School Committee gets multiple updates on summer learning, transportation, etc. in 1 hour meeting (video)

The Franklin School Committee met as scheduled on Tuesday, August 11 in Council Chambers. All members participated, one (O'Sullivan) remotely.

Franklin TV video is available - https://www.youtube.com/live/VMpYB91A8Fw?&t=27

The Agenda document - https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08112026-2448 

Quick recap

• Superintendent report provides updates on multiple items; planning for Sept, transportation, hiring status (positions open, a better view to be provided next time), work on facilities progressing. Ms Melotti out on maternity leave, Dr Bob Dutch back to fill in while she is out, important school start dates on webpage - https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars/
• Joint presentation and updates on summer learning from Student Services and Lifelong Learning. Slides shown were captured in one photo album https://photos.app.goo.gl/7BGZeLN2QWEezqFw7
• 
  Annual report submission approved, minor formating remains to be done by the Town as the annual report book is prepared for publication
• The 2nd reading on the restraint policy was approved as amended by the Policy Subcmte meeting prior
• Consent agenda was also approved. All votes, by the way, were via roll call and passed 7-0
  

My notes captured during the meeting in one PDF

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hvmIVrFX0EwMzsGCAbVXWcNqeu2T-DO8/view?usp=drive_link

School Cmte Policy Subcommittee reviews multiple policies, sets up for financial policy reviews (audio)

FM #1796 - This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1796 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee Policy Subcmte meeting held on Tuesday, August  11, 2026. All 3 members (Dave Callaghan (Chair), Al Charles, Reis Hansen) participated in the session held in the 3rd floor training room. Dr Tina Rogers and Paula Marano also participated.

Quick recap:

• comment for discussion on page 3 of the restraint policy, suggestion to better clarify the separation of what is or isn't allowed by state and or here in Franklin; should be run by P Marano to confirm discussion on proposed 

• adult meal price from $4.75 to $5.75 at FHS higher utilization and a good amount from the other schools, relatively low financial piece of the overall budget adults get the same meal generally just an adult portion rather than student portion. pricing hasn't been changed since 2023. motion to approve recommendation for the adult meal fee from $4.75 to $5.75

• Ms Marano joins the discussion to review the earlier restraint item, she agrees with the minor modification discussed to clarify will be amended during the formal meeting 2nd reading later today

• next up discussion on technology and AI appropriate use in the classroom, informal advisory group of parents who responded to the survey, work still underway, needs to be done within the district too district improvement goals will include screentime on the scope, intentional use key 

• next up, field trip forms consolidated amongst the schools to be more consistent will be able to address this in the early school year as field trips are not anticipated right away 

• next up, community use of school facilities, should be available outside of school hours, during school hours, student and operations safety comes first so signage and communications around opportunity for a PSA video to help raise awareness of this item

• several items on budget and fiscal policy have not been touched since 2016. One makes reference to posting in newspaper. Would be good to review and potentially revise, then send to Budget Subcmte for their review and wordsmithing as necessary before bringing to full committee. Picking up these next time

• Meeting adjourns, folks move to Chambers for full School Committee meeting

The recording runs about 49 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1796-franklin-ma-school-cmte-policy-subcmte-mtg-08-11-26/

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School Committee Subcommittee assignments

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

The meeting agenda can be found -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08112026-2442 

My full set of notes taken during the meeting can be found in one PDF ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WlBkiyMfp-4d_K_m2aywqetojQ7s1-08/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"

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, August 11, 2026 ???

Tuesday, August 11

Franklin Lions Clothing Drive active through Aug 22   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/07/the-franklin-lions-conducting-clothing.html

12:00pm Community Closet (Franklin United Methodist Church)

5:00pm Tuesday Night Cruise (Kings Brick Oven Pizza & Pub)

7:00pm FBRTC Rail Trail Cmte Mtg (CANCELED for this month)

For additional details on Library events -> https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

For additional details on Senior Center events ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9890

***   Town Meetings today ***

Franklin School Committee Policy Subcommittee Meeting

Tuesday, August 11 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08112026-2442 

Franklin School Committee Meeting

Tuesday, August 11 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08112026-2448 

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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 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-calendar

Horace Mann Legacy Meeting Monday, Policy Subcmte & School Cmte Meeting Tuesday,

While the School Committee (& subcommittees) were relatively quiet during July, they are back this 2nd week of August.

• Franklin Public School Horace Mann Legacy Sub Committee Meeting

Rep Jeff Roy is scheduled for a visit to get an update on the work of the committee

Monday, August 10 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08042026-2436 

• Franklin School Committee Policy Subcommittee Meeting

A bunch of potential policies for review 7 revision are listed on the agenda

Tuesday, August 11 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08112026-2442 

• Franklin School Committee Meeting

Among the standard agenda items is the approval of the submission to the Town Annual Report, and a 2nd reading on the restraint policy reviewed at a prior meeting

Tuesday, August 11 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08112026-2448 

Franklin School Committee approves contracts & takes action on policies in short meeting June 23, 2026 (audio)

FM #1781 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1781 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at 7:00 PM. 6 members of the Committee participated, 5 in person, 1 remote, and 1 absent. 

Quick recap

• After opening the meeting, the Committee entered Executive Session for about 15 minutes returning to open session. In open session, they voted to approve Cafeteria Workers, Secretaries and Van Drivers Unions Contracts by a 6-0-1 roll call vote (1 absent)

• Voted to send policy JKAA - Prevention Criteria for use of Physical Restraint, Seclusion and Time-outs for Students to a second reading, via 6-0-1 roll call vote (1 absent)

• 
  Voted the elimination of policy CL - Administrative Reports via 6-0-1 roll call vote (1 absent)

• Voted the approval of the FSC Meeting, Conduct & Discussion Structure manual via 6-0-1 roll call vote (1 absent)

• Voted the approval of the Consent Agenda via 6-0-1 roll call vote (1 absent)

• Some updates from the existing subcommittees, some done for the school year, Horace Mann Legacy to meet on 2nd Monday beginning July (except October)

Let’s listen (approx. 39 minutes)

Audio link -  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1781-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-06-23-26/

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Franklin TV video is available for replay -  https://www.youtube.com/live/QlvJl3dksVE?&t=90  

The meeting agenda  -  https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06232026-2374 

My meeting notes in one PDF -  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sGhFpmgdY19KlxeJaUDB2zFewLPN1wuS/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"

Last Franklin School Committee Newsletter to close out the 2025-2026 School Year

The final Franklin School Committee Newsletter for the 2025-2026 school year is out now!

We wish you a happy and safe Summer.

Read the Newsletter Here: https://aptg.co/C4XTbJ

Franklin School Committee approves contracts & takes action on policies in short meeting (video)

The Franklin School Committee met as scheduled on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. 6 of their 7 members participated, 5 in Chambers, 1 remotely so all votes were via roll call.

Franklin TV video is available for replay -  https://www.youtube.com/live/QlvJl3dksVE?&t=90 

The meeting agenda  -  https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06232026-2374

My meeting notes in one PDF -  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sGhFpmgdY19KlxeJaUDB2zFewLPN1wuS/view?usp=drive_link

Quick recap:

• After opening the meeting, the Committee entered Executive Session for about 15 minutes returning to open session. In open session, they voted to approve Cafeteria Workers, Secretaries and Van Drivers Unions Contracts by a 6-0-1 roll call vote (1 absent)
• Voted to send policy JKAA - Prevention Criteria for use of Physical Restraint, Seclusion and Time-outs for Students to a second reading, via 6-0-1 roll call vote (1 absent)
• Voted the elimination of policy CL - Administrative Reports via 6-0-1 roll call vote (1 absent)
• Voted the approval of the FSC Meeting, Conduct & Discussion Structure manual via 6-0-1 roll call vote (1 absent)
• Voted the approval of the Consent Agenda via 6-0-1 roll call vote (1 absent)
• Some updates from the existing subcommittees, some done for the school year, Horace Mann Legacy to meet on 2nd Monday beginning July (except October)

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 ???

Tuesday, June 23

12:00pm Community Closet (Franklin United Methodist Church)

5:00pm Tuesday Night Cruise (Kings Brick Oven Pizza & Pub)

For additional details on Library events ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

For additional details on Senior Center events ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9195/May-2026-Newsletter?bidId=

***   Town Meetings today ***

Franklin School Committee Meeting

Tuesday, June 23 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06232026-2374 

---------

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 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-calendar

Franklin, MA: Agenda for the School Committee meeting June 23, 2026

Franklin School Committee 

June 23, 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. none

III. Citizen’s Comments

IV. Executive Session

A. As per M.G.L. c. 30A, § 213. (3) To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares

V. Discussion/Action Items

A. Ratification of Union Contracts

I recommend the ratification of the Cafeteria Workers, Secretaries and Van Drivers Unions Contracts as discussed.

B. Policy 1st Reading

I recommend moving policy JKAA - Prevention Criteria for use of Physical Restraint, Seclusion and Time-outs for Students to a second reading as discussed.

C. Policy Elimination

I recommend the elimination of policy CL - Administrative Reports as discussed.

D. Franklin School Committee: Meeting Conduct & Discussion Structure

I recommend the approval of the FSC Meeting, Conduct & Discussion Structure manual as discussed.

VI. Discussion Only Items

A. None

VII. 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 the June 9, 2026 School Committee meeting as detailed.

B. Elementary Gift

I recommend the acceptance of $3.150.00 in gift certificates from the American Heart Association/Kids Heart Challenge for supplemental supplies as detailed.

C. Championship Signage Donations

I recommend the acceptance of $6,500.00 for In-house enrichment as follows:

$ 500.00 Franklin V Golf

$1,000.00 FHS Cross Country/Track Boosters

$1,000.00 Franklin Football Gridiron Club

$ 500.00 FHS Swim Boosters

$1,000.00 Franklin Metro Basketball Association

$ 500.00 Danielle Walsh

$1,000.00 FHS Basketball Boosters

$1,000.00 Franklin Soccer Boosters

D. Horace Mann Legacy Donations

I recommend the acceptance of $100.00 for in-house enrichment as follows:

$50.00 Dave Callaghan

$50.00 Lucas Giguere

E. Districtwide Gift

I recommend the acceptance of $913.78 from AHold/Stop & Shop for in-house enrichment as detailed.

VII. New Business

To discuss any future agenda items

VIII. Adjournment

The full agenda doc includes remote participation info -

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06232026-2374

The meeting packet folder also contains the documents released for this session (in some cases, documents are posted after the meeting).

https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2025---26-meeting-packets/june-23%2C-2026-sc-meeting-packet/28227603

Reis & Stephen recap the June 9 School Committee meeting (audio)

FM #1767 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1767 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with School Committee members Reis Hansen and Stephen Karunakaran.  We had our discussion in the Franklin TV & Radio Studio on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. 

Our conversation covered the following topics from the School Committee meeting of June 9, 2026:

• Strawberry Stroll, Kickball Tournament, field day, and other events coming up

• Superintendent review and evaluation process

• Facility updates to get to the redistricting, and next steps this summer

• Working group report on artificial intelligence

Our conversation runs about 47 minutes. Let’s listen

Audio link -  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1767-chalkboard-chat-06-16-26/

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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 

Franklin TV video is available for replay - https://www.youtube.com/live/hgHgIZ5L_iY?&t=235 

The agenda document https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06092026-2356  

The presentations documents should be posted in a couple of days to this folder   https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2025---26-meeting-packets/june-9%2C-2026-sc-meeting-packet/28109200 

Photos of the Facility presentation

https://photos.app.goo.gl/t3rkbwCxnDm6A9Wy6 

Photos of the AI discussion presentation

https://photos.app.goo.gl/TqNxhuTk8og7WqRp8 

My notes from the meeting in one PDF  https://drive.google.com/file/d/10XRFLsUqujf3Z3QPzGOKU6cEOS-mWuoS/view?usp=drive_link  

Capital campaign fund raising link - https://givebutter.com/FPSCaptialCampaign2026

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

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"