Finance Committee hears of the Franklin School budget as proposed (video)

The Finance Committee held their first of 3 budget hearings for the FY 2026 budget on Monday, April 28, 2025. All 8 members were present in Council Chambers.

Franklin TV recording available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2k6pGMSzeU

Finance Cmte agenda ->    https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04282025-1700

Quick recap:

• School Superintendent Lucas Giguere and Interim Business Administrator Jana Milotti made the presentation supported at different points by Dr Dutch and Asst Supt Paula Morano
• The slides of the presentation can be found ->   https://photos.app.goo.gl/RZR8tubpGhMB6Ac47
• The school budget fits within the Town allocation which assumes a successful override vote on June 3. The school budget is an increase over last year by $2.9M
• Redistricting brought significant savings to the tune of $3.1M
• If the override fails, $2M would be cut from this budget (per current Town documented allocation) resulting in no decrease in sports or transportation fees, staff reductions, higher class sizes, etc. See the photo of slide page 25
• The committe meeting almost closed out without even mentioning the Norfolk Agggie or Tri-County budgets
• Tuesday night the budget items for public works and public safety are up for discussion. The meeting will be in the 3rd floor training room.

My notes captured during the meeting via Twitter

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_SkYWy0EmCwPxh8w_PRvUJI2QDbclXKD/view?usp=drive_link

Finance Committee hears of the Franklin School budget as proposed (video)

Franklin Public Schools: FY 2026 Budget Book - “Laying a Foundation for Success” - Executive Summary

Dear Franklin Community,

I am honored to serve the Town of Franklin as Superintendent of Schools. Together with the leadership team, I am responsible for overseeing the daily operations of our district, which serves 4,589 students and employs over 1,200 dedicated professionals, including educators, support staff, and administrators. Our collective mission is to foster academic excellence, social and emotional well-being, and equitable opportunities for all students in safe, healthy, and welcoming environments.

The Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Superintendent’s Recommended Budget, totaling $80,395,338, represents a 3.78% increase over FY25 and is structured to balance rising costs with strategic resource allocation. This year’s budget cycle is framed by our guiding principle: “Laying a Foundation for Success.” This tagline underscores the critical connection between a well-structured, sustainable budget and the long-term prosperity of our students and community.

Strategic Priorities and Fiscal Responsibility

Our approach to budget development is mission-driven and informed by Franklin’s Portrait of a Graduate, which defines the essential skills each student will develop throughout their PreK-12+ experience. We remain steadfast in our commitment to:

❖ Optimizing Resources – Allocating staffing and financial resources to maximize student impact.

❖ Supporting Reorganization – Ensuring a smooth transition for students, staff, and families following significant structural changes.

❖ Stability and Sustainability – Building a future-ready system that meets current and evolving needs.

In FY26, we continue to right-size our operations by aligning staffing and expenditures with student needs. This budget reflects savings from our district reorganization, which includes:

❖ The unification of Franklin Middle School, consolidating all grades 6-8 students into one building at Oak Street.

❖ The restructuring of elementary schools into two K-5 complexes at Washington Street and Lincoln Street.

❖ The expansion of the Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) at Pond Street will increase early childhood capacity and generate additional revenue.

❖ These bold decisions allow us to preserve recommended class sizes, maintain a high-quality educational experience, and create efficiencies without increasing full-time staff. The reorganization achieves economies of scale, ensuring we maximize impact while maintaining financial sustainability.

Budget Drivers and Investments in Student Success

Several key financial drivers shape the FY26 budget:

❖ Staffing Adjustments – Reallocating existing staff to maintain class sizes and meet student needs without increasing overall FTEs.

❖ Student Support – Continued investment in behavioral, mental health, and academic interventions.

❖ Compliance & Costs – Rising expenses in transportation, special education, and health insurance.

While staffing costs account for most of the budget, we have strategically reallocated personnel to support student success. We are also maintaining Franklin’s commitment to academic and co-curricular opportunities, ensuring all students have access to:

❖ Rigorous and engaging curriculum

❖ Special education and intervention services

❖ Extracurricular activities, including clubs, arts, and athletics

❖ Essential student support, including counseling and wellness resources

 

Additionally, our focus on financial stewardship includes:

❖ Classroom-Level Analysis – Ensuring optimal teacher FTEs and class sizes.

❖ Historical Spending Review – Reducing or eliminating non-essential expenditures.

❖ Technology and Equipment Review – Prioritizing essential tools and minimizing inefficiencies.

❖ Special Education Forecasting – Accurately projecting out-of-district tuition and transportation needs.

❖ Transportation Evaluation – Optimizing bus routes to mitigate cost increases.

❖ Franklin in Context: Comparisons and Challenges

Despite fiscal constraints in recent years, Franklin Public Schools has made a series of bold decisions to maintain the success of a high-quality public education.

Looking Ahead

As Superintendent, I remain dedicated to working collaboratively with the Franklin School Committee, Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, the Town Council, and municipal leaders to ensure fiscal stability and educational excellence. This budget reflects our shared vision for the future—one that prioritizes student success, supports educators, and strengthens our schools while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

We are grateful for your continued partnership and investment in Franklin’s students and for your unwavering commitment to our schools, families, and community.

Sincerely,

Lucas Giguere                           Janaina Melotti

Superintendent of Schools           Interim School Business Administrator

The full School District "Budget Book" for FY 2026 can be found ->

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

Additional Budget documents can be found in their FY 2026 Budget page ->

https://www.franklinps.net/documents/about-us/school-district-budget/fy2026-budget/728831

Franklin Public Schools: FY 2026 Budget Book - “Laying a Foundation for Success” - Executive Summary

Asking “What is so sacred about the school experience that we would fight to keep it into the future?” is one way to decide on the vote for June 3

From: Deep Dive Into the Big Questions Question 1: What is Sacred? (Part 1)

"The ongoing disruptions in the world are forcing us to make important choices. Despite the seemingly never-ending stream of tools, programs, and methods being offered as “solutions” to what’s broken in education, pause to consider: what are the aspects of school that we want to preserve 10 or 20 years or even longer into the future? What is at the core of our purpose as schools in the world today? In other words, what matters most?

....

When we wrote the 9 Big Questions in 2021 we urged a sort of recalibration for a much different reality. We advocated for going back to the most foundational aspects of our work with children: The things that really matter. Our non-negotiable values. Those aspects of school we consider sacred.

Since that time, our work with educators and communities made it crystal clear that for meaningful, sustainable change to happen, schools must ground their work in their deepest beliefs and values. Asking “What is so sacred about the school experience that we would fight to keep it into the future?” is the first place to start. It forces us to get to the core of what’s most important about our service to children."

Continue to read the full article ->    https://ckarchive.com/b/0vuwh9h9w9q5ma7mggrmzhvleex55hn 

The Town of Franklin FY 2026 Override page can be found -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/1089/Fiscal-Year-2026-Override-Information

If the 6 Listening Session left you with an unanswered question, then there are still at least 5 more times to get an official answer

• Finance Committee ->  April 28, April 29, May 1
• Town Council -> May 21, May 22

Asking “What is so sacred about the school experience that we would fight to keep it into the future?” is one way to decide on the vote for June 3

Franklin Town Council sets June 3 for date of Override vote on $3,862,672 to balance FY 2026 budget (audio)

FM #1411 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1411 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares our “Town Council Quarterbacking” with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. We had our conversation via the Zoom Conference Bridge on Friday, March 21, 2025.  

Our conversation condensed the Town Council meeting of March 19, 2025. 

We focus on two questions:

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

Topics for this session

• Discussion and vote to set an override before the community in the amount of $3,862,672 and on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. There were 2 separate votes, one on the ballot question text and the second on the date. Both passed with the same 8-0-1 (8 for, none against, 1 absent - Dellorco)

• The School Committee had met earlier that evening and voted unanimously to support the override vote. Chair Dave Callaghan and Vice-Chair David McNeill stood up to make that announcement during the discussion

• Other legislation for action on the minimum item agenda for the evening; 2 items to extend the sewer and water lines to a new residence that had already been approved in the first vote both received the passing vote by the same 8-0-1 vote (1 absent) via roll call

• A resolution accepting gifts to the Veterans services was approved and thanks extended

• Town Administrator's Report

• Jamie acknowledged receipt of a letter from Archbishop Henning commending the work of the Fire Dept on the St Mary's Church fire. He had just recently attended the re-opening masses. The letter will be posted to the Town pages

• The lease for Town use of the Ferrara's parking lot was signed to extend the agreement for 5 years

• The final approvals on the deed and associated documents for the Old South Church were completed and to be handed over to Habitat for Humanity so the docs can be filed with the Registrar of Deeds, and work can begin to renovate the building for a residence

Let’s listen to my conversation with Tom as we recap the Town Council meeting. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1411-town-council-quarterbacking-03-21-25/

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

The agenda doc released for the meeting ->    https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03192025-1639 

My full set of notes taken during the meeting (in one PDF) -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TPEkxHcViPCNwOGHmiydPVt1rGW5Xy05/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

• 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"

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

Franklin Town Council sets June 3 for date of Override vote on $3,862,672 to balance FY 2026 budget

The Franklin Town Council met as scheduled on Wednesday, March 19 in Council Chambers. 8 of the 9 members were present and participating, 1 absent (Dellorco - due todeath in family).

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

The agenda doc released for the meeting ->    https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03192025-1639 

Quick recap

• after approval of 2 prior meeting minutes, the Council get to the key item and after a brief discussion took two votes;
• one to approve the amount and ballot question text
• the second to set the date, Tuesday, June 3, 2025 for the override
• both votes were 8-0-1 (1 absent)
• The School Committee had met earlier that evening and voted unanimously to support the override vote. Chair Dave Callaghan and Vice-Chair David McNeill stood up to make that announcement during the discussion
• Other legislation for action on the minimum item agenda for the evening; 2 items to extend the sewer and water lines to a new residence that had already been approved in the first vote both received the passing vote by the same 8-0-1 vote (1 absent) via roll call
• A resolution accepting gifts to the Veterans services was approved and thanks extended
• Town Administrator's Report
• Jamie acknowledged receipt of a letter from Archbishop Henning commending the work of the Fire Dept on the St Mary's Church fire. He had just recently attended the re-opening masses. The letter will be posted to the Town pages
• The lease for Town use of the Ferrara's parking lot was signed to extend the agreement for 5 years
• The final approvals on the deed and associated documents for the Old South Church were completed and to be handed over to Habitat for Humanity so the docs can be filed with the Registrar of Deeds, and work can begin to renovate the building for a residence
• After a round of Councilor comments, the meeting closed

My full set of notes taken during the meeting (in one PDF) -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TPEkxHcViPCNwOGHmiydPVt1rGW5Xy05/view?usp=drive_link

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

Proposition 2 ½ Override Ballot Question for FY 2026 Town & School budget

March 14, 2025

To: Town Council

From:  Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator

Amy Frigulietti, Deputy Town Administrator

Re: Resolution 25-15: Proposition 2 ½ Override Ballot Question Resolution 25-16: Setting Date of Proposition 2 ½ Override Ballot

Before the Council this evening are two resolutions relative to an override. The first resolution establishes the date of a special override election. The second establishes the exact question that will be on the ballot.

Beginning in January, the Joint Budget Subcommittee (JBSC), consisting of four members of Town Council, three members of the School Committee, and four members of the Finance Committee, along with the Town Administrator and Superintendent, held a series of six public listening sessions in various locations across town. The objective of these sessions was to give residents multiple opportunities to share opinions, ask questions and gain a better understanding of how the Town’s budget deficit will impact Town services, School services and resident taxes in FY26 and beyond, both with and without an override. The response to these sessions was overwhelmingly positive with many new and familiar faces in attendance and a tremendous amount of valuable information shared. We truly appreciate the questions and feedback and hope this community engagement continues to grow!

At the final JBSC listening session on March 12th, the Committee voted, 9-1 (with one member absent) to recommend the following:

1) That the Town Council vote to put forth a $3,862,672 override ballot question to the registered voters of the Town of Franklin with the following ballot question language - "Shall the Town of Franklin be allowed to assess an additional $3,862,672 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purpose of the municipal and school operating budgets for which monies from this assessment will be used for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025". 

2) That the Town Council vote to place the proposed override ballot question before the residents for a vote at a Special Town Election on Tuesday, June 3, 2025.

For more information please visit the FY26 Budget page on our website. Assuming the Town Council approves a ballot question and date for the special election, the Town will upload a dedicated override website with legally allowable information.

Please let us know if you have any questions.

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4746/9a--25-15-and-25-16---Override-Date-and-Question

Proposition 2 ½ Override Ballot Question for FY 2026 Town & School budget

Joint Budget Subcommittee recommends to the Town Council a $3.862 M override for Tuesday, June 3 (video)

The 6th and final Joint Budget Listening Session shifted from listening to the audience to listening to each other at about 9:15 PM and began the discussion on the potential override. The ultimate recommendation was for the amount of $3,862,672 and for Tuesday, June 3, 2025.

The Franklin TV video for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3yEVAe0NHU

Agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Joint-Budget-Subcommittee-6/?#_03122025-1620

Quick recap

• Approx 100 folks in the audience this evening, a mix of town staff, school dept and tachers, and residents
• 10 members of the Joint Budget Subcmte present on the stage along with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and School Superintendent Lucas Giguere
• A dozen folks asked questions, some more than 1; some got long answers, some got short answers
• the Subcommittee gets their say one at a time (beginning approx 9:15 PM), then after hearing the majority for the 3.8 number with some for a pyramid (also adding a higher #, 4.9 possibly)
• Motion for the $3863,672, seconded and then after discussion it passes by a 9-1 vote (1 voting no, O'Sullivan)
• Motion for Tuesday, June 3, 2025 as the date, second, passes 10-0
• motion to adjourn, passes 10-0

My notes taken during the session in one PDF ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Afr2hGWcMvzGJX1zd_VojMpjkl9WMTU-/view?usp=drive_link

Joint Budget Subcommittee recommends to the Town Council a $3.862 M override for Tuesday, June 3 (video)

2 FHS teachers on the joy of teaching & the hard things about budget issues (audio)

FM #1401 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1401 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of my conversation with Leah Wahrhaftig-Jeri and Katherine Kellett, both teachers at Franklin High School. We had our conversation at the Franklin TV Studio on Monday, March  3, 2025.  

Katherine Kellett, Teacher - English

Leah Wahrhaftig-Jeri, Teacher - World Language

• We cover their road to Franklin and FHS

• We talk about the joy in teaching

• And the issues faced with continued budget cuts

• Only one language to be offered at the middle school

• Reduces the total of language classes High School graduates can carry forward to college

• Text book & curriculum cuts challenge the appropriate delivery of curriculum

• Loss of shared intellectual capital with colleagues cut due to budget

• Language lab is a resource heavily utilized and will no longer available (per budget)

• Struggle to attract and retain substitute teachers

• Ripple effects for curriculum coverage that is lost and how that affects students and the next year’s teachers for that subject

The recording runs about 40 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Leah and Katherine on teaching in challenging budget times

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1401-2-franklin-high-school-teachers-03-03-25/

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Franklin High School page -> https://www.franklinps.net/o/fhs 

Franklin School District budget page -> FY 2026 https://www.franklinps.net/documents/about-us/school-district-budget/fy2026-budget/728831 

Joint budget listening sessions archive -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/02/joint-budget-listening-sessions-fy-2026.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

• 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"

A couple of Ben Franklin's gift books to the Town

Watch, Listen, Read: The 5th Joint Budget Listening Session - Saturday, March 8

This combines the video, audio, and transcript for the 5th of the 6 listenting sessions in advance of the possible override decision/discussion for the FY 2026 budget.

This is the fifth of 6 listening sessions scheduled through March 12, 2025 in advance of a decision on an override (yes, or no), when? and for what amount. The decision discussion is committed to be on the agenda for the March 19 Town Council meeting.

** Watch

video link -> https://www.youtube.com/live/LlUDdpZqkNg?t=13s

** Listen

audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1400-joint-budget-subcmte-listening-session-5-03-08-25/

** Read 

Transcript prepared by Otter.ai and edited for speaker name accuracy. As the audio time stamp is also included you can synch the transcript to either the video or audio to catch the full spoken word.  PDF ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Z1SxqeiATwyuoUB8oiIn2dXPei-z_JlW/view?usp=drive_link

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The agenda doc ->  https://franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02122025-1560

Updated FY 2026 budget document -> https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4593/2025-03-05-Town-Council-Preliminary-Budget-Presentation-v2 

Citizen discounts and exemptions -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/4418/Local-and-State-Assistance-Programs-PDF 

Watch, Listen, Read: The 5th Joint Budget Listening Session - Saturday, March 8