FHS girls & boys basketball teams top KP, boys swim finish 7th with 7 swimmers

Via Instagram, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Winter sports competition for Franklin High School on Friday, January 30, 2026

Boys Basketball = Franklin, 58 @ King Philip, 34 – Final 

– Franklin’s defense clamped down all game long, limiting King Philip to single digits in each of the first three quarters to roll to a big win on the road. The Panthers held the hosts to six in the first and then just seven more in the second, staking a 27-13 advantage at halftime. Franklin put the game away with a big third, outscoring the Warriors 18-8. Sophomore Danny Santos scored 13 of his team-high 18 points in the first half to help build the lead. In the third, Santos, Jack Sullivan, Kyle Batla, and Gio Carlucci (11 points) all connected from three-point range to help put the game away. Freshman Callum Carver led KP with nine points.

Girls Basketball = King Philip, 54 @ Franklin, 56 – Final 

Franklin TV video ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pcGd-zHZyg

"Coming into the season, despite having won six of the last seven Kelley-Rex division titles (including last year’s), expectations were modest for a relatively inexperienced Franklin roster. After a daunting early part of the schedule, which included a 3-point loss to King Philip in Wrentham, the Panthers were just 1-6.

On Friday night, the Panthers welcomed KP for a rematch on Coaches vs. Cancer night. This is a very different Franklin team than the one the Warriors handled comfortably three days before Christmas and, after eight straight wins, the Panthers entered one game up on KP in the standings.

It was a wild finish, fitting of a showdown for the league title.

With 52 seconds to play, Ava Bonney (14 points, seven rebounds, and four steals) sank a pair of free throws to bring the Panthers within one. After a defensive stop, Sophia Sacramone (eight points and eight rebounds) went 1-of-2 at the line to tie it."

Continue reading the recap By Josh Perry || Hockomock Sports .com Managing Editor  

https://hockomocksports.com/bonney-buries-big-shot-franklin-edges-title-rival-king-philip/

For a photo gallery from this game.  https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2025-2026/Winter-2025-2026/Franklin-King-Philip-Girls-Basketball-01-30-26

Boys Swimming = Hockomock Championships – 

Team Results

1. Canton – 323

2. Milford – 281

3. Foxboro – 237

4. Sharon – 229

5. Mansfield – 194

6. Oliver Ames – 160

7. Franklin – 155

8. Attleboro – 154

9. King Philip – 121

10. North Attleboro – 114

11. Taunton – 93

12. Stoughton – 39

** – New meet record

200 Yard IM

1. Zack Pecora, Franklin – 1:56.76

50 Yard Free

1. Ethan Fiedler, Milford – 23.20

2. Ollie McCarthy, Franklin – 23.58

100 Yard Fly

1. Zack Pecora, Franklin – 51.80**

100 Yard Free

1. Leo Tran, Sharon – 47.85**

2. Ollie McCarthy, Franklin – 51.59

200 Yard Free Relay

1. Sharon (Alex Ng, Justin Hsu, Brac Buffa, Leo Tran) – 1:36.31

2. Franklin (Ollie McCarthy, Amir Shakirov, Zack Pecora, Arsh Tyagi) – 1:38.00

400 Yard Free Relay

1. Milford (Ethan Fiedler, Ishmael Da Silva, Eli DeBarros, Lucca Ramos) – 3:31.50

2. Sharon (Justin Hsu, Brac Buffa, Alex Ng, Leo Tran) – 3:34.48

3. Franklin (Ollie McCarthy, Amir Shakirov, Zack Pecora, Arsh Tyagi) – 3:38.53

For results and a photo gallery of this event.

https://hockomocksports.com/hockomock-boys-swim-championships-2026-results/

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)  

https://hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-01-30-26/

FHS Panther sports results shared via Twitter & subscription to HockomockSports.com

FHS sports results for Wednesday (video)

Via Instagram, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Winter sports competition for Franklin High School on Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Boys Hockey = King Philip, 5 @ Franklin, 2 – Final

Franklin TV video available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cheSoph2wIc

"Welcome back, Finn Cunningham.

After being sidelined with an injury for the past two weeks, the King Philip senior returned with a bang.

Cunningham scored a hat trick, scoring twice in the second period to help KP build its lead, and once in the third to help the Warriors put away a 5-2 win over rival Franklin.

With the win, KP clinches at least a share of the Kelley-Rex division title."

Continue reading the game recap By Ryan Lanigan || HockomockSports.com Editor (subscription required)

https://hockomocksports.com/finn-cunningham-hat-trick-powers-king-philip-boys-hockey-past-franklin/

For a photo gallery from this game (subscription required).

https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2025-2026/Winter-2025-2026/Franklin-King-Philip-Boys-Hockey-01-28-26

Girls Hockey = Franklin, 0 @ Dedham, 3 – Final

Wrestling = King Philip @ Franklin, 6:00

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)  

https://hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-01-28-26/

FHS Panther sports results shared via Twitter & subscription to HockomockSports.com

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

FHS girls basketball team tops Mansfield on Tuesday

Via Instagram, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Winter sports competition for Franklin High School on Tuesday, January 27, 2026

Boys Basketball = Mansfield, 48 @ Franklin, 42 – Final

Franklin TV video for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_j_4Db9LKg

Girls Basketball = Franklin, 45 @ Mansfield, 44 – Final

"After a rough start to the season that saw Franklin lose six of its first seven games, the Panthers went into Tuesday night’s visit to the Albertini Gym on a seven-game win streak and alone atop the Kelley-Rex division.

It was never going to be an easy game against their rivals and seemed likely to be a close one. Each of Mansfield previous five games had been decided by six points or less and Tuesday would be no different.

With less than three minutes to play, Kaylee Fernandes picked off a pass under the basket and scored to tie the game. Tessah Rodrigues forced a turnover on the next possession and Sophia Sacramone followed her own miss, used a nice pump fake to get free, and laid it in to put the Panthers in front 43-41 with 2:04 to play.

Mansfield got one back on a free throw from Katelyn Troilo. The score would stay the same for the next 80 seconds before freshman Brielle Nicholls went 1-of-2 at the line. Troilo managed to break the intense Franklin press and got the ball back for a decent look at a three. The shot was short but Sadie Jablonski snatched her 16th rebound of the night and put it in, plus a foul, to tie the game with 9.0 on the clock."

Continue reading the recap by Josh Perry || HockomockSports.com Managing Editor

https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-rallies-at-mansfield-extends-win-streak-to-eight/

For a photo gallery from this game.  https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-rallies-at-mansfield-extends-win-streak-to-eight/#:~:text=After%20a%20rough,on%20the%20clock.

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)  

https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-01-27-26/

FHS Panther sports results shared via Twitter & subscription to HockomockSports.com

Aging Boldfully: Look Back Then Move Forward (video)

Susan Rohrbach recaps and expands upon the first three episodes of her new Aging Boldfully. Tony DaSilva joins Susan in the discussion.

Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8VolPWolDU

Aging Boldfully: Look Back Then Move Forward (video)

 

Consider a "water system operator" role for a promising working future (video)

Consider a "water system operator" role
for a promising working future (video)

With half of #MA water system operators over age 50, now is a great time to start a career in public drinking water. 

Water utilities have a strong tradition of mentoring, with experienced water system operators sharing their knowledge daily, on the job, with newer colleagues. 

To learn more about careers in the water

industry: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KD_xbJOk0Bg

#DrinkingWater #Careers #MWWA #NationalMentoringMonth

Shared from Franklin DPW -> https://www.facebook.com/share/16n4QXNnX7/

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/

Both FHS girls and boys (video) basketball teams top Canton on Tuesday

Via Instagram, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Winter sports competition for Franklin High School on Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Girls Basketball = Canton, 42 @ Franklin, 68 – Final

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAzhBupuaAk

Boys Basketball = Franklin, 61 @ Canton, 50 – Final 

"Franklin head coach Mike Masto knew that Canton was going to rattle off a run at some point.

But by the time it came, and with the cushion that his Panthers had built, they were more than ready to absorb it.

Franklin created a 20-point lead early in the second half, which was plenty of breathing room after the Bulldogs made a push late in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to single digits. The Panthers reestablished a double-digit lead going into the fourth and kept the Bulldogs at a distance the rest of the way, securing a 61-50 win on the road."

Continue reading the recap of this game By Ryan Lanigan || HockomockSports.com Editor

https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-boys-basketball-builds-early-cushion-holds-off-canton-road/

For a photo gallery from this game

https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2025-2026/Winter-2025-2026/Canton-Franklin-Boys-Basketball-01-20-26

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)  

https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-01-20-26/

FHS Panther sports results shared via Twitter & subscription to HockomockSports.com

Chalkboard chat condenses the 4 hour Jan 13, 2026 School Cmte meeting to an hour (video & audio)

FM #1627 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1627 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with School Committee member Reis Hansen.  We had our discussion via Zoom on Friday, January 16, 2026. We condense and get into the explanations behind the key items from the recent School Committee meeting January 13, 2026.

Our conversation covered the following topics:

Early insights on role as school committee member

Subcommittee work on Policy & Horace Mann Legacy

Meeting recap

Recognition of cheerleaders

FHS trip to Galapagos for 2027 was approved

FHS 2026-27 Program of Studies Update

how courses are added, selection by students  

Office of Teaching & Learning District Assessment Presentation

The role of teaching & learning

The use of data to provide support and interventions as needed

MCAS still used just not a requirements for graduation

Franklin Childcare Presentation

The planning underway for initial opening for 9 student with 2 teachers

For school dept personnel first, then Town employees

Further expansion possible for community over time

Can provide revenue to sustain program 

We close with a discussion on screen time and use of technology in the classroom

    based upon a resident comment

Our conversation runs about 72 minutes. Let’s listen

Video link ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnBKBSydGU4

Audio link ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1627-chalkboard-chat-01-16-26/

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

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 for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaXy2prDrCI 

Agenda ->  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01132026-2086 

Meeting packet folder (copies of the presentation are not yet available, once posted they should be in this folder) ->  https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2025---26-meeting-packets/january-13%2C-2026-sc-meeting-packet/24614180 

Pictures of the slides shared captured in one album for 

The Galapagos trip presentation ->  https://photos.app.goo.gl/amcYuXHUxJfRbu6Y7 

The FHS Program of Studies -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/p5zRxxEXyke76hV66 

Teaching & Learning update -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/LotQq5wCQJ8qJmUy9 

Little Solutions Childcare update ->    https://photos.app.goo.gl/JoMPxdB2v7a2TMV26 

 

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

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"

Both FHS girls (video) & boys basketball teams top Milford on Friday

Via Instagram, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Winter sports competition for Franklin High School on Friday, January 16, 2026

Boys Basketball = Franklin, 52 @ Milford, 41 – Final

Girls Basketball = Milford, 42 @ Franklin, 66 – Final

Franklin TV video available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJ3CkRa4IIU

– Franklin drilled 12 threes as a team and used a huge second quarter run to earn a big win over Milford. It is Franklin’s fifth win in a row, moves them to 0.500 for the first time this season, and puts the Panthers alone in first in the Kelley-Rex. Milford got off to a good start. Ava Baglione scored eight points and Katelyn Kearnan added four as the visitors took a 12-11 lead after one. Franklin took full control with a dominant, 24-3 second quarter. Freshman Brielle Nicholls sparked the Panthers, knocking down three from beyond the arc and scoring 13 points in the frame. Ava Bonney added a pair of threes and scored eight points in the frame. Milford edged the third quarter by a point, as Kearnan scored six and Reagan Cunningham and Abby Murphy each scored four. Franklin never allowed the Hawks to mount much of a comeback and Kendall Mone scored six of Franklin’s 16 in the fourth to put the game away. Nicholls finished with a career-high 19 and Bonney added 14 – both hit four threes. Mone added a career-high 13 points, while Tessah Rodrigues scored eight and Sophia Sacramone had seven.

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)  

https://hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-01-16-26/

FHS Panther sports results shared via Twitter & subscription to HockomockSports.com

Hang up on unexpected calls saying you owe back taxes. Those are scams (video)

Hang up on unexpected calls saying you owe back taxes. Those are scams By BCP Staff We're seeing a big wave of reports about phone scams claiming you owe back taxes. But it's not the IRS calling, it's a scammer using a company name like "Tax Resolution Oversight Department."  If someone calls you out of the blue offering to help you fix a tax issue, hang up. Here's how to spot the scam. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/01/hang-unexpected-calls-saying-you-owe-back-taxes-those-are-scams?utm_source=govdelivery

Finance Committee hears economics of development as "it's complicated", approves Capital budget requests (video)

The Finance Committee met on Wednesday, Jan 14, 2025. 8 members (1 absent) were present in Council Chambers for a four hour session.

Franklin TV video for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaC9XFahY1M

The agenda and released documents for this meeting -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01142026-2089 

Quick recap ->

• Board of Assessors and Town Staff: The Economics of Development, residential valuations are based upon residential property sales and comparables. Commercial Industrial valuations are more complicated in that there is a revenue factor for how much money the operations is actually making (confidentially reported to the Assessors) along with several other factors. The repeated phrase was "it's complicated"
• We did hear that there is NO issue with water supply or sewer capacity. Police and Fire are understaffed (but managing as best they can for the volume), Schools built extra capacity as part of the redistricting effort. The per pupil amount talked of is not what each net new student would cost. There are existing capacities to handle some number of students without adding a teacher.
• The capital budget first pass was approved after a lengthy discussion. Town policy calls for funding multiple stabilization accounts, this year only the OPEB account was proposed for funding due to the budget shortfall and that it had not been funded last year.
• The OPEB fund resolution passed 8-0-1 (1 absent)
• The first pass at the tier 1 capital requests accounted for $1.8M and was proposed to amend to remove the sprinkler system work required at the Senior Center. The amendment was meant to reserve the additional $750K for the potential budget deficit. The motion to amend after a lengthy discussion failed by a 1-7-1 (1 for, 1 absent, 7 against removal for the item). The vote on the original resolution passed 7-1-1 (7 for, 1 against, 1 absent)

School Committee approves trip, program of studies, & hears updates on Teaching Learning, childcare (video)

The Franklin School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Jan 13, 2026 with all 7 members present in Council Chambers to cover a very full agenda in almost 4 1/2 hours.

Franklin TV video for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaXy2prDrCI

Agenda ->  https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01132026-2086 

Superintendent's Report

1-13-26 Superintendent's Report to School Committee

https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/Fpsd/2bffecf5-a348-467c-bf10-6b238a5d4577/1-13-26-Superintendents-Report-to-School-Committee.pdf?disposition=inline

II. Guests/Presentations

A. FHS Galapagos Field Trip

 _SC Galapagos Presentation  https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/Fpsd/5fadd50c-2e04-4b19-8e85-df8622bc8aa8/Discussion_Action_A_-_Galapagos_Islands_Trip.pdf?disposition=inline

B. FHS 2026-27 Program of Studies Update – Dr. Weber

 2026-27 FHS Program of Studies Presentation  https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/Fpsd/9b101140-9f6a-41fe-aed3-7049f5df6797/2026-27-FHS-Program-of-Studies-Presentation.pdf?disposition=inline

C. Office of Teaching & Learning District Assessment Presentation – Dr. Rogers

Final January 2026 Assessment Presentation  https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/Fpsd/f93932c6-c93c-4de1-94be-d429f0ef6199/Final-January-2026-Assessment-Presentation.pdf?disposition=inline

D. Franklin Childcare Presentation – Patty Gay

FPS Child Care Presentation 1_13_2026  https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/Fpsd/05d7d3a4-1581-482d-8807-b0fe22ba8d87/FPS-Child-Care-Presentation-1_13_2026.pdf?disposition=inline

 

Pictures of the slides shared captured in one album for 

• The Galapagos trip presentation ->  https://photos.app.goo.gl/amcYuXHUxJfRbu6Y7
• The FHS Program of Studies -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/p5zRxxEXyke76hV66
• Teaching & Learning update -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/LotQq5wCQJ8qJmUy9
• Little Solutions Childcare update ->    https://photos.app.goo.gl/JoMPxdB2v7a2TMV26

Meeting packet folder for all docs released for this meeting ->   https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2025---26-meeting-packets/january-13%2C-2026-sc-meeting-packet/24614180