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| The April 2026 Franklin School Committee Newsletter is here |
"Your April School Committee Newsletter is here!
Stay informed & connected.
Read the entire Newsletter here: https://aptg.co/xtRgLb"
Showing posts with label school committee. Show all posts
Showing posts with label school committee. Show all posts
Friday, April 3, 2026
The April 2026 Franklin School Committee Newsletter is here. Did you miss any of these items?
Thursday, April 2, 2026
Franklin Public Radio wfpr.fm schedule for Thursday, April 2, 2026
Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio has a brand new schedule for the locally produced shows that fill our air waves.
It is available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm or in the local Franklin, MA area at 102.9 on the FM dial.
Tune in to listen to the following:
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| Franklin Public Radio wfpr.fm schedule for Thursday |
8:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 6:00 PM - Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock covering Franklin, its local government, services, and events (Repeats Saturday at 3:00 PM)
- This session of the radio show shares the School Cmte Budget Subcmte Mtg March 24, 2026 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/03/school-committee-budget-subcmte-reviews.html
9:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 7:00 PM - first hour
10:00 AM, 3:00 PM, and 8:00 PM - second hour
Turntable – "Enjoy a fun experience with co-hosts The Vibe and Pauly G sharing personal discussions about a featured rock n roll vinyl record (1st hour) and the best, all music Vibe Playlist (2nd hour)"
- The Turntable Show features Tom Petty & Heartbreakers From The Vault's Anthology, recently released December 4, 2025. The LP is delivered on stunning blue vinyl and available to the Tom Petty Nation fan club. The double album includes many newly released recordings of Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers live. Listen to Pauly G and the Vibe dive deep into the vaults of the best live sound and music selected by Tom Petty.
- The Vibe Tom Petty Playlist Hour features the award winning, fan favorite, and one of the best TP&HB album's "Damn The Torpedoes". Turn it up and enjoy the Album Experience!
Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf
Saturday, March 28, 2026
Town of Franklin releases the proposed FY 2027 Budget
FY27 Budget Now Available Friday, March 27, 2026 View Budget Materials:Printed copies of the FY27 Budget are also available for public review at the Franklin Senior Center, Municipal Building (Town Clerk's Office and Town Administrator's Office), and the Franklin Public Library. Budget Hearing Schedule:Finance Committee Meeting - Budget Hearing Dates
Town Council Meeting - Budget Hearing Dates (agendas to be posted)
All residents are welcome to attend budget hearings in person. Meetings may also be viewed live on the Franklin Town Hall TV YouTube channel, Comcast Channel 9, or Verizon Channel 29, or accessed by phone or Zoom. Meetings are recorded and available for replay on Franklin TV. Learn About the Budget ProcessThe Town has provided additional resources on the budget development process: Residents can also tune in to two episodes of the Franklin MAtters Podcast with Town staff members, which provide an overview of the Town's budget cycle and explain the process in greater detail:
Community participation is an important part of the budget process. Residents are encouraged to review the materials, attend public hearings, and share feedback to help inform decision-making and shape the Town's priorities for the coming fiscal year. View it on website |
Thursday, March 26, 2026
School Committee Budget Subcmte reviews updates on key slides, discusses approach for budget hearings (audio)
FM #1698= This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1698 in the series.
This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee Budget Subcmte Meeting held on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 6 PM. All 3 members participated in person in the 3rd Floor Training Room.
Subcommittee Chair Paul Griffith, Ruthann O’Sullivan and Nadia Mausolf.
Superintendent Lucas Giguere and Business Administrator Jana Melotti participated.
Quick recap:
The meeting provided a discussion on updates to some of the key information and preparation for the budget hearings with the Finance Committee & Town Council
Discussion also on the talking points to continue to tell the full story
The recording runs about 43 minutes, so let’s listen in.
Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1698-franklin-ma-school-cmte-budget-subcmte-03-24-26/
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School Committee Budget Subcmte agenda ->
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03242026-2200
Copies of the update slide pages
https://drive.google.com/file/d/11QvzNNhI9VJuL3xIS96iWAhi6A_bvJJh/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. 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!
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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"
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
School Committee gets update on Lifelong Learning (video)
The Franklin (MA) School Committee met as scheduled on Tuesday, March 24 at 7 PM. This was a change from prior meetings (starting at 6 PM) to enable their budget subcommittee to meet at 6 PM before the full session at 7.
All 7 members of the Committee were present in Chambers
The Franklin TV video is available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/live/uQe3rLUq6e8?&t=87
The agenda for this session - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03242026-2201
My full set of notes taken during the meeting in one PDF - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZuJSdiqLK1QBa9NdcjVsk5KVX7AH2MX3/view?usp=drive_link
Quick recap:
- Students scheduled for the pledge got to the meeting for the incorrect 6 PM start and will be rescheduled to another meeting
- Superintendent's report
- substitute nurses being looked for
- Winter sports round up
- earmark funded for middle school library (still needs to make through the budget cycle)
- Innovation labs grant also awarded
- FHS family science night April 9 from 5 to 8 pm
- Lifelong learning update
- For Solutions, the students to teacher ratios; K - 1 to 10, others grades are 1 to 12, 1 to 13
- Footlighters program hiring for, trying to fulfill that position, complications in the hiring process had hindered the hiring to date. Still being worked
- Over 900 adults taking part, a wide variety of offerings from sports to arts, etc.
- Funding question, Lifelong learning is effectively another revolving fund, fee based and those fees can only be used within the program
- Discussion/Action Items
- A. Student Opportunities Act Plan Vote
- B. Endorsement of Request for Statement of Interest for Development of Strategic Plan
- both passed by 7-0 votes
- Subcommittee updates
- Citizen comment - I stepped up to say thanks for the participation at the Q&A and to provide 2 future dates for their calendars
- April 18, Favorite Poem Reading at the Library
- On May 2, the 3rd annual Jane Jacobs walk, meet at the TV studio walk about 1 mile or so, return to the studio. Discussions of housing, zoning, which are all budget related. It is a generally good discussion with insights shared
Photo album of the slides presented for Lifelong Learning
Monday, March 23, 2026
School Committee gets insights the recipes and kitchens on food service (audio in 2 parts)
FM #1694-95 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1694-95 in the series.
This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at 6:00 PM. All 7 members of the committee were present in the virtual session conducted via Zoom.
Superintendent Lucas Giguere, Asst Supt Tina Rogers, Asst Supt Paula Marano, School Business Administrator Jana Melotti participated. Colin Boisvert and Aaron Lenart, RD presented on the Food Services operations.
The audio is shared in 2 parts
Part 1 1694 - the beginning and end of meeting (48 minutes)
Part 2 1695 - just the Food Services update and discussion (1 hour 20 minutes)
Quick recap:
Recognition for Chloe Bowser, FHS sophomore, selected as one of 12 essays for the commissioning for the USS Massachusetts March 28, plaque on the sub, for Chloe and Franklin
Presentation on Food Services, self sufficient with fee based services, able to utilize almost $1M over 3 years for capital upgrades of ovens, refrigerators, etc. to support the food preparation and delivery operations
Grants also used to cover specific food program and in one case the start up costs for the new District Chef
pictures of the presentation slides in one album https://photos.app.goo.gl/KKTXdScdVsxVK6mg7
Consent agenda approved
March 18 Town Council meeting includes a presentation from DESE on Chapter 70 funding, School Committee also scheduled for a public meeting to enable participation that night
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| Mentioned during the presentation was a fish display at Parmenter School last year (May 2025) (which I was able to attend) |
The Franklin TV video is available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/live/CBHC618gXFE?&t=230
The agenda can be found - https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03102026-2175
My notes via Bluesky thread in one PDF - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xZdhJ_TR0vgcoX-NAP_06FKpj1LndhMW/view?usp=drive_link
-------------
We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.
This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
How can you help?
If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don't like something here, please let me know
And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach out. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do
Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.
I hope you enjoy!
------------------
You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
Saturday, March 21, 2026
Franklin, MA: Agenda for School Committee meeting scheduled Tuesday, Mar 24 at 7 PM
Franklin School Committee
Municipal Building – Council Chambers
Call to Order Dr. Griffith
Announcements from the Chair
Pledge of Allegiance
Moment of Silence
I. Routine Business
A. Review of Agenda
B. Payment of Bills Mr. Callaghan
C. Payroll Dr. Griffith
D. FHS Student Representative Comments
E. Superintendent’s Report
II. Guests/Presentations
A. Lifelong Learning Presentation
III. Discussion/Action Items
A. Student Opportunities Act Plan Vote
I recommend approval of the Student Opportunities Act Plan as discussed.
B. Endorsement of Request for Statement of Interest for Development of Strategic Plan
I recommend the endorsement of the Request for Statement of Interest for Development of Strategic Plan for the Town Council and School Committee Statement of Interest for the Development of Strategic Plan as approved by the Town Council on March 18, 2026.
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 10, 2026 School Committee meeting as detailed.
B. Washington St. K-2 Gift
I recommend the acceptance of $1800.00 from the Washington St. K-2 PCC for field trips as detailed.
C. FHS Gift
I recommend the acceptance of $300.00 from George’s Pizza for in-house enrichment as detailed.
D. FHS Donation
I recommend the acceptance of 3 standing desks from David Gipson for in-house enrichment at FHS as detailed.
VII. Citizen’s Comments
VIII. New Business
To discuss any future agenda items
IX. Adjournment
The agenda doc also has the remote participation info
School Committee Community Relations Subcommittee meeting audio for March 16, 2026 session (audio)
FM #1691 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1691 in the series.
This session shares the Franklin, MA School Committee Community Relations Subcommittee meeting held on Monday, March 16, 2026.
The meeting agenda had placed the session in the 3rd floor conf room so I was there. Subcommittee Chair Al Charles, member Nadia Mausolf and Operations Director Colin Boisvert were remote. Member Stephen Karunakaran was caught in another meeting and didn’t make it. Future meetings are intended to be virtual unless otherwise noted.
The agenda topics:
● Website Usage Metrics
● Quarterly Community Engagement Update
● Senior Center Visit / Monthly Q&A Session
● Strawberry Stroll Planning
● Newsletter Planning
The recording runs about 44 minutes, so let’s listen to the Community Relations Subcommittee meeting of March 16, 2026.
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School Committee Subcommittee assignments
https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/subcommittees-and-liaisons
Subcommittee agenda
https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03162026-2181
--------------
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 www.franklin.news or Franklinmatters.org/
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"
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