"The place is looking better"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

Milford Daily News

Posted May 12, 2009 @ 09:22 PM

The fate of the Red Brick School is safe for another year, thanks to Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School, according to the Brick School Association.

The charter school has been leasing the school from the town for $1 for the year since early last fall, and has signed on to another year, said Herbert Hunter, association treasurer.

Charter school students have been using the historic building for after-school activities that they wouldn't otherwise be able to do, said charter school Head Kevin O'Malley.

"We're just getting into our relationship with the Brick School, but we're already getting good use out of it this year, and next year, we're looking to do even more," O'Malley said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Treesavers: Paul Barcelo

Paul Barcelo, author of The Sweet War Man

Paul Barcelo completed Army Infantry training at Fort Benning, Georgia, then rotary wing training at Fort Wolters, Texas and Fort Rucker, Alabama. He flew one tour as a UH-1 pilot in Republic of Vietnam. He resides in Franklin, Massachusetts with his wife and four children. This is his first novel.

Will be appearing at Treesavers Books to sign his new book, The Sweet War Man.

May 16, 2009 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM

Live reporting - end

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. none

7. Executive Session
Contractual Negotiations

The School Committee voted to go into executive session for the purposes of negotiation, not to return to an open meeting.

Live reporting - Superintendent's report

Superintendent’s Report

• Reduction in Force covered earlier
  
• User Fees covered earlier
  
• Town / School Expenditure Agreement (Final Draft) will come up for formal action next time
  
• End of Year Events a full listing supplied to SchCom
  
• Enrollment Comparisons for April 08-09
  

Live reporting - Action items

4. Action Items

1. I recommend approval of the FHS field trip to McCoy Stadium, Pawtucket, RI on (tentatively, based on ticket availability) June 15, 2009 for a Pawsox game from 5 P.M. to approximately 10:30 P.M. Approved 7-0
   
2. I recommend approval of the FPS Music Dept. field trip to Canobie Lake Park in Salem, NH on June 12, 2009 from 2:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. Approved 7-0
3. I recommend acceptance of a check for $500.00 from Exxon Mobil for Franklin High School to be used for academic recognition for seniors. Approved 7-0
4. I recommend moving FY10 Budget amount of $50,297,820. to public hearing on May 26, 2009. Approved 7-0

Live reporting - FY 2010 budget continued

Armenio
what does this do to the accreditation at the High School

Ogden
I talked with them last Friday
reviewed the options to keep class sizes reasonable
if we institute study halls, what would the consequence be?
She didn't know the answer to those questions, she was going to research that and get back to us
I got a sense that given the duress and financial circumstances, it might be okay

Armenio
be prepared when something leaves, it generally doesn't come back
When the Town budget is so heavily dependent upon the State generosity, it runs into these issues
I can't support going to half-day at this time
plan for the following year, you don't know what is going to happen
it is not a threat, it is a head's up for FY 2011

Cafasso
there is a lot going on, will need to communicate about the changes to all there next year as well as the incoming 8th graders

Light
I have a letter ready to go to the parents, etc.
to go out via ConnectEd and via the website

Live reporting - Joint Statement (full text)

(May 12, 2009) The Franklin School Committee and Franklin Education Association (FEA) are engaged in fruitful talks regarding a temporary wage concession for the FY10 school year. Representatives from both groups, who met last night, report making significant progress toward a resolution in the best interests of Franklin students.

"I was encouraged by the respectful and collaborative tone of the discussions and I'm hopeful that this will lead to a solution," said Jeffrey Roy, Chairman of the Franklin School Committee.

"Both sides agree that advancing student achievement will require reasonable class sizes, professional development opportunities and highly qualified staff."

Robert McLaughlin, the president of the Franklin Education Association said: "We thank the School Committee for their receptivity to our concerns. We reaffirm our commitment to providing a high quality education to the children of Franklin and look forward to a swift, common sense resolution toward that end.”

Members of the Franklin School Committee and the general membership of the FEA will need to discuss and vote on any proposal designed to help balance the FY10 budget. Both the School Committee and the FEA hope to have the talks concluded and action taken prior to the School Committee’s May 26 public hearing on the FY10 budget.