Franklin Public Schools: important message 8/26/13

If anyone happened to see the News at 6:00 PM today, this is the official schools statement from Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Franklin Public Schools Office of the Superintendent PRESS RELEASE August 26, 2013 A serious allegation of misconduct by a Franklin High School teacher was brought to the attention of the administration within the Franklin Public Schools.  The administration was devastated by hearing of this allegation and we acted immediately. Upon learning of this allegation, a report was made to the Franklin Police Department and the Franklin Public Schools is cooperating with the Police in this regard.  Also a report was made to the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF).  Additionally, the Franklin Public Schools administration immediately initiated its own comprehensive internal investigation.  Our School Counsel initiated the investigation last week. We are committing our full resources to investigating and responding to these allegations.  The alleged incident is disturbing and does not reflect the expectations we espouse as a school district or as a community. We are committed to ensuring all of our students are safe, both physically and emotionally.  These allegations demean the professionalism of all educators and are inconsistent with School Committee policies and community norms.  Franklin Public Schools is fully committed to supporting students and families who have been impacted by this incident. Due to the confidentiality rights of all involved, we are unable to comment further on the particulars of the alleged incident or our resulting investigation. The individual involved in this allegation is on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.  Be assured that the safety and security of all students in the Franklin Public Schools always remains our highest priority.  We will continue to work closely with relevant agencies and to take any appropriate actions in response.  We will ensure that this investigation is conducted thoroughly and with complete understanding of our obligation to uphold our public duty to our students. Our focus and mission at this time is to protect the confidentiality of our students as we open school for the 2013-2014 school year. This e-mail has been sent to you by FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. If you wish to discontinue this service, please inform FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PERSON, by US MAIL, or by TELEPHONE at (508) 613-1777.

Offer to candidates for election - November 5, 2013

To the citizens and potential candidates for Franklin's election this November 5

I extend an offer to conduct and post an interview with you here. The interview can be either text or audio.

You are running to conduct business on behalf of Franklin. Together, we can share your views, your objectives, and help to spread the word to create an informed voter.

Send me an email (shersteve at gmail dot com) and we can arrange a mutually convenient time.

Be aware that this is my public service effort conducted solely to create an informed electorate here in Franklin.

I do this for fun and education. If it stops being that way, I will stop.
This is not an advertising site. This is an information sharing site.

My disclosure statement can be found here.
My comment/editorial policy can be found here.

A similar offer was made for the Franklin, MA elections in 2011, 2009 and 2007.



The interviews for the candidates in the prior elections can be found in the archives

2011 - http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/08/election-2011-summary.html

2009 - http://www.franklinmatters.org/2009/10/2009-election-collection.html

2007 - http://steves2cents.blogspot.com/2007/11/franklin-election-2007.html

Getting ready to slow down on King St

The meetings around the safety of the school crossing on King St at Wachusett St for the students going to the Parmenter Elementary School made promises that are about to be delivered.

Construction on the past couple of days have resulted in some tree branches trimmed back

note: tree branches trimmed

one tree removed

note: stump and sawdust remains where tree was

poles installed for better marking of the crossing

new sign pole on corner

speed warning signs have been installed. This one shown is on King St heading to i495. There is a similar one on King St heading towards Wachusett St.

new speed sign

With school opening on Tuesday, the work to finish the installation seems like it can be completed on Monday.


From the archives
the meeting at Parmenter with Franklin officials was mentioned during the January Town Council meeting
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/01/live-reporting-closing.html

the plan to prepare for this installation was voted on and approved by the Finance Committee in March and then by the Town Council
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/03/delcarte-recreation-proposal.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/03/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-mar-27.html

new Franklin High School parking arrangements

With construction of the new building underway, part of the main parking lot has been returned to Franklin for use when school opens on Tuesday.

The fences previously restricting the parking lot to the construction work zone have been relocated.

the fences have been removed

Access to the high school parking lot from the Horace Mann bus loop entrance has been restored.

the access road from Horace Mann/Oak St is re-opened

There are eleven parking spots marked for energy efficient vehicles

priority spots for energy efficient vehicles

There are eleven parking spots for car pools

priority spots for car pools

A view of the new lot as you come in from the Horace Mann/Oak st access

a view of the lot

"the field remains wide open"

A recap of the folks who have taken out election papers is available in this article from the Milford Daily News. The election will be held on Tuesday, November 5th. The election timeline was posted here earlier in case you want a refresher.

Councilors Tom Mercer, Andrew Bissanti, Judith Pond Pfeffer and Glenn Jones will run for re-election in November. The only newcomer to the council running thus far, Brett Feldman, a member of the Finance Committee, took out papers earlier this month. 

Chairman Robert Vallee, Vice Chairwoman Tina Powderly and councilor Matt Kelly are still mulling whether to run. But State Rep. Jeffrey Roy (D-Franklin) has announced an end to his local political career, as he forges ahead in his freshman year at the State House. 

Council candidates will need to round up 100 signatures to run, while others need 50. Sept. 18 is the final day to return the documents.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1868831264/Candidates-for-Franklins-Nov-6-election-trickling-in#ixzz2d48Onn00

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Aug 27, 2013

Vision Statement

The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.

AGENDA

"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."

1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the July 16, 2013 and August 13, 2013 School Committee Meetings.
Payment of Bills Mrs. McIntyre
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: none

2. Guests/Presentations

a. Elementary - School Improvement Plans

1. ECDC
2. Davis Thayer
3. Jefferson
4. Keller
5. Kennedy
6. Oak Street
7. Parmenter

b. Middle - School Improvement Plans

1. Horace Mann
2. Remington
3. Annie Sullivan

c. High School – School Improvement Plan

3. Discussion Only Items

4. Action Items
a. I recommend budget transfers as detailed.
b. I recommend approval of the ECDC School Improvement Plan as detailed.
c. I recommend approval of the Davis Thayer School Improvement Plan as detailed.
d. I recommend approval of the Jefferson School Improvement Plan as detailed.
e. I recommend approval of the Keller School Improvement Plan as detailed.
f. I recommend approval of the Kennedy School Improvement Plan as detailed.
g. I recommend approval of the Oak Street School Improvement Plan as detailed.
h. I recommend approval of the Parmenter School Improvement Plan as detailed.
i. I recommend approval of the Horace Mann School Improvement Plan as detailed.
j. I recommend approval of the Remington School Improvement Plan as detailed.
k. I recommend approval of the Annie Sullivan School Improvement Plan as detailed.
l. I recommend approval of the FHS School Improvement Plan as detailed.
m. I recommend approval of the request of Peter Light to declare Science books as detailed as surplus.
n. I recommend acceptance of a check for $500.00 from BJ’s Wholesale for Keller Elementary School.

5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
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

The 'phantom ecologist' can do better

A loyal reader found this note posted on one of the information kiosks at the DelCarte property last weekend and shared the photo with me. A series of emails with Michele Grenier, the Franklin Conservation Agent, and Jeff Nutting, the Town Administrator,  confirmed the following.

• Trapa natans is an invasive species, it is not legally sold in MA.
• Franklin will put a plan together to remove the plant from the pond
• The 'phantom ecologist' should come forward with anything else they find and reach out to the Conservation Agent.

The contact information for Michele (email and phone) can be found on the official Franklin webpage
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Conservation/index

Additional info on the trapa natans can be found on the National Park Service page here
http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/pubs/midatlantic/trna.htm 

or wikipedia here  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_caltrop

What does the trapa natans look like?

From Evernote:

Water Chestnut (Trapa natans) Clipped from: http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/pubs/midatlantic/trna.htm

trapa natnas

Photo of 'phantom ecologist' note

In case the text is hard to read, it has been recopied here:

Water chestnut (Trapa natans) has been observed in DelCarte Pond #4, the pond immediately behind this kiosk. The plant has not previously been observed in Franklin. 

This is a highly invasive non-native plant most probably introduced by geese and/or swans. If not controlled the pond is expected to be completely controlled by the plants' floating mats in just a couple of years, reducing sunlight and dissolved oxygen to the extent that fish kills can be expected, severely limiting the potential for fishing and bating at DelCarte. 

Currently there are dozens of colonies, composed of a few hundred individuals. This population has grown in just a single season (it was not observed in 2012) giving an idea of how it quickly it multiple geometrically.  

It is still feasible to control this plant by manually pulling the plants, although it may take several years to completely eradicate it. The plants have dropped their seeds in July, so no control measures are planned until next spring and summer.  

If allowed to grow for another year or two, removing the plants manually will be impractical. There are mechanical and chemical controls that can be applied for established infestations, but are prohibitively expensive. next summer is our best chance to control this plant and maintain the ability to fish and boat at DelCarte. 

Information will be posted here next spring regarding an attempt in May/June 2014 to manually pull the plant using canoes and kayaks. 

- the phantom ecologist - 8/16/2013