A challenge this time submitted by a reader.
Where would you find this scene?
The guidelines for playing "Where in Franklin?" can be found here.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Where in Franklin? Answer #48
The answer came in from two folks correctly identifying this as
Bullukian Oil on Alpine Row.
Thanks for playing!
"Some people believe school officials are not actually going to follow through"
GHS
FRANKLIN —
Forty-seven teachers were given notices yesterday informing them they may not have a job this September, Superintendent Wayne Ogden announced last night.
The teachers, whose identities are not public, were told the district's budget made it impossible to promise them a job in the fall, Ogden said.
School Committee Chairman Jeffrey Roy said it made him "sick."
"It's just painful for people who received the notices, it's their livelihood," Ogden said, noting some of the teachers have worked in Franklin schools many years.
"It's a heavy burden for them," said Ogden, who decided to warn teachers early to give them an opportunity to find other jobs.
Read the full story at the Milford Daily News here
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
School Committee Mtg Summary 5/13/08
These are the written posts I made during the meeting.
The audio files for these segments will be posted as time permits.
Text summary of each meeting segment
The audio files for these segments will be posted as time permits.
Text summary of each meeting segment
Sub - committee reports/New business
Rohrbach
working on goals for the new business administrator, Miriam Goodman
Rohrbach, can we get a MetroWest Health Survey update
to be put on a future meeting agenda
Cafasso
can we get a listing of programs that are "unfunded mandates"
Nov 18th, Nov 25th
4th is election day, 11th is Veterans day
working on goals for the new business administrator, Miriam Goodman
Rohrbach, can we get a MetroWest Health Survey update
to be put on a future meeting agenda
Cafasso
can we get a listing of programs that are "unfunded mandates"
Nov 18th, Nov 25th
4th is election day, 11th is Veterans day
"this is not a drill"
April to April - 200 increase
coincidently works out to about $2.6 million, increase in students means an increase in costs
high school enrollment will increase at a minimum of 101
17 teacher positions are projected to be cut at the high school
parents of means make make the choice after June 10th to move the students to private school to maintain a smaller class size
Sabolinski
"this is not a drill"
Roy
"This is not the way to attract and retain good teachers"
coincidently works out to about $2.6 million, increase in students means an increase in costs
high school enrollment will increase at a minimum of 101
17 teacher positions are projected to be cut at the high school
parents of means make make the choice after June 10th to move the students to private school to maintain a smaller class size
Sabolinski
"this is not a drill"
Roy
"This is not the way to attract and retain good teachers"
Reduction in Force - "layoff notices"
47 individuals received notice today due to the uncertainty of budget that makes it impossible to renew a contract for next year.
Meets the contractual notice one month early to give the opportunity to look for employment.
Identities of those individuals are not for public discussion at this time.
Meets the contractual notice one month early to give the opportunity to look for employment.
Identities of those individuals are not for public discussion at this time.
Action items
I recommend acceptance of a check for $260.00 from Morrison Communications for the Franklin High School as commission for their logo appearing on the FHS Athletic Schedule.
2. I recommend acceptance of a check for $4,306.50 from the Parmenter PCC for the following field trips:
3. recommend acceptance of a check for $475.00 from the Keller PCC for the Kindergarten field trip to Southwick Zoo.
4. I recommend approval of the Horace Mann 7th graders to travel to Roger Williams Park in Providence, RI on June 3rd and 4th.
All items approved.
2. I recommend acceptance of a check for $4,306.50 from the Parmenter PCC for the following field trips:
- Grade 3 – Plimoth Plantation
- Grade 4 – Museum of Science
- Grade 5 – Freedom Trail
3. recommend acceptance of a check for $475.00 from the Keller PCC for the Kindergarten field trip to Southwick Zoo.
4. I recommend approval of the Horace Mann 7th graders to travel to Roger Williams Park in Providence, RI on June 3rd and 4th.
All items approved.
Pay to Ride - discussion only item
The Pay-to-Ride letters need to get out to parents for next year. The pricing in the letter is dependent upon the status of the override coming June 10th.
$39,600 cost of late bus for FY 2009
If the family pays-to-ride and goes home late, they don't pay the extra dollar for the late bus
If the family qualifies for the reduced lunch program, they don't pay for the late bus
Pay-to-Ride sign ups are required in June for next September
provides time for the bus company to prepare the number of buses required
If the override passes, no change in pricing
If the override fails, there is a proposal for a $100 increase in the fee
Ogden recommends issuing the letter with pricing based upon the successful override
with a way for families to opt out if the override fails and they choose not to pay the increase required from the failed override.
updated 8:00 PM
-----------------
Cafasso:
layman's attempt at fuel escalation clause
bus company commits to provide a set amount of services for the year in advance
with fuel costs above and below a certain price, with in a range they absorb the difference
above the range, the cost is passed on to Franklin
Are all the students using the late bus, paying when they are supposed?
Probably not, probably a small amount
Kelly:
concern over time line for notification to bus company and override results
major negotiation point is in July, other opportunities before school opens and just after school opens
GATRA is an alternative, assuming their ridership builds
It would be a slower, longer ride given the nature of their route
Rohrbach:
admits the school committee hasn't voted on a total budget
Ogden:
if you don't sign up, there is no guarantee that there will be a seat for the children if you wait
it would be better to sign up, and if necessary, withdraw
Sabolinski:
There was a significant wait list last year and some of those on the list ended up taking part of the two added buses but the families had to wait until the buses come online.
Armenio:
How late can we wait?
Ogden:
July.
Sabolinski:
Schools share the late bus
Roy:
Pure energy and bio-diesel fuel?
Ogden:
we did investigate it, does not know if it was applied for
will follow up with Mike D'Angelo
Roy:
supports recommendation to go with this years rate and appropriate language to opt out as required
$39,600 cost of late bus for FY 2009
If the family pays-to-ride and goes home late, they don't pay the extra dollar for the late bus
If the family qualifies for the reduced lunch program, they don't pay for the late bus
Pay-to-Ride sign ups are required in June for next September
provides time for the bus company to prepare the number of buses required
If the override passes, no change in pricing
If the override fails, there is a proposal for a $100 increase in the fee
Ogden recommends issuing the letter with pricing based upon the successful override
with a way for families to opt out if the override fails and they choose not to pay the increase required from the failed override.
updated 8:00 PM
-----------------
Cafasso:
layman's attempt at fuel escalation clause
bus company commits to provide a set amount of services for the year in advance
with fuel costs above and below a certain price, with in a range they absorb the difference
above the range, the cost is passed on to Franklin
Are all the students using the late bus, paying when they are supposed?
Probably not, probably a small amount
Kelly:
concern over time line for notification to bus company and override results
major negotiation point is in July, other opportunities before school opens and just after school opens
GATRA is an alternative, assuming their ridership builds
It would be a slower, longer ride given the nature of their route
Rohrbach:
admits the school committee hasn't voted on a total budget
Ogden:
if you don't sign up, there is no guarantee that there will be a seat for the children if you wait
it would be better to sign up, and if necessary, withdraw
Sabolinski:
There was a significant wait list last year and some of those on the list ended up taking part of the two added buses but the families had to wait until the buses come online.
Armenio:
How late can we wait?
Ogden:
July.
Sabolinski:
Schools share the late bus
Roy:
Pure energy and bio-diesel fuel?
Ogden:
we did investigate it, does not know if it was applied for
will follow up with Mike D'Angelo
Roy:
supports recommendation to go with this years rate and appropriate language to opt out as required
English Language Learners (ELL)
ELL - English Language Learners
presentation by Linda Waters
A review of the four year initiative
Sheltered English Immersion (SEI)
DOE had found Franklin in "noncompliance status" in 2004
not a service to teach curriculum, focused on teaching English as a language
two .5 ELL teachers, both half-time; one for elementary and one for middle school
one full time ELL teacher
close to 100 teachers with some level of training in this area
February 2008, DOE has found Franklin in "compliance" with the mandate
29 students designated as ELL
10 students designated as Former ELL (FELPs)
current languages being spoken by these students
Lisa talking about teaching the children who have trouble with the English language
other students in the classroom are helpful providing assistance
meets with students once a week as she is only part-time
get support to the regular teachers so they can provide help
Helen talking about the same program as provided to the secondary education students
Q - Armenio
This is one of the state unfunded mandates
Q - Trahan - Help for families?
The Franklin library provides a program in English as a Second Language for adults in the community. (side note - yes, I can vouch for this program as I participate as a tutor in this program.)
Q - Rohrbach - with 22 kindergartens possible, is this a growing trend?
Yes, it is. Given the other communities nearby, it is not surprising that we will gain some of these other languages.
Q - Roy, this was a result of a statewide ballot initiative
Lisa describes how she uses photos to elicit the students involvement in building their vocabulary, disposable cameras are good for this. Link the objects to the words.
Use total physical response to build the recognition of the verb and the word.
Waters:
Social language develops very quickly with interaction amongst their peers, the curriculum language takes longer (up to six years) to develop. Many of the students are also coming into the system with little schooling in their background or sometimes large gaps in their schooling (due to civil war in their former country).
Ogden:
ELL staff have two roles, one to teach the students and one to teach the teachers
kudos to the ELL teachers and to all the staff to make this program so successful
presentation by Linda Waters
A review of the four year initiative
Sheltered English Immersion (SEI)
DOE had found Franklin in "noncompliance status" in 2004
not a service to teach curriculum, focused on teaching English as a language
two .5 ELL teachers, both half-time; one for elementary and one for middle school
one full time ELL teacher
close to 100 teachers with some level of training in this area
February 2008, DOE has found Franklin in "compliance" with the mandate
29 students designated as ELL
10 students designated as Former ELL (FELPs)
current languages being spoken by these students
Vietnamese, Spanish, Gujarti, Hindi, Cebuano, Telugu, Chinese, Bulgarian, Swahili, Russian, French, Arabic, Krio, and Portugese22 kindergarten students identified as possible ELL's
Lisa talking about teaching the children who have trouble with the English language
other students in the classroom are helpful providing assistance
meets with students once a week as she is only part-time
get support to the regular teachers so they can provide help
Helen talking about the same program as provided to the secondary education students
Q - Armenio
This is one of the state unfunded mandates
Q - Trahan - Help for families?
The Franklin library provides a program in English as a Second Language for adults in the community. (side note - yes, I can vouch for this program as I participate as a tutor in this program.)
Q - Rohrbach - with 22 kindergartens possible, is this a growing trend?
Yes, it is. Given the other communities nearby, it is not surprising that we will gain some of these other languages.
Q - Roy, this was a result of a statewide ballot initiative
Lisa describes how she uses photos to elicit the students involvement in building their vocabulary, disposable cameras are good for this. Link the objects to the words.
Use total physical response to build the recognition of the verb and the word.
Waters:
Social language develops very quickly with interaction amongst their peers, the curriculum language takes longer (up to six years) to develop. Many of the students are also coming into the system with little schooling in their background or sometimes large gaps in their schooling (due to civil war in their former country).
Ogden:
ELL staff have two roles, one to teach the students and one to teach the teachers
kudos to the ELL teachers and to all the staff to make this program so successful
School Committee - live reporting
no citizens comment
-------------
minutes approved
"Mike" Raposa changed to "Tim"
bill approved to be paid
payroll approved
updated 7:04 PM
--------------
Kevin Murphy
FHS Student representative completing his Senior year
heading to Providence College to major in bio-premed
updated 7:07 PM
--------------
Caitlin Davenport
won 1st place in her age group for the Most Original Poem
in the BC State Science Poetry Contest
---------------
-------------
minutes approved
"Mike" Raposa changed to "Tim"
bill approved to be paid
payroll approved
updated 7:04 PM
--------------
Kevin Murphy
FHS Student representative completing his Senior year
heading to Providence College to major in bio-premed
updated 7:07 PM
--------------
Caitlin Davenport
won 1st place in her age group for the Most Original Poem
in the BC State Science Poetry Contest
---------------
"it's not true that we can't afford more"
When comparing Franklin's tax burden to those of 29 other comparable communities - neighboring towns, those near the Interstate 495 belt with a high commercial/industrial base like Franklin, and those with similar populations - Franklin fares well.
"We're still, by this measure, a very efficient town. People who talk about waste and inefficiency - I don't see any evidence of it.
"How can you have waste and inefficiency if you're spending less than all your peers? There's none," said Whalen.
In 1999, the most current available census data, Franklin's median family income was $81,826, which has almost certainly increased with the influx of professionals in recent years, Whalen said.
Franklin's median home assessment for 2008 is $411,508, putting the tax burden - (a measure based on a person's income and home value) at 5.1 percent, Whalen said.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
Feeley responds to McGann (audio)
From the Franklin Town Council meeting 5/7/08, you may recall that Councilor Joe McGann used the Citizens Comment section to complain about his not getting notified of the 4/30/07 meeting starting at 6:00 PM instead of 7:00 PM.
Due to the protocol around Citizens Comment, Feeley could not respond at that time and waited until Councilor Comments (at the end of the meeting) to make his response.
Time: 1 minute, 42 seconds
MP3 File
Due to the protocol around Citizens Comment, Feeley could not respond at that time and waited until Councilor Comments (at the end of the meeting) to make his response.
Time: 1 minute, 42 seconds
MP3 File
New Committee to develop 5 Yr Projections (audio)
From the Franklin Town Council meeting 5/7/08, Chairman Chris Feeley introduces as new business a motion to create a new committee of 2 Finance Committee, 2 School Committee and 3 Town Councilors to develop a 5 year projection. There is some discussion amongst the council and I suggest to add 2 additional members to represent the Town folks to bring them into the process to help build some trust in the numbers.
Time: 6 minutes, 4 seconds
MP3 File
Time: 6 minutes, 4 seconds
MP3 File
Monday, May 12, 2008
Franklin School Committee Meeting 5/13/08 - 7:00 P.M.
AGENDA
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 April 29, 2008 School Committee Meeting.
· Payment of Bills Mr. Kelly
· Payroll Ms. Armenio
· FHS Student Representatives
· Correspondence:
1. Budget to Actual
2. Letter from Peter Faenza
3. Letter from Rose Solbo
2. Guests/Presentations:
a. Signing of FEA Contract
b. ELL Update
c.
3. Discussion Only Items
· Pay-to-Ride Program 2008-09
4. Action Items:
1. I recommend acceptance of a check for $260.00 from Morrison Communications for the
2. I recommend acceptance of a check for $4,306.50 from the Parmenter PCC for the following field trips:
1. Grade 3 – Plimoth Plantation
2. Grade 4 –
3. Grade 5 – Freedom Trail
3. recommend acceptance of a check for $475.00 from the Keller PCC for the Kindergarten field trip to Southwick Zoo.
4. I recommend approval of the Horace Mann 7th graders to travel to Roger Williams Park in
5. Information Matters:
· Superintendent’s Report
a. Enrollment Comparisons for April
b. 2008-2009 School Committee Schedule – Draft
c. Reduction in Force
d. Letter from Congressman James McGovern regarding Medicaid Reimbursement
· School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
· School Committee Liaison Reports
6. New Business:
· To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.
· Contractual Negotiations
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