MassBudget: SWM Committee's FY 2020 budget follows Governor's in revenue, includes slightly more education funding

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. May 16, 2019 Senate Ways and Means Committee's FY 2020 budget follows Governor's in revenue, includes slightly more education funding The Senate Ways and Means (SWM) Committee's Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 budget proposal goes further in boosting K-12 education funding than other proposals this budget cycle. But, constrained by the lack of substantial, new revenue, the Committee had to propose less funding or relatively small increases in other areas such as child care assistance for low-income families, elder services, and other areas, as discussed in MassBudget's analysis. The SWM budget proposal includes a more comprehensive approach to reforming the public K-12 education funding formula than the Governor and House proposals. However, funding levels in the SWM budget are still somewhat less than the most comprehensive plans being debated currently by policymakers. Updating the funding formula can help ensure that students across Massachusetts, particularly disadvantaged kids, receive a high-quality education. Further, the SWM Committee proposes to fund the Attorney General's Fair Labor Division (FLD) at $4.5 million, which is 8 percent less in total funding than FY 2001 (adjusting for inflation), but is 17 percent less when adjusted for job growth in Massachusetts since then. The FLD enforces the state's wage and hour laws, including minimum wage, overtime, and earned sick time. This funding decrease could weaken many of the increased worker protections and benefits passed in recent years. Regarding revenue, the SWM Committee included many of the new tax proposals first presented in the Governor's FY 2020 budget. (The House, by contrast, includes only the Sales Tax Modernization proposal.) These include a new tax on opioid manufacturers and another on vaping products. Unlike the Governor, the SWM Committee directs these new revenues to off-budget funds dedicated to combating and treating addiction, rather than to the General Fund from which most budgetary appropriations are made.  Like the House and Governor, the SWM budget also relies on pre-existing sources that recently have begun generating revenue (like taxes on marijuana sales and "Airbnb rentals"). While inclusion of these various types of additional revenue may appear to boost the Commonwealth's ability to invest in a range of priorities, in fact, the new revenues would mostly serve to back-fill substantial anticipated revenue losses from several already-scheduled tax cuts. These cuts - along with other, non-tax revenue losses - will impact state collections in FY 2020 and beyond. As is true of the House budget, most additional revenue in the SWM budget comes from a variety of consumption taxes, which hit low-income earners the hardest, and will make the state's tax system more upside-down than it already is. Read the full report here http://massbudget.org/report_window.php?loc=Analyzing-the-Senate-Ways-and-Means-Budget-for-FY-2020.html. Read about the House budget proposal here http://massbudget.org/report_window.php?loc=Analyzing-the-House-Budget-for-FY-2020.html. The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, 15 Court Square, Suite 700, Boston, MA 02108 Sent by mrivera@massbudget.org in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today! The full set of details associated with the Senate Ways and Means budget for FY 2020 can be found online https://malegislature.gov/Budget/SenateWaysMeansBudget Senate Ways and Means budget proposal for FY 2020

VFW Youth Scholarships for 2019-2020

The VFW is dedicated to promoting patriotism and investing in our future generation. If you are a democracy-loving high school student interested in a $30,000 college scholarship or a patriotic middle school student interested in winning $5,000, these scholarships may be for you.

VFW Youth Scholarships

Patriot's Pen: The 2019-20 theme is: What Makes America Great

Each year more than 132,000 students in grades 6-8 enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest. The national first-place winner wins $5,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. The first-place winner from each state competes for national awards totaling $55,000, with each first-place state winner receiving a minimum of $500 at the national level.

The essay contest encourages young minds to examine America’s history, along with their own experiences in modern American society, by drafting a 300- to 400-word essay, expressing their views based on a patriotic theme chosen by the VFW Commander-in-Chief. Want to apply? Read the rules and eligibility requirements, then download and complete the 2019-20 entry form. All student entries must be submitted to a sponsoring local VFW Post by midnight, Oct. 31, 2019.

Voice of Democracy: The 2019-20 theme is: What Makes America Great

Established in 1947, our Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. Each year, nearly 40,000 9-12 grade students from across the country enter to win their share of $2.1 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program.

The national first-place winner receives a $30,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school. A complete list of other national scholarships range from $1,000-$16,000, and the first-place winner from each VFW Department (state) wins a minimum scholarship of $1,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. Want to apply? Read the rules and eligibility requirements, then download and complete the 2019-20 entry form. All student entries must be submitted to a sponsoring local VFW Post by midnight, Oct. 31, 2019.

Official Entry Forms and Instructions can be found at: https://www.vfw.org/community/youth-and-education/youth-scholarships

Entries are to be mailed to: Franklin VFW Post 3402, PO Box 96, Franklin, MA

FHS baseball, and both the boys and girls lacrosse teams post wins

Via HockomockSports, we share the results of the FHS sports action on Tuesday, May 15, 2019


Baseball = Taunton, 0 @ Franklin, 8 – Final
– Franklin junior Liam Dailey tossed a complete game shutout and senior Jake Macchi uncorked a grand slam as the Panthers swept the season series against the Tigers, clinching at least a share of the Kelley-Rex division title with the win. Dailey needed just 63 pitches, allowing three hits with no walks, striking out four in an efficient performance. Macchi finished with six RBI total, Alex Haba also had an RBI and a run scored, Jack Nally scored twice, Scott Elliott had a hit and two runs scored, and Joe Lizotte and Brennan Rivera each scored once.

Boys Lacrosse = Foxboro, 5 @ Franklin, 12 – Final 
– Franklin used a strong performance to pick up a convincing win over visiting Foxboro. The Panthers took a 9-1 lead into the fourth quarter to win the Kelley-Rex division title outright. Jake Davis scored four goals and had two assists, Matt Lazzaro scored a hat trick and had two helpers and Jacob Alexander (14-for-21 faceoffs) scored twice with one assist. Foxboro’s Brendan Tully and Shayne Kerrigan each scored twice while Aidan Stapleton found the back of the net once. Freshman Matt Tully made 12 saves for Foxboro.

Girls Lacrosse = Franklin, 14 @ Foxboro, 10 – Final
Josh Perry, Managing Editor of HockomockSports.com, provides the game recap:

For nearly a decade, two teams have dominated Hockomock League girls lacrosse. Foxboro and Franklin have each won eight straight division titles, including the league crowns that both have already clinched this spring. The last time a team other than those two finished on top in the league was 2012, when King Philip shared the Kelley-Rex title with the Panthers. 

On Wednesday evening, the league’s top two teams squared off at Sam Berns Community Field. Behind a quick start that saw it jump ahead 5-0 and seven goals from senior midfielder Annie Walsh, Franklin pulled out a 14-10 victory to extend its remarkable league winning streak to 80 straight games dating back to April 2012. 

“I thought we did really well on the draws early, we were really feisty in the circle, and just took good shots in the first half,” Franklin coach Kristin Igoe Guarino said of the good start. “I think their goalie played awesome and really stepped up her game as it went on but we got on her early.”

Continue reading the lacrosse match recap
https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-girls-lacrosse-holds-off-foxboro-to-keep-streak-alive/

For a photo gallery of the lacrosse match
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2018-2019/Spring-2019/Foxboro-Franklin-Girls-Lacrosse-5-15-19/

Softball = Franklin, 0 @ Taunton, 5 – Final
Ryan Lanigan, founder and Editor-in-Chief of HockomockSports.com, provides the game recap:

"The Taunton softball team has been one of the most lethal and dangerous offenses in the state over the past couple of seasons, and with 165 runs scored this year, they are among the best again this year. 

While the Tigers can certainly mash and string together hit after hit, one thing that Taunton is focusing on as the state tournament approaches is cashing in when the opportunity arises. 

Taunton turned to small ball on Wednesday night at Jack Tripp Field, scoring the first three runs of the game via squeeze plays, earning a 5-0 win over Franklin in a battle of top teams in the Kelley-Rex."

Continue reading the softball game recap
https://hockomocksports.com/taunton-softball-small-ball-past-panthers/

For a photo gallery of the softball game
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2018-2019/Spring-2019/Taunton-Franklin-Softball-05-15-19/

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-05-15-19/

Erin Walsh (1) scored twice and assisted on another goal to help Franklin continue its long league unbeaten streak by beating fellow division champion Foxboro. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

The Teen Summer Challenge Is On: Teens Can Work Out FOR FREE at Every Planet Fitness

THE TEEN SUMMER CHALLENGE IS ON!

PLANET FITNESS KICKS-OFF SUMMER-LONG INITIATIVE WITH ACTOR CALEB MCLAUGHLIN

Starting Today, Teenagers Ages 15 – 18 Can Sign up to Work Out for Free at all 1,800+ Planet Fitness Locations through September 1

Caleb McLaughlin Strives to be Every Teen's "Super Positive Workout Buddy" Leading the Digital Campaign

Planet Fitness, Inc., one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the U.S. and home of the Judgement Free Zone®, officially opens the doors of its more than 1,800 locations throughout the United States and Canada today as it kicks off the Teen Summer Challenge. Now through September 1, teenagers ages 15 – 18* are invited to stop by their nearest Planet Fitness and sign-up to work out – and get their sweat on – for free all summer long. Teens under 18 must be accompanied in club by a parent or guardian at sign-up.

The initiative, which answers the call for youth to pursue a minimum of 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity each day** as recommended by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, is led by one of Hollywood's most exciting stars, 17-year-old actor Caleb McLaughlin. McLaughlin stars as a "super positive workout buddy" in digital creative for the initiative, offering encouragement for every teen looking to stay active when school is out for the summer.

"Being part of the Planet Fitness Teen Summer Challenge is really important to me because it's offering teens so much more than just a place to work out over the summer, it's giving us all the opportunity to be active, build self-confidence and self-esteem in the process," said McLaughlin.

FEELINGS ON FITNESS: BY THE NUMBERS

A national study*** commissioned by Planet Fitness found that teens today are more fitness-conscious than ever before, with 92 percent agreeing that one is never too young to start taking care of his or her health. Many teens confirm fitness helps them feel motivated (55 percent), is fun (48 percent), and is a way to feel challenged (32 percent). While school-based sports such as gym class or intramural teams are the top ways teens currently get their daily exercise (49 percent), nearly half of all teens (41 percent) report that their fitness levels dramatically decrease over the summer when school is out.

Moreover, one-third (33 percent) of all teens simply don't know where to begin or what exercises are recommended for their age group, and almost two-in-five (39 percent) say they don't have enough guidance on how to properly exercise.

Planet Fitness Opens Its Doors to Teens 

FOR FREE All Summer Long

GUIDING TEENS TO A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE

That's why, to help teens kick start their summer fitness regimen, Brian Zehetner, director of health and fitness for Planet Fitness, developed a fun and effective workout specifically for teens this summer. The full body workout program is purposefully centered on appropriate cardio, strength and flexibility exercises for teenagers, providing a balanced blend for impactful activity. Active warm up and cool down periods comprised of dynamic and static stretches help ensure teens ease in and out of the core routine responsibly for greater mobility and less potential for injury.

PLANET FITNESS TEEN SUMMER CHALLENGE
DURATION OF WORKOUT: 25 – 30 MINUTES
Warm Up 3 – 5 Minutes		High Knees, Windmill, Arm Circles, Huggers, Lunges
Workout 18 – 20 Minutes	Cardio	Mountain Climbers, Burpees, Plank Jacks, Star Jumps Perform the first exercise for 30 seconds and then rest for 30 seconds as you transition to the next station. Follow pattern until you have completed all four movements.
	Rest	Rest 1 Minute
	Strength	Dumbbell Chest Press, Lat Pulldowns, Smith Machine Squats, Rope Crunches Perform the first exercise for 30 seconds and then rest for 30 seconds as you transition to the next station. Follow pattern until you have completed all four movements.
	Rest	Rest 1 Minute
	Cardio	Mountain Climbers, Burpees, Plank Jacks, Star Jumps Perform the first exercise for 30 seconds and then rest for 30 seconds as you transition to the next station. Follow pattern until you have completed all four movements.
	Rest	Rest 1 Minute
	Strength	Dumbbell Chest Press, Lat Pulldowns, Smith Machine Squats, Rope Crunches Perform the first exercise for 30 seconds and then rest for 30 seconds as you transition to the next station. Follow pattern until you have completed all four movements.
Cool Down 3 – 5 Minutes		Chest Stretch, Shoulder Stretch, Cat and Camel Stretch, Butterfly Stretch, Lying Quad Stretch, Seated Hamstring Stretch, Seated Torso Twist

"Our total body workout designed for teens is a fun and effective introduction to fitness, setting the stage for lifelong healthy habits, as it's designed to really target all major muscle groups efficiently, effectively and with the flexibility, mobility and busy schedules of high school students in mind," said Zehetner. "The best routine is a consistent routine, and we want this plan coupled with Planet Fitness' pressure-free environment to help youth feel excited about approachable exercise."

Free fitness classes specifically for teenagers will also be available Monday through Friday via certified fitness trainers at all Planet Fitness locations. Check your local Planet Fitness for exact times.

INCENTIVES FOR TEENS TO STAY ACTIVE THIS SUMMER

Finally, all teens who sign up beginning May 15 are automatically entered into Planet Fitness' Scholarship Sweepstakes. At the end of summer, 51 lucky teens across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., will be randomly selected to receive a $500 scholarship, and one teen will receive a $5,000 grand prize****. Teens will also have the chance to win exciting prizes on Planet Fitness' Twitter and Instagram channels throughout the summer, such as club swag, movie tickets and wireless headphones.*****

In addition to opening its doors to all teens ages 15 – 18 all summer long, Planet Fitness also offers extremely low prices for parents and other members alike, including a variety of benefits such as a hassle-free environment, brand name cardio and strength equipment, fully equipped locker rooms, flat screen televisions and much more.

For more information on the Teen Summer Challenge, including how to sign-up for the free membership at any of the more than 1,800 Planet Fitness locations across the United States and Canada, visit PlanetFitness.com/TeenSummerChallenge.

###

*Teenagers ages 15 – 18 can visit any Planet Fitness location in the United States. Teens must work out at the location they sign up at and are not permitted to use other locations. Online signups are not available. Teens under 18 must bring a parent or guardian to sign up. Once the parent or guardian waiver is signed for teens under 18, teens can workout alone. Students who are already 18 do not need a parent or guardian to be present during the sign-up process.

**U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (2018, November 18). HHS Releases Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition. Retrieved from https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2018/11/12/hhs-releases-physical-activity-guidelines-americans-2nd-edition.html

***Online survey conducted by Kelton Global on behalf of Planet Fitness to 1,001 nationally representative American teens aged 15 – 18 and their parents, with a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percent.

****NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Void outside 50 U.S./DC and where prohibited. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S./D.C., who are 15-18 years of age (with parent approval if under age of majority). Begins 12:00 a.m. ET on 5/15/19; ends 11:59 p.m. ET on 9/2/19. Odds of winning depend on total number of entries received. For complete Official Rules, eligibility, and free entry details, visit https://www.planetfitness.com/sweepstakes-rules. Sponsor: Planet Fitness Franchising LLC, 4 Liberty Lane West, Hampton, NH 03842 USA

***** NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Void outside 50 U.S./DC and where prohibited. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S./D.C., who are 15-18 years of age (with parent approval if under age of majority).   Begins once the first post is live (approximately 7:00am ET) on 5/23/19; ends 11:59 p.m. ET on 8/28/19. Odds of winning depend on total number of entries received.   For complete Official Rules, visit https://www.planetfitness.com/sweepstakes-rules. Sponsor: Planet Fitness Franchising LLC, 4 Liberty Lane West, Hampton, NH 03842 USA.

About Planet FitnessFounded in 1992 in Dover, NH, Planet Fitness is one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the United States by number of members and locations. As of March 31, 2019, Planet Fitness had more than 13.6 million members and 1,806 stores in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Panama and Mexico. The Company's mission is to enhance people's lives by providing a high-quality fitness experience in a welcoming, non-intimidating environment, which we call the Judgement Free Zone®. More than 95% of Planet Fitness stores are owned and operated by independent business men and women.

In the News: Social consumption pilot possible; self driving shuttle in Providence

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

Social consumption pilot possible

"As state regulators prepare to discuss and possibly vote on a policy to allow marijuana use in certain public social settings, Gov. Charlie Baker indicated Monday he could be open to a pilot program for things like pot cafes and lounges. 

The Cannabis Control Commission is expected to have a “policy discussion” on Thursday about social consumption, or a policy that would allow adults to use marijuana in some form in a social setting. The commission initially drafted regulations to allow so-called social consumption but put the issues on the back burner after pushback last year from Baker. 

“It’s not up to me, it’s up to the CCC,” Baker said Monday when asked about the policy the CCC plans to discuss Thursday. “What I’ve said many times about most of the issues associated with the rollout of recreational marijuana, is it’s really important that they, the CCC, understand what they’re doing and why they’re doing it as they make these decisions.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190514/social-consumpton-pilot-for-marijuana-would-make-lot-of-sense-says-gov-baker

self driving shuttle in Providence

"Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo and Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza rode in a self-driving car for the first time Tuesday when they inaugurated the state’s autonomous vehicle pilot program. 

They circled the State House without incident and declared Rhode Island a leader in transportation technology. 

Raimondo “got a little nervous” when the vehicle attendant took his hands off the controls, she said after stepping out of the shuttle on Smith Street. “But after a couple minutes it felt great. It felt safe and smooth. ... It swerved around the curb that juts out. It stopped at a red light, took a left when it needed to.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190514/ri-state-leaders-get-first-ride-on-providence-self-driving-shuttle-service

US Census: Younger Workers in Cities More Likely to Bike to Work

Roughly 870,000 people report commuting by bicycle — many of them young and urban residents.

America Counts: Stories Behind the Numbers Younger Workers in Cities More Likely  to Bike to Work May 17 is National Bike to Work Day and events are held around the country to encourage people to commute by bicycle. The most recent American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates covering the years 2013-2017 show that about 872,000 people, or 0.6% of all workers in the United States (Table S0801), bike to work. The ACS asks workers about their primary method of transportation to work. This provides data about national commuting patterns, including biking to work.  https://census.gov/library/stories/2019/05/younger-workers-in-cities-more-likely-to-bike-to-work.html? About America Counts America Counts tells the stories behind the numbers in a new inviting way. It features stories on various topics such as families, housing, employment, business, education, the economy, emergency preparedness, and population. Contact our Public Information Office for media inquiries or interviews.

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This is an official email from the U.S. Census Bureau. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us (http://www.census.gov/about/contact-us.html)

Franklin School for the Performing Arts to present Spring Concert

The Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) will provide prospective students with complimentary tickets to its Spring Concert performances as part of the school’s All Access Pass program.

Franklin School for the Performing
Arts to present Spring Concert

Families are invited to learn more about FSPA programs in music, dance and drama. Spring Concert shows provide a dynamic way to experience what the school has to offer across many dance disciplines, voice, acting, instrumental music, and musical theater programming.

Spring Concert performances will be presented on Saturday, May 18 at 4 and 7 p.m. and on Sunday, May 19 at 1 and 4 p.m. at the Franklin High School Auditorium, 218 Oak St., Franklin.

Featuring FSPA students of many ages and levels, Spring Concert is presented in an audience-friendly, 90-minute format.

Founded in 1985 by Director Raye Lynn Mercer, FSPA has been dedicated to the enjoyment of the arts for all ages and to the artistic growth and development of young people.

Prospective students and families should call FSPA at 508-528- 8668 to reserve their complimentary tickets and schedule a trial class or tour of the facilities. Visit www.FSPAonline.com for more information.

Morrongiello Selected to Deliver MassBay Student Commencement Address

MassBay Community College is pleased to announce that, Maxwell Sherman Morrongiello of Franklin, MA, will deliver the student commencement address to his fellow classmates and guests at the College’s 57th commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 23, 2019. 

Morrongiello will graduate with an Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts with a concentration in Psychology and Sociology and plans to attend Bridgewater State University in fall 2019 to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Economics or Political Science.

Morrongiello is honored to be delivering the student commencement address, explaining, "I've come a along way since struggling to fit in as child at high school and coping with anxiety as a young adult. Many of my fellow graduates have also had a wide varety of challenges they have had to overcome in order to get here. 

MassBay has been dedicated to helping its students overcome these obstacles to succeed, whether it is due to food insecurity, a disability, or financial hardship. I will be focusing my address on our shared jouney as we celebrate our accomplishments together.”

During his time at MassBay, Morrongiello participated in the Student Government Association (SGA) and served as Parliamentarian, Legislation Committee Chair, and founded and chaired the SGA Summer Committee, ensuring SGA had an on-campus presence during summer classes. Morrongiello served on the Time and Space Committee working to bring Common Hour to the College, a one-hour break during the Monday and Wednesday class schedule that allows time for students to join clubs, activities, or have more study time. 

He served on the Student Nourishment and Care Committee (SNACC) to help fight student hunger on campus, even participating in an interview with WGBH and PBS NewsHour about our frozen meal collaboration with Boston-based organization, Food For Free. Morrongiello also led an initiative with the SGA and the Provost’s Office to recognize the achievements of part-time students to include them on the Dean’s List, which passed faculty governance.

https://www.massbay.edu/

Morrongiello is also an elected member of the Franklin Democratic Town Committee and serves as the webmaster. He was an intern with State Representative, Jeffrey Roy, of Franklin. He has volunteered his time as a speaker with the Department of Mental Health’s Community Conversation Initiative to eliminate the stigma of mental illness. 

Morrongiello presented to the Worcester Police Department’s Crisis Intervention Training about his own road to mental health to help officers better understand the issue first-hand. “I have spent a lot of time focused on my own recovery with anxiety, while also trying to educate others to demystify mental illness. I find the more you talk about mental illness the more that stigma breaks down.”

MassBay Community College is ranked by the Brookings Institution as one of the top schools for value added and earned salaries in the workforce. Ranked #1 for 2-year colleges in Massachusetts, #2 in New England and ranked #16 nationally. The College’s facilities in Wellesley Hills, Framingham and Ashland house day, evening and weekend classes that meet the needs of degree-seeking students and career minded life-long learners. Online options provide convenience and allow faculty to facilitate the learning process. Since its founding in 1961, MassBay has been accredited by several governing bodies and strives to meet the needs of the diverse local communities it serves.

FHS sports results not as plentiful as the raindrops

Via HockomockSports, we share the results of the FHS sports action on Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Girls Tennis = Attleboro @ Franklin – Postponed to Thursday, 5/16 at 3:45.

Boys Outdoor Track = Attleboro @ Franklin, 3:45

Girls Outdoor Track = Attleboro @ Franklin, 3:45

For the other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-05-14-19/

And via the Twitterverse, this tidbit of info on the outdoor track meet:

Franklin Boys track sweep the mile and 2 mile along with noticeable first place finishes from seniors Dylan Kehoe in the 800m and Dan Barrow in the 400m on senior night.

— FHS Boys Track (@FHSPanthersTF) May 14, 2019

FHS Panthers

Representative Jeffrey Roy Secures Funding for New Tri-County Handicap Van

Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School is pleased to announce it has a new handicap accessible van available to transport students with disabilities. It’s the first handicap accessible van for the school. The van will be used to transport students both to and from the school and to field trips and special events. Prior to receiving the van, the school had to contract school bus transportation services.

State Representative Jeffrey Roy of Franklin was able to secure the funding last year from the states’ FY19 budget. The school was granted $50,000 to purchase the van. The total cost of the van was $60,470. The van seats 12 passengers and is fitted with a ramp, lift, and bench seats with seat belts. It is designed to provide safe, reliable and convenient transportation.

“I am happy that the state was able to provide funds to equip Tri-County with a state-of-the-art van to transport students with disabilities,” said Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin). “The van will help the school further its mission of providing for all of its students and will also help save money by eliminating the need to rent out other equipment. I appreciate the school’s continued dedication to students and appreciate the opportunity to step in with my colleagues in the legislature to assist with funding needs.”

“Dealing with the hassles of transportation and finding safe and sufficient transportation for students with disabilities can be a challenge,” said Stephen Dockray, Superintendent. “We are happy to now have a handicap accessible van available to our students. It’s a pleasure to be able to offer transportation to all of our students regardless of their individual needs. We thank Representative Roy and the state of Massachusetts who have made this possible for our students with disabilities.”

Tri-County RVTHS, located at 147 Pond Street in Franklin, is a recipient of the High Schools That Work Gold Achievement Award and serves the communities of Franklin, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleborough, Plainville, Seekonk, Sherborn, Walpole, and Wrentham.

left to right:  Stephen Dockray, Superintendent of Tri-County, Representative Jeffrey Roy and
John Roy, School Business Administrator of Tri-County

Live reporting: Consent agenda to Closing

7. Consent Agenda
a. Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from your April 23, 2019 School Committee meeting as detailed.
b. FHS Scholarship
I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,000.00 from Peter Baglioni for the Fernando Baglioni Scholarship as detailed.
c. Solutions Gifts
I recommend acceptance of two checks totaling $1,000.00 for Supplemental supplies for the Solutions Program as follows:

• Franklin Cultural Council $500.00
• Middlesex Savings Bank $500.00

d. Parmenter Gifts
I recommend acceptance of three checks totaling $900.00 from the Parmenter PCC for field trips as detailed.
e. Music Gifts
I recommend acceptance of two checks totaling $2,950.00 for in-house enrichment for the Music Department as follows:

• Franklin Music Boosters $2,700.00
• Music Drives Us.org $ 250.00

f. Oak St. Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,748.00 from the Oak Street PCC for Field Trips as detailed.
g. RMS Field Trip – RW Zoo
I recommend approval of the request to take RMS 7th graders to Roger Williams Zoo in Providence, RI on June 4, 2019 as detailed.
h. RMS Field Trip – Stadium Theater
I recommend approval of the request to take RMS 6th Graders to Stadium Theater for the Imagination Series in Woonsocket, RI on June 5, 2019 as detailed.

motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0


8. Payment of Bills Dr. Bergen

9. Payroll Mrs. Douglas

10. Correspondence
- Budget to Actual – Miriam Goodman

11. Adjournment


The documents released for this meeting can be found online:
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/may-14-2019-school-committee-packet

(Note: Not all the documents are released before the meeting. Some are posted after the meeting (Weds AM))

Live reporting: Information Matters

5. Information Matters
a. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports 
Budget
meeting with subcommittee, another forum planned for the Fall

Community Relations
May 22 - being rescheduled, date TBD
will be at Strawberry Stroll, Farmers Market

Policy
meeting scheduled June 4, June 18
homework guidelines being worked on

Public Schools Advocacy/ MASC
every town and community needs more funding dollars
met before the Town Council meeting to discuss strategy for comments
charter school reimbursement, transportation funding
did mention the O word, can't fix the structural deficit without that

Ad Hoc Superintendent’s Evaluation
put together rubric on evaluation form with the goals listed
timeline added to the packet given to the committee members

b. School Committee Liaison Reports 
Joint PCC
all spoke for the need of volunteers
presentation by FEF
Wizards Nov 22
SEPAC advisory reminder of speaker coming Thursday

Substance Abuse Task Force
segment on Franklin TV and radio
posted on schools webpage, on asst superintendent link
booklet on conversation to be held on the 'ride home'

School Wellness Advisory Council [SWAC]
last meeting last week

School Start Times Advisory Committee (no longer needed)


6. New Business
a. To discuss any future agenda items

May 28 - evaluation evidence
concluding DIP and communications

additional info on Phase 2 for School Start times
rationale, indicators worth looking at; attendance patterns, etc.
various scenarios, more info on the 2 that come forward
what if the complexes were connected for start times? 

retiree recognition 



The documents released for this meeting can be found online:
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/may-14-2019-school-committee-packet

(Note: Not all the documents are released before the meeting. Some are posted after the meeting (Weds AM))