Any parent who supports a level service school budget issue should try to attend the 7 p.m. Town Council meeting on Wednesday (tomorrow) and use the “Citizen Comment” period right at the start of the meeting to ask the town councilors to look into their hearts and find a way to help the schools fund a level service school budget -- either through existing resources, an override or some combination of both.
The schools are not on the meeting agenda, so “citizen comments” will be the only chance to be heard on this issue. Committee Chairman Jeff Roy will make a statement, and the vocal support of parents would be appreciated.
Ed Cafasso
Member Franklin School Committee
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
in the News - FINCOM Meeting - 2 articles
GHS
FRANKLIN —
Despite support from most individual members of the Finance Committee, last night the group collectively decided against recommending an override to Town Council because they did not have enough time to properly plan.
After School Committee Chairman Jeffrey Roy requested the board discuss putting an override question to the public to prevent 45 layoffs in the schools, Finance Committee members spoke in favor of a tax hike.
Finance Committee Chairman Jim Roche made a motion to ask the Town Council to place a $1.5 million override question on the ballot to support the school, police, and fire departments. No one seconded his motion.
-----------------------------
GHS
FRANKLIN —
After a lengthy presentation from school officials advocating for a $58.6 million budget, the Finance Committee last night voted to recommend the $55.4 million budget proposed by Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting.
Finance Committee Chairman Jim Roche said he wanted to be clear that the school budget is not being cut, "it's just not getting increased by as much" as officials say is necessary to maintain teachers, other staff and programs in schools. Nutting's recommended budget represents a 1.5 percent increase, or about $800,000 over this year's $54.6 million budget.
Even if the School Department gets the $58.6 million it is seeking, schools will not be able to hire new teachers, Superintendent Wayne Ogden said.
Monday, April 14, 2008
FINCOM votes to adjourn
Yes, that was one major highlight of the long evening Monday 4/14/08.
After hearing and reviewing the school budget and the need for an override,
with two members not returning from a five minute break,
the eight remaining could not reach an agreement on two motions for an override,
both motions ended up being withdrawn,
which quickly lead to the motion to adjourn at approx 10:20 PM.
So the FINCOM has yet to vote a full budget (schedule to be determined).
The Town Council probably won't get the budget until their second meeting in May (at this rate).
Which cuts it almost impossible to schedule a town vote for an override before June 30th.
So as it stands the school budget voted is the level funded Town Administrator approved budget which is short $3.3 Million and will result in 45 folks going out the door in June to not return in September.
Oh, and the school committee has yet to vote on their final budget. That comes on April 29th.
more details and recordings to be made available as I have time to process them
After hearing and reviewing the school budget and the need for an override,
with two members not returning from a five minute break,
the eight remaining could not reach an agreement on two motions for an override,
both motions ended up being withdrawn,
which quickly lead to the motion to adjourn at approx 10:20 PM.
So the FINCOM has yet to vote a full budget (schedule to be determined).
The Town Council probably won't get the budget until their second meeting in May (at this rate).
Which cuts it almost impossible to schedule a town vote for an override before June 30th.
So as it stands the school budget voted is the level funded Town Administrator approved budget which is short $3.3 Million and will result in 45 folks going out the door in June to not return in September.
Oh, and the school committee has yet to vote on their final budget. That comes on April 29th.
more details and recordings to be made available as I have time to process them
In the News - override views mixed, FINCOM to hear school budget
GHS
FRANKLIN —
Dale Lippert, a retired instructor from Dean College, didn't pause before expressing his thoughts on a tax override to save the schools from drastic layoffs and cuts this year.
Sitting at the Honey Dew Donuts on Rte. 140, Lippert shook his head, and looking to his friend, another senior, said, "It's not going to happen."
"The bucket is only so deep. I don't think it's a Franklin issue - I think it's a U.S. issue, an economy issue," said Lippert, lamenting the rising cost of gas, milk, and bread.
People on fixed incomes can't meet their basic needs, and others are losing their homes, he said.
"I was a teacher, and I'm 150 percent in favor of education, but there has to be fiscal responsibility. They can't just keep asking people (for more)," Lippert said.
If Franklin puts a tax override question on a ballot this year, he predicted, "a gray revolution" - the senior generation organizing to fight it - adding that he'd be "on the front line."
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News
----------------------------
GHS
FRANKLIN —
Tonight, School Committee Chairman Jeff Roy will make two financial requests of the Finance Committee: To support a tax override and agree to a $58.6 million budget for schools - $3.2 million on top of Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting's proposed $55.4 million budget.
The School Committee is seeking the tax hike to fund a budget sufficient to maintain the same level of services, teachers and staff at schools.
An adequate tax override would prevent 45 layoffs (mostly teachers) in schools and increased pay-to-ride fees, and save the late bus.
"I'm hoping the Finance Committee will support an override, or at least an override question. I think it's the only real option, because there aren't any real sources of (additional) revenue," he said.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Poll #2
Thank you for your feedback to the first poll.
My second one is now along the right column under the subscription options.
You have three options and can choose one: audio files, audio and text, or text.
I have experimented with all three delivery methods over the last several months. I have my preference. Now you get to express your choice.
My second one is now along the right column under the subscription options.
How do you prefer to catch up on what happens with a meeting?
You have three options and can choose one: audio files, audio and text, or text.
I have experimented with all three delivery methods over the last several months. I have my preference. Now you get to express your choice.
Letter From Ed Cafasso
Hello everyone!
I hope you had a restful weekend. As promised, here is an update on school budget matters, including a schedule of important public hearings that you may wish to attend.
The School Committee this week voted unanimously in support of a level service budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. That means we will ask the Town Council for approximately $4 million in additional funding, enough to cover our increasing costs so that we can support the same level of service students and parents currently receive.
As you know, Town Administrator Jeff Nutting has proposed that the schools receive only $800,000 in additional revenue for fiscal year 2009. If the Town Council accepts Mr. Nutting’s proposed funding level, the School Committee and Supt. Ogden would need to impose $3.2 million in cuts, including:
- 15 teaching positions at elementary level
- 12.5 teaching positions at middle school
- 17 teaching positions at FHS
- A $100 increase in the pay-to-ride bus fee hike, and
- The end of late bus service for students who need to stay after school for academic, clubs and extracurricular programs.
To date, we have not received any indications that the Town Council is willing to support additional funding for the schools beyond Mr. Nutting’s proposed appropriation. In light of this, the School Committee also voted unanimously to authorize Committee Chairman Jeff Roy to pursue the possibility of placing a Proposition 2½ override on the town ballot.
Dozens of you have written to me and to other members of the School Committee to express your deep concern over the impact of these potential cutbacks, including inappropriate class sizes, reductions in arts, music and extracurricular offerings, intolerable burdens for working families; destabilized property values, etc.
I appreciate all of the messages of support I have received and the great many smart questions parents are asking. I urge you to make your opinions known to the elected members of the Finance Committee and the Town Council. I have included their email addresses below, arranged in easy cut-and-paste blocks.
Finance Committee members:
RobustAlternatives@comcast.net; feldjamin@hotmail.com; pmessere@earthlink.net; rebecca65@comcast.net; mark.cataldo2@verizon.net; jfc322151@yahoo.com; pat@cbsfinances.com; csmaire@aol.com; wnorman18@comcast.net; rfvitale@msn.com; John.redwine@fmr.com; jnutting@franklin.ma.us
Town Council members: cdds2@comcast.net; bartlett.family@comcast.net; judpfeffer@verizon.net; TDoak@comcast.net; smason2@comcast.net; DMC2466298@aol.com; Vallee480@aol.com; whalen_stephen@hotmail.com; szollo@mbbp.com; jnutting@franklin.ma.us There are several public meeting opportunities coming up at which you also can ask questions of your elected officials and express your views as voters and taxpayers. These include;
Monday, April 14: The Finance Committee will hold a hearing to examine the School Department’s proposed FY09 budget at 7 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers on the 2nd floor of the Municipal Building.
Tuesday, April 15: Town Administrator Jeff Nutting and School Supt. Wayne Ogden will appear at the meeting of the Franklin Schools at 9 a.m. at Horace Mann Middle School.
Tuesday, April 29: The School Committee will hold its public hearing on the school budget at 7 p.m. on 2nd floor of the Municipal Building.
Wednesday, May 7: The Town Council will hold its hearing on the School Department budget at 7 p.m. on the 2nd floor of the Municipal Building.
Thanks again for your feedback and support. I will do my best to keep you informed. The next three to four weeks will be crucial in determining the state of our schools this fall. Stay tuned. Stay involved.
Ed Cafasso, Member
Franklin School Committee
Fire Station Open House (audio)
The ceremonies from the Fire Station Open House on Saturday. The speakers were in order: Lou Allevato, Building Committee Chair; Chris Feeley, Town Council Chair; Rep Vallee and his special assistant; Chief McCarraher; and Father Bob from St Mary's.
Time: 17 minutes, 50 seconds
MP3 File
Time: 17 minutes, 50 seconds
MP3 File
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