Thursday, July 22, 2010

School Committee: What took so long?

  • The School Committee met on June 8th, the day of the failed override vote. They also met on June 22, two weeks after the override vote.
  • The letter to the FEA regarding the shortened day was dated July 6th and requested a response from the teachers union by July 20th.
Why did the School Committee wait so long to take action on what they knew was required?

The letter and results of the non-response by the teachers union can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/07/franklin-ma-no-shortened-day-for.html

Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: no shortened day for Elementary schools

According to the School Committee meeting Tuesday evening, there will not be a shortened school day for the elementary schools. The seven elementary teachers already cut from the budget as announced during the override will be joined by three more due to the lack of response from the teachers union on this proposal. The teachers involved had already been notified per contractual requirements in June.

If the teachers union had responded positively to this proposal, the teacher positions could have been restored.

Notification to parents of teacher assignments will not be until August. There are still enrollment adjustments happening and the final teacher assignments are pending these changes. The enrollment adjustments are families moving from one school to another. The churn is still be worked on the principals.

As clarified in this video segment, the total teachers cut due to the failed override is now 18; 8 from the middle schools and 10 from the elementary schools. Larger class sizes will result.

You can view this segment of the School Committee meeting on the Franklin website here
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?indexPointSKU=R2rkwli%2b1jaAqlaDCKc%2bvw%3d%3d

Here is the letter to the FEA (the teachers union) from the School Committee regarding the proposed shortened day for the elementary schools.

2010 FSC Shortened Day to FEA


Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document.

Franklin, MA

Small Wonders Licensed Family Child Care

In the public service notice category, I have this email text from Joanne Basile:

Small Wonders Licensed Family Child Care has Part Time Openings 2010/2011 for the 2010/2011 School Year:
Hope you're all having a great summer, and I just wanted to post a quick note for those of you that are beginning to think about Back to School Planning...
- Have older kids in school and a little one at home?
- Do you have a little one that misses the preschool cut off?
- Do you need an opportunity for your little one help manage on separation anxiety, or play and share with peers?
- Would you like a few hours a week to do some errands on your own, take a class, or even just clean up?
Small Wonders Family Child care is a fully licensed family child care - I have been in business since 2003, and have many sweet little friends here in Franklin that have come to play. The children enjoy puzzles, board games, dance parties, baking, coloring, sing a longs, walks around the block, story time and more.
I am CPR and First Aid certified and as a mother of two young boys with severe food allergies, trained in the use of an Epi Pen. As a licensed provider the state has performed a background check and safety inspection.
I have many happy references available from both current and former clients.
Only three spaces remain for my 2010/2011 school year, spaces available Tuesday and Thursday from 9-12 or 9-2 depending on your needs.
Please email me at basilefamily@comcast.net if you'd like more details.

Franklin, MA


Town Council - 07/21/10

The collected reporting from the Town Council meeting on Wednesday evening, July 21 can be found here:



Franklin, MA

Hawthorn Suites Business After Hours - Aug 11


BUSINESS AFTER HOURS AT HAWTHORN SUITES

The United Regional Chamber of Commerce has organized a Business After Hours at Hawthorn Suites, 835 Upper Union St., Franklin, on Aug. 11 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The cost is $5 for members (3 members for $10) or $10 for non-members. Register by calling 508-222-0801, 508-695-6011 or 508-528-2800.

The United Regional Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit, business support organization with offices in Attleboro, North Attleborough and Franklin serving the communities of Attleboro, Bellingham, Blackstone, Foxborough, Franklin, Mansfield, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleborough, Norton, Plainville, Rehoboth, Seekonk, and Wrentham.

In the News - driving badly, dog debarking, casino letter, curriculum change

Cops: Franklin man drove woman off road

from The Milford Daily News News RSS 


Massachusetts outlaws dog debarking




Holliston, Ashland, Hopkinton write joint casino letter


Franklin, MA

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Live reporting - Closing

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Pfeffer - thanks to Mark Cerel and Debbie Pellegri for putting together training on the new Open Meeting law. It was well done and a lot of committee and Town folks attended.


Jones - thanks to the Town for getting the circular table wired up to turn the lights back on at the Library.


Mason - happy birthday to Councilor Powderly, she's 29 today

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION 
Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
not tonight



P. ADJOURN
Vallee - motion to adjourn, passed 9-0
meeting closed at 7:20 PM (with a 5 minute recess, this is the shortest meeting I have ever attended.)


Franklin, MA