wbur: "One Challenge To Reopening Schools: Finding Enough Teachers"

Franklin Public Schools has not been able to fulfill all their open positions during this pandemic period. This wbur report confirms that Franklin is not alone in finding qualified teachers.

"Just after Thanksgiving, Falmouth High School Principal Mary Gans got a call: the school had a positive case. Twelve of her staff members were considered “close contacts” and had to quarantine immediately.

"I just [did] not have the ability to cover all of their classes, even for the rest of the day," Gans said. "There just weren’t the bodies that we could pull to satisfy that kind of puzzle."

Substitute teachers are very hard to come by this year, so the school decided to go fully remote for a week. The hybrid model is back up and running at Falmouth High School, but Gans said having enough teachers is an ongoing challenge.

"We’ve been so short that I’ll go and sub in classes when teachers are out," she said. "And I’ve done that in the past, but not like this year.""

Continue reading the article online

https://www.wbur.org/edify/2020/12/21/massachusetts-teacher-shortage

From the Re-opening Report on the School Committee agenda for Dec 22, 2020

Personnel 

1.Staffing.​  As case numbers rise, we continue to have an increase in staff absences.  Coverage continues to be a challenge at all levels. Many are wondering what metrics we are using in terms of numbers of staff absent prior to switching to a remote day. 

a.Actions taken (noted in the last update): Principals and assistant principals are providing coverage as needed. This takes away from their other responsibilities, which at this time include contact tracing (see below) in addition to other customary responsibilities. We are recruiting additional subs and monitors as college students return home for the next several months. We are requiring negative COVID tests for employment. 

b.Additional actions taken: Like many districts, I do not have  definitive quantitative metrics on attendance to determine whether or not to move a school into remote learning for a day. Beyond an overall number of staff out, more needs to go into the decision including looking at which staff are out and their responsibilities within the school setting. We are also taking into consideration the duration for which coverage is a challenge for the school. The building administration and central office team discuss the coverage plan for a particular school and, when coverage can not be adequately provided, we have made the decision to go remote.

Read the full re-opening report here

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/reopening_schools_status_update_dec_18_2020-2021.pdf

wbur: "One Challenge To Reopening Schools: Finding Enough Teachers"

"the meltdown happened one Zoom meeting at a time"

Tracy O'Connell Novick (@TracyNovick) shared a lengthy Slate article on the school re-opening debate.

 

"How the School Reopening Debate Is Tearing One of America’s Most Elite Suburbs Apart"

"It was mid-August. The playgrounds of Brookline, Massachusetts, had finally reopened, and so the news spread fast. Sharon Abramowitz had resigned from the school committee. If a lab wanted to manufacture a school committee member to help the 7,800-student Brookline School District through the COVID crisis, it probably would’ve ended up with Abramowitz. The sociologist-anthropologist-epidemiologist had studied Ebola, written interagency guidelines about what community engagement should look like during a crisis, and, after the district shut down in March, spent 40 hours a week in volunteer meetings on Zoom trying to make a safe reopening feasible. But now she was moving full time to her second home in Vermont.

As summer turned into fall, the school district was melting down. Parents largely wanted their kids learning in person, but it looked like Brookline wasn’t going to pull it off, even though the wealthy town just outside of Boston probably has the highest infectious-disease-expert-per-capita rate in the country. Abramowitz was fed up. “Sorry to be all UNICEF about it,” Abramowitz, who does work for UNICEF, said when we spoke in September, “but education is a fundamental human right for all children.”

Continue reading the article

https://slate.com/human-interest/2020/12/school-reopening-teachers-unions-parents-brookline-massachusetts.html

Tracy's tweet:  https://t.co/Ds3udHGj4l

In the News: "The letter states that the numbers printed do not equal 104"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"In June, 104 employees – many of them teachers – at Franklin Public Schools received pink slips. This fall, 87 of them are returning, according to a recent comprehensive personnel update released by the district.

Only 15 positions of the 104 threatened with the chopping block back in June wound up being cut, according to a letter from the district signed by Superintendent Sara Ahern and Director of Human Resources Lisa O’Keefe-Trainor on Friday. "

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200922/layoffs-in-franklin-schools-fewer-than-expected?rssfeed=true

Editor's note: Other than the quote from Superintendent Ahern, there is no new information in this article and the numbers still don't add up. This is elementary math and if turned in as a school report by a fourth or fifth grade student, it would be really interesting to see what the rubric would provide as a score. Lots of numbers, lots of info but it doesn't add up. They can start with either people or positions, there is a difference between them, I get that. But 104 (or 103) got notified, what happened to them? It should be as easy as 87 came back and 17 (or 16) didn't. There can be a variety of other categories, that really doesn't matter. Tallying to the total (either 104 or 103) does.

In the News: "The letter states that the numbers printed do not equal 104"

 

 

 

Franklin Public Schools: "Comprehensive Personnel Update"

It may not be fair, but in all the private sector companies I worked for over the years the employee count a manager was responsible for was a key piece of data. You could not make a mistake with that. Budget, payroll, never mind the service you were delivering all depended upon it.

To see the following footnote: 

"Numbers do not equal 104 as some staff members received notices appointing them to similar positions that were vacated in the district" 

leaves me with a problem.  If you notify 104 folks they don't have work, and then for a variety of reasons some do, and some don't, it still has to add up to 104.

The personnel update can be found

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/personnel_update_memo_new_hires_sep_2020_.pdf

 

Franklin Public Schools: "Comprehensive Personnel Update"

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Sep 22, 2020

 □ Vision Statement □

The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.

 

Agenda

“The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law.”

 

Call to Order
Pledge of Allegiance 

Moment of Silence

I.    Routine Business
A.    Review of Agenda
B.    Citizen’s Comments

In the spirit of open communication, “the Committee will hold a public participation segment (also called Citizen’s Comments) about matters not related to an agenda item at the beginning of each regular School Committee meeting. The Committee will listen to, but not respond to any comment made…. A Committee member may add an agenda item to a future meeting as a result of a citizen comment…. The Committee will hear public comments related to an agenda item when the Chair deems appropriate during the Committee meeting. Topics for discussion during the meeting must be limited to those items listed on the Committee meeting agenda for that evening…. ” - from Policy BEDH

C.    FHS Student Representative Comments 

D.    Superintendent’s Report

 

II.    Guests/Presentations
A.    Personnel Update - Lisa Trainor

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/personnel_update_memo_new_hires_sep_2020_.pdf
 

B.    District Improvement Goals Preview
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/dip_outcomes_and_preview_2020-2021.pdf

III.    Discussion/Action Items
A.    Policy - First Readings
I recommend moving the following Policies to a second reading as detailed:

A.    EEAEC - Student Conduct on School Buses
B.    EEAJ - Motor Vehicles Idling on School Grounds

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/discussion_action_a_-_policy_1st_readings.pdf

B.    MASC Delegate
I recommend the Committee appoint Denise Spencer to serve as the Committee's delegate to the annual MASC Annual Meeting of Delegates.

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/discussion_action_b_-_masc_delegate.pdf

IV.    Discussion Only Items
A.    None

V.    Information Matters

A.    School Committee Sub-Committee Reports (e.g. Ad Hoc Supt. Evaluation, Ad Hoc Facilities Analysis, Budget, Community Relations/Public Schools Advocacy, Policy, Transportation)
B.    School Committee Liaison Reports (e.g. Joint PCC, Substance Abuse Task Force, School Wellness Advisory Council)

VI.    New Business
A.    To discuss any future agenda items

VII.    Consent Agenda

A.    Approval of Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from your September 8, 2020 School Committee Meeting as detailed.
B.    Approval of Executive Session Minutes for release
I recommend approval of the Executive Session minutes from your September 8, 2020 School Committee Meeting as detailed.

VIII.    Payment of Bills    Dr. Bergen
 

IX.    Payroll    Ms. D’Angelo
 

X.    Executive Session

Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with the FEA/RN Unit as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the School Committee and the chair so declares.

XI.    Adjournment 

 

Documents for this meeting can be found in the Town of Franklin folder for the meeting https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/september-22-2020-school-committee-meeting-packet

 

 

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Sep 22, 2020

In the News: Police chiefs want seat at table; teachers union expresses concerns

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Local police say their departments already have access to an accreditation system. Police chiefs have kept the formerly state-run Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission operating since 2004, when the Legislature cut its funding just eight years after its creation. 

Natick Police Chief James Hicks wishes more people understood that television police procedural dramas don’t accurately reflect his profession. 

″‘Chicago PD,’ you see police officers who are skirting the rules, and it’s OK because at the end of the day, they look like heroes, and they save the day,” he said. ”(Actual officers) have to have the highest of integrity ... and they have to understand they’re totally under the microscope, as we should be.” 

Moved by state and nationwide demands for reform following the deaths of people of color at the hands of police, Massachusetts lawmakers have proposed new legislation in recent weeks. Key to state reform is the idea of accreditation – creating a set of standards all police departments will have to follow."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200801/police-chiefs-reform-needed-but-we-should-be-included?rssfeed=true

"Saying school districts had expected state education aid could be cut by 10%, the Massachusetts Teachers Association late Friday called a new local aid level funding agreement a “major victory” and urged districts to recall about 2,000 educators and staff who had received layoff notices. 

“The first thing districts must do is recall teachers and other staff who were pink-slipped due to budget fears,” Mass. Teachers Association President Merrie Najimy said in a statement. “To operate schools under any model will require more staff members, not fewer.” 

The teachers union also expressed concerns about public higher education layoffs and revenue shortfalls and what it called a “hold” on the phase-in of an education funding law passed a few months before the COVID-19 pandemic struck and upended the state’s finances. 

“Although the schools’ budgets weren’t cut, they also did not receive the increases they would have received under the Student Opportunity Act,” MTA Vice President Max Page said. “That act addressed very real gaps in funding for low-income students and communities of color - gaps that are worse due to the pandemic.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200801/state-aid-accord-leaves-teachers-with-victory-but-also-concerns?rssfeed=true

Franklin Education Association (FEA) Statement on Re-Opening & more

July 31st, 2020 Greetings,  Franklin Education Association Statement on Education under COVID Dear Dr. Ahern, School Committee Members, and Community Members, As educators in the Franklin Public Schools, we miss our students and want nothing more than to be back in the classrooms. Fall is usually a time of excitement, eagerness, and hope. This fall, however, is hardly typical. We care deeply about the safety and well-being of our students, as well as the quality of the education we provide. Our obligation, professionally, morally, and ethically, is to keep students, educators, families, and our communities, out of harm's way. Members of the Franklin Education Association have shown time and again that we hold the interests of our students and their families, their continued success,  and the success of this school system, as our first priority. We feel this was exhibited this past spring in the hours spent preparing crisis learning, researching all kinds of resources and online platforms for ourselves, our students,  and our families, collaborating with teams, administration,  and colleagues, and connecting with students and families as much as possible. This "students first" philosophy compels our educators to go above and beyond in our efforts to elevate the opportunities for our students. We commit to these goals knowing that achieving them often means working long into the evening, sacrificing time with family, and ignoring self care and personal health needs. We do this out of our dedication  to teaching, and our commitment to our students. To ask us to put our lives, and those of our family members, on the line for the sake of reopening, is to ask too much. The district must demonstrate that health and safety conditions and public health benchmarks are met before buildings reopen to anyone. The FEA cannot support any plan that puts any members, any students, or the community, at such serious risk. Medical scientists have not fully reassured the public of the utmost safety to return to school buildings while the deadly disease of COVID-19 persists. More studies come out each day about complications and risks to younger students, middle school students, and impacts of trauma that could happen if we return too soon. In light of the current rise in COVID-19 cases throughout much of the country—directly caused by premature reopening of communities—our members feel it is unsafe for students, teachers, and staff, to return to buildings.  Specifically, the following are our some of our many concerns: Untenable and unsustainable scenarios for compliance with PPE/distancing guidelines puts the physical and mental health of students, staff, and administrators at risk.  (6 feet of distancing must be the minimum standard in all teaching and learning environments.  Face coverings must be worn by all students, staff, and visitors, with the exception only of documented medical conditions, where this practice is contraindicated) Teachers cannot be tasked with policing students' bodies and behaviors as opposed to being educators who seek to connect with students and cultivate a love of learning.  Staff who are vulnerable, or whose families are vulnerable to COVID-19 Environmental concerns loom large such as -  School buildings with poor ventilation, rooms without windows, inability to use fans, heat indices well over 90 in many rooms, outdated HVAC, cleaning schedules and protocols, lack of timeline and training for all protocols and procedures needed for reopening. We  understand that the District has an obligation to submit a plan to DESE, to meet the varied needs of students. We ask you to have that conversation, and to formulate that plan,  WITH us, not in spite of us.  The current choice before us is not education or safety. It is education with safety, with all of us working together in support of one another to help suppress, and defeat, this virus. If we were to return to any type of in-person schooling, including a hybrid model, at this time, our students, educators, staff, and faculty, would have a school experience that would tell us that we are not valued, not worth being heard, not worth ensuring safety, not important in the lives of our community.   At this time, the Franklin Education Association calls upon the Franklin Public Schools to begin the year remotely until such time that a phased-in return allows for proper health and safety measures to be brought into place and monitored.    Respectfully submitted, Donna Grady, President Franklin Education Association Our mailing address is: FEA PO Box 654 Franklin, MA 02038

School Committee Recap: Re-opening fully in person not a consideration

There are lots of notes as the work to develop 3 plans (in person, hybrid and remote learning) and the whole planning process is very complex but the quick summary for me is: 

"In person likely ruling out for feasibility, leaving hybrid or remote? Need survey results from Community to help make decision #schcom0728 then flesh out the comprehensive plan for final submission. Afraid to lose staff"

The preliminary plan reviewed tonight will be submitted Friday to DESE with one of the three options as being 'leaned towards' without committing to. The survey results will inform which of the two options (hybrid or full remote) will be the 'leaned towards' choice. Then the work to flesh out this plan will continue. Assuming there is a waiver from DESE granted, then the School Committee will meet as scheduled Aug 11, and vote on the recommendation. If waiver not granted by DESE (as plan is due Aug 10), then another School Committee meeting will be scheduled for the vote.


As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.

The Twitter hashtag can be found online #schcom0718
https://twitter.com/hashtag/schcom0728?src=hashtag_click

Twitter stream of notes

• Real time reporting underway for #schcom0728. Chair can't see anything so this could be interesting as she (Anne Bergen) tries to conduct the meeting
• Superintendent reports on 2 new grants received. Details in report posted to webpage on Weds. #schcom0728 next up preliminary opening plan

preliminary opening plan

• Slide deck used with faculty and two parent chats being used again tonight, updated with additional info as it is available. #schcom0728
• Slide doesn't talk to faculty risk but superintendent did note to add it #schcom0728
• Will review 3 models, no vote by #schcom0728 tonight, will be a vote at next meeting
• Universal health and safety practices expected to be in place and followed #schcom0728 will have mask breaks during the day when appropriate. Deviates from DESE guidance in the ALL students will wear masks, not just 2-12 grades
• Health data doesn't support a return without restrictions, return includes with modifications to most if not all activities, #schcom0728 feasibility studies being done
• Direction not traffic signage needed, may need some plexiglass to be placed (but not all places) #schcom0728 full remote option to be offered, survey data in process to help determine how to do this
• Photo of Oak St classrooms here, the prior one was of FHS #schcom0728
• Hybrid model slides #schcom0728
• Hybrid model requires time between cohorts for cleaning #schcom0728 anticipate adjustments to the calendar to ensure equity for cohorts, this is way no new schedule is up for review today. Transportation guidance under review
• Bus monitors would be required to be covered by COVID money from State #schcom0728 families should consider alternatives to bus where practical. ** Full remote learning planned for; additional hours and expectations if in person can't be done
• Each of the 3 models have merits and challenges; feasibility of 6 and 3 a concern at some schools, esp FHS. #schcom0728 remote could provide more consistency, would miss the socializing altho could be provided with small groups
• Classrooms at FHS smaller generally as well as students bigger physically, capacity of 1750 in building for 1600 is a challenge when trying to implement distancing #schcom0728
• Additional considerations, bus capacity reduced by 1/3. Survey data will be important to help determine, staggered start times may be required #schcom0728
• Anticipated to have lunch in classrooms, #schcom0728 survey closing tomorrow at 8AM. Preliminary view of the overall numbers, after closing survey will do additional slice/dice on #s
• Facilities considerations #schcom0728 (this not just preparing for school, this is doing so three times with permutations and combinations considered)
• #schcom0728 (four photos)
• Faculty response similar to family on a number of points #schcom0728
• Slides to be posted to schools page Weds, will share when it is available. #schcom0728 the remote learning coming would be graded work can last year wasn't under the emergency basis. Not all teachers were not Google classroom proficient (and didn't need to be) previously
• Hybrid model requires time between cohorts for cleaning #schcom0728 anticipate adjustments to the calendar to ensure equity for cohorts, this is way no new schedule is up for review today. Transportation guidance under review
• Bus monitors would be required to be covered by COVID money from State #schcom0728 families should consider alternatives to bus where practical. ** Full remote learning planned for; additional hours and expectations if in person can't be done
• Classrooms at FHS smaller generally as well as students bigger physically, capacity of 1750 in building for 1600 is a challenge when trying to implement distancing #schcom0728
• Additional considerations, bus capacity reduced by 1/3. Survey data will be important to help determine, staggered start times may be required #schcom0728
• Remote learning is different from home schooling, remote is still part of the district funded supported, etc. Home schooling is separately governed and is where the family takes responsibility of the curriculum, needs to be reviewed and approved. #schcom0728
• Is home schooling a trend? Yes, overall slightly but not really known of now. don't have #s handy. Folks may not be realizing what is required. Q have we used Fed funding for nursing/counseling? Not yet under eval #schcom0728
• Next steps, conversation tonight, working group meeting T-W-Th, submit draft Fri to State, looking for vote on Aug 11 meeting and submit with an extension to state. If no extension, would need meeting/vote earlier #schcom0728
• Additional considerations for #schcom0728 including a COVID addendum for the school handbook usually reviewed in August.
• Do all students have the technology? FHS always had, some of the redeploy units are less than satisfactory, did purchase new ones, also looking to id the network side #schcom0728
• Q if vaccine becomes available, if parents choose not to, would it be ok for them (kids without COVID-19 vaccine) to come back? Would need guidance to answer the question now #schcom0728
• Testing is one of the universal practices but not mentioned earlier. Would also need to review policy implications for this. Screening procedure to be in handbook, staff observation on entry, buses, etc. #schcom0728 temp screening not recommended, too variable
• Would need staff for remote teaching in the hybrid model, don't have the info to calculate yet. #schcom0728 (yes, this is a multiple variable model with not all the #s available yet) stay close the the development
• Q if family choice is remote, what happens if sometime down the road they change their mind, how do we integrate them back into the process, room, etc. #schcom0728 what about ECDC? Group working on that separately with building based team
• Thanks for portrait of calm, definitely needed now. #schcom0728 "grappling" very descriptive of the monumental task. It would be good to walk through the entire process as it is totally new and not what we have done before
• Protocol for students or staff developing symptoms during the day, contact tracing upon positive cases. Will depend upon facts of each case. Quarantine period TBD #schcom0728 how long is our test results turn around? Will be a consideration
• Q what about subs? Will be talking more about as a budget item would need the resources. #schcom0728 complexity of hybrid is amazing, would we be better off spending time on the other options? Narrow the options before the 11th? Yes, leaning is required
• In person likely ruling out for feasibility, leaving hybrid or remote? Need survey results from Community to help make decision #schcom0728 then flesh out the comprehensive plan for final submission. Afraid to lose staff
• #schcom0728 FEA has been well represented in this. Walk through a day in the new life at Davis Thayer, with 3 and 6 foot separation. Schools do not have air conditioning, CDC guidance says no fans due to spread of COVID-19. We want to get in, but we know there are issues
• Looking for a video of the walk through for staff and students to help set expectations. #schcom0728 lack of predictably as issue. Want to take time to start remote first and then phase in hybrid
• Language education requires watching the mouth for proper pronunciation, it will hinder the education delivery. #schcom0728 the building is not the school, the people are the school, kids need the educational experience, need to address Maslow, understand the reality
• We're doing this via Zoom, my company isn't planning to do in person until next year, we should consider doing remote only. #schcom0728 let's spend the remaining time to prepare for remote learning

Discussion/Action Items

• Next up discussion/ action items on policy review, for first reading https://franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/disc-action-b-policy-1st-read motion to approve, seconded passed 7-0 via roll call
• #schcom0728 policy for second readings https://franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/disc-action-c-policy-2nd-reads clarification on sign off for approval prior to transport. Yes, should be. Motion to approve, second, Passed 7-0 via roll call

Information Updates

• Budget Subcommittee meeting Thursday for next issues, not yet allowed at Farmers Market. Not allowed to hang out at the tables #schcom0728 facilities Analysis not appropriate right now, given uncertainty around fall period. Will resume work in the fall. And set timeline!
• No final copy of the report or date for it yet, #schcom0728 may be in email but not watching that while in meeting.
• Next meeting update on plan, revised school calendar for review, likely budget and policy updates #schcom0728 motion to accept consent agenda, via roll call passed 7-0.

Executive Session

• Will go to executive session, will return to open meeting. How folks will know to rejoin is open. #schcom0728 let's consider this the end of the night. If I get anything else, I'll share. Otherwise catch you next time!

The agenda doc in PDF format can be found
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/agenda-7-28-20

Documents released for this meeting can be found online
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/july-28-2020-school-committee-meeting-packet

School Committee Recap: Re-opening fully in person not a consideration

In the News: "Union says 2,000 educators received layoff notices at the end of this school year"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"In 47 school districts where staff are represented by the Massachusetts Teachers Association, layoff and non-renewal notices were sent recently to more than 2,000 teachers and education support professionals, the union announced Tuesday.

The list of 2,030 notices only includes districts where local union officials reported that 10 or more educators received notices that haven’t been rescinded. The union said some notices are issued annually due to enrollment and program changes, but there’s a “spike” this year due to government funding issues.

State officials, in the face of historic revenue declines associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, are continuing fiscal 2020 local aid levels through July and August but have not made decisions about full fiscal 2021 local aid levels, which supplement property taxes to form the basis of K-12 education budgets."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200624/union-says-2000-educators-received-layoff-notices-at-end-of-this-school-year

While Franklin did give notices to over 100, approx 54 have not yet been returned to work status. The School Committee just voted on Tuesday to approve the budget acknowledging 19.5 cuts so the situation is still fluid.

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/06/school-committee-relutantly-approves.html

In the News: "Union says 2,000 educators received layoff notices at the end of this school year"

Save our teachers: override the Franklin Public School's budget cuts

"All eleven schools in Franklin are being deprived of their special education, arts classes, music and more, with a new budget that has laid off 103 teachers.

Parents please let them hear your voice! Our children's education is in danger. I know many of us have moved to Franklin because of it's excellent schools. I don't want to see this town and our families suffer. Help us get this to the Town Council!"

Sign the petition online
https://www.change.org/p/town-of-franklin-massachusetts-save-our-teachers-override-the-franklin-public-school-s-budget-cuts

The number of signers was crossing 1400 when I posted this Friday AM

Share from Twitter:https://twitter.com/carlyrosealston/status/1271161830879236098?s=09

Save our teachers: override the Franklin Public School's budget cuts

FM #295 School Committee Mtg - 6/09/20 (audio)

FM #295 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 295 in the series.

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, June 9, 2020. The meeting was conducted via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Chair Anne Bergen opens the meeting outlining the protocol for how the meeting will be conducted. Each person is announced so you can follow who is saying what.

The school budget discussion was a good portion of the meeting including many public comments. The school committee has not yet determined a date for their vote on the 'final' budget. The one they are on record voting for, is more than the Town can afford. They acknowledged during the meeting work remains to be done. There is one more School Committee meeting this fiscal year, June 23. There will be continued discussion on the budget for several months.

The recording runs long, almost 4 hours, so settle in to listen to the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting of Tuesday, June 9.  

Audio file =  https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/H6Y6rrp7



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

The agenda for the meeting is posted
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/scagenda_6-9-20.pdf

Meeting packet for this session (including proposed reductions)
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/june-9-2020-school-committee-meeting-packet

The budget for FY 20201 is available
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget/pages/fy-2021-budget

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

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/
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"

screen grab of virtual meeting held June 9, 2020

What does 103 teachers look like?

Photos of the teachers who raised awareness on RT Tuesday afternoon before the School Committee meeting.


The Boston 25 video brief on the article:
https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/hundreds-march-support-103-franklin-teachers-who-were-laid-off-last-week/SY2JL7QSDJHW5EMGGI46BMBISA/

Note: there is a difference between "notification" and "cuts". The School Committee has not yet voted to approve either the 25 or 50 cuts that would be required to balance the budget (depending upon the planning scenario used). These notifications were made in advance of the date required per contract.

The details on the budget will be figured out over the next several months due to the fluid situation. This is not like prior years where once the budget was set, it was rarely changed. Town Administrator Jamie Hellen expects to make several revisions to the budget for FY 2021.

The discussion at the School Committee meeting did not reveal when the budget vote would be scheduled, only that there was still work to do.

The FY 2021 school budget page
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget/pages/fy-2021-budget 

The FY 2021 budget collection for the Town of Franklin 
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/06/fy-2021-budget-collection.html

What does 103 teachers look like? - 1

What does 103 teachers look like? - 2

What does 103 teachers look like? - 3

Franklin, MA: School Committee Meeting Agenda - June 9, 2020

Franklin School Committee 

June 9, 2020

7:00 P.M.

Meetings are recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29

Vision Statement

The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.

Per Governor Baker’s Executive Order suspending certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A sec. 20, the public will not be allowed to physically access this School Committee meeting. Members of the Public can access the meeting via remote conference. The School Committee reserves the right to implement additional remote participation procedures and will notify the public of these procedures as soon as practicable.

LOCATION: Remote participation via: ZOOM Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/95814618148?pwd=YWdaOFN4cGxmZjViY21wUlU1MmkxZz09

Meeting ID: 958 1461 8148
Password: SCMTG

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A G E N D A

“The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law.”

Call to Order
Pledge of Allegiance Moment of Silence

I. Routine Business
A. Review of Agenda
B. Citizen’s Comments

In the spirit of open communication, “the Committee will hold a public participation segment (also called Citizen’s Comments) about matters not related to an agenda item at the beginning of each regular School Committee meeting. The Committee will listen to, but not respond to any comment made…. A Committee member may add an agenda item to a future meeting as a result of a citizen comment…. The Committee will hear public comments related to an agenda item when the Chair deems appropriate during the Committee meeting. Topics for discussion during the meeting must be limited to those items listed on the Committee meeting agenda for that evening…. ” - from Policy BEDH

C. FHS Student Representative Comments
D. Superintendent’s Report

II. Guests/Presentations
A. FHS DECA Students and Advisor Mr. Carmo

III. Discussion/Action Items
A. BICO Board Appointment
I recommend appointment of Dr. Sara Ahern to the BICO Board for the 2020-2021 school year.
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/files/disc-bico-board

B. ACCEPT Board Appointment
I recommend appointment of Dr. Sara Ahern to the ACCEPT Board for the 2020-2021 school year.
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/files/disc-b-accept-board-appointment
 
C. Resolution in Support of Funding in the COVID-19 Era
I recommend that the School Committee adopt the resolution as discussed.
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/files/disc-c-resolutions

IV. Discussion Only Items
A. FY21 Budget Discussion

• Budget memo

https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/files/budget-memo-6920

FY 21 Proposed Reductions
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/files/proposed-reductions

Under-funded Mandates
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/files/underfunded-mandates

V. Information Matters
A. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports (e.g. Ad Hoc Supt. Evaluation, Ad Hoc Facilities Analysis, Budget, Community Relations/Public Schools Advocacy, Policy, Transportation)
B. School Committee Liaison Reports (e.g. Joint PCC, Substance Abuse Task Force, School Wellness Advisory Council)

VI. New Business
A. To discuss any future agenda items

VII. Consent Agenda
A. Approval of Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from your May 26, 2020 School Committee Meeting as detailed.
B. Scholarship
I recommend acceptance of a check for $2,500.00 from Sheila Lima for a FHS Scholarship as detailed.
C. FHS Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,000.00 from Signs by Cam for in-house enrichment at FHS as detailed.
D. Music Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $968.00 from the Franklin Music Boosters for in-house enrichment as detailed.
E. School Lunch Donation
I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,208.12 from various donors for scholarship/memorial as detailed.

VIII. Payment of Bills Dr. Bergen

IX. Payroll Ms. D’Angelo

X. Executive Session

A. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with the FEA/RN, FEA/Cafeteria, FEA/ESP, FEA/Secretaries, FEA/Van Drivers as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the School Committee and the chair so declares.

B. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with the Non-Union Personnel as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the School Committee and the chair so declares.

XI. Adjournment


The agenda document
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/scagenda_6-9-20.pdf

The meeting packet folder
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/june-9-2020-school-committee-meeting-packet

Franklin, MA: School Committee Meeting Agenda - June 9, 2020