision (yes, or no), set a date, and determine an amount at one of their meetings in March after the listening sessions are completed.
 
The School Committee will conduct their vote on the FY 2026 budget at their Tuesday, Feb 11 meeting.
 

Saturday, February 8, 2025

Franklin, MA: School Committee agenda for Feb 11, 2025 meeting at 7 PM

Franklin School Committee
February 11, 2025 7:00 PM

Municipal Building – Council Chambers


Call to Order    Mr. Callaghan
Pledge of Allegiance 
Moment of Silence

I.    Routine Business
A.    Review of Agenda
B.    Payment of Bills    Mr. Callaghan
C.    Payroll    Mr. McNeill
D.    FHS Student Representative Comments
E.    Superintendent’s Report

II.    Guests/Presentations
A.    none

III.    Discussion/Action Items
A.    FY26 Budget Vote
I recommend approval of the FY26 Budget in the amount of $80,395,338 as discussed.

B.    2025-26 School Calendar - DRAFT
I recommend adoption of the draft 2025-26 School Calendar as discussed.

IV.    Discussion Only Items
A.    2025-26 School Committee Meeting Calendar

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 28, 2025 meeting as detailed.
B.    Keller Recurring Field Trip - RW Zoo
I recommend approval of the request of Cailin Colohan, Ally Bowser & Val Gemski to take 5th graders to Roger Williams Zoo, Providence, RI on June 5, 2025 as detailed.
C.    Keller Recurring Field Trip - Stadium Theater
I recommend approval of the request of Lisa Paulhus to take 4th graders to the Stadium Theater, Woonsocket, RI on March 20, 2025 for the Math Maniac Show as detailed.
D.    FHS Gifts
I recommend the acceptance of $225.00 in memory of Richard Ayer III as follows: $ 50.00 Luke Yanka    Unified Sports Supplies
$175.00 Robert & Margaret Kelliher-Gibson Supplemental Supplies
E.    Lifelong Learning Music Academy Scholarship
I recommend the acceptance of $1200.00 from the Franklin Music Boosters for a Lifelong Learning Music Academy Scholarship as detailed.
F.    Music Gift
I recommend the acceptance of $720.00 from music parents for field trips for the Music Department as detailed.
G.    FHS Gift
I recommend the acceptance of $95.05 from Ohiopyle Prints, Inc. for in house enrichment at FHS as detailed.
H.    FHS Athletic Gift
I recommend the acceptance of $150.00 from Chris & Veronica Diorio for supplemental supplies in memory of Kathy Bonney as detailed.

VII.    Good of the Order
 
VIII.    Citizen’s Comments
 
IX.    New Business
To discuss any future agenda items

X.    Executive Session

As per M.G.L c. 30A, §21
A.    (3) To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigation position of the public body and the chair so declares.
B.    (2) To conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel or to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with nonunion personnel.

XI.    Adjournment
 
The agenda doc contains remote participation info -> 
 
 

Franklin, MA: School Committee agenda for Feb 11, 2025 meeting at 7 PM
Franklin, MA: School Committee agenda for Feb 11, 2025 meeting at 7 PM

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Franklin (MA) School Committee conducts public hearing on FY 2026 budget (audio)

FM #1370 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1370 in the series. 


This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, February 4, 2024. The meeting had been added to the schedule given the revised budget timeline which enabled this 2 months earlier than previous years. 6 of the 7 members participated (4 in Chambers, 2 remotely, and 1 absent - O’Sullivan).


Quick recap

  • The meeting did start late due to some timing and technical issues that were resolved to get the meeting going

  • The redistricting efforts provide significant savings. If the redistricting was not done (to be effective this Sept 2025) the "level service" budget as proposed would be approx $6M more than requested. That said, this budget still assumes (1) the Town Council approves of an override of at $3 to 5M (number still to be determined) (2) and it is successful, or there would be cuts to this budget

  • Lots of questions to clarify line items not so much the amount but what it covered in terms of education services, etc.

  • No vote tonight, that comes next week at their Feb 11 scheduled meeting


The recording runs just under 2 hours minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1370-franklin-ma-school-cmte-fy-2026-budget-hearing-02-04-25/



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


Franklin TV Video -> (Full video uploaded now) 

https://youtu.be/vAltgGVwnQE?&t=100 


The "budget book" was posted Tuesday afternoon -> https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/5269967/-FY26_Franklin_Budget_Book_.docx_-_Google_Docs_1_.pdf 


The budget line item summary was posted during the meeting ->    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fy1HMBBXlvR3R8TLgKfELxoy9pEwk8P5/view 


The agenda doc -> 

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/5247243/SCAGENDA_2-4-25_Budget_Open_Hearing.pdf 


My notes taken during the meeting in one PDF -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yWlpg2EVU57DC3EUI1Oh-PTaCpSS9Jno/view?usp=drive_link 


Photos of the presentation doc taken during the meeting (doc itself should be posted to Schools page Wed/Thu will update to include link when available)

https://photos.app.goo.gl/tyFRLmSzqjBU7td18 

  

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

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. 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 conducts public hearing on FY 2026 budget (audio)
School Committee conducts public hearing on FY 2026 budget (audio)