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Public School Funding in Massachusetts: Where We Are, What has Changed, and How We Compare to Other States
September 1, 2011
Each year, the U.S. Census Bureau releases education spending data on all 50 states. Using this data, MassBudget reports annually on the state of education spending in Massachusetts.
A new MassBudget report examines FY 2009 Census data (the most recent national data available) and compares education spending in Massachusetts to that of other states. Key findings this year include:
- Massachusetts saw a significant increase in federal education revenue in FY 2009 as part of the federal stimulus efforts to protect local schools from being harmed by cuts in state aid.
- Massachusetts ranks high in per-pupil spending but average in total education spending as a percentage of the state economy.
- Compared to other states, Massachusetts continues to rely more heavily on local funding sources for education than on state and federal sources.
The report, Public School Funding in Massachusetts: Where We Are, What Has Changed, and How We Compare to Other States, is available here and at www.massbudget.org.
MassBudget provides independent research and analysis of state budget and tax policies, as well as economic issues, with particular attention to the effects on low- and moderate-income people.
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Friday, September 2, 2011
Public School Funding in Massachusetts: Where We Are, What Has Changed, and How We Compare to Other States
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Another School Year!
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Lifelong Learning by Pandora Carlucci on 9/1/11
The 2011 - 2012 school year has experienced a delayed start due to power outages associated with Tropical Storm Irene. That said, teachers, staff and administrators throughout the district have worked diligently to re-shape the start of the new school year.
Adult Education: Tracy Cheney is returning to offer three courses for Child Care Providers that are timely and provide needed continuing education points. The classes for this term include: The Ten P's of Partnering with Parents, Transition Magician, and Creating a Classroom that is Inclusive.
Other classes that support careers include: Social Media - Learning how to effectively use social media tools to support your business; Tips on Writing and Publishing your Book; and, the Virtual Assistant -- What is it?
Adult Education also offers classes in Belly Dancing, Bollywood Dancing, Line Dancing, a Thriller Dance Workshop for Adults, and a Father/Daughter Valentine's Dance.
Check our website for additional courses in Yoga, Zumba, Tai Chi, Self Defense for Women, Fitness for Women, Basketball, Volleyball, art, cooking, photography and more!
www.franklin.k12.ma.us select Lifelong from the top banner.
We hope to see you soon!
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Lifelong Learning using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
Towns may get delay on river fix
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Boston Globe -- Globe West by Jose Martinez, Globe Correspondent on 8/31/11
The next step in cleaning up the water flowing in the Charles River appears to be so costly that federal regulators are considering more than doubling the length of time given the test communities of Milford, Franklin, and Bellingham to reduce the amount of phosphorus pouring into the river from their shores.
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Boston Globe -- Globe West using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
Final Prep for Job Search Jam Sessions
Friday is almost here. Have you registered for Job Search Jam Sessions? If you are looking for work, or know someone who is, this is the event to participate in. This will be your time to find out what others know, get your questions answered from those who can answer them, and get to network with others to build your listing of valuable connections.
How should I prepare?
Come to the event prepared to share something you have learned along the way. Come prepared for learn. Come prepared to network (bring business cards).
How should I dress?
Dress as you would for any other networking event, business casual or business comfortable. You still want to make a good first impression but a suit or tux is not required.
What does the facility look like?
Check out the brief video of the facility recorded during May 2010:
http://jobsearchjamsessions.blogspot.com/2010/05/video-tour-of-job-search-jam-session.html
What will the schedule be?
Check out the overall schedule here:
http://jobsearchjamsessions.blogspot.com/p/schedule.html
When do the doors open?
The registration/welcome desk will be open at 8:30 AM.
You can check in, pay at the door (if you elected to do that), and make a name tag.
Beginning at 9:00 AM (or thereabouts) we'll provide an overview of an unconference using the open space technology.
If you want to read up on the unconference format, you can find info here
http://www.openspaceworld.org/cgi/wiki.cgi?AboutOpenSpace
here
http://www.openspaceworld.org/cgi/wiki.cgi?WorkingInOpenSpace
and here:
http://podcamp.pbworks.com/ scroll down the page to view the section on how to "host a podcamp"
What is the registration fee being used for?
1 - We intentionally don't want to make money, we are all looking for work and recognize that funds are tight.
2 - We did want to charge something to ensure a reasonable headcount for planning purposes.
Hence, the $8 charge seems reasonable and allows us to plan a good event and to make a contribution to the church for the use of the facility.
Your registration fee ($8.00) paid via Eventbrite nets the organizing team approx. $6.50 (Eventbrite has a charge for processing the credit card).
From the $6.50 times however many people show up, we will plan for refreshments, lunch and will purchase accordingly.
All surplus funds will be donated to the St John the Evangelist Parish. The church has graciously allowed us use of the facility for free. A full accounting of the receipts and expenses will be provided to the attendees.
You can still talk about the event with your friends, neighbors and networked connections. Registrations will be taken at the door on Friday. You can share the event website http://jobsearchjamsessions.blogspot.com/
or have them go directly to the registration page http://jobsearchjamsessions2.eventbrite.com/
Thank you. See you soon!
The Job Search Jam Sessions organizing committee
How should I prepare?
Come to the event prepared to share something you have learned along the way. Come prepared for learn. Come prepared to network (bring business cards).
How should I dress?
Dress as you would for any other networking event, business casual or business comfortable. You still want to make a good first impression but a suit or tux is not required.
What does the facility look like?
Check out the brief video of the facility recorded during May 2010:
http://jobsearchjamsessions.blogspot.com/2010/05/video-tour-of-job-search-jam-session.html
What will the schedule be?
Check out the overall schedule here:
http://jobsearchjamsessions.blogspot.com/p/schedule.html
When do the doors open?
The registration/welcome desk will be open at 8:30 AM.
You can check in, pay at the door (if you elected to do that), and make a name tag.
Beginning at 9:00 AM (or thereabouts) we'll provide an overview of an unconference using the open space technology.
If you want to read up on the unconference format, you can find info here
http://www.openspaceworld.org/cgi/wiki.cgi?AboutOpenSpace
here
http://www.openspaceworld.org/cgi/wiki.cgi?WorkingInOpenSpace
and here:
http://podcamp.pbworks.com/ scroll down the page to view the section on how to "host a podcamp"
What is the registration fee being used for?
1 - We intentionally don't want to make money, we are all looking for work and recognize that funds are tight.
2 - We did want to charge something to ensure a reasonable headcount for planning purposes.
Hence, the $8 charge seems reasonable and allows us to plan a good event and to make a contribution to the church for the use of the facility.
Your registration fee ($8.00) paid via Eventbrite nets the organizing team approx. $6.50 (Eventbrite has a charge for processing the credit card).
From the $6.50 times however many people show up, we will plan for refreshments, lunch and will purchase accordingly.
All surplus funds will be donated to the St John the Evangelist Parish. The church has graciously allowed us use of the facility for free. A full accounting of the receipts and expenses will be provided to the attendees.
You can still talk about the event with your friends, neighbors and networked connections. Registrations will be taken at the door on Friday. You can share the event website http://jobsearchjamsessions.blogspot.com/
or have them go directly to the registration page http://jobsearchjamsessions2.eventbrite.com/
Thank you. See you soon!
The Job Search Jam Sessions organizing committee
"a lack of electricity four days after"
In Franklin, about 1,300 people were still without power as of noon yesterday, which is down from about 4,200 on Tuesday.
Franklin Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said National Grid told officials in a meeting on Tuesday that power was supposed to be restored at the Municipal Center yesterday by 11 a.m., but wasn't.
"The only people that dropped the ball are National Grid," said Nutting, praising town public safety departments and the DPW for their work during and after the storm.
"We still have about 1,300 folks out of power. If you're one of those 1,300, it's getting a little thin after three days."
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x227166423/Many-still-without-power-across-region#ixzz1Wgy4h0dG
Updated Fiscal Fallout Report & Updated Budget Browser
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Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108
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Wednesday, August 31, 2011
YMCA - September Membership Promotion
The Hockomock Area YMCA announces their Fall Membership specials. Details are contained in the flyer here:
Flyer- Fall 2011 Promo
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document
Flyer- Fall 2011 Promo
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document
New partnership with Greater Boston Food Bank
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Commonwealth Conversations: Health and Human Services by Paulette Song on 8/29/11
By DTA Commissioner Julia KehoeThe Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) is the first line of defense against hunger and currently serves one in eight Massachusetts residents . But what happens to individuals and families who don't qualify for SNAP and are struggling to put food on their tables? If a household's income is more than twice the federal poverty level (currently $22,350 per year for a family of four), they are not eligible for SNAP, but are likely in need of additional resources to make ends meet.
I'm pleased to announce a new, innovative collaboration between the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) and the Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) to distribute food to households who don't qualify for government benefits.
This exciting initiative involves two key components that are currently being piloted at our Dudley Square and Newmarket Square offices in Boston:
- First, DTA identifies households who are ineligible for SNAP but still at-risk of hunger. We give them a voucher that allows them to pick up a box of produce and frozen meats at GBFB on designated distribution days. These packages also include information about food pantries and community meal programs, food safety information, and recipes.
- Second, GBFB will supply boxes of dry, shelf-stable foods to create mini-pantries at DTA offices. We will then provide these packages to SNAP applicants who have no other resources to tide them over until their benefits are approved. We hope to have our mini-pantries up and running sometime this fall.
DTA and GBFB will continue to evaluate this initiative and may expand it to include more DTA offices in the future.
The next food distribution day will take place on Saturday, September 10th at the Greater Boston Food Bank.
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Commonwealth Conversations: Health and Human Services using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Beaver St Recycling Hours
Hello, this is Brutus Cantoreggi your director of Public Works calling with an important message about the leaf and brush drop offs and spoiled food drop offs at the Beaver St. recycling center.
Do to the effects of Hurricane Irene, and to assist residents, the Beaver St Recycling Center will be open from 8AM to 6PM daily now through September 10th for leaf and brush drop offs except this Sunday.
The Recycling Center will be closed all day this Sunday, Sept 3rd so we can grind the brush on site. The Recycling Center will reopen again on Labor Day Sept 4th at 8AM.
A Beaver Street Recycling Sticker is required on all vehicles dropping of brush and leaves at the site. Stickers can be purchased at the Beaver St. recycling center.
effective immediately, spoiled food can be dropped off in the designated dumpster at the Beaver Street Recycling Center. A sticker is not required for spoiled food drop offs.
Further information can be found on the Town's website.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
To listen to the above message, you will need audio software and speakers on your computer.
This e-mail has been sent to you by TOWN OF FRANKLIN. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. If you wish to discontinue this service, please inform TOWN OF FRANKLIN either IN PERSON, by US MAIL, or by TELEPHONE at (508) 520-4938. THIS E-MAIL ADDRESS IS NOT MONITORED. Please do not reply to this e-mail as we are not able to respond to messages sent to this address.
Franklin Public Schools: Opening Delayed until Sep 6
Due to the continued impact of the tropical storm that has left forty percent of Franklin residents without power, the school administration made the decision to defer the opening of school until September 6. Faculty and staff will report on Friday, September 2 for orientation. On September 6, each school will host Kindergarten orientation and all Kindergarten students will report to school on Wednesday September 7 at the regular time.Additional information is contained in the following memo:
Franklin Public Schools- School Opening Postponed
Tree damage
Photos of tree damage in Franklin as we walked around on Monday
Susan's Way
Parmenter School
Wachusett St
Milliken Ave
King St
Being without electricity gives a new sense of what it is like to "have not".
Susan's Way
Parmenter School
Wachusett St
Milliken Ave
King St
Being without electricity gives a new sense of what it is like to "have not".
"it doesn't show any sign of coming back"
Franklin Fire Chief Gary McCarraher said that as of this afternoon, 40 to 50 percent of Franklin is without power and his main concern has been ensuring residents have access to food and water.
"The sewer and water system is functioning as designed, which is a blessing," said McCarraher. "The downtown Franklin restaurants are all open for business...We're pretty confident our people can get access to food."
Residents without water can head to the Department of Public Works, at 257 Fisher St., or either fire station - 40 West Central St., or 600 King St. - with their own containers for water.
Most of the traffic lights along Rte. 140 in Franklin are out, and stop signs affixed to barrels are set up at the intersections instead. McCarraher said he is meeting with National Grid, but that the DPW has opened all roads that are free of debris and downed wires.
Although National Grid is working as fast as they can to restore power, it still is frustrating to some residents.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1688627525/Area-towns-still-without-power-after-Irene#ixzz1WVL6OXAC
Monday, August 29, 2011
Y Opens Doors to Residents Without Power
SUPPORTING
OUR
NEIGHBORS
FFFY OPENS DOORS TO RESIDENTS WITHOUT POWER
Dear Members,
Please help us spread the word to your neighbors, family and friends: We are opening our Franklin and North Attleboro Branches to area residents who have lost power.
According to YMCA President Ed Hurley, "We want to help our neighbors in our local communities who have been impacted by Sunday's storm. In this spirit, we are opening up our facilities for people to take a hot shower, charge their cell phones, or simply get out of the house. Our YMCA's doors will be open to all during this difficult period."
Please help us spread the word to your neighbors, family and friends: We are opening our Franklin and North Attleboro Branches to area residents who have lost power.
According to YMCA President Ed Hurley, "We want to help our neighbors in our local communities who have been impacted by Sunday's storm. In this spirit, we are opening up our facilities for people to take a hot shower, charge their cell phones, or simply get out of the house. Our YMCA's doors will be open to all during this difficult period."
The Hockomock Area YMCA's Foxboro Branch did not open today and will remain closed until commercial power is restored.
Those who wish to visit one of the Ys, must bring an ID and fill out a guest pass form in order to access the locker rooms. Individuals and families will be able to use Hockomock Area YMCA facilities free of charge as long as they are without power. The YMCA hours are 5:15 am – 9:30 pm. For additional information, please call the Member Service Desks at our Franklin Branch (508) 528-8708 or our North Attleboro Branch (508) 695-7001.
Sincerely,
Hockomock Area YMCA
Franklin Public Schools: Open House/Classroom Visits
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Franklin Public Schools: Professional Development Schedule 8/30/11
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Powerless and lucky
We're powerless but lucky to have escaped with little tree damage from what was left of Hurricane Irene. The power went out about 1:00. We were prepared with batteries, candles and the Coleman camping lantern provides a great deal of light.
When the rain stopped we picked up most of the small branches and twigs dropped by the wind from the trees. It didn't take long to cut up the one large branch that fell into the street. We'll have some good fire wood for the winter!
The cell phone batteries were the first to die away. Depending upon when the power returns (today?), we may need to run the car to re-charge them a bit. I have sparingly used my netbook and broadband card so I have several hours of connection remaining.
We did take a walk around the neighborhood last night. It was a rare event to see no lights anywhere. If there was a light (from a passing car, or a candle in a house) the little light was very noticeable in the darkness.
I hope you all survived with a story or two to pass along.
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