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

Full deck from the January School Committee meeting

https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/Fpsd/c4d59008-f976-47e4-98c1-b1a251bb5690/FINAL---FY27-Superintendents-Recommended-Budget-%282%29.pdf?disposition=inline 

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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"

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

https://photos.app.goo.gl/adaJ3sZeYK5ih5t28

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

Part 1 - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1694-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-03-10-26-p1-of-2/

Part 2 - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1695-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-03-10-26-p2-of-2/

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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"

Franklin, MA: Agenda for School Committee meeting scheduled Tuesday, Mar 24 at 7 PM

Franklin School Committee 

March 24, 2026 = 7:00 PM

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

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03242026-2201

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.

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1691-schcmte-community-relations-subcmte-mtg-03-16-26/

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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"

Franklin School Committee - Budget Subcommittee Meeting - March 24 at 6 PM

Franklin Public Schools Franklin School Committee

Budget Subcommittee Meeting 

March 24, 2026 = 6:00 PM

Municipal Building - 3rd Floor Training Room

● FY27 Budget check-in, questions, and next steps

The agenda doc also contains remote participation info -

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03242026-2200

This Chalkboard Chat recaps the School Committee meeting of March 10, 2026 (video & audio)

FM #1690 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1690 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with School Committee Chair Paul Griffith.  We had our discussion via Zoom on Thursday, March 12, 2026. We condense and get into the explanations behind the key items from the recent School Committee meeting March 10, 2026.

Our conversation covered the following topics:

• Recognition of Chloe Bowser, essay contest winner (1 of 12) for the USS Massachusetts commissioning ceremony March 28, 2026

• Food Services presentation 

• Joint Budget subcommittee April 16

• Combined Town Council & School Committee meeting March 18

• A presentation/discussion by Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE) on Chapter 70 and hold harmless

Our conversation runs about 38 minutes. Let’s listen

Video link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4n5r5NlMmfI

Audio link -  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1690-chalkboard-chat-03-12-26/

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School Committee page (with contact info) - https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/school-committee 

School Committee subcommittee assignments - 

https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/subcommittees-and-liaisons 

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 

The March 10, 2026 meeting recap and video can be found  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/03/school-committee-gets-insights-recipes.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"