"It's frustrating, the membership is frustrated"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

Milford Daily News

Posted May 14, 2009 @ 12:45 AM

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FRANKLIN —

Aside from the teachers union, the Professional Firefighters of Franklin is the only union in town that has not voted for a wage freeze next year - but for good reason.

The 47-member union has not had a contract since July 2007, or a raise since July 2006, said union President Capt. Steven J. Sims.

"A lot of guys are catching flak when they're out around town, people saying they should take a pay freeze. It's frustrating to the membership, because most of the public doesn't realize we haven't had a contract for two years," Sims said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

"It's a lot easier to get 40 people to agree"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

Milford Daily News

Posted May 14, 2009 @ 12:49 AM

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FRANKLIN —

The heads of Local 1298, which represents five town unions, say the teachers union should "step up" and take a wage concession to save their colleagues' jobs.

"My belief is, when (Town Administrator) Jeff Nutting came to us with an offer to save jobs with a wage freeze, it was not an issue of negotiating a contract," said Patrick Farrell, Local 1298 chairman.

"We did it, the Police Department went for it, and the Fire Department is still in contract negotiations, so my opinion is, they should step up to the plate and they should take the deal," Farrell said.

Teachers instead asked for concessions on other matters in exchange for the pay freeze. That's led to an ongoing stalemate with the School Committee.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

The Story of Stuff

Annie Leonard spent time doing some research and then managed to produce this video that tells the story of stuff.



I plan on reading the annotated script which you can find here.

You can find other resources on their web site

You can follow the updates on their blog

What do you think of the Story of Stuff?

New England Sports Celebration - 5/31/09

From the Facebook page for the New England Sports Celebration

Come down and help us raise funds for the F.X. O’Regan Early Childhood Development Center PCC. We are planning a fun-filled family day celebrating the proud tradition of New England sports!!

Currently, we have Boston hockey legend TERRY O'REILLY coming down to sign autographs from 2PM-4PM.

Signatures are $15 each with no charge for inscriptions. You are welcome to bring your own items, and we will have a great selection of pictures, pucks and other items available for sale!

Also from 2PM - 4PM, Wally the Green Monster will be visiting to take pictures and sign autographs for his fans for FREE!!!

AND JUST ANNOUNCED - Football Legend STEVE GROGAN will also be available from 2PM-4PM!!! Signatures are $15 each with no charge for inscriptions.

There will be lots of other fun activities for the kids, as well. Cash bar and concessions will be available. did we mention....ADMISSION IS FREE!!!

This is a public event and we want to pack the place - so please feel free to invite anyone you would like!!! A lot more to come on this...

SAVE THE DATE!!

FREE SOLAR ENERGY PRESENTATIONS

FREE SOLAR ENERGY PRESENTATIONS FOR MA HOMEOWNERS

• May 16^th in Natick
  
• May 19^th in Newton

Hosted by Alteris Renewables, the Northeast’s leading solar energy company (www.alterisinc.com)

Come find out how solar power can affordably and effectively power your home. Photovoltaic (solar electric) technology is going mainstream as it continually becomes less expensive.

To learn about the myths and realities of solar power, including system cost and return on investment, attend a free seminar in Natick or Newton:

• May 16, 9:30am Crowne Plaza Hotel 1360 Worcester Street, Natick, MA 01760 (Rte 9, across from Natick Mall)
• May 19, 7:00pm Marriott Hotel 2345 Commonwealth Ave., Newton, MA 02466 (Near intersection of Rt. 30 & I-95)
  

Advance registration is requested by calling 800-955-1548

You can save money and the environment at the same time. Come learn how!

"agreed to preserve full-day kindergarten"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

Milford Daily News

Posted May 13, 2009 @ 12:24 AM

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FRANKLIN —

Hoping to preserve as many teaching jobs as possible, School Committee Chairman Jeffrey Roy last night announced the committee and teachers union are continuing to negotiate wage concessions into the 11th hour.

Representatives from both groups met Monday night and made "significant progress" toward a resolution in the best interest of students, Roy said.

Reading from a statement he and new union President Robert McLaughlin prepared, Roy said, "The School Committee and (union) are engaged in fruitful talks regarding a temporary wage concession for (next) year."

Roy said he is optimistic.

"I was encouraged by the respectful and collaborative tone of the discussions and I'm hopeful this will lead to a solution," he said.

Read the full article on the School Committee meeting in the Milford Daily News here

Read all the live reporting posts from the same School Committee meeting here

School Committee Mtg 05/12/09

The collection of live reporting from the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, May 12th can be found here

• Live reporting - end
• Live reporting - Superintendent's report
• Live reporting - Action items
• Live reporting - FY 2010 budget continued
• Live reporting - Joint Statement (full text)
• Live reporting - FY 2010 budget Q and A
• Live reporting - joint statement SchCom and FEA
• Live reporting - budget FY 2010
• Live reproting - FHS MSBA Draft report
• Live reporting - Moodle Facilitated Courses
• Live reporting - School Committee 5/12/09

• School Committee Meeting May 12, 2009 - Agenda

Internet Safety - 5/19/09 - 7:00 PM

The Franklin Community Health Council

Presents Worldwide leader in the area of online safety and parent and child Internet Education

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

7:00 PM

Horace Mann Middle School Auditorium

Parry Aftab is a security, privacy and cyberspace lawyer, as well as an author and child advocate. Ms. Aftab is Executive Director of WiredSafety.org, the largest online safety and educational program in cyberspace that provides important information and programs for children and teens, educators, law enforcement, parents and librarians for all matters related to children online, including online safety and privacy.

Parry Aftab is frequently called as an on‐air expert by all major news services, including CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, ABC News, The O'Riley Factor and CBS News. She has been used as a resource for 20/20, Dateline, Oprah, Inside Edition and 48 Hours. She has also appeared on Good Morning America, The Today Show, and the CBS Morning Show.

For more information please a contact: Lisa Keohane at lkeohane@dean.edu or call 508‐553‐4821

"The place is looking better"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

Milford Daily News

Posted May 12, 2009 @ 09:22 PM

The fate of the Red Brick School is safe for another year, thanks to Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School, according to the Brick School Association.

The charter school has been leasing the school from the town for $1 for the year since early last fall, and has signed on to another year, said Herbert Hunter, association treasurer.

Charter school students have been using the historic building for after-school activities that they wouldn't otherwise be able to do, said charter school Head Kevin O'Malley.

"We're just getting into our relationship with the Brick School, but we're already getting good use out of it this year, and next year, we're looking to do even more," O'Malley said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Treesavers: Paul Barcelo

Paul Barcelo, author of The Sweet War Man

Paul Barcelo completed Army Infantry training at Fort Benning, Georgia, then rotary wing training at Fort Wolters, Texas and Fort Rucker, Alabama. He flew one tour as a UH-1 pilot in Republic of Vietnam. He resides in Franklin, Massachusetts with his wife and four children. This is his first novel.

Will be appearing at Treesavers Books to sign his new book, The Sweet War Man.

May 16, 2009 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM

Live reporting - end

School Committee Sub-Committee Reports - none

School Committee Liaison Reports - none


6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee. none

7. Executive Session
Contractual Negotiations

The School Committee voted to go into executive session for the purposes of negotiation, not to return to an open meeting.

Live reporting - Superintendent's report

Superintendent’s Report

• Reduction in Force covered earlier
  
• User Fees covered earlier
  
• Town / School Expenditure Agreement (Final Draft) will come up for formal action next time
  
• End of Year Events a full listing supplied to SchCom
  
• Enrollment Comparisons for April 08-09
  

Live reporting - Action items

4. Action Items

1. I recommend approval of the FHS field trip to McCoy Stadium, Pawtucket, RI on (tentatively, based on ticket availability) June 15, 2009 for a Pawsox game from 5 P.M. to approximately 10:30 P.M. Approved 7-0
   
2. I recommend approval of the FPS Music Dept. field trip to Canobie Lake Park in Salem, NH on June 12, 2009 from 2:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. Approved 7-0
3. I recommend acceptance of a check for $500.00 from Exxon Mobil for Franklin High School to be used for academic recognition for seniors. Approved 7-0
4. I recommend moving FY10 Budget amount of $50,297,820. to public hearing on May 26, 2009. Approved 7-0

Live reporting - FY 2010 budget continued

Armenio
what does this do to the accreditation at the High School

Ogden
I talked with them last Friday
reviewed the options to keep class sizes reasonable
if we institute study halls, what would the consequence be?
She didn't know the answer to those questions, she was going to research that and get back to us
I got a sense that given the duress and financial circumstances, it might be okay

Armenio
be prepared when something leaves, it generally doesn't come back
When the Town budget is so heavily dependent upon the State generosity, it runs into these issues
I can't support going to half-day at this time
plan for the following year, you don't know what is going to happen
it is not a threat, it is a head's up for FY 2011

Cafasso
there is a lot going on, will need to communicate about the changes to all there next year as well as the incoming 8th graders

Light
I have a letter ready to go to the parents, etc.
to go out via ConnectEd and via the website

Live reporting - Joint Statement (full text)

(May 12, 2009) The Franklin School Committee and Franklin Education Association (FEA) are engaged in fruitful talks regarding a temporary wage concession for the FY10 school year. Representatives from both groups, who met last night, report making significant progress toward a resolution in the best interests of Franklin students.

"I was encouraged by the respectful and collaborative tone of the discussions and I'm hopeful that this will lead to a solution," said Jeffrey Roy, Chairman of the Franklin School Committee.

"Both sides agree that advancing student achievement will require reasonable class sizes, professional development opportunities and highly qualified staff."

Robert McLaughlin, the president of the Franklin Education Association said: "We thank the School Committee for their receptivity to our concerns. We reaffirm our commitment to providing a high quality education to the children of Franklin and look forward to a swift, common sense resolution toward that end.”

Members of the Franklin School Committee and the general membership of the FEA will need to discuss and vote on any proposal designed to help balance the FY10 budget. Both the School Committee and the FEA hope to have the talks concluded and action taken prior to the School Committee’s May 26 public hearing on the FY10 budget.