What's happening in Franklin, MA: Monday, February 9, 2026 ???

Monday, February 9

Library & Senior Center events

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/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

Note: Senior Center checking on why their events are suddenly being shown as "All Day". You can use the monthly newsletter for specific program/event times

***   Town Meetings today   ***

Franklin Housing Authority Meeting

Monday, February 9 Time: 4:30 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02092026-2126 

Franklin Public Schools Community Relations Subcommittee Meeting

Monday, February 9 Time: 6:30 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02092026-2123 

Planning Board Meeting

Monday, February 9 Time: 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02092026-2124 

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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

Franklin, MA: School Committee agenda for Feb 10, 2026 meeting

Note: neither the budget docs, nor the meeting packet are available at this time. I'll update when they are public.

Franklin School Committee 

February 10, 2026 = 6:00 PM

Municipal Building – Council Chambers 

Call to Order Dr. Griffith

Announcements from the Chair

Pledge of Allegiance 

Moment of Silence

1. Routine Business

• Review of Agenda
• Payment of Bills Mr. Callaghan
• Payroll Dr. Griffith
• FHS Student Representative Comments
• Superintendent’s Report

2. FY27 Budget Open Hearing

3. Discussion/Action Items

1. Policy - 2nd Reading/Adoption

I recommend adoption of Policy BL - Remote Participation as discussed.

2. Chapter 70 Arts and Music Letter of Support

I recommend endorsement of the letter to the State Legislature in support of a Chapter 70 funding allocation to directly support the Arts and Music programming across all MA public schools.

4. Discussion Only Items

• Monthly Financial Report

5. Information Matters

• School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
• School Committee Liaison Reports

6. Consent Agenda

A. Approval of Minutes

I recommend approval of the minutes from your January 27, 2026, and February 3, 2026 School Committee meetings as detailed. 

B. ECDC Gift

I recommend the acceptance of $500.00 from The Special Olympics of Massachusetts, Inc. for Supplemental Supplies as detailed. 

C. FHS Gifts

I recommend the acceptance of $500.00 for FHS Mock Trial Field Trip as follows:

$200.00 Elizabeth Mullen

$100.00 Family Legal Partners

$200.00 Franklin Law Group 

D. FHS Gifts

I recommend the acceptance of $5,238.85 for FHS as follows:

$4,554.00 Franklin Music Boosters In-house enrichment

$  558.00 Soccer Boosters Field Trip

$ 126.85 Ohiopyle Supplemental Supplies 

E. Recurring RW Zoo Field Trip

I recommend approval of the request of Christine Souza (Lincoln St K-2) to take 2nd graders to Roger Williams Zoo, Providence, RI on May 8, 2026 as detailed. 

F. Lincoln St. Gifts

I recommend the acceptance of $10,775.00 as follows: 

LK-2 PCC $2,000.00 Field Trip

L3-5 PCC $2,400.00 Field Trip L3-5 PCC $6375.00 Field Trips

6. Citizen’s Comments

7. Good of the Order

8. New Business

To discuss any future agenda items

8. Executive Session

As per M.G.L c. 30A, § 21 (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.

9. Adjournment

Agenda doc also contains remote participation info -

https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/Fpsd/0b8f6729-c8cc-47e9-a0bc-75461e70e05c/SCAGENDA-2-10-26.pdf?disposition=inline

Franklin School Committee Newsletter Feb 6, 2026

Franklin School Committee Newsletter Feb 6, 2026

The February School Committee Newsletter is available now. 

Check out what the School Committee covered in the first 3 meetings of the year.

Read the entire newsletter:  https://aptg.co/MKSgXK

 

School Committee votes to move health care costs to Town budget line 910 (video)

The Franklin (MA) School Committee met briefly (approx. 30 mins) in a remote only session on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. All 7 members participated along with key members of the School District Central office.

Franklin TV video link -> https://www.youtube.com/live/IrOomkcGoyU?&t=62

Agenda for this session -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02032026-2116 

Recap:

• Supt Giguere talks of the health care accounting change, there is no impact to the employees on either Town or School, purely an accounting change. Food service and lifelong learning employees are paid from those revolving funds and charges would also go to the revolving funds for those associated health care cost for those employees. Coordinating with Town Finance to confirm minimum impact.
• "I recommend approval to move the School Health Insurance, Medicare, and Long-Term Disability expenses and associated funding from the School Department 300 to the Town Benefits Department 910 as detailed."
• So moved, seconded Discussion
• This move allows for an apples to apples comparison with all of the Town departments
• Jana explains the accounting for Lifelong learning and Food services, process very similar today and with this move.
• MOA currently set for a five year term, could be a re-evaluation if required at time, not likely to revert, shared interest between Schools and Town to keep going forward
• Ruthann comments on hope for future that the allocation for schools would be more predictable
• Question on if the Town needs to add personnel to do this? No.
• There are constant shifts among the individual personnel on both sides, Town and School...Moving forward with the GIC we should have more info sooner to help with the planning for future budgets to help with planning
• Midyear retirement and other health care moves would be handled as normal (as done today on both sides)
• Shift of costs that are not health care directly related are prohibited by both sides; the account 910 should be only health care period. Covers the revolving accounts which may have some 'excess' (by design, there should be a year's worth) those excess amounts can't move
• Vote on the motion via roll call Passes 7-0, Motion carries
• Motion to adjourn, so moved, second Passes via roll call, 7-0

My notes taken during the meeting in one PDF ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mitbhEmUXwhXRlMnpOxL28kB4QqI6B5e/view?usp=drive_link

School Committee votes to move health care costs to Town budget line 910 (video)

School Committee get preview of FY 2027 school budget with 2.5% increase, assuming health costs transfer to Town account (audio)

FM #1650 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1650 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. All 7 members of the committee were present. 

Quick recap:

• The committee and community got a preview of the FY 2027 school budget. Excluding the health care costs ($8.8M), they presented a 'level service' budget that stays within a 2.5% increase

• The discussions with the Town to transfer the health care costs to the Town account 910 are in process. A Memo of Agreement (MOA) is being prepared to cover the details of the transfer. The Committee will schedule a special meeting to vote to approve the transfer next week

The recording runs about 3 hours and 49 minutes

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1650-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-01-27-26/

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preview of FY 2027 school budget

Additional links to the meeting recap, Franklin TV video, and key documents for this session   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/01/school-committee-get-preview-of-fy-2027.html 

Superintendent’s Recommended budget for FY 2027 https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/Fpsd/f0eb6e5e-b914-4650-9811-892c46570b5f/FINAL---FY27-Superintendents-Recommended-Budget-%282%29.pdf?disposition=inline 

Memo on the health care account transfer

https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/Fpsd/b1bd78ca-d7a9-4f42-a1b3-15fdce87d449/REVISED---Healthcare-memo-for-SC-discussion.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 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!

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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"

Franklin Public School Committee - Special Meeting - Feb 3, Virtual Only

Franklin Public School Committee - Special Meeting

February 3, 2026 - 6:00 PM

Virtual Only

1) Call to Order

2) Discussion/Action Items

a) School Healthcare Vote

I recommend approval to move the School Health Insurance, Medicare, and Long-Term Disability expenses and associated funding from the School Department 300 to the Town Benefits Department 910 as detailed.

3) Adjournment

The agenda doc also contain remote participation info

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02032026-2116

Franklin Public School Committee - Special Meeting - Feb 3, Virtual Only

School Committee get preview of FY 2027 school budget with 2.5% increase, assuming health costs transfer to Town account (video)

The Franklin School Committee met as scheduled on Tuesday, Jan 27, 2026. All 7 members were present in the Council Chambers.

Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-UxhayAn6s

The agenda can be found -> https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/Fpsd/8d6ca562-53e6-4ea4-a1af-54dc11571527/SCAGENDA-1-27-26.pdf?disposition=inline

Released documents will be posted to the 'packet folder' ->  https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2025---26-meeting-packets/january-27%2C-2026-sc-meeting-packet/24906664

Quick recap

• The committee and community got a preview of the FY 2027 school budget. Excluding the health care costs ($8.8M), they presented a 'level service' budget that stays within a 2.5% increase
• The discussions with the Town to transfer the health care costs to the Town account 910 are in process. A Memo of Agreement (MOA) is being prepared to cover the details of the transfer. The Committee will schedule a special meeting to vote to approve the transfer next week

My notes in one PDF file ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/140kTZI5bmwVFlufRsU54cNneJ2BytZ-c/view?usp=drive_link

A copy of the presentation via photos captured during the presentation

https://photos.app.goo.gl/4FRM9xmqLKzUwXFY8

FY 2027 school budget with 2.5% increase, assuming health costs transfer to Town account

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, January 27, 2026 ???

Tuesday, January 27

**  Tri-County Schools announced delayed opening by 2 hours; Franklin Public Schools & BFCCPS canceled school  

** Senior Center delayed opening by 2 hours   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/01/franklin-senior-center-opens-tuesday.html

9:00am Fallen Heroes: William 0. Martello (Town Common, Veterans Memorial)

2:30pm Rainbow Cafe (Franklin Senior Center)

4:00pm Franklin Skate night (Patriot Place)

Senior Center events before 10 AM are canceled

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/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

*** Town Meetings today   ***

Massachusetts Strategic Health Group

Tuesday, January 27 Time: 1:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01272026-2100 

Franklin School Committee

Tuesday, January 27 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01272026-2111 

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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

Franklin, MA Agenda for School Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 27, 2027

Franklin School Committee 

January 27, 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. Superintendent’s Recommended FY27 Budget

III. Discussion/Action Items

A. Policy - Second Reading/Adoption

I recommend adoption of Policy IHAIA - Middle School Pathway Exploration as discussed. 

B. Policy - First Reading

I recommend moving Policy BL - Remote Participation to a second reading as discussed. 

C. ECDC 2026-27 Tuition Rate (from last meeting)

I recommend approval of the ECDC 2026-27 tuition rate as discussed.

IV. Discussion Only Items

A. Monthly Financial Report (from last meeting)

B. School Healthcare

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 13, 2026 meeting as detailed. 

B.   FHS Gifts

I recommend the acceptance of $2,760.72 for In-house enrichment as follows: Jostens/The Mascot Shop $ 240.93

Grinn & Barrett Enterprizes, Inc. $2,519.79 

C.   FHS Scholarships

I recommend the acceptance of $6,000.00 for scholarships as follows: Thomas Wagner $5,000.00

Roberta DeBaggis Trahan $1,000.00 

D.   Lincoln & Washington St. Recurring Field Trip

I recommend approval of the request of Mary MacMurray to take music students to the Veteran’s Auditorium, Providence, RI on May 22, 2026 as detailed. 

E.   Lincoln St. Recurring Field Trip

I recommend approval of the request of Katherine Nayler to take 4th & 5th graders to Roger Williams Zoo, Providence, RI on 5/29/26 (Gr 4) & 6/12/26 (Gr 5) as detailed. 

F. New Student Activity Account

I recommend approval of the new Student Activity Account (ACHIEVE) as detailed. 

G. FHS GIft

I recommend the acceptance of $1,100.00 from the FHS PCC for Supplemental Supplies as detailed.

VII. Citizen’s Comments

VIII. New Business

To discuss any future agenda items

IX. Executive Session

A. Per M.G.L. c. 30A, § 21 (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.

X. Adjournment