Monday, April 27, 2009

Concerned about Franklin's finances?

Concerned about Franklin's Finances?

GET THE FACTS

Long-Range Financial Planning Committee

Monday, April 27th

7 PM
Horace

Mann School

(Mercer Auditorium)


IT’S TIME WELL SPENT


You can view the report here

"overrides are going to become part of Franklin's future"

Milford Daily News
Posted Apr 26, 2009 @ 10:00 PM

FRANKLIN —

Town councilors say they're not surprised at Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting's recent projection of a $5 to $6 million deficit in 2011, but for the most part, are too focused on getting through this budget cycle to start strategizing.

"It's so far off at this point. In my opinion, it shouldn't even be a topic of conversation. We need to get through this budget and see where we are," said Town Council Chairman Christopher Feeley.

There are many variables - like the possibility of getting revenue from utility pole taxes and local hotels and meals taxes - that could dramatically change Nutting's projection between now and next budget season, Feeley said.

"We need to be concerned about it, but too many things could change," he said.

Councilors Stephen Whalen and Scott Mason both said Nutting's projections are always "extremely accurate."

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

School Committee Agenda - 4/28/09

1. Routine Business

Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: Maureen Barker is on vacation – the 4-14-09 minutes will be approved at the next meeting (5-12-09).
Payment of Bills Mr. Kelly
Payroll Ms. Armenio
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: none

2. Guests/Presentations
a. Dan Telhada – All Scholastic Award
b. Coach Carmen Colace – Coach of the Year
c. Cafeteria – Point of Sale Implementation – Miriam Goodman

3. Discussion Only Items
Budget to Actual
FY10 Budget

4. Action Items:
a. I recommend budget transfers as detailed.
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $2,500.00 from the Oak Street PCC for nurses and bus fees for upcoming field trips.
c. I recommend approval of the ASMS 8th grade trip to Conn. River Valley and Eastern NY on May 1, 2009.
d. I recommend acceptance of the donation of 12 cases of copy paper for the Franklin Public Schools from Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Johnson.
e. I recommend acceptance of the donation of $4,200.00 from the ASMS PCC to pay for two 8th grade field trip coach buses.
f. I recommend declaring the graphic arts classroom modular at FHS as surplus.

5. Information Matters

Superintendent’s Report
a. Using Data to Monitor Student Achievement
b. Best Buddies Prom
c. Bicycle Racks
d. FHS Modular Classroom
e. Implementation of Point of Sale Technology / Food Service

School 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

Contractual Negotiations

8. Adjourn

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Franklin kindergarten information nights schedule

This updated the schedule previously published here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2009/03/kindergarten-information-night-schedule.html

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via Wicked Local Franklin News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 4/26/09

Parents of children who will be attending kindergarten in the fall are invited to attend the Kindergarten Information Night at their particular school.

Following are dates and times for sessions (parents only) revised from earlier publications:

J.F.Kennedy Elementary School, Thursday, April 30, 6:30 p.m.

Parmenter Elementary, Thursday, May 14, 6:30 p.m.

Jefferson Elementary, Wednesday, May 20, 6 p.m.

Helen Keller Elementary, Wednesday, May 13, 6:30 p.m.

Davis Thayer Elementary, Thursday, May 14, 6:30 p.m.

Oak Street Elementary , Wednesday, May 27, 6:30 p.m.


Things you can do from here:

When a Community Loses

this article discusses the impact of high school sports fees

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via Boston Globe -- Globe Magazine by Brion O'Connor on 4/25/09
Eight years ago, when my daughters were in diapers, I took an assistant coaching post with the Hamilton-Wenham High School hockey team. It was one of those rare moments when life allows you to repay a debt. I lost my dad before eighth grade. Sports kept me heading in the right direction despite the upheaval of puberty. I had a ...

Things you can do from here:

"She gets the job done without fanfare"

Milford Daily News
Posted Apr 25, 2009 @ 11:35 PM

FRANKLIN —

Paula Mullen, a Franklin resident and vice chairwoman of the School Committee, was one of 100 women in the state named a 2009 Unsung Heroine by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women.

She will be recognized by the commission for outstanding contributions to her community in a ceremony on May 13 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the State House in Boston.

School Committee Chairman Jeffrey Roy nominated Mullen.

Roy thought she was "a perfect fit," especially because she hates the limelight, but deserves the recognition for all the volunteer work she does.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here.


five hours is worth more than $1 million

According to a copy of the proposal, the union demanded the following conditions: the permanent removal of five floating after-school meetings, permanent removal of the need to provide a reason for personal days, and the permanent requirement that no after-school meetings be scheduled two weeks prior to the issuing of report cards.
From the Milford Daily News article on the School Committee meeting 4/14/09.


The citizens of Franklin will find out, hopefully soon, what the cost of 5 hours of meetings are. Is it worth 1 million dollars? Or is it worth more?

The teachers union in a vote to accept the 2.5 percent wage freeze for the 2009-2010 school year attached three minor conditions to the proposal.

To remove from their contract, five floating after school meetings. There already are three mandatory meetings each month for the teachers at each school. Is there really a need for these five floating meetings? I hope not.

To remove the requirement for providing a reason for taking two "personal" days. There are only two, you use them or loose them. They are already defined "personal". Does the School Dept really need to know the personal reason? I think that is too much of a controlling issue.

To add a requirement not to schedule after-school meetings in the two weeks prior to report cards. This seems reasonable. The time before report cards should be focused on preparing the accurate information for students and parents/guardians on the progress made during the marking period.

Why this was not discussed during the meeting, I can understand given the nature of the conversation that did take place between Chandler Creedon and the School Committee. They were talking about the same topic, using different words, not really answering each others questions. For me, there is a communication issue there.


This was originally posted here on Wednesday April 15, 2009.