This Chalkboard Chat shares insights into the FY 2027 budget and implications (audio)

FM #1652 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1652 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with School Committee Chair Paul Griffith.  We had our discussion via Zoom on Monday, February 2, 2026. We condense and get into the explanations behind the key items from the recent School Committee meeting January 27, 2026.

Our conversation covered the following topics:

Budget, and budget implications

Budget hearing Feb 10, budget vote Feb 24

Health care costs proposed to move to Town Account 910

Simplification, ensure all depts now have apples to apples budget comparison

Hold harmless, Chap 70 local contribution under re-evaluation

Special education reimbursement, cost advantages of in house programs

Policy updates

Remote participation

Middle school awareness of pathways

ECDC tuition re-voted to correct an oversight

Our conversation runs about 49 minutes. Let’s listen

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1652-chalkboard-chat-02-02-26/

The YouTube video of our conversation -> https://youtu.be/dh4BqY7UvtI

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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/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 

FY 2027 budget presentation doc -

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 

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 

My notes in one PDF file -  https://drive.google.com/file/d/140kTZI5bmwVFlufRsU54cNneJ2BytZ-c/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!

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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"

School Committee recognizes the Championship volleyball team, approves the capital budget, hears about Student Services (audio)

FM #1605 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1605 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, December 9, 2025. All 7 members of the committee were present. 

Quick recap:

• FHS Volleyball team recognized for D1 State Championship for first time

• Student Services presentation

• Link to slides included below

• Capital budget presentation

• Link to slides included below

• Franklin (MA) School enrollment

• Yes, total of Franklin MA and shown where they end up FPS, or elsewhere

• Numbers mentioned during recent Town Council meeting shown to be in error with these statistics

• Link to the 2 page document included below

• Citizen Comments

• Steve Sherlock stepped up to talk about

• “Hold harmless” is akin to OPEB, Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) was for years an unfunded mandate that drove every budget discussion until the Town realized that the funding requirement for the Norfolk County Retirement would be fulfilled shortly (now slipped to approx. 2035) but then once complete, those funds could be shifted to pay down the OPEB liability. The Town has a plan to fund OPEB. The School can not come up with a plan to fund hold harmless without Town help. There needs to be a plan as part of whatever financial plan the Town puts together.

• While the Town (and correctly so) touts clean audits, that wasn’t always the case. The current revolving funds policy to maintain a year's worth arose as a result of an audit issue revealed during 2007. Part of the resolution was (1) the hiring of Miriam Goodman in March 2008 and (2) the intro of the policy to keep one year's worth of funds in the revolving accounts

• Audio of student services available https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/12/insights-into-student-services-how-in.html 

• Community calendar reminder, this week only Weds doesn't have a booster club, youth sports or otherwise a fundraising effort by eating at one of Franklin’s restaurants. Let me know of your fundraising efforts and they can get published on the Community Calendar  

• Action: To submit a community or cultural event, please use this form:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar 

• entered into Executive Session not to return to open meeting

The recording runs about 3 hours and 45 minutes

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1605-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-12-09-25/

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Additional links to key documents for this session

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/12/school-committee-recognizes.html 

Full School Committee & Supt Giguere with the FHS volleyball team

The State D1 Champion FHS volleyball team showcases their jackets

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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"

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

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

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"

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