Dear FPS Staff and Community,
As you know, on April 9th, the Franklin School Committee approved a budget representing what we have termed "Level Service Plus." A Level Service Plus Budget allows us to maintain current staffing levels and provide additional staff to maintain optimal class sizes and caseloads. On May 22nd, the Franklin Town Council approved an appropriation less than the School Committee's recommended budget. This means there is not enough funding to support the requested budget for current services and staffing in the next year (FY25). Staff, resources, and programming reductions are required to meet this budget appropriation in case of a failed override on June 11th.
The reductions outlined reflect the necessary adjustments to address the financial realities and constraints in the event of a final budget that is less than the requested amount required for Level Service Plus, as outlined in budget documents found on our website.
With a less-than-level service budget, 37 positions will be eliminated, including teachers, educational support personnel, administration, and non-union staff, necessitating the district to prioritize educational needs. Over the past two weeks, we have identified and detailed the specific reductions required below, along with associated impacts. This will lead to significant changes in various educational areas.
The following ten budget impact areas will explain how these budget decisions will affect our schools, staff, and students.
- Elementary and Middle School — Reducing elementary classroom teachers will result in increased class sizes, with multiple sections at or over recommended guidelines and sections at or above 24 students. Reductions in curriculum specialists will impact elementary tier 2 support for math and literacy, curriculum and assessment development, and classroom support. Middle school tier 2 reading support will be reduced. Reducing library support will result in limited access to elementary and middle school libraries, with school libraries being closed on certain days of the week.
- High School Offerings — Reducing high school teachers will increase class sizes with sections at or above 26 students. Courses that are graduation requirements will be prioritized over elective offerings in all subject areas, resulting in elective offerings being reduced or eliminated. These elective reductions and eliminations include, but are not limited to, courses such as Creative Writing, Computer Science, Astronomy, Robotics, Botany, Forensics, Early Childhood Education, Kinesiology, and AP offerings in all subject areas. Juniors and seniors will have priority in AP course selections, displacing and potentially eliminating sophomore AP experiences.
Fewer elective options will result in more students being placed in classes they did not select to fill their schedule or directed studies. The number of lab experiences in lab science courses will be reduced.
- Support Services — Reductions in counselors and social worker support services affect student caseloads, leading to reduced counseling staff intervention, prioritizing those with the most needs, and impacting our ability to support students and families proactively.
- World Language Programs — Reductions in World Language programming at the middle school will reduce students' early exposure to Spanish, consequently impacting students' opportunities to take higher-level Spanish classes in high school. Latin one and AP Latin will be eliminated, leading to the eventual elimination of Latin as a language option in future years.
- Music and Arts Programs — Reductions in music and arts programs will eliminate orchestra and chorus in middle schools. The middle school band will be significantly reduced, limiting the number of students accessing the program. Participation in competitions and festivals will be significantly reduced and may be eliminated altogether. High school theater courses will be eliminated. There is a possibility of offering theater after school, but this will limit the opportunity for students to participate in festivals. Art electives at the high school will also be reduced.
- Wellness and Physical Education Programs — Reductions in physical education programs will increase class sizes in wellness and physical education. Freshmen and sophomores will be restricted from taking wellness/PE electives, and athlete access to PE electives will be limited.
- Extracurricular Activities — In addition to the previously cut middle school extracurricular activities, many high school extracurricular activities will also be eliminated or reduced.
- Administrators and non-union staff — Reducing two administrators, redistributing responsibilities of current administrators among schools, and reductions to central office non-union staff.
- Operational Adjustments — Increasing all fee and tuition-based programs, self-funding athletics, and reducing all school supply budgets by 25%, reducing the Office of Teaching and Learning budget to reduce professional learning opportunities for educators, curriculum resources for students, and curriculum committees, educational software, and stipends. Reducing activity monitors and educational Interventionists decreases time supporting students.
- Staff Transfers — Staff transfers due to eliminated positions can create a cascading effect on less senior staff members at various grade levels based on seniority.
We will continue to navigate these challenges while remaining committed to providing the best possible education for our community with the resources we have. However, these reductions will significantly impact our students, staff, and the overall quality of education.
Sincerely,
Franklin Public Schools
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| Franklin Public Schools FY 2025 Budget Summary |
.JPG "State Representative Jeff Roy and Senator Becca Rausch cast their votes:")
