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Wednesday, August 12, 2015
StoryCorps launches new project: The Great Thanksgiving Listen
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Live reporting: Information matters through to closing
5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Reportplacement letters scheduled to go out Aug 21
students still enrolling, teachers still be hired
high school students will be in Aspen on the 14th
high school experience, over 300 students this week, the first at the new building
about 90% of the incoming freshmen are participating
Dalton award for the Franklin sports for most winning teams
won it last in 2012
community invite for the presentation by Dr Kelly at the FHS Auditorium
the physiology of addiction
7:00 - 9:00 PM at FHS
Friday the bus routes will be posted
document on how bus stops are chosen, there is a method and detailed criteria, not a 'dart board', will be posted to the website (and linked shared when found)
Rohrbach - any work remaining at Davis Thayer
Sabolinski - sidewalk not complete, working on the lawn
there was one glitch with the fiber line got cut so it was a couple of days dealing with alternative method of communication
hope to have an update on the fencing for the next meeting
facade issues to be addressed
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.Harlem Wizard coming for the FEF fund raiser on Nov 13th
7. Executive Session
Personnel Updatemotion to enter into executive session, seconded, passed 5-0 (via roll call)
Live reporting: Action Items
4. Action Items
a. I recommend adoption of the following Policies as discussed:motion to accept, seconded, passed 5-0
- JT – Electronic Device Policy
- JKAA – Non-Violent Physical Crisis Intervention Policy
b. I recommend adoption of the ECDC Handbook as presented.
motion to accept, seconded, passed 5-0
c. I recommend adoption of the Davis Thayer Handbook as presented.
motion to accept, seconded, passed 5-0
d. I recommend adoption of the Jefferson Handbook as presented.
motion to accept, seconded, passed 5-0
e. I recommend adoption of the Keller Handbook as presented.
motion to accept, seconded, passed 5-0
f. I recommend adoption of the Kennedy Handbook as presented.
motion to accept, seconded, passed 5-0
g. I recommend adoption of the Oak Street Handbook as presented.
motion to accept, seconded, passed 5-0
h. I recommend adoption of the Parmenter Handbook as presented.
motion to accept, seconded, passed 5-0
i. I recommend adoption of the Horace Mann Handbook as presented.
motion to accept, seconded, passed 5-0
j. I recommend adoption of the Remington Handbook as presented.
motion to accept, seconded, passed 5-0
k. I recommend adoption of the Annie Sullivan Handbook as presented.
motion to accept, seconded, passed 5-0
l. I recommend adoption of the Franklin High Handbook as presented.
motion to accept, seconded, passed 5-0
m. I recommend elimination of the position Director of Instructional Services.
motion to accept, seconded, passed 5-0
n. I recommend creation of the position Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning.
motion to accept, seconded, passed 5-0
o. I recommend Joyce Edwards be appointed as Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning.
motion to accept, seconded, passed 5-0
p. I recommend acceptance of a check for $2,700.00 from the Oak Street PCC for Field Trips.
motion to accept, seconded, passed 5-0
q. I recommend acceptance of a check for $214.29 from the Horace Mann Drama Club to be deposited in the HM student activity account.
motion to accept, seconded, passed 5-0
r. I recommend acceptance of a check for $615.84 from Lifetouch for in-house enrichment at ECDC.
motion to accept, seconded, passed 5-0
s. I recommend acceptance of a check for $3,370.00 from the Franklin Music Boosters for in-house enrichment at FHS.
motion to accept, seconded, passed 5-0
t. I recommend acceptance of the donation of a panther statue from the Graci Family for FHS.
motion to accept, seconded, passed 5-0
Live reporting: Discussion Only Items
3. Discussion Only Items
Policy – Second Readingno questions or discussions on the policy changes
- JT – Electronic Device Policy
- JKAA – Non-Violent Physical Crisis Intervention Policy
Re-Organization – Instructional Services
- Elimination of “Director of Instructional Services” position
- Creation of “Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning” position
Changes to the district and to the demands upon the position
district has doubled in size since position was first created
regulations are more complex
shifted from what we are teaching to how we are teaching
we have no ELL students, now we have 80
this requires a different set of expectations
shifting from a director to an assistant superintendent
Ms Edwards has done a great job and epitomizes the job description of the new role; works collaboratively with the special education department, working with teachers to get the best from all students
peer coaching and mentoring, has been a partner with Sally and I in this effort
I am recommending that we eliminate the Director position and create the Assistant Superintendent and put Joyce in that role
Mullen - I am in favor of this move, we are fortunate to have you
She has been an effective liaison to DESE and has also provided input on PARCC
Franklin Public Schools: Calendar Survey Results
c. Calendar Survey
The results as presented to the School Committee for the meeting on Tuesday, Aug 11, 2015 can be seen in this document.
Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski
the winter of 2014-15 raised lots of questions about the 'last day'
vacation planning
survey sent out to parents and faculty in May
survey designed by K12 Insight
answered for the most part by 2385
81% of the parents answered the survey
staff only represented by 23%
*overall a 55.6% response rate for the survey (added post-meeting)
55% want after Labor Day start, 45% want before Labor Day
getting the teacher professional days in before has been worked where possible
the decision is usually where Labor Day falls in the calendar
question on eliminating non-religious
split is 50/50
52% would do away with the February vacation
Keeping April vacation was overwhelming positive
eliminating both vacations and having a March vacation was an interesting split 55-45; would like to give 2 years notice if this were to be implemented
March is big for college breaks, for spring training, etc.
transportation question to get at the starting time was asked and answered on the last page of the report; no real statistical drive to make the change
if the busing schedule could change, then this might be a better option
would need additional buses and they would cost another $1.1 Million
not a good cost option at this point
Did check with some of her colleagues and they were not able to add buses but did make some changes by switching buses (elementary and high school)
Trahan - i am not surprised at the results, the real world doesn't really allow this to happen though.
Rohrbach - when this was done last time, the split was mostly staff vs. teachers on the start date. were the results available with that split?
Sabolinski - no we did not get the numbers sliced that way, we have been collaborating with the teachers and the real driver for us is when Labor Day falls. Labor Day is so late this year it works out
Rohrbach - if the school year does get extended, what would we do?
Sabolinski - Mrs Winslow took the initiative last year to start the discussion early and we are hoping this year was an anomaly and we won't need to go there. Going to a March vacation would need to be done with more polling especially from our faculty to get their input as they had only participated at 23%.
Douglas - we did have a March vacation 37 years ago and it didn't work. Folks did not like it.
Sabolinski - another unknown piece of data is where is the state assessment going? MCAS was one time, PARC was another. What is the decision and where is the schedule? No word yet.
Sabolinski - we did not get into further detail on slicing the data by school grade or level, we just wanted some quick but valid info
Live Reporting: School Committee - Aug 11, 2015
Present: Douglas, Mullen, Trahan, Jewell, Rohrbach (late due to train)
Absent: O'Malley, Clement
Review of Agenda - none
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the July 28, 2015 School Committee Meeting.
motion to approve, seconded, passed 4-0
Payment of Bills Mr. Clement
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: Budget to Actual
Peter Light, Principal - Franklin High School
Maria Weber and Lisa Markiesian could not make it tonight and will come to another meeting
Debbie Dickson, new Director of Student Services
here about 30 days here, 30 years experience with special education background in schools
looking to increase equity access to the student services
b. Handbooks
handbooks include policy and need to be approved each year
Sally Winslow, provides an overview
working to have consistent language in the handbooks and maintain some of the individuality to capture the school culture
three sections in the handbook
policy updates (including two policies on the agenda tonight)
"Signs of Suicide" program being introduced to middle and high school
setting up a train the trainer process to help spread the word and information throughout the district
required by MA Law to provide this to students
to be implemented in 7th and 9th grades; parents will have the opportunity to opt out
Winslow - it has worked to benefit to have the handbooks as consistent as possible
Sabolinski - the principals are meeting all year so the cross sharing of best practice is done all the time
Question on the building entry policy
the protocols were in place and where some procedures were changed due to the building situation (i.e. Parmenter)
Question on the removal of the modulars?
something new to think about, some parents did meet at the fence and we'll need to re-look at that
The DPW did a tremendous job after the contractors took the modulars down
Trahan - each school has their section will helps to maintain the cultural and yet they are indeed consistent across the district
the generational differences are dealt within the district on a regular basis given the nature of the population
Peter Light - not a significant number of changes, did look at the absence policy and attendance; conversations with families on long absences, wanted to clarify the procedures for excessive absences; if on track to miss more than 20%, they will reach out to the family
other than the changes are mostly name changes, the changes are shown in 'green' but some of them are grammatical so they will change before publication
guidance workload is being looked at to adjust, splitting by alphabet was not working as desired, so the housing split will be assigned randomly. There is no impact to the juniors and seniors. Some sophomores will remain with current counselors others will get re-assigned; adjustments to be made within the next two weeks and then communicated out
Any changes to the building?
choosing not to address much at this point due to the change in assistant principals; use of the IDs is not a big deal, the food policy is to be looked at. Academic honesty policy would be looked at to reflect 21st century learning
(two minutes break)
Absent: O'Malley, Clement
1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments - noneReview of Agenda - none
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the July 28, 2015 School Committee Meeting.
motion to approve, seconded, passed 4-0
Payment of Bills Mr. Clement
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: Budget to Actual
2. Guests/Presentations
a. New AdministratorsPeter Light, Principal - Franklin High School
- Brenda Redding, 11 years in district, 6 years at FHS; one of the assistant principal
- Craig Williams, 7 years at Sullivan Middle School; another new assistant principal
Maria Weber and Lisa Markiesian could not make it tonight and will come to another meeting
Debbie Dickson, new Director of Student Services
here about 30 days here, 30 years experience with special education background in schools
looking to increase equity access to the student services
b. Handbooks
handbooks include policy and need to be approved each year
Sally Winslow, provides an overview
working to have consistent language in the handbooks and maintain some of the individuality to capture the school culture
three sections in the handbook
- school information for grade levels (elementary, middle, high schools)
- individual school info (arrivals/dismissals, etc.)
- school policies
policy updates (including two policies on the agenda tonight)
"Signs of Suicide" program being introduced to middle and high school
setting up a train the trainer process to help spread the word and information throughout the district
required by MA Law to provide this to students
to be implemented in 7th and 9th grades; parents will have the opportunity to opt out
Elementary
basically the lunch process and updates to the policy changes were the major changesWinslow - it has worked to benefit to have the handbooks as consistent as possible
Sabolinski - the principals are meeting all year so the cross sharing of best practice is done all the time
Question on the building entry policy
the protocols were in place and where some procedures were changed due to the building situation (i.e. Parmenter)
Question on the removal of the modulars?
something new to think about, some parents did meet at the fence and we'll need to re-look at that
The DPW did a tremendous job after the contractors took the modulars down
Trahan - each school has their section will helps to maintain the cultural and yet they are indeed consistent across the district
Middle Schools
a comment from a custodian who had come through Franklin schools, the handbook at that time was one page; folded over with the logo on the front, the flag on the back. Now we have a 90 plus page handbook.the generational differences are dealt within the district on a regular basis given the nature of the population
High School
Peter Light - not a significant number of changes, did look at the absence policy and attendance; conversations with families on long absences, wanted to clarify the procedures for excessive absences; if on track to miss more than 20%, they will reach out to the family
other than the changes are mostly name changes, the changes are shown in 'green' but some of them are grammatical so they will change before publication
guidance workload is being looked at to adjust, splitting by alphabet was not working as desired, so the housing split will be assigned randomly. There is no impact to the juniors and seniors. Some sophomores will remain with current counselors others will get re-assigned; adjustments to be made within the next two weeks and then communicated out
Any changes to the building?
choosing not to address much at this point due to the change in assistant principals; use of the IDs is not a big deal, the food policy is to be looked at. Academic honesty policy would be looked at to reflect 21st century learning
(two minutes break)
Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Aug 11, 2015
Vision Statement
The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to
find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.
AGENDA
"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which
may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed
and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent
permitted by law."
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| Franklin Public Schools "the key to learning" |
1. Routine Business
Citizen’s CommentsReview of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the July 28, 2015 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mr. Clement
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: Budget to Actual
2. Guests/Presentations
a. New Administratorsb. Handbooks
c. Calendar Survey
3. Discussion Only Items
Policy – Second ReadingRe-Organization – Instructional Services
- JT – Electronic Device Policy
- JKAA – Non-Violent Physical Crisis Intervention Policy
- Elimination of “Director of Instructional Services” position
- Creation of “Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning” position
4. Action Items
a. I recommend adoption of the following Policies as discussed:b. I recommend adoption of the ECDC Handbook as presented.
- JT – Electronic Device Policy
- JKAA – Non-Violent Physical Crisis Intervention Policy
c. I recommend adoption of the Davis Thayer Handbook as presented.
d. I recommend adoption of the Jefferson Handbook as presented.
e. I recommend adoption of the Keller Handbook as presented.
f. I recommend adoption of the Kennedy Handbook as presented.
g. I recommend adoption of the Oak Street Handbook as presented.
h. I recommend adoption of the Parmenter Handbook as presented.
i. I recommend adoption of the Horace Mann Handbook as presented.
j. I recommend adoption of the Remington Handbook as presented.
k. I recommend adoption of the Annie Sullivan Handbook as presented.
l. I recommend adoption of the Franklin High Handbook as presented.
m. I recommend elimination of the position Director of Instructional Services.
n. I recommend creation of the position Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning.
o. I recommend Joyce Edwards be appointed as Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning.
p. I recommend acceptance of a check for $2,700.00 from the Oak Street PCC for Field Trips.
q. I recommend acceptance of a check for $214.29 from the Horace Mann Drama Club to be deposited in the HM student activity account.
r. I recommend acceptance of a check for $615.84 from Lifetouch for in-house enrichment at ECDC.
s. I recommend acceptance of a check for $3,370.00 from the Franklin Music Boosters for in-house enrichment at FHS.
t. I recommend acceptance of the donation of a panther statue from the Graci Family for FHS.
5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s ReportSchool Committee Sub-Committee Reports
School Committee Liaison Reports
6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.7. Executive Session
Personnel Update8. Adjourn
Franklin Election: Who are the candidates?
The current (as of 3:30PM Aug 10, 2015) candidate listing
| NAME | ADDRESS | POSITION |
| Donna Greenwood | 15 Summer St.#205 | Assessor |
| W.Kenneth Norman | 18 Daniels St. | Assessor |
| Philip M. Brunelli | 26 James Street | Bd. Of Health |
| John S. Power | 211 Union St. | Constable |
| Philip M. Brunelli | 26 James Street | Constable |
| Kenneth B. Hiscoe, III | 19 Red Gate Lane | School Com. |
| Kevin P. O'Malley | 389 Brenda Lane | School Com. |
| Rita M. Graci | 6 King Philip Road | School Com. |
| Trevor A. Clement | 9 Secret Garden Ln | School Com. |
| Vanessa A. Bilello | 5 Symphony Dr. | School Com. |
| Diane M. Padula-O'Neill | 102 Pine Street | Town Clerk |
| Elizabeth F. Simon | 6 Monterey Dr. | Town Clerk |
| Paul J. Cheli | 6 Pearly Lane | Town Clerk |
| Teresa M. Burr | 27 Brushwood Hill | Town Clerk |
| Brett S. Feldman | 37 Meadowbrook Rd. | Town Council |
| Deborah L. Pellegri | 181 Pleasant St | Town Council |
| Glenn F. Jones | 172 School St. | Town Council |
| James D. Schultz, Jr. | 21 MacKintosh Street | Town Council |
| Judith Pond Pfeffer | 37 Arlington St. | Town Council |
| Peter E. Padula | 14 Fort Apache Dr. | Town Council |
| Richard W. Power, Sr. | 10 Royal Ct | Town Council |
| Robert D. Dellorco | 7 Wilson Road | Town Council |
| Thomas D. Mercer | 14 Mercer Lane | Town Council |
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| Franklin Town Common |
The offer to the candidates for an interview can be found here
The election timeline can be found here
The election 2015 collection can be found here
Franklin Community Coalition Event on Wednesday, Aug 12
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DelCarte playground currently closed pending repairs the week of Aug 17th
One of the updates tucked into the Town Administrator's section of the Town Council meeting last week was that the manufacturer was late coming to fix the playground equipment at DelCarte.
Jeff Nutting acknowledged that the manufacturer was supposed to be here in July and their schedule changed to due to other commitments. They are now currently scheduled to be onsite during the week of Aug 17th.
Other updates from the Town Council meeting on Aug 5 can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/08/community-takes-exceptions-to-councilor.html
Note: the next Town Council meeting is scheduled for Sep 9.
Jeff Nutting acknowledged that the manufacturer was supposed to be here in July and their schedule changed to due to other commitments. They are now currently scheduled to be onsite during the week of Aug 17th.
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| DelCarte playground currently closed pending repairs the week of Aug 17th |
Other updates from the Town Council meeting on Aug 5 can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/08/community-takes-exceptions-to-councilor.html
Note: the next Town Council meeting is scheduled for Sep 9.
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