“I think in the end, it will all work out”

There is an old-fashioned turf war going on at the Franklin Public Library, which was founded in 1790 with a gift of three books by the town’s namesake, Benjamin Franklin. 

And at the root of the infighting, to the surprise of few, are power and money. 

On one side is the library’s board of directors, whose members — appointed by the town administrator — say they have the sole responsibility for setting library policy. On the other is the Friends of the Franklin Library, a volunteer group of supporters who want a say in how the $6,000 to $7,000 they raise at book fairs each fall and spring is spent. 

The tug of war was being waged behind the scenes for months, but spilled into the open when the directors abruptly canceled the Friends’ fall book sale. In its place, the library is selling old books through an ongoing process that officials say is “extremely successful,” and there are plans to hold monthly, themed sales at the library. 

“It’s the library’s books being sold, it’s our money,” Cynthia Dobrzynski, chairwoman of the board of directors, said about the proceeds from the Friends’ annual sales. “There is no reason for that money not to be turned over directly to us.” 

The president of the Friends of the Franklin Library, Maria Lucier, sees things a little differently. 

“I agree that money is at the root of this, but I don’t think it’s unreasonable to ask for a request for FoFL funds that describes how the money is planned to be spent.” she wrote in an e-mail to the Globe. 

Lucier said all her group wants is specific requests for funds, such as a certain amount for museum passes, videos, books, or programs.

Read the full article in the Sunday Boston Globe here


The recent letter to the membership of the FoFL
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/10/letter-to-fofl-members.html

The Library has announced a book sale at the Library for Saturday October 26th.
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/10/library-book-sale-oct-26th.html

School Committee: NAMING FACILITIES

Up for discussion at the School Committee meeting Tuesday, Oct 8th is this "NAMING FACILITIES"

Naming a school is an important matter that deserves thoughtful attention. Personal prejudice or favoritism, political pressure, or temporary popularity should not be an influence in choosing a school name. Generally, school buildings are named for distinguished, deceased individuals who have made extraordinary contributions of an educational, professional or public service nature related to the district’s mission. Should the School Committee choose to name a school after an individual, the naming will not occur until 3 years after the individual has been deceased. It is critically important that the integrity, history, behavior and reputation of the named individual be consistent with the academic mission and values of the district. It may be appropriate to name schools for physical locations; geographical areas; distinguished local, state and national leaders whose names will lend dignity and stature to the school. 

Effective with the adoption of this policy, specific spaces or areas within school buildings or school grounds will not be named after individuals, living or deceased. However, if a building or specific space had previously been named for an individual, the district will continue to use the name so long as the building or area remains in use and serves its original function. When the use has changed such that it must be demolished, substantially renovated or rebuilt, the district shall refer the name for some other recognition. 

The School Committee has the sole authority to name, rename or revoke the naming of buildings or other school spaces.

Cross Reference: KCDA

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Oct 8, 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 September 24, 2013 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mrs. McIntyre
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence:
1. Budget to Actual – Miriam Goodman

2. Guests/Presentations
a. FHS Update – Peter Light

3. Discussion Only Items
Policy – Second Reading
o FF - Naming Facilities

Class Size Update – Sally Winslow

4. Action Items
a. I recommend the School Committee re-appoint Dr. Anne Bergen to the Board of Directors of the Cable Committee for 2013-2014.
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $6,000.00 from the Davis Thayer PCC for field trips.
c. I recommend adoption of Policy FF – Naming Facilities as discussed.
d. I recommend approval of the request of Frank Fitzgerald for the recurring field trip for the Franklin Adventure Club at Remington Middle School to travel to Mt. Monadnock in Jaffrey, NH on October 19, 2013 as detailed.
e. I recommend acceptance of a check for $408.04 from Target’s Take Charge of Education Program for Remington.
f. I recommend acceptance of a check for $200.00 from the Jefferson PCC for in-house enrichment for the Remington Best Buddies Program.
g. I recommend acceptance of a check for $15,000.00 from Franklin Youth Services for scholarships as detailed.
h. I recommend acceptance of a check for $125.00 from the Oak Street School for field trips.
i. I recommend acceptance of a check for $750.00 from MA General Hospital for in-house enrichment at FHS.

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

8. Adjourn

"The better we can work together, the better results we have"

The Milford Daily News writes about the sometimes contentious discussion about an Individual Education Plan (IEP) for special education students.

Haberman said parents "are very aware of the difficult financial times districts are under," but also want to ensure students are receiving services outlined in an IEP or are needed. 

She said the litigious nature of special education disputes can lead to a breakdown of trust between both sides. 

Haberman emphasized disputes are almost always with school administration rather than teachers and staff actually providing the services. 

Beth Fitzmaurice, Franklin’s special education director, said staff encourage parents to sit and talk with them multiple times before rejecting an IEP and often, both parties are able to come to a resolution without a rejection.

Read more: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x1155172085/The-battle-for-whats-best-in-special-education#ixzz2gwFOiOiz

For Franklin parents, there is a Special Education Parents Advisory Council that can help
http://franklinsepac.org/home

"How do we make a difference in a real way?"

The Milford Daily News writes about the difference that Panera Bread is attempting to make and challenging other businesses to join them.

When Ron Shaich, the founder, CEO and chairman of Panera Bread, opened the first "Panera Cares" cafe in St. Louis three years ago, with a plan to let customers decide what they wanted to pay, people thought he was crazy. 

The menu featured suggested donations for each item and a donation box replaced the cash register. Shaich believed people in a community who could afford to pay more would do that, supporting those who couldn't afford to pay full price - or who would pay nothing at all. His goal was simple: Make sure people had enough to eat, whether they could afford it or not.
Three years later, with Panera Cares in St. Louis, Detroit, Chicago, Portland, Ore., and Boston, the experiment has been a success, Shaich told several hundred people attending the Community Leadership Breakfast of the Foundation for MetroWest Friday. 

The Panera Cares cafes pay their own way now, he said, adding, "Of those five cafes, the people of Boston are the most generous. We may not be able to drive, but we have heart."

For more about Panera Bread, visit their website  https://www.panerabread.com/

For more about Panera Cares, visit their website  http://paneracares.org/locations/

Panera Bread operates a store front in Franklin (Franklin Village Plaza) and their bakery operates from a facility on Beaver St. They are a key contributor of baked goods for the Franklin Food Pantry.

In the News: Harvest Festival, Alpine Place fire, dining for a cause

Franklin fest expected to draw thousands

On Sunday, some 5,000 people are expected to flock to the center of town for the Downtown Partnership’s 11th annual Harvest Festival.

Sixteen displaced by Franklin fire

A fire that originated in a second-floor bedroom of a multi-family Alpine Place home temporarily displaced 16 residents. It also "gutted" a bedroom where a 2-year-old boy had been sleeping in a crib and caused an estimated $20,000 in damage.

FHS Girls Ice Hockey road race & Dining Out For a Cause slated

The FHS Varsity Girls Ice Hockey Team Booster Club is partnering with Franklin Cafe & Grill at 418 W. Central St. in Franklin on Oct.  7,8, and 9 to raise money for their first new uniforms in the history of the team through its Dine Out for a Cause event.

(Note, the MDN story has a typo in the link to the Girls Hockey website. This link works
http://www.franklingirlshockey.com/index.html)

"Manufacturing is vitally important to the Massachusetts economy"

Rep. Jeffrey Roy (D- Franklin) visited Pierce Aluminum's manufacturing,
distribution and national headquarters in Franklin to commemorate Manufacturing Day.
Manufacturers from across the country opened their doors on Friday to demonstrate the potential of modern manufacturing, while fostering an interest in manufacturing careers. 

Rep Roy at Pierce Aluminum

"Manufacturing is the sixth largest employment sector in Massachusetts, and is helping to lead
us out of the recession," noted Rep. Roy after the visit. "My visit with Pierce today, and the
many other manufacturers in the area over the past several months, is part of an effort to support and recognize our manufacturers as leaders in advancing the Commonwealth's economy. The manufacturing of today involves a lot more expertise and training in technology, programming and streamlined production. We need to prepare and train people to work in this vital sector." 

Rep Roy at Pierce Aluminum

"I am proud to say that the Legislature has made thoughtful investments in the state's
manufacturing industry," said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo, D-Winthrop. "Whether through the gaming law or the 2012 economic development legislation, Massachusetts is increasingly becoming the place for manufacturing jobs. Manufacturing Day is a call to action for legislators, business leaders and employers. I urge you to pursue new ways to incorporate these jobs - for employees of all skill levels - into existing and emerging industries. I believe this is essential in furthering our state's development and will help make Massachusetts a better place to live, work and do business." 

Rep Roy at Pierce Aluminum

"Manufacturing is vitally important to the Massachusetts economy," stated Senate President Pro
Temporc Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, Senate Chairman of the Legislature's Manufacturing
Caucus. "What were once dark, gritty factories, are now high-tech, innovative facilities that
provide good paying jobs to skilled and educated employees. Partnering with manufacturing
leaders to ensure that their companies have the tools and highly trained workforce they need to
grow is an essential component of our strategy for economic growth." 

"In light of very positive competitiveness trends in both domestic and global markets,
Massachusetts manufacturers are experiencing a welcomed and sustained resurgence of business activity that is favorable to our entire state's ongoing recovery," said Rep. John V. Fernandes, DMilford, House Chairman of the Legislature's Manufacturing Caucus. "These large and small sized manufacturing companies often provide meaningful jobs for thousands of new and retrained workers, offer middle-class level wages, and energize regional suppliers and ancillary businesses for long-term growth. We must do what we can to facilitate that growth and develop a strong nexus between educational and training opportunities and the specialized worker skills required by these companies to ultimately succeed." 

Rep Roy at Pierce Aluminum

Manufacturing Day is a national event designed to addresses common misperceptions about
manufacturing by giving manufacturers an opportunity to showcase their efforts in a coordinated
fashion. The goal of Manufacturing Day is to begin addressing the national skilled labor shortage that manufacturers face, connect with future generations, take charge of the public image of manufacturing, and ensure the ongoing prosperity of the whole industry. 

In Massachusetts, manufacturing contributes to more than 10 percent of gross state product
(GSP). Currently there are 7,680 manufacturing establishments in Massachusetts that employ
more than 275,000 residents. Over the next five years, manufacturing establishments are
expected to expand their employment by an estimated 65 percent. 

State Senators and Representatives are supported by the Legislature's recently-formed, bipartisan Manufacturing Caucus which serves as a link for legislators cutting across issues that
affect the manufacturing industry. Rep. Roy is a member of that caucus.

For more about Pierce Aluminum visit their website  http://www.piercealuminum.com/


Photos provided by the office of Rep Roy