Sunday, September 8, 2019

Retirement of Facilities: Recommendation for Further Analysis of Davis Thayer


To: Franklin School Committee Members
From: Sara E. Ahern, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools
Re: Retirement of Facilities: Recommendation for Further Analysis 
Date: September 4, 2019

Franklin School Committee Policy FCB -- Retirement of Facilities describes the process by which the Committee will examine school buildings which may be inadequate and can not be reasonably brought up to current education standards. In these circumstances, the facility should be considered for a comprehensive closing study. According to this policy, the Superintendent is directed to recommend to the School Committee which facilities appear to require further analysis.

Given the age and design of the school building combined with the decreased enrollment of students in the Franklin Public Schools, pursuant to policy FCB, I recommend that the Franklin School Committee authorize further analysis of the Davis Thayer Elementary School building through a comprehensive closing study. I believe this school warrants further analysis for the following reasons:

1. The age and design of the building. As an older building, there are security and safety concerns as the building is not constructed in a way consistent with security and safety features and construction found in more modern buildings. Additionally, due to its age, the facility is not universally accessible for those with mobility concerns/disabilities.

2. Reduced student population. The student population of the Franklin Public Schools has decreased by about 1200 students since an enrollment high of 6255 in 2009-2010. This elementary school is the smallest, with a 2019-2020 enrollment of 225. At this time, it appears that the current elementary population could be served within 5 school buildings. A study would further be able to determine the feasibility of this in both the short and long term, considering future enrollment projections.

3. Economic efficiency. It is my responsibility to manage facilities in a way that is both educationally and fiscally responsible. The costs of operating and maintaining the school warrant further examination.

According to Policy FCB, further analysis includes the examination of the age and current physical condition of the facility, adequacy of the site and location, reassignment of students, transportation factors, alternative uses of the building, costs and potential savings, as well as the continuity of instructional and community programs.

I anticipate the study to be a deliberate and thoughtful one, which will take time, likely to span multiple years. In order to accomplish the study, I advise that the school committee establish a subcommittee for the purpose of monitoring the work. Additionally, I propose that the work be assisted by an outside consultant to lend expertise in this area.


For your reference, Policy FCB is attached.

------------

File: FCB
RETIREMENT OF FACILITIES


When a school building becomes inadequate by virtue of age, condition, size of site, lack of need, or other overriding limitations, and cannot reasonably and economically be brought up to the current educational standards, the building should be considered for a comprehensive closing study. The Superintendent will recommend to the Franklin School Committee which facilities appear to justify further analysis.

The School Committee may seek both professional advice and the advice of the community in making its recommendations as to the retirement of any school facility. This will permit the public, which originally acquired the property, to benefit from its recycling or retirement.

A closing study will include direct involvement by those neighborhoods considered in the study and will be concerned with all or some of the following factors:

1. Age and current physical condition of the facilities, its operating systems, and program facilities.

2. Adequacy of site, location, access, surrounding development, traffic patterns, and other environmental conditions.

3. Reassignment of children, including alternative plans according to Committee policy.

4. Transportation factors, including numbers of children bussed, time, distance, and safety.

5. Alternative uses of the building.

6. Cost/Savings
a. Personnel
b. Plant Operation
c. Transportation
d. Capital Investment
e. Alternative Use

7. Continuity of instructional and community programs.



Reviewed; No Revisions: 5-19-09

 
Retirement of Facilities: Recommendation for Further Analysis of Davis Thayer
Retirement of Facilities: Recommendation for Further Analysis of Davis Thayer

"It is a time commitment, for sure, but it is rewarding and fulfilling"

The statement from Denise Schultz on her decision to not run for School Committee this year.

"It has been an honor and privilege to serve on the school committee since first elected in November 2015. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with committee members, playing a role in hiring our fantastic superintendent, and seeing a number of key initiatives and policies come to fruition. I am proud to have initiated our gender-neutral dress code policy, updates to our homework policy and more. I have spent countless hours at the state house and beyond advocating for a better public education funding formula, and for more resources for Franklin. 
However, due to personal and professional reasons, I will not be seeking a third term on school committee. 
I write this note to encourage YOU to run! It is a time commitment, for sure, but it is rewarding and fulfilling. It is not easy, and I could bore you with the details of the many hours I have spent to best serve Franklin in this role, but that is the beauty of the role - you can serve in the way it best suits you and the community. 
I will continue to serve Franklin in other ways, and thank you for your continued support. 
Sincerely,Denise Schultz"





Franklin VFW Post 3402 - high school and middle school essay contest announced

The VFW is dedicated to promoting patriotism and investing in our future generation. If you are a democracy-loving high school student interested in a $30,000 college scholarship or a patriotic middle school student interested in winning $5,000, these scholarships may be for you.
Patriot's Pen: The 2019-20 theme is: What Makes America Great
Each year more than 132,000 students in grades 6-8 enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest. The national first-place winner wins $5,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. The first-place winner from each state competes for national awards totaling $55,000, with each first-place state winner receiving a minimum of $500 at the national level. 
The essay contest encourages young minds to examine America’s history, along with their own experiences in modern American society, by drafting a 300- to 400-word essay, expressing their views based on a patriotic theme chosen by the VFW Commander-in-Chief. Want to apply? Read the rules and eligibility requirements, then download and complete the 2019-20 entry form. All student entries must be submitted to a sponsoring local VFW Post by midnight, Oct. 31, 2019.
Voice of Democracy: The 2019-20 theme is: What Makes America Great
Established in 1947, our Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. Each year, nearly 40,000 9-12 grade students from across the country enter to win their share of $2.1 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program. 
The national first-place winner receives a $30,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school. A complete list of other national scholarships range from $1,000-$16,000, and the first-place winner from each VFW Department (state) wins a minimum scholarship of $1,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. Want to apply? Read the rules and eligibility requirements, then download and complete the 2019-20 entry form. All student entries must be submitted to a sponsoring local VFW Post by midnight, Oct. 31, 2019.
Official Entry Forms and Instructions can be found at:  https://www.vfw.org/community/youth-and-education/youth-scholarships 

Entries are to be mailed to:  Franklin VFW Post 3402, PO Box 96, Franklin, MA  

VFW Post 3402, Franklin, MA; VFW Auxiliary 3402 Franklin, MA; https://post3402.org/  Contact JoAnn Wright at joannw826@gmail.com if you have any questions.



Download the PDF of this announcement



Franklin VFW Post 1034 Pond Street
Franklin VFW Post - 1034 Pond Street

Furry Friends of Franklin Dog Park Volunteer Committee - meeting Sep 12

Furry Friends of Franklin Dog Park Volunteer Committee are having their monthly meeting Thursday on September 12 at the Franklin Library from 7 PM to 8 PM. The meeting will be on the first floor conference room near the School Street entrance. All are welcome.

dog park at Dacey Field on a sunny summer day
dog park at Dacey Field on a sunny summer day



Saturday, September 7, 2019

Franklin Hosts Resident Visioning Event on Business Development - Oct 22

The Town of Franklin and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) are undertaking a business development strategy to focus on promoting new development and redevelopment in three strategic growth locations: Downtown Franklin Commercial District; the Crossing (near Union and Cottage Streets); and the Mixed Business Innovation District (near Fisher and Hayward Streets). 

The main goal of this project is to increase the economic activity within these older commercial areas, and the Town as a whole. The resulting Market Analysis and Market Position Summary will guide the development of a business recruitment and retention strategy, including the future creation of business recruitment materials to capitalize on the market potential of these districts.

Franklin’s Department of Planning & Community Development and MAPC are partnering with Franklin’s Cultural District Committee and the Franklin Downtown Partnership on this important business development study. Officials are seeking resident, property owner, and business owner input on what can be done to stimulate Franklin’s economy, including insights into how to create jobs, support businesses, and strengthen the community as a whole.

A public meeting is being held on Tuesday, October 22nd, from 6:00 to 8:30 PM in Franklin Municipal Building’s 3rd Floor Training Room at 355 East Central Street. The public input session will feature a presentation by a representative of MAPC on goals of the project, and the current state of economic activity in Franklin.

All input and guidance provided by the public will be utilized to develop the Market Analysis and Market Position Summary, which will contain an updated demographic analysis for the Town, local and regional market assessments, specific recommendations for growth in the three key commercial districts, and an outline of a Business Recruitment and Retention Strategy.

For more information, contact Raul Gonzalez, Senior Planner at MAPC, at rgonzalez@mapc.org, or Bryan Taberner, AICP, Director of Planning and Community Development for the Town of Franklin at btaberner@franklinma.gov.

Download a copy of the event flyer:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczbVNsS3c0R3E5SGFCMThBWkc2T01VNmJXZjRV/view?usp=sharing



Franklin Hosts Resident Visioning Event on Business Development - Oct 22
Franklin Hosts Resident Visioning Event on Business Development - Oct 22

26 total candidates; School Committee, Board of Health and Board of Assessors lacking candidates

The candidate listing has grown again slightly this week. There are candidates equal to the number of positions for Constables, Planning Board, and Town Clerk. The Town Council currently has 11 candidates for nine positions (a net increase of one this week - 2 added, 1 withdrew) and the other boards/committees are currently short of candidates. 

Critical issues: 

  1. The School Committee has only 5 candidates for 7 positions. Two are new candidates which is good but we simply need more candidates. The school budget accounts for more than half the overall Town budget and the role has oversight for the education of our youth (and future). 
  2. The Board of Health (EEE) and the Board of Assessors (annual tax rate) are also important positions lacking a complete slate never ind a choice of candidates.


Let's go Franklin. 

There should be more candidates to allow for some competition and choice. The last day to take out papers is Friday, Sep 13. The last day to return papers is Tuesday, Sep 17.

The listing of the 26 candidates who have taken out papers to run for the open positions on the Franklin Biennial Election is provided via Town Clerk, Teresa Burr. 8 of the candidates have had their papers certified to confirm their ballot entry.

The listing will be updated weekly to provide the 'scorecard' of who's taken papers, who's turned them in, etc.


Download your copy from here

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q1FFoxMMU4k3Ml-iKuYX1Mt3CwOtmvlS/view?usp=sharing




Franklin Election Collection - 2019
All precincts vote on Nov 5, 2019 in one location, Franklin High School

FHS soccer teams split with Milford; girls win, boys lose

Via HockomockSports.com we share the results of the FHS fall sports action on Friday, Sep 6, 2019


Boys Soccer = Franklin, 1 @ Milford, 3 – Final

photos from the boys game
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2019-2020/Fall-2019/Milford-Franklin-Boys-Soccer-09-06-19/

Girls Soccer = Milford, 1 @ Franklin, 2 – Final

For other results around the Hockomock League on Friday
https://hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-09-06-19/

FHS soccer teams split with Milford; girls win, boys lose
FHS soccer teams split with Milford; girls win, boys lose