Re-org of school committee

Re-org of school committee

nomination of Roy for chair, seconded, vote was unanimous
nomination of Mullen for vice-chair, vote was unanimous

special municipal relief commission

Letter from Vallee
“special municipal relief commission”
Looking at other ways to generate revenue and cost cutting options

Added to agenda for next week

Financial Planning Committee 2010 model

This will be the input for the model Thursday at the Financial Planning Committee meeting

Financial model, initially based upon no increase in services, then if you have needs and would add, what would your priorities be? Roberta, Matt, Wayne and Miriam will be presenting on Thursday evening

Salaries and benefits account for 83% of the model

3.2M increase, salaries biggest driver

2008 was the peak for school choice students and associated revenue

Picked 2006 as the year to return to, most justifiable

Looking for apples to apples numbers, teachers based upon enrollment, less maintenance, SPED, since 2006 what have we learned we can live without, or that we really need?

We need to think strongly of where we should be going, this model does not reflect our feelings at this point.

“Went from planning on going from good to great to talking about pockets of greatness”

Capital needs - textbooks

Capital need for instructional services – Michelle Kingsland Smith

Tried to get a text book line item into the operating budget and have not been able to do so
Hence requesting from the capital funds, books at all grade levels
Either an increase in enrollment, more students than books, or outdated books, some 10 years old; for example, the US History II textbooks end with the Vietnam War

Heavily into professional development with new reading program
$150,000 covers various grade levels

Honor students got vocabulary books, College Placement students did not get one
Books were prioritized, it is a struggle

Do you need an endorsement vote from the School Committee?
I think that would be great

Electronic text books? CDs.

live reporting - Capital needs - facilities

Capital needs – facilities
Mike D’Angelo

Provided a document in June at the end of the school year was updated and re-estimated for this document

This will be refined again by the time it gets to the capital committee
Does not deal with the High School, only with the other buildings

Projects 1-9 all around Davis Thayer but will put the building into a good position
Elevator, toilets, doors/locks, power wiring
Only the schools built recently have the necessary capacity to support the requirements
Painting and re-carpeting the whole building

Parmenter – renovated in 1987, wearing out now
Kennedy – same issues with power wiring
When and if the projects are done it will provide 30-40 years of sustainability

Remington/Jefferson carpeting has almost doubled since last presented

Rebuilding field behind Horace Mann talked of for a few years

Phone PBX systems in the schools, aggregated lines, reduced number of lines
Upgraded security system at Kelleher/Sullivan, would be appropriate to bring to same level as other buildings in town

Item included for the modulars to remove and update the area after they come out
Cover sheet with details supporting behind it on separate pages

Armenio – like the format with all the back up data
D’Angelo – elevator with require new electrical, separate poles service the building and the modulars. Would need a new 800 AMP service in the building

Davis Thayer is one of the more heavily used fields in town, number is for natural grass, re-sod,

Geothermal?
Installation of terminal units, the unit in the room would blow the heat and air out; those pieces in the buildings are what are actually failing right now

More cameras, digital recording, door controls remotely,
We know whoever enters our buildings, name, time stamped, picture taken
Could be considered a safety issue

Industry still a couple of years away from products that can reduce the cost of making the electricity

live reporting - refreshed statement of interest

Asst Supt Sabolinski - submitted a refreshed statement of interest for the high school building application for state reimbursement assistance; enrollment projection required this time around (had previously been required within 2 years). DOE has a standard method of calculation to put all school districts on a level playing field.

What was remarkable looking at the accumulation of data is how old the systems really are? It is really astonishing how good shape the building really is.

science labs, cafeteria, guidance space, music rooms, theater arts all in insufficient and inadequate space

Cafasso - enrollment projections are really just educated guesses, it is good that there is a standard measurement, but there is analysis that would show more like 1700 students than the 1600 students projected.

Mullen - executive summary contains a repeated word, "limited" ultimately limits the education that can be provided to our students.

Ms MacLeod - honestly the bathrooms are gross, coming from a middle school with state of the art facility and supplies and get to the high school it is quite different

Mr Slight - it is not a horrible place to get a high school education, a lot of things need improvement

Rohrbach - I'd like to hear from the School Building Committee to see if there is a Plan B. I'd like to do something sooner rather than later but I am not sure what our options are.

Cafasso - trying to get a sense from the State as to where they are leaning, what does it seem like we can get, what are their thoughts on the submission. No estimate from state yet on when we would hear. Committee open to new or renovation or anything else along there, want to get a sense from the state before doing much else

Mullen - reminder that the committee is not just the High School. We are looking elsewhere and in particular at what we can do with the modulars. Will come back next time with info to make a formal request to the Building Committee

Community health committee

The Community Health Council presentin at the School Committee meeting Tuesday evening.

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live reporting - Community Health Council report

Supt Ogden, Asst Supt Sabolinski, Student Rep Patrick Slight, Student Rep Courtney Donaho (sp?), Michelle Kingsland Smith,

A committee by committee, leadership shared
subcommittees operational, lots of folks are putting in good effort

first meeting in September, split into 3 subcommittees

1. grant applications to help sustain the program overtime
2. parent/community education
3. safe activities for middle/high school students

Public health studies depend upon data collection
members attending conferences and workshops as they become available
more workshops being scheduled

Metrowest health center grant received several years ago, grant expired
submitted a proposal for a $10,000 grant to support the activities, in particular addressing alcohol abuse, cyber bullying and harassment.

increase community awareness, engage community
cross community partnership; Police, Dean, YMCA

Attempting to get events at the high school and YMCA for middle and high school student to attend and have some healthy activities.

Stoughton has a good model and good advice on grant writing and program sustainability.

Want to focus on alcohol to ensure some success. Will expand later as they can.

Q - is there a SADD group on campus?
A - yes, it is quite active

Q - are there curriculum changes to go along with this?
A - yes, in Health and other areas. Looking to get something into the Middle School as those students are getting involved early. The survey results lead to a dynamic where the result lead to changes/adjustments in the curriculum.

Q - with the MIddlebury College president leading an effort reduce the drinking age to 18, how does that affect your work?
A - We haven't addressed this topic yet but it will be a good one for the full committee meeting.

Q - With the drinking age as it is, how are kids getting access to alcohol?
A - one story of a parent who set up a keg in the driveway, it was okay to drink as long as you didn't go and drive.
A - older siblings also do provide access.

Live reporting - School Committee Mtg 11/18/08

Present: Armenio, Cafasso (late), Kelly, Mullen, Roy, Rohrbach, Trahan,


Call to order Mr. Roy
Pledge of Allegiance
Moment of Silence

1. Routine Business

• Citizen’s Comments - none
  
• Review of Agenda - add to decision items the letter from Rep Vallee; letter from Goodman removed, presentation on the 2010 budget forecast from Goodman instead
  
• Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the DATE School Committee Meeting - approved with 1 abstention
  
• Payment of Bills Mr. Kelly
• Payroll Ms. Armenio
• FHS Student Representatives

"address traffic concerns"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Nov 17, 2008 @ 10:36 PM

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FRANKLIN —

Consultants hired by Dean College presented plans for a new dining hall-performance arts center to the Planning Board last night.

The school intends to add a one-story, 30,000-square-foot building with a basement to the western edge of its campus center near Emmons and Main streets, said Peter Ziegler, an architect with Bruner/Cott & Associates in Cambridge.

The performance center, geared toward learning rather than entertainment, will have 150 permanent seats, no more than the existing theater, said principal architect Lynne Brooks.

"It (will be) accessible, new, and easier to use. ... It's more to relieve overcrowding" than to build a bigger facility, she said.

read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

"to turn a bright shade of blue-green"

By Michelle Laczkoski/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Nov 17, 2008 @ 09:10 PM

Last update Nov 17, 2008 @ 10:09 PM

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has chosen three local towns to test a new regulatory program to reduce rainwater pollution into the Charles River.

Under a new Clean Water Act permit, the EPA is requiring large commercial businesses in Milford, Bellingham and Franklin to apply more stringent controls on stormwater pollution running off roofs and parking lots.

While town officials agreed the stormwater regulations are necessary, they worry the financial impact could compromise the livelihood of local property owners.

"I think it's the right thing to do," said Franklin DPW Director Brutus Cantoreggi. "On the other hand, I do understand the plight of businesses and the cost associated with it."

Bellingham Public Works Director Don DiMartino said property owners may need assistance in complying with the regulations.

"I believe it's a good idea, but if it's that important there should be a federal program to help and ensure the businesses don't go bankrupt," he said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Related articles can be found here and the Town Council discussion on storm water from July can be found here.

School Committee Agenda - 11/18/08

Call to order Mr. Roy
Pledge of Allegiance
Moment of Silence

1. Routine Business

• Citizen’s Comments
• Review of Agenda
• Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the DATE School Committee Meeting.
• Payment of Bills Mr. Kelly
• Payroll Ms. Armenio
• FHS Student Representatives

Correspondence

1. Budget to Actual
2. Memo from Miriam?

2. Guests/Presentations

• Community Health Council Update

3. Discussion Only Items

• Refreshed Statement of Interest
• Capital Needs

• Facilities
• Instructional Services
  

4. Action Items

1. I recommend acceptance of a check for $83.03 from Target’s Take Charge of Education Program for Remington Middle School for classroom supplies.
2. I recommend acceptance of the gift of folding chairs and chair truck and 4 overhead projectors from Resh, Inc. valued at $3,276.00 for the Davis Thayer Elementary School.
3. I recommend approval of the recurring field trip for the FHS Wrestling Team to Greenbush, NY for a meet from 12/26 to 12/27/08.
4. I recommend approval of the recurring field trip for the FHS Wrestling Team to Salem, NH for a meet on 12/23/08.
5. I recommend approval of the recurring field trip for the FHS Wrestling team to Warwick, RI for a meet on 1/17/09.

5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report

• October 1 Report
• Enrollment Comparison

School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
School Committee Liaison Reports

6. New Business

• To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

7. Executive Session

• Contractual Negotiations

8. Adjourn

Red Molly at Circle of Friends Coffeehouse - 11/22/08

The next show
Saturday
November 22nd
8:00PM

RED MOLLY
with special guest
Anthony Da Costa, $15

For tickets and other information visit the Circle of Friends website here

The state will give facilities and landowners 10 years to comply

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The US Environmental Protection Agency is set to announce today that it will, for the first time, require some big-box stores, malls, and other businesses to reduce the amount of rainwater that runs off their roofs and parking lots. Federal officials will test the new policy in the Massachusetts towns of Milford, Bellingham, and Franklin.

The EPA, using its authority under the Clean Water Act, will require large commercial and industrial landowners in these towns to steeply reduce the storm-water runoff that picks up pollutants and pours them into the Charles River, officials said last week in interviews. Storm-water runoff is rain and snowmelt that mixes with leaf litter, toxic metals, oil, and exhaust fume deposits as it washes over parking lots, rooftops, and roadways.

"Cities and towns are already investing a lot in storm water," said Ken Moraff, deputy director for ecosystem protection of the EPA's New England region. "These commercial facilities are missing pieces of the puzzle." The new regulations, he said, will help complete the cleanup effort.

In a parallel development, the state Department of Environmental Protection plans to release its own draft rules today that will expand the effort to reduce storm-water runoff throughout the 35 communities that make up the Charles River Watershed area.

Read the full article in the Boston Globe here

This is not a surprise, you may recall the Storm Water presentation at the Town Council Meeting July 23, 2008

"It's a community challenge"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Nov 15, 2008 @ 11:42 PM

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FRANKLIN —

When Assistant Superintendent of Schools Maureen Sabolinski assumes her new post as superintendent next July, she'll inherit a high-performing school district that lost 44 teachers last year, faces more cuts due to the staggering economy, and still needs to rebuild its high school, which is facing accreditation issues.

There is no question what her top challenge will be, she said: the budget.

"The challenge of leadership is really making things work for the benefit of students with fewer resources. The community has to work together," said Sabolinski.

Despite the setbacks posed by the recession, Sabolinski, a self-described optimist, still sees opportunities for making improvements.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here.

Listen to her interview with the School Committee and the Q&A session that followed

"We have a unique social environment here"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Nov 16, 2008 @ 08:30 PM

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FRANKLIN —

Raye Lynn Mercer is a pianist, director, producer and choreographer, but it is her vision that's taking the Franklin School for Performing Arts to new heights.

Mercer, who founded the regional school in 1985, is creating a "cultural destination" by combining the school with the Franklin Performing Arts Company to form the New England Center for the Performing Arts, a nonprofit organization.

The move should help the school, which is used by about 1,000 performing artists in 45 local communities, Mercer said.

Plans are in the works for a new building which will have three times the space as the existing building at 38 Main St., and which should triple the number of people involved, she said.

"It's ambitious, I know. My vision is to have the venues that we've always needed to showcase our talent," Mercer said.

Currently, the school holds all of its performances, except small recitals, at other locations, such as middle school auditoriums, said Mercer.

"The scheduling of the auditorium is extraordinarily difficult because of the demands for that space, and extremely difficult to put up professional productions. We look forward to having a state-of-the-art performance space," said Mercer.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Statue ceremony 11/19/08

The new statue at the Museum will be unvealed Wednesday, 11/19/08.

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Fund raiser pick up

Parmenter announces their fund raiser pickup for 11/18/08

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Franklin Art Association awards

FRANKLIN - The Franklin Art Association’s "Fall Into Art" festival, presented Nov. 8 and 9, with a gala on Saturday evening, consisted of an open exhibit of more than 140 works of art, bins of members’ artwork and cards for sale, a silent auction of donated paintings and a raffle of artwork donated by members and well-known artists who have demonstrated their talent during the past year, and a gift certificate and gift basket donated by local businesses.

Proceeds from the raffle go to the scholarship fund. Those eligible to receive the annual scholarship are graduating seniors who live and/or attend school in Franklin or who are children or grandchildren of Franklin Art Association members. More than half of the members of the association are from Franklin and the rest are from the greater MetroWest area.

More than 500 people attended the event. Entertainment was provided by members of the Newton Symphony Orchestra and music students of Franklin High School. A variety of food was donated by area restaurants and FAA members.

Read the full article to see all the awards in the Franklin Gazette here

"He’s done a wonderful job for us"

Franklin teen works building handicapped walkway

By By Heather McCarron, STAFF WRITER

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FRANKLIN - Growing up with a handicapped aunt, and spending time as a volunteer at a hospital, 17-year-old Andrew Turgeon has a pretty good idea about the challenges faced by the physically and mentally disabled.

So when he noticed a heavily traveled sidewalk at the Wrentham Developmental Center was showing some disrepair, and posing difficulty for the center’s handicapped residents, he decided to do something about it.

A member of Franklin Boy Scouts Troop 126, Turgeon spent the last couple of months planning and realizing a sidewalk repair project in his quest to attain Boy Scouting’s highest status, Eagle Scout.

And while he was at it, he decided he’d also build a walkway from the campus building out to an existing covered patio area, to make access to that favored warm-weather spot easier for the center’s clients and their caregivers.

The finishing touches were done on Monday — with winter approaching, good timing especially for the main sidewalk.

"The main walkway coming out of the (WDC) campus building was sunk in the middle, so all winter long it’s been covered with ice," explained Turgeon, who spent last Saturday morning overseeing fellow scouts in undertaking the work.

Read the full article in the Franklin Gazette here.