Franklin Matters

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Live reporting - Town Council - Oct 26

Present: Kelly, Jones, Vallee, Whalen, Mason, Pfeffer, McGann,
Absent:

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – September 14, 2011
motion to approve - passed 9-0

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
recorded by Verizon, Comcast and Franklin Matters

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
none

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
none

E. APPOINTMENTS
Council on Aging

Robert Crowley
Carolyn O’Brien

motion to appoint, passed 9-0

We've got to be that light!

An inspirational video for parents and teachers:

Thanks to Warren Reynolds and the 02038.com website for sharing this.

The YouTube Channel for the National Center for Earth and Space Science Education can be found here
http://www.youtube.com/user/NCESSE

"focused on maintaining excellent teachers and principals"

The topic was teacher evaluations, a system that is to be discussed, and very likely changed, in the negotiations for the Franklin Education Association contract.

"The current evaluation system is out of date. It has been out of date for a long time," said union President Chandler Creedon, who spoke along with union Vice President Donna Grady, as well as Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski and Assistant Superintendent Sally Winslow. "When we finished this past contract, one of my concerns was that we hadn't touched this."

Creedon said the current evaluations, which rely in large part on an administrator sitting in on a single class, breed distrust.

"In the past, the goal was always to get through the observation," Creedon said. "You would have to perform. Someone would have to come watch you perform. There was always that feeling that somebody was out to 'get' you."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/education/x366623315/Franklin-school-leaders-union-agree-on-need-for-new-evaluations#ixzz1bshzTkkf

The presentation document that was used during the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Oct 25, 2011:

Franklin Public Schools: Performance Based Evaluations

In the News - Calabrese, historical museum, newcomers, artifacts

Meet the Franklin Candidate: Ronald Calabrese, Town Council

by Alison McCall/Daily News staff

Veterans exhibit at Franklin Historical Museum

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin Newcomers and Friends meet Nov. 9

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin Historical Society seeking artifacts

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

6th Annual Casino Night - Nov 5

Franklin Education Foundation’s 6th Annual Casino Night Planning is in Full Swing!

On Saturday, November 5, 2011, the Franklin Education Foundation (FEF) will hold its 6th Annual Casino Night at the Franklin Elks from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. The event will feature Black Jack, Roulette and Money Wheel as well as raffles, a Silent Auction, a live band, cash bar and FREE hors d’oeuvres. The event is well known as a fun evening out with friends and neighbors, all while contributing to a worthwhile cause.

For the first time ever, FEF is thrilled to announce the addition of live music to our annual event. Guests will be treated to the amazing acoustic rock sounds of Ben Gardner's Boat, one of the areas most popular bands.

FEF is currently seeking table sponsors as well as auction donations. If you have an item to donate or if your company is interested in sponsoring, contact FEF. It’s a great way for local companies to show their commitment to education in Franklin.

Admission is $25. To avoid waiting in line at the door, advance ticket purchase is recommended. For ticket purchase, auction donation or sponsorship information, please contact Mike Doherty at (508) 541-3000 or MPD1@dcdclaw.com. Cash only accepted for chip purchase. Checks and Visa/MC accepted for Silent Auction items. For more information visit www.franklined.org.

Since 1997, The Franklin Education Foundation events have raised well over $200,000 which has been distributed to Franklin public schools in the form of special grants. All Franklin Public School staff members are eligible to submit creative, innovative ideas for programs or activities that would not traditionally be funded by tax dollars. To see a list of programs FEF have funded over the years, visit www.franklined.org.

Comedy night - Nov 11

To benefit the Franklin Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC) the 3rd Annual Comedy Night will be held at the 3 Restaurant in Franklin.

Ticket Price is $40 - includes FULL Dinner Buffet provided by 3!
Doors Open at 6PM - Buffet will be available from 7 PM -8 PM
Shows begins shortly after

Door Prize - Silent Auction - BALLOON RAFFLE!

Tickets may be purchased online (link here) or e-mail franklinsepac@gmail.com

A theme of prioritizing health, public safety and education became apparent, and candidates also stressed the importance of improved communication among boards and departments and with the public.

"The biggest issue is money," Jones said. "(It) has and always will be the biggest issue."
When asked directly, Dellorco and Pfeffer, citing deep municipal cuts already, said they could support a Proposition 2 1/2 override or debt exclusion.

"Obviously, we have to get the money somehow," Dellorco said. "I'm not objecting to an override if that's what it's going to take to make Franklin a better town."

In his opening statement, McGann brusquely addressed questions about his less than 50 percent attendance at council meetings this past year by pointing to better attendance in previous years. He declined to discuss the reasons, which he termed as personal.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/features/x366619597/Franklin-candidates-talk-about-efficiency-budgets-teacher-raises#ixzz1bmjI9rvj

You can also read the live reporting of this event here

Note: the typos and text will get cleaned up