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

Monday, March 18, 2024

What's this about a possible override for Franklin?

The first pass of the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY 2025) budget as presented to the Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting last week shows the Town of Franklin facing a $10.1 million deficit. The numbers will continue to be worked. As discussed during the meeting, breaking news that afternoon showed a reduction in the projected cost increase for health care that had just been received. That will be adjusted for future budget discussions.


The timeline for the budget development is as follows:

  • School Committee budget public hearing - March 19

  • School Committee votes on school budget recommendation - April 2

  • Town of Franklin FY 2025 budget scheduled for release - April 12

  • Joint Budget Subcommittee - (TBD - possible Apr 17?)

  • Finance Committee budget hearings - May 6, May 8, May 15 (vote)

  • Town Council budget hearings - May 22, May 23 (vote)


If there were to be an override, the decision on “When?” is as critical as “How much”? Election requirements call for 35 days notification of a vote on a ballot question. Hence, a vote scheduled for June would have to be decided no later than early May


Town budget page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-25-budget-materials


School budget page -> 

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


Recent meetings/documents (most recent on top, scroll down for prior)


Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting - March 6


School Committee Superintendent’s budget - March 5


Visit One Franklin to find out more about the group and their efforts advocating for the override https://onefranklinma.com/

What's this about a possible override for Franklin?
What's this about a possible override for Franklin? 

Saturday, March 16, 2024

Franklin, MA: Agenda for School Committee Meeting - March 19, 2024 (includes budget hearing)

Franklin School Committee
March 19, 2024 - 7:00 P.M

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
F. FY25 Budget Open Hearing 
(presentation doc not posted but the full budget book is available ->  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/fy25_complete_budget_book.pdf)

II. Guests/Presentations
A. None

III. Discussion/Action Items
A. Student Opportunity Act Plan Approval
I recommend approval of the Student Opportunity Act Plan as discussed.
B. Policy First Reading
I recommend moving policy JFABB - Admittance of Foreign Exchange Students to a
second reading as discussed.
C. Policy Second Reading/Adoption
I recommend adoption of policy CA - Administrative Goals as discussed.
D. ACCEPT Collaborative Agreement
I recommend approval of the ACCEPT Collaborative Agreement as detailed.

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 March 5, 2024 School Committee
meeting as detailed.
B. Recurring Cooperstown Field Trip
I recommend approval of the request of Karrah Ellis to take FHS Baseball team to
Cooperstown, NY from April 14-15, 2024 to play against the Natick Redhawks as
detailed.
C. ASMS Gifts
I recommend acceptance of 3 checks totaling $5,000.00 from the ASMS PCC for field
trips as detailed.
D. Recurring HMMS Save the Bay Field Trip
I recommend approval of the request of Rebecca Motte for Gr. 6 students to travel to
Providence RI on May 20 and 21, 2024 for the Save the Bay Program as detailed.
E. Recurring Keller RW Zoo Field Trip
I recommend approval of the request of Caitlin Colahan to take Keller students to
Roger Williams Zoo in Providence, RI on May 30, 2024 as detailed.
F. Parmenter Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $3,240.00 from the Parmenter PCC for field
trips as detailed.

VII. Citizen’s Comments

VIII. New Business
To discuss any future agenda items

IX. Adjournment


Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Tom, George, & David recap the Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting of March 6, 2024 (audio)

 FM #1156 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1156 in the series. 

This session shares a recap of the Town of Franklin (MA) Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting held on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. This recap was recorded via Zoom on Thursday, March 7, 2024. 

The recap of this critical budgetary meeting was conducted with:
  • Council Chair Tom Mercer who also serves as the Chair of the Joint Budget Committee
  • George Conley, Chair of the Finance Committee
  • David McNeill, Vice-Chair of the School Committee as well as Chair of the Budget Subcommittee for the schools

Quick recap:
  • Role of the Joint Budget Committee
  • Reflections on the info shared in the meeting
  • Next steps including schedule of meetings to continue to work on refining the FY 2025 budget
The recording runs about 51 minutes, so let’s listen to the recap of the Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1156-recap-of-the-joint-budget-subcmte-mtg-03-07-24
 

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Franklin TV video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D33RO5xYoUg   



Photo album capturing the slides and meeting 

My notes captured via Twitter and collected in one PDF https://drive.google.com/file/d/1m42hRAFdfM-OX-brLa6epXiuEktOEeWU/view?usp=drive_link 

Additional info will be added to the FY 2025 budget page as the budget gets fined tuned over the next several weeks  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-25-budget-materials

Joint Budget Subcommittee page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/joint-budget-subcommittee 


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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
 
How can you help?
  • If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
  • If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
 
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!
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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Tom, George, & David recap the Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting of March 6, 2024 (audio)
Tom, George, & David recap the Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting of March 6, 2024 (audio)

Franklin is not alone in struggling to fund their schools & town budget

Via Boston Globe

"Nearly five years after Massachusetts lawmakers overhauled the state’s school funding formula, districts are struggling to balance their budgets for the upcoming school year, prompting many to consider cutting programs and staff or asking taxpayers to dig deeper. 
The chief culprit, district leaders and advocates say, is the high rate of inflation that hit the US economy in recent years, much higher than the adjustments used in the new funding formula that was revamped to reflect modern-day costs. 
The failure of the new formula to accurately capture inflation could be collectively costing districts hundreds of millions of dollars in aid, according to Colin Jones, deputy policy director at the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, a nonpartisan research institute. 
Voters in Belmont, Harvard, and Westford will be considering hefty property tax hikes at the polls this spring, which, if they fail to pass, could result in significant cuts to school and town services. In Belmont, for example, if voters reject an $8.4 million override on April 2, school leaders have said they will need to close the Mary Lee Burbank Elementary School, eliminate dozens of teaching and other positions, and make deep cuts to extracurricular activities."
Continue reading the full article online (subscription may be required) ->

Franklin is not alone in struggling to fund their schools & town budget
Franklin is not alone in struggling to fund their schools & town budget

Monday, March 11, 2024

This Chalkboard Chat recaps the Superintendent's School Budget & next steps (audio)

FM #1154 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1154 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares my recorded conversation with Franklin School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan and Ruthann O’Sullivan. We had our conversation via the Zoom conference bridge on Friday, March 8, 2024. 


The School Committee had their regular meeting on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. We recap that meeting in our discussion as well as get their insights on the Joint Budget meeting as well as the Comprehensive School Facilities Planning work also underway. 


Topics:

  • Superintendent Recommended Budget for FY 2025

  • Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting March 6 started the formal process to develop the FY 2025 budget including the decision around a possible override


The recording runs about 42 minutes so let’s listen to my “chalkboard chat” with School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan and Ruthann O’Sullivan. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1154-chalkboard-chat-03-08-24



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Contact info for Dave Callaghan  callaghand@franklinps.net 


Contact info for Ruthann O’Sullivan  osullivanr@franklinps.net 


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


Superintendent’s Recommended budget -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/files/recommended-fy25-budget


03/05/24 meeting Agenda doc  ->  https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/3-5-24-agenda 


Meeting packet folder ->  https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/march-5-2024-school-committee-meeting 


Franklin TV video for replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sEe-JcCn_k 


The “Chalkboard Chat” image was the result of a joint collaboration with Mickayla Callaghan. Thank you!


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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio ( wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  


This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

  • If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

  • If you don't like something here, please let me know


Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.


For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/


If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com


The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.


I hope you enjoy!

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


You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"


This Chalkboard Chat recaps the Superintendent's School Budget & next steps (audio)
This Chalkboard Chat recaps the Superintendent's School Budget & next steps (audio)

Saturday, March 9, 2024

Joint Budget Subcommittee presentation doc available for review

The presentation doc used for the joint presentation by Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and School Superintendent Lucas Giguere is now posted to the Town budget page and available for further review.


Additional info will be added to the FY 2025 budget page as the budget gets fined tuned over the next several weeks  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-25-budget-materials

The Franklin TV video is available for replay -> 

Joint Budget Subcommittee presentation doc available for review
Joint Budget Subcommittee presentation doc available for review

Joint Budget Subcommittee get the details on the current $10.1 million deficit to start the conversation & process (audio)

FM #1153 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1153 in the series. 


This session shares the Town of Franklin (MA) Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting held on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. The meeting was conducted in the Council Chambers with a huge crowd and multiple folks tapped in via Zoom. 


The Joint Budget Subcommittee is composed of the 4 members of the Town Council, 4 members of the Finance Committee and 3 members of the School Committee (to avoid a committee quorum for each of the respective bodies).


Chair - Tom Mercer, Brian Chandler, Cobi Frongillo, and Melanie Hamblen of the Town Council

George Conley, Natalie Riley, of the Finance Committee

David McNeill, Paul Griffith, and KP Sompally of the School Committee


Quick recap:

  • Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and School superintendent Lucas Gigiuere jointly presented the story of the town and school budgets as they initially create a 10.1 million deficit to be resolved

  • Next steps outlined as this is the start of the discussion and fine tuning of the budget

The show notes contain a link to the agenda, the Franklin TV meeting video, and to my notes.


The recording runs about 3 hours and 30 minutes, so let’s listen to the Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting of March 6, 2024. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1153-town-of-franklin-joint-budget-subcmte-mtg-03-06-24



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Franklin TV video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D33RO5xYoUg   


Meeting agenda -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/joint_budget_subcommittee_meeting_agenda_-_march_6_2024.pdf 


Presentation document link -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/2024-03-06_fy25_budget_slides_jbsc.pdf


Photo album capturing the slides and meeting 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/b4HcchHohAs9vqrJA 


My notes captured via Twitter and collected in one PDF https://drive.google.com/file/d/1m42hRAFdfM-OX-brLa6epXiuEktOEeWU/view?usp=drive_link 


Additional info will be added to the FY 2025 budget page as the budget gets fined tuned over the next several weeks  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-25-budget-materials


Joint Budget Subcommittee page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/joint-budget-subcommittee 



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

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial


This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

  • If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

  • If you don't like something here, please let me know


Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

 

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news/


If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com


The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.


I hope you enjoy!

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


You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"