Thursday, March 5, 2009
Recommended viewing
Technology has created a world where learning takes place here and now.
How do we want to prepare our children for the future?
one laptop per student
Dr Scott McLeod is continuing his series on recommendations for the Iowa schools. In part 3, he writes:
In addition to funding, numerous other challenges exist as well. One of the biggest is the current predisposition of schools to invest in teacher-centric technologies like televisions, DVD/VCR players, projectors, electronic whiteboards, and document cameras. They’re important and useful but they’re also primarily used as yet another way for teachers to push out information to students. In contrast, laptops, netbooks, digital cameras, small high-definition camcorders, digital voice recorders, webcams, digital scientific probes or sensors, and other devices are primarily used by students to facilitate their own academic learning. If we want Iowa students to gain the technology skills they will need to be productive citizens and workers, schools should be making as many investments in these latter, student-centric devices as possible. There also are a number of free or low-cost online software and tools that students and teachers can use in creative and productive ways.You can read the full article here. It is rich with links and additional media (pictures and video).
Interesting court case in CT on schools
A court case from Connecticut is stirring a debate over where to draw the line on what schools can or should do about things students say online. High school student Avery Doninger railed online against the “douchebags” in her school district and urged her classmates to bombard the superintendent with complaints to “piss her off more.” When the school said that this was inappropriate for a student government leader and told her she couldn’t run for senior class secretary, she sued.
The lawsuit has gone up and down in the courts, but so far the student has lost. All the legal nitty-gritty on the Doninger case is available starting here, courtesy of NSBA’s Legal Clips e-newsletter.
You can read the full posting on the National School Board Association website here
"town helps create favorable conditions for business expansion"
GHS
FRANKLIN —
In its ongoing efforts to reel in some extra cash, Town Council last night voted unanimously to establish Forge Park and Franklin Industrial Park as economic opportunity areas.
Designating the two parks as economic opportunity areas will provide significant incentives for businesses and property owners wishing to sell, lease, develop or redevelop their properties, said Bryan Taberner, director of the Department of Planning and Community Development.
In turn, the business expansions and developments will bring more tax revenue, he said.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here.
For everything that occurred during the Town Council meeting on 3/4/09, check my live reporting here
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Town Council Mtg 03/04/09
Here is the summary of live reporting posts for the meeting 3/4/09
Live reporting - Administrator, and closing
Thanks to the DPW for the never-ending winter we are having.
Thanks to Jim Dacey and Susan Gagner for their work to gain us an upgrade on our bond rating which saves us $100,000 in interest.
Compliment Allen Earl's new book on Franklin, available in local bookstores
Group working to make the rail trail a reality as an other recreation use in Franklin, contact Jeff Nutting if interested in helping out.
Food Pantry met with Chris Feeley, a pretty positive meeting. We are looking for a new location.
Old business - none
New business -
Vallee - are delinquencies up in this economy?
Nutting - actually no, the banks are tending to pay to protect their property
Councilor Comments
Bartlett - TV Trivia is the theme for the next FEF Trivia Bee is coming March 19th
Move to executive session
roll call - unanimous
Thanks to Jim Dacey and Susan Gagner for their work to gain us an upgrade on our bond rating which saves us $100,000 in interest.
Compliment Allen Earl's new book on Franklin, available in local bookstores
Group working to make the rail trail a reality as an other recreation use in Franklin, contact Jeff Nutting if interested in helping out.
Food Pantry met with Chris Feeley, a pretty positive meeting. We are looking for a new location.
Old business - none
New business -
Vallee - are delinquencies up in this economy?
Nutting - actually no, the banks are tending to pay to protect their property
Councilor Comments
Bartlett - TV Trivia is the theme for the next FEF Trivia Bee is coming March 19th
Move to executive session
roll call - unanimous
Live reporting - action items
2. Resolution 09-10: Authorization for Intermunicipal Agreement with Town of Medway
Motion to approve 7-0
A joint agreement that Franklin will administer the program and gain the fees from Medway to offset the overall administration overhead. A win-win move to trial until Dec 2010. Will come back with status updates.
3. Resolution 09-11: Appropriation – Capital – Fire Dept Ladder Truck
Motion to approve 7-0
4. Resolution 09-12: Appropriation – Capital – DPW Lawn mower
Motion to approve 7-0
The new one is $75K, a used one is $35K, this is a good buy to save the town money
This is a wider cut machine replacing a 15 year old unit
7. Bylaw Amendment 09-630:Amendment to Chapter 37, Town Properties - 1st Reading
Motion to move to second reading 7-0
Motion to approve 7-0
A joint agreement that Franklin will administer the program and gain the fees from Medway to offset the overall administration overhead. A win-win move to trial until Dec 2010. Will come back with status updates.
3. Resolution 09-11: Appropriation – Capital – Fire Dept Ladder Truck
Motion to approve 7-0
4. Resolution 09-12: Appropriation – Capital – DPW Lawn mower
Motion to approve 7-0
The new one is $75K, a used one is $35K, this is a good buy to save the town money
This is a wider cut machine replacing a 15 year old unit
7. Bylaw Amendment 09-630:Amendment to Chapter 37, Town Properties - 1st Reading
Motion to move to second reading 7-0
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