This Chalkboard Chat condenses the School Cmte Mtg of Feb 11 (audio)

FM #1384 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1384 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with School Committee Chairperson Dave Callaghan. This is a new episode of our continuing “Chalkboard Chat” series. We had our discussion in person at the Franklin TV & Radio Studio on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. We recapped the School Committee meeting of February 11, 2025. 

 

We cover 

• Keller Kids “Student Council” led the pledge

• Approval of the FY 2026 Superintendent’s Recommended budget & discussion

• Redistricting is intertwined with the budget, Transportation update coming March 11

• School Calendar for Sept 2025 to start after Labor Day to allow for move

• School Committee calendar to provide for a transition to new committee in Nov

• Encourage participation in the Listening Sessions (4 remaining)

The recording runs about 35 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1384-chalkboard-chat-02-12-25/

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Contact info for Dave Callaghan -> callaghand@franklinps.net   

School Committee Meeting Info

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 

Photos taken during the meeting can be found in one album

https://photos.app.goo.gl/wUQtiMDnwKLSQyTa9 

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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!

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

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 condenses the School Cmte Mtg of Feb 11 (audio)

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

https://photos.app.goo.gl/wUQtiMDnwKLSQyTa9  

 

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 & Supt Gigure posed with All-State Music Festival; Emma Anderson (French horn), Ace Eagerman (string bass), Alex Fioavanti (?) and Emily Lou, (violin)

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

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

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

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xUU7zppEaNgj9xN442EdbZnFvnqI3VSM/view?usp=drive_link

slide from brief update on the FY 2026 school budget

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, February 11, 2025 ???

Tuesday, February 11

1:00pm The Underground Railroad (Franklin Senior Center)

6:00pm Family Game Night (Franklin Public Library)

7:00pm Musical Bingo (Raillery Public House)

7:00pm FBRTC Rail Trail Cmte Mtg (Franklin TV and Radio Studio)

**   Town Meetings today   **

6:00 PM Franklin School Committee Policy Subcommittee Meeting        

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02112025-1569 

7:00 PM Design Review Meeting            

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/277?fileID=3598 

7:00 PM Franklin School Committee Meeting            

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/School-Committee-35/?#_02112025-1571 

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Why are there multiple calendars?

What's happening today in Franklin? 

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37&showPastEvents=false

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars

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.

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.

• FRANKLIN TOWN HALL TV - YouTube  https://bit.ly/FTV-TownHall 

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  

 

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.

 

Shared from -> https://t.co/YW1gis8Na6

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 -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02112025-1571

 

 

The meeting packet can be found -> https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2024---25-meeting-packets/february-11%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/756881

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