School Committee meeting of Dec 9 condensed to 30 minutes (audio)

FM #1618 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1618 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Vice Chair of the School Committee Dave Callaghan.  We had our discussion via Zoom on Monday, December 15, 2025. We condense and get into the explanations behind the key items from the recent School Committee meeting Dec 9, 2025.

Our conversation covered the following topics:

• 
  Policy Subcommittee meeting update 
• FHS Volleyball team recognized for D1 State Championship for first time
• Capital budget presentation
• Franklin (MA) School enrollment
• Hold harmless and revolving funds

Our conversation runs about 40 minutes. Let’s listen

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1618-chalkboard-chat-12-15-25/

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School Committee page (with contact info) ->  https://www.franklinps.net/o/fpsd/page/school-committee 

Franklin TV Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/live/tUGB-NrTDqg?si=hP1E7xxxxg-vJwVa&t=13  

Agenda for this session ->     https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12092025-2043  

My notes captured during the session -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XXqbmtnXdasgYqiM9utZ2WPhLMQ1S3Gq/view?usp=drive_link 

Superintendent’s Report -> https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/6159058/December_9__2025_Superintendent_s_Report_to_School_Committee.pdf  

School District Capital Request -> 

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/6159047/Franklin_Public_Schools_FY26_Capital_Request.pdf 

Special Education Presentation to SchCmte ->  https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/6159049/Special_Education_School_Committee_Presentation_December_9__2025.pdf 

Franklin (MA) Enrollment snapshot (as of October 1, 2025)

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/6155704/Franklin_Enrollment_Snapshot%282%29.pdf 

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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"

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

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

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"

FHS' Kuykendall, Delleo, Alberti, & Cunningham recognized as 2025 Hockomock League Volleyball All Stars

Below are the official 2025 Hockomock League Volleyball All Stars, selected by the coaches in the league.

Kelley-Rex Division MVP

Makayla Kuykendall, Franklin

Davenport Division MVP

Erin Bigham, Canton

Hockomock League All Stars

Makayla Kuykendall, Franklin

Emerson Delleo, Franklin

Olivia Alberti, Franklin

Honorable Mentions

Emma Cunningham, Franklin

Shared from (subscription required)

https://hockomocksports.com/2025-hockomock-league-volleyball-all-stars/

FHS' Kuykendall, Delleo, Alberti, & Cunningham recognized as 2025 Hockomock League Volleyball All Stars

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

The Franklin, MA School Committee met as scheduled for their own session in December on Tuesday, Dec 9 at 6:00 PM. All 7 members were present in Council Chambers.

Franklin TV Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/live/tUGB-NrTDqg?si=hP1E7xxxxg-vJwVa&t=13 

Agenda for this session ->     https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12092025-2043 

My notes captured during the session -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XXqbmtnXdasgYqiM9utZ2WPhLMQ1S3Gq/view?usp=drive_link 

Superintendent’s Report -> https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/6159058/December_9__2025_Superintendent_s_Report_to_School_Committee.pdf 

School District Capital Request ->

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/6159047/Franklin_Public_Schools_FY26_Capital_Request.pdf

Special Education Presentation to SchCmte ->  https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/6159049/Special_Education_School_Committee_Presentation_December_9__2025.pdf

Franklin (MA) Enrollment snapshot (as of October 1, 2025)

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/6155704/Franklin_Enrollment_Snapshot%282%29.pdf

Full School Committee & Supt Giguere with the FHS volleyball team

The State D1 Champion FHS volleyball team showcases their jackets

Lifelong Community Learning: Team Sports Winter Registration

Basketball, badminton, volleyball...

Choose your sport and get involved this winter! For information and to register, visit: Community Learning Team Sports

Lifelong Learning Institute - Franklin Public Schools | 218 Oak Street Room 137 | Franklin, MA 02038 US

Franklin High School Celebrates Standout Fall ​2025 Athletic Season

Principal Maria Weber and Athletic Director Karrah Ellis are proud to share that Franklin High School is celebrating one of its strongest fall athletic seasons in recent years, highlighted by a state championship, several league titles and playoff success across multiple programs.

The season’s biggest milestone came Saturday night when the Girls Volleyball team won the MIAA Division I State Championship, defeating Newton North at Billerica High School. It marks the first state title in program history. The match drew a large Franklin crowd, including a “Rattle City” student section that traveled to support the team.

Girls Volleyball team won the MIAA Division I State Championship

Franklin also saw significant postseason achievements in several other sports. Field Hockey reached the Division I State Final and battled Walpole in a tight 1-0 game. Girls Soccer continues its postseason run and will play Natick in the Division I Championship Game on Saturday. Cheerleading earned the Hockomock League Championship, won the South Sectional, and will compete for a Division I State Championship this Sunday at Worcester State University.

Franklin’s student-athletes continued to shine throughout the fall. Highlights include:

• Football will play King Philip for the Hockomock Kelly-Rex League title on Thanksgiving at Franklin. The team entered the state tournament as the number nine seed and advanced to the Round of 16.
• Boys Soccer won the Hockomock Kelly-Rex Division and reached the Round of 16 in the MIAA tournament.
• The Unified Basketball Blue and White teams completed a successful season that will conclude Monday with a charity game to support the Kyle Cares Foundation. Students also participated in the Special Olympics Jamboree.
• Two members of the FHS Golf Team advanced from the Central Sectional Tournament to compete in the State Championship at the Ridge Club in Sandwich.
• Boys and Girls Cross Country each posted strong seasons and closed the year at the MIAA Division I Championship in Wrentham, with many athletes earning personal bests.

The high school was recently awarded the Boston Globe Dalton Trophy for the 2024-2025 academic year. This recognition was Franklin's seventh consecutive Dalton Trophy, given annually to the school with the best overall athletic performance across all varsity programs.

Additionally, longtime Wrestling Coach Carmine Colace, who retired at the end of last school year, has been named the MIAA Wrestling Coach of the Year and will be honored at a ceremony on Dec. 8.

“This fall captured the best of Franklin athletics," said Athletic Director Ellis. "Our teams competed at a high level thanks to the tremendous support of their coaches, and our families and fans were there every step of the way. The energy around Franklin High School athletics has never been stronger.”

“Our students showed what it means to represent Franklin with pride," said Principal Weber. "Whether they were on the field, in the stands, or supporting their classmates behind the scenes, they came together in ways that speak to who we are as a community.”

Shared from -> https://www.franklinps.net/article/2559807

HockomockSports.com: "Player of the Week: Phoebe O’Connor, Franklin Volleyball"

Franklin freshman Phoebe O’Connor has been selected as the HockomockSports.com Player of the Week, presented by Morse Insurance, for Nov. 9 through Nov. 15. O’Connor is the 11th athlete chosen as Player of the Week for the 2025-26 school year.

O’Connor set the table for the Franklin attack throughout the season, finishing with more than 500 kills in her rookie campaign, and she continued her impressive passing on Saturday night to help the Panthers rally against defending champ Newton North in the Div. 1 final at Billerica High and clinch their first state title.

HockomockSports.com: "Player of the Week:
Phoebe O’Connor, Franklin Volleyball"

“Phoebe has been amazing for us over our playoff run and into the state final on Saturday,” said Franklin coach Chris Ridolfi. “Beyond her setting duties she’s been a solid defender and has scored with her serve and block. She certainly played ‘older’ than a freshman in the final and was a big reason for our success in the championship match.”

Continue reading the article (subscription required) ->

https://hockomocksports.com/player-of-the-week-phoebe-oconnor-franklin-volleyball/