Franklin Public Schools Celebrate Dedicated Retiring Employees

Franklin Public Schools recently bid farewell and showed appreciation to 23 employees retiring this school year.

"Each of our retirees has helped shape the Franklin Public Schools community through years of service, care, and commitment to students, families, and colleagues," said Superintendent Lucas Giguere. "Their work has strengthened our schools in ways that will continue well beyond their final year with us. We are deeply grateful for their dedication and wish them all the best in this next chapter.”

Franklin Public Schools recently showed appreciation to 23 employees who are retiring this school year. From left to right, Robert Vacca, Lisa Vetrano, Ann O'Keefe-Williams, Susan Childers, Kerry Richardson, Lisa Daly, Lauren Green, Jolene Cronin and Charlene Harn. (Photo Courtesy Franklin Public Schools)

Each of the employees' supervisors honored them publicly with statements, and each received certificates and a commemorative pin from the district.

The Franklin Education Association (FEA) also presented each retiring employee who was an FEA member with a certificate.

One retiree, Debbie Pittman, passed away on May 14, after 30 years of service to Franklin Public Schools and just two weeks shy of the farewell event.

"Debbie Pittman dedicated more than 30 years to the Franklin Public Schools community as our accounts payable clerk," recalled School Business Administrator Jana Melotti. "But to those who had the privilege of working alongside her, Debbie was so much more than her title. She was a source of kindness, support, and grace.

Even throughout her long and courageous battle with cancer, Debbie carried herself with remarkable strength and dignity. Her resilience and dedication reflected the incredible person she was. She was always willing to help, offer guidance, and support those around her. That selfless spirit made her deeply respected and loved by so many colleagues and friends."

The following district employees have retired this school year or will be retiring at the end of June:

• Donald Banks, Van Driver, 16 years of service
• Susan Childers, HR Assistant, 27 years of service
• Jennifer Clifford, Van Driver, 11 years of service
• Tricia Constantine, Reading Teacher, 18 years of service
• Linda Cournoyer, Speech/Language Therapist, 13 years of service
• Jolene Cronin, Grade 5 Teacher, 27 years of service
• Lisa Daly, School Nurse,15 years of service
• Kathleen Doherty, Educational Support Professional, 24 years of service
• Lauren Green, Educational Support Professional, 26 years of service
• Charlene Harn, Educational Support Professional, 25 years of service
• Kelly Hurley, Solutions Site Director, 7 years of service
• Debbie Irvine, Assistant School Business Administrator, 1 year of service
• Karen Leenhouts, ABA Tutor, 20 years of service
• Laura Manocchio, Educational Support Professional, 14 years of service
• Ann O'Keefe-Williams, Grade 4 Teacher, 32 years of service
• Debbie Pittman, Accounts Payable Clerk, 30 years of service
• Kerry Richardson, School Nurse, 14 years of service
• Janet Turner, Data Reporting Specialist, 8 years of service
• Keith Turner, Grade 6 Science Teacher, 30 years of service
• Robert Vacca, Grade 8 Social Studies Teacher, 30 years of service
• Lisa Vetrano, Grade 6 Math Teacher, 23 years of service
• Leisa Winrich, Special Education Teacher, 26 years of service
• Marianne Zogby, DLI Teacher, 17 years of service

"Each individual on this list of retiring employees exhibited their daily dedication to our students every morning they woke up and commuted to work," said Franklin Public Schools Director of Human Resources Ken Storlazzi. "Their steadfast professionalism and on-the-job efforts are truly appreciated."

Reminder: Links for the Franklin Public Schools bus registration information

Reminder: Links for the Franklin Public Schools
bus registration information

Bus Registration Info

• Transportation Link https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/transportation/

• Linq Connect https://linqconnect.com/main

• Transportation Policy: https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/eea-student-transportation-policy-and-eligibility

Boston GLobe: "With fewer students and higher costs, many Massachusetts districts weigh school closures and mergers"

Franklin has redistricted and closed schools, other communities are facing the same issues.

"As student enrollment drops across Massachusetts and expenses rise, districts are showing a willingness to take on one of the most polarizing issues in public education: closing or merging schools.

The downsizing has popped up in a wide variety of urban, rural, and suburban districts, including Acton-Boxborough and Belchertown in Hampshire County, which are both shuttering an elementary school in June. Boston is also closing three schools this summer as it strives to eliminate nearly one-fifth of its schools.

The impending shutdowns — a trend that is expected to continue in the coming years — add to more than three dozen public schools that have closed or consolidated since the pandemic disrupted classroom learning. That list includes shuttered elementary schools in Cambridge, North Middlesex, and Wellesley, and the closure or merger of several charter schools.

District leaders have pursued the closures and mergers to balance operating budgets amid declining enrollment and rising costs for special education, transportation, utilities, and other expenses, or to curb spending on replacing antiquated school buildings as construction costs have soared."

Continue reading the article in the Boston Globe with this shared link:

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/03/13/metro/declining-school-enrollment-fuels-massachusetts-closures/?s_campaign=sharetool_copypaste_view

School Committee approves FY 2027 budget & 2026-207 school calendar in virtual only session Tuesday (audio)

FM #1669 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1669 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, February 24, 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 also participated.

Quick recap:

• Superintendent’s report, Lucas Giguere provides an update on the snow day processing, thanks to DPW for snow removal efforts, thanks also to the community for staying off the roads to enable clean up efforts.

• Schools opening Weds with 2 hour delay, emergency bus ops ready to pick up students as usual. Appreciate flexibility with schedule during this winter period.

• Callaghan compliments Lucas for coordinating with DPW, Lucas was able to do a ride along with Brutus during Monday, an amazing experience

• Clarification on the 1 hour delay for teachers, vs. what had been happening prior. Intentional to help stagger the staff arrival vs. students

• School Budget for FY 2027

• FY 2027 line item detail - https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/Fpsd/2310ad24-dbbf-4303-850c-7485da4d9089/FY27-Line-by-Line-Item.pdf?disposition=inline 

• Budget book - https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/Fpsd/33c4075e-72ac-4309-b0a3-964a9339868e/FY27-Franklin-Budget-Book.pdf?disposition=inline 

• Business Manager Jana provides clarification on the Medicaid line item. Medical reimbursement is intricate, services provided to students per medical treatment plan. Parental approval required for billing and reimbursement, takes time to process

• O'Sullivan provides comments on the prior Town Council discussion on the capital budget where some comments were inappropriate and divisive. Wants to continue the coordination and collaboration among Town and School orgs

• 2.5% increase over the prior year budget; within line with the Town requests for all departments

• Vote on the motion, via roll call Passes 7-0

• Lucas thanks the committee for the support in bringing in the budget in the advanced timeline, and for the direction as needed from time to time

• B. Discussion Action B – 2026-27 School Calendar Vote I recommend adoption of the 2026-27 School Calendar as discussed.

• https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/Fpsd/00dac9d1-b44e-4e39-bd5c-4dbdf132deda/Discussion-Action-B---26-27-School-Calendar.pdf?disposition=inline 

• Dr Rogers provides updates on the survey (parents & staff) in development of the school calendar for the next year

• Q on what could be done to avoid further extension to last day? June 25 is currently last day, only option would be looking at the April vacation. A delay opening or an early dismissal both count as school days. Hoping for the best.

• Last day is a half day and the other extended days are full days. Last year 4 half days were added to assist in prep for the move, redistricting last year.

• Able to reduce half days due to cycle of curriculum development and community desires, may need go with more in a future calendar; tradeoffs on both sides for staff and students with the half days on Fridays

• Q why choice of Friday as half days? A - two days on the calendar already as "have to" due to coordination with other districts, so to be consistent, the rest fell in.

• Q what does the attendance record look like for half days leading to the weekend? A - don't have the data at hand but it can be factored in

• Q better understanding of elementary va middle/high school parents A - 75% were primary level responses

• FHS graduation June 4, 2027 was left off the draft shared before meeting, it has been added and wouldn't change

• Chair Griffith adds to some of the statistical analysis of the survey in confirming the decisions made

• Friday with half days vs. 5 Mondays we have no control over. A balancing act for both side

• Want to be careful in the data dive and not wanting to make a choice between sets of parents when the calendar is meant for the whole district/community. Can help to reinforce use of the responses to hopefully get a broader representation of the families

• With no further discussion, vote on the motion via roll call , passes 7-0

• Round of updates from the subcommittee that have met or are scheduled to meet.

• Citizen comment - just one tonight from Councilor Max Morrongiello commending them on the budget development and coming in with only the 2.5% increase

First use of Threads to capture my notes and I am disappointed with it (apparently doesn’t keep them in sequence, and doesn’t keep all of them - for use in reporting those items are unacceptable.)

The recording runs about 1 hours and 20 minutes

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1669-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-02-24-26/

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Franklin TV video - https://youtu.be/FsWd1552cuI?si=-qL8Jn8EdgTYGMSJ&t=355

All the docs associated with the budget for FY 2027 

https://www.franklinps.net/documents/about-us/school-district-budget(2)/fy2027-budget/860340 

Meeting agenda and released documents

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/02/franklin-ma-agenda-for-school-committee.html 

Thread copy (such as it is) https://www.threads.com/@franklinmatters.ma/post/DVKIebXCTFa?xmt=AQF0enqjCQ787Jhw-3viCokfG2ha2bg2P_v68RDjQX5ZO8eS5KmTmExOsExiXTFmTe28bMI&slof=1 

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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 Schools will have a 2-hour delay for students (1 hour for staff) on Feb 25, 2026

Franklin Public Schools will have a 2-hour delay for students and a 1-hour delay for staff on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. 

All before-school and ECDC programs will be cancelled. 

Please check your email for additional details.

Shared from - https://www.franklinps.net/live-feed#11532955

Franklin Public Schools will be closed on Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Franklin Public Schools will be closed
on Tuesday, February 24, 2026

"Franklin Public Schools will be closed on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, due to the ongoing winter storm. This includes all after-school activities. 

All town and school offices will also be closed."

Shared from - https://www.franklinps.net/live-feed#11519035

FPS Food Service shares "Local Beef Bolognese" student meal (video)

FPS Food Service shares "Local Beef Bolognese"
student meal (video)

Check out how we made our Local Beef Bolognese in the video below.

https://youtube.com/shorts/kr2GpMGS07c

Our District Chef used Local Grass Fed Ground Beef from Weatherlow Farms, In Westport, MA, to make our scratch made Beef Bolognese for lunch today!

We used fresh ingredients like pancetta, onions, celery and carrots.

Shared from -https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17nDpt7Mn2/

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

FPS School Lunch Video

FPS School Lunch Video 

Click the link to check out the video on our Local Beef and Broccoli meal:
https://youtube.com/shorts/on5WBQtf2fk

Franklin's District Chef, Steve Foote, inspired this locally-sourced meal featuring slow braised tender strips of top round beef from Weatherlow Farms, in Westport, MA, alongside bright green Harvesting Good broccoli from Maine. The Savory beef and broccoli are served over a creamy, citrus-infused lemon ginger risotto.

Completing the plate is a sweet crisp Gala apple from Cooper Farms, also in Maine

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/16gmdT1VYv/

Franklin Police ran “Operation Magic School Bus” on Wednesday; be aware, they'll be back

Franklin Police ran “Operation Magic School Bus”

OPERATION MAGIC SCHOOL BUS

This morning we executed “Operation Magic School Bus” in partnership with Holmes Busing.

We’ve noticed an increase in complaints online regarding motor vehicle violations surrounding school buses picking up kids in the morning. Operation Magic School Bus paired an officer in an unmarked patrol cruiser with a bus driver. We followed behind their routes and enforced school bus violations.

To those who choose to violate our school bus laws willingly, carelessly, or negligently, just know the Magic School Bus Unit is out there.

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17zh66X6Z4/

Chicken Tikka Masala prepared and served Thursday, Oct 23 in Franklin Public Schools

Chicken Tikka Masala video

Click the link to check out our video for Chicken Tikka Masala video https://youtube.com/shorts/0IvnZ4fBoFA

On Thursday October 23rd we served Chicken Tikka Masala with our new fresh chicken thighs made from scratch by our District Chef Steve Foote.

The meal was served with chickpeas, jasmine rice, roasted spiced cauliflower, and naan bread.

https://www.facebook.com/share/176Pt3ooWq/

Stainless steel trays introduced at Washington Street School (video)

https://youtube.com/shorts/s6c5Zy0jmIc

"On Friday, September 26th Franklin Foodservice introduced our new Sustainable Stainless Steel trays at Washington Street School. 

Watch our video on YouTube to see the details of why we made the change. 

Spoiler alert...the kids went crazy over them. " ->    https://youtube.com/shorts/s6c5Zy0jmIc

Stainless steel trays

The QR Code will take you here -> 

https://ahimsaschools.com/pages/cafeteria-guide