Insights into Student Services, how in district programs help the students & save money (audio)

FM #1597 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1597 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Paula Marano, Asst Superintendent for Student Services. We had our discussion in a conference room at the School District Central offices on Monday, November 17, 2025.

 

Our conversation covers 

• Paula’s path to this role

• Special education as required by State and Federal law

• In district vs out of district placements

• Individualized Education Program (IEP) & Sec 504 plans and reviews

• Student services overall

The recording runs about 31 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio link ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1597-franklin-pubic-schools-insights-into-student-services-11-17-25/

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Paula’s contact info -> maranop@franklinps.net 

Franklin Public Schools Student Service page -> https://www.franklinps.net/page/student-services 

In district programs -> https://www.franklinps.net/page/in-district-programs 

Paula Marano, on the left, at a recent SchCmte meeting

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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"

ECDC sets schedule for screening of children before 3rd birthday

It is the responsibility of the Franklin Public Schools to identify any child who is a resident of Franklin who may have a disability, regardless of the severity of the disability.

It is also the responsibility of Franklin Public Schools to evaluate those students to determine if they are eligible for special education or related services under IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) or 6-3 CMR 28 (Massachusetts Special Education Regulations).

Franklin Public Schools are committed to identifying children before their third birthday in order to provide early intervention services for 3 and 4 year olds.

If you have questions or concerns regarding your child’s development or to schedule

a PreK screening, please contact:

Jillian Swanson

Assistant Principal of Special Education

F.X. O’Regan Early Childhood Center

Download the flyer as a reminder or to share -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1w_hA3CgwrbTj_VmiIhGW4dYjXrAy31Rl/view?usp=drive_link

Franklin SEPAC hosts "Basic Rights: Evaluation and Eligibility Workshop" Dec 5 (virtual, registration req'd)

The Franklin Special Ed Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC) will hold the annual Basic Rights: Evaluation and Eligibility Workshop via Zoom on December 5, 2024, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

This workshop provides an introduction to the complex special education laws and procedures.

Please register for the workshop using this link: https://fcsn.org/event/franklin-evaluation-and-eligibility/

If you have any questions, you can contact Franklin SEPAC at franklinsepac@gmail.com.

Basic Rights: Evaluation and Eligibility December 5 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Host: Franklin Public Schools This presentation is a comprehensive introduction into special education laws and procedures. We will delve into the purpose of the law, referrals, evaluations, and the team meeting process including determining eligibility. Further discussion will focus on services, placement, and what to do when you receive a proposed IEP. You will also learn what to do if the student is not eligible and parent’s procedural due process rights for resolving disputes. Zoom will confirm your registration by email which will include your meeting link to join. All handouts will be sent to attendees from our workshop coordinator, Kristin LaRose, within 24 hours of the presentation.

https://fcsn.org/event/franklin-evaluation-and-eligibility/

Franklin SEPAC hosts "Basic Rights: Evaluation and Eligibility Workshop"  Dec 5

Hockomock Area YMCA schedules Financial Wellness Series for families of individuals with special needs

Financial Wellness Series 

Hockomock Area YMCA (@HockomockYMCA) posted  Mon, Sep 09, 2024:

 

Join us for our upcoming Financial Wellness Series workshops for families of individuals with special needs!

REGISTER NOW - BIT.LY/3yQGoJa

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

Talking about Teaching & Education with FEA President Donna Grady (audio)

FM #1194 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1194 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Franklin Education Association (FEA) President Donna Grady. We recorded this talk in the Franklin TV Studios on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. 

The Franklin Education Association (FEA) is the union representing all the educational personnel in the Franklin School District. Donna is the unit president and has been for 8 years. She teaches kindergarten at Keller, previously Jefferson, and has been teaching for 35 years.

We talked about education today in the Franklin schools from elementary to middle school to high school. The nature and challenges of teaching our wonderful kiddos through the grade levels.

The recording runs about 55 minutes. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1194-teaching-education-with-donna-grady-fea-president-04-3024

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Donna’s school contact info -> gradyd@franklinps.net 

Franklin Education Association web page -> https://franklin.massteacher.org/ 

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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

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"

Talking about Teaching & Education with FEA President Donna Grady (audio)

Franklin & Medway SEPACs announce 2 workshops

Happy New Year!

We are excited to announce 2 upcoming workshops.

These are free and open to all extended community members. Your child does not have to be receiving Special Education for you to attend.

• Managing Behavior Challenges

Strategies for Preventing & Managing Challenging Behaviors in Young Children = Jan 11, 2024 at 7 PM

• Neuropsychological Evaluations 101

What is a Neuropsychological Evaluation & What Can I Expect from it? = February 8, 2024 at 7 PM

Register here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-vnN5mTP3X--bOVw2ITOxWP-p9rhI_9A/view

Franklin & Medway SEPACs announce 2 workshops

Shared from -> https://facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0u5beSW91CJmXaHhoFAehkyAfhyA7a5Joa9N74kcrsMfvJ7MhEQEVeXqyhNx6eFHzl&id=100071960748317&mibextid=Nif5oz

wbur.org: "Special education planning form gets revamp in Mass. for first time in 20 years"

"It’s all about perception of self," he said. "If the system does not view you in a positive way how are you going to succeed?"

But now, for the first time in 20 years, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has updated its suite of IEP resources, starting with forms that invite more student input about their educational goals and plans. That feedback will be critical to developing the student's IEP, which lays out the services the student receives in a school year.

Advocates and educators across the state say they're optimistic that the new IEP forms and process it generates will lead to a more high-quality IEP and improve the overall educational experience for students with disabilities.

The overhaul is the result of a nine-year effort led by the state department of education and guided by teachers and administrators, as well as advocates like Gabovitch and Julia Landau, a senior project director with the Massachusetts Advocates for Children."

Continue reading the article at wbur.org/ 

https://www.wbur.org/news/2023/03/24/special-education-improved-forms-process

wbur.org:  "Special education planning form gets revamp in Mass. for first time in 20 years"

Maybe you can help support the Amego School Prom April 7, 2023

Prom Night

"Once Upon A Time"   Our staff and students at Amego's School in Franklin are so excited about Prom Night on Friday, April 7th.  They chose a "Once Upon A Time" theme and we hope you can donate attire for our students.   Please consider donating gently used/new attire. Our biggest need is for men's attire including shirts, ties, and pants of all sizes. Donations can be dropped off at our School (122 Grove Street, Franklin-School Entrance) or Administrative Offices (33 Perry Avenue, Attleboro) between 8:30 AM and 4:00 AM (Monday through Friday).   All donations need to be dropped off by Friday, March 31st.  If you have any questions, please call 508-455-6245. Your support will make their night magical! Thank you! #amegoprom2023  #amegodisneythemeprom2023 #amegoschool   Amego, Inc., 33 Perry Ave, Attleboro, MA 02703, United States, 508-455-6200

5th Annual Legislative Forum scheduled - Monday, April 10, 2023

You're invited to join us for our 5th Annual Legislative Forum on Monday, April 10 at 6:30 PM in the Franklin High School Lecture Hall and via Zoom.

Our state legislators will be updating the Franklin community on important issues specifically related to education. Topics will include:

• The growing need for school-provided social services
• FY24 State budget
• The Student Opportunity Act
• Unfunded and underfunded state and federal education mandates
• Educator wellness and workforce elasticity amid the national teacher shortage
• Special Education funding

An opportunity for Q & A will be available for participants. We hope you will join us. 

For remote participation info ->   https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/legislative_forum_4_10_23.pdf

or visit the event page -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/events/93796

5th Annual Legislative Forum scheduled - Monday, April 10, 2023

Out of district tuition rate increase of 14% one factor for increase in school budget for FY 2024

This Twitter thread shares insights on one aspect of the Franklin school budget that other communities are affected by also:

"The Operational Services Division (OSD) falls under the Executive Office for Administration & Finance and has a variety of responsibilities, including setting tuition prices for approved special education programs in approximately 100 private schools.

Out of district tuition rate increase of 14% one factor for increase in school budget for FY2024

 

These schools accommodate students with needs that cannot be met by their current District. The OSD has proposed a 14% inflation rate increase for FY24. For the past 10 years, OSD has instituted an average annual increase of 1.8%.

This unprecedented 14% increase is straining local budgets across Massachusetts. This 14% increase comes out to over $775k for Franklin alone. I don’t see how any district can absorb that kind of increase.

I will be reaching out to our local legislators asking that they cosponsor 3 bills that seek to meet the demands that our school districts (and taxpayers) are facing in connection with this cost increase - and I ask that you all do the same:

HD 3170 which lowers circuit breaker cost threshold; HD 3156 which increases the circuit breaker reimbursement rate; and HD 3102 which would create a Special Ed Commission to conduct a comprehensive review of the fiscal sustainability of special education service delivery in MA."

Shared from Denise Spencer's Twitter thread found here ->   https://twitter.com/DSpencerFSC/status/1632219141384830976

Download the PDF of the thread here ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ftWjH8NxzMrXqnMtzmxnKR1bf2Ieecn5/view?usp=share_link

The Franklin Finance Committee took a "deep dive" in to the school budget at their Dec 2022 meeting. The audio, video and related documents for that meeting can be found ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/12/finance-committee-gets-some-financial.html

The Franklin School Committee budget subcommittee just met to prepare for the Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting scheduled for March 8. The audio recording of that session is available here ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/03/school-budget-subcommittee-hears.html

School Budget Subcommittee hears revolving funds maxed out, not likely to get all asked for (audio)

Our Franklin SEPAC discussion can create the adjacent possible for you - 02/07/23 (audio)

FM #938 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 938 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with two Franklin Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC) board members; Arielle Shearer and Patty Middelmann. 

We discuss the creation of SEPAC which dates back to the education reform efforts in the early 1990’s where each community getting special education funding in MA needs to have this committee to work with the School District.

Our wide ranging discussion centers around education and accommodations for special needs kiddos, some of the many ways on how the support group helps other parents, and that the group is also open to the entire community as we are “interested parties.”

The audio recording runs about 36 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Arielle and Patty about SEPAC and how you might get involved. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-938x-franklin-sepac-discussion-call-to-action-02-07-23

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Franklin SEPAC links & information

Website -> http://www.franklinsepac.org/ 

Facebook ->  https://www.facebook.com/franklinsepac 

Mailing List and Survey -> https://forms.gle/TYuAJLeqvLzKNbNb8 

SEPAC September Flyer https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cEFAFNI_Cwg7uz45nFCwPYy6kunR8c0I/view?usp=share_link 

Franklin SEPAC Spring Letter  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qcis7TW6uxBML1xkEUI_t-tu2AxRSYz5/view?usp=share_link 

Contact Email: FranklinSEPAC@gmail.com 

504 plan info -> https://www.understood.org/en/articles/504-plans-a-guide-for-teachers 

Federal IDEA legislation  ->  https://sites.ed.gov/idea/about-idea/ 

MA Behavioral Help Hotline -> https://www.masshelpline.com/

The "adjacent possible" comes from this book mentioned during the conversation:  Steven Johnson - Where do Good Ideas Come from (TED Talk) -> https://www.ted.com/talks/steven_johnson_where_good_ideas_come_from 

Where do Good Ideas Come from Book link -> https://www.amazon.com/Where-Good-Ideas-Come-Innovation-ebook/dp/B0046ZRZ30

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

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

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"

Our Franklin SEPAC discussion can create the adjacent possible for you - 02/07/23 (audio)