Franklin company receives $161K solar panel rebate
Students walk the walk for health
Franklin, MA
Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Franklin's neighboring communities | ||||||
District | Full-day | Availability | Free or Tuition | Quality Grant | Tuition | |
Bellingham | Yes | Some | Tuition | No | $3,250 | |
Medfield | Yes | Some | Tuition | No | $4,500 | |
Medway | Yes | Some | Tuition | No | $3,255 | |
Norfolk | Yes | Some | Tuition | Yes | $3,000 | |
Wrentham | Yes | Some | Tuition | No | ||
FY10 Kindergarten programs available by municipality and at charter schools |
Between FY00 and FY10 the percentage of kindergarten students attending full-day programs grew from 29 percent to 77 percent of students who attend public school kindergarten. A variety of factors has contributed to the growth of full-day programs, including a commitment by districts to expand their early education programs and the support provided by the state.
There are now 279 districts in the Commonwealth that have some or all full-day kindergarten. Universal, voluntary full-day kindergarten is a key component of an early care and education system for children birth to third grade. Kindergarten is the threshold year in children’s lives and education, merging home, non-public and public early education and care and preschool programs into the public education system. Funding for the Kindergarten Development Grant Program in the last eleven fiscal years (FY00 to FY10) has supported school districts’ voluntary transition from half-day to full-day kindergarten and the ongoing quality enhancement of existing full-day programs.
The benefits of full-day kindergarten can be maintained and magnified as children continue in school. It can contribute to cost savings and improve educational outcomes if the elements of quality are in place from preschool through third grade, with strong leadership at every level. The Department is committed to full-day kindergarten programs even during fiscally strained times. If there is a need to restructure funding, the Department is open to targeting grant awards to high need districts, including those that meet the new accountability and assistance system schools in levels 3 and 4. We also want to ensure that the Chapter 70 reimbursement policy promotes tuition-free full-day kindergarten and creates disincentives for eliminating existing full-day kindergarten programs.
Some School Committee members last night said taxpayers will need to pass a Proposition 2 1/2 tax override to prevent severe cuts. Moves being considered include the elimination of all sports and extracurricular activities.
The discussion came after Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski gave the committee a general list of possible cuts to bridge its expected $1.8 million deficit if a Proposition 2 1/2 tax override isn't passed. She did not provide specific figures, but will do so at the committee's next meeting.
"I'd like to be able to go to the Town Council (meeting) on the 28th of April, and I'd like the council to fill that gap of $1.8 million with override revenues," Committee Chairman Jeffrey Roy said. "We have to stop eliminating these programs."
A. I recommend approval of the 2010-2011 School Calendar with the change discussed. motion to approve, passed 7-0
B - covered earlier in meeting
C. I recommend approval of the field trip request for Keller 5th Grade class to visit Roger Williams Zoo in Providence, RI on May 7, 2010 as detailed. motion to approve, passed 7-0
D. I recommend acceptance of a check for $250.00 from the Alliance for Climate Education for the FHS for supplemental curriculum materials. motion to approve, passed 7-0
E. I recommend approval of the RMS Adventure Club’s recurring trip to Mt. Monadnock, Jaffrey, NH for May 15, 2010 as detailed. motion to approve, passed 7-0Franklin, MA
B. Budget DiscussionBroad and general discussion with regards to the overall Town budget situation
A. Space Needs Sub Committee Report and Modular RubricRoberta Trahan - subcommittee chair
5th Graders: Madison Harrington, Kendyl Ryan, Joseph Sarno, Daniel Wasnewsky.
4th Graders: Jake Noviello, Cameron Riu, Kevin Sassaman, Camille Fischer.
3rd Graders: Nitin Chaudhury, Riley Downing, Arun Kavishwar, Cade Ryan.
1. Budget to Actual
2. Demand for Arbitration