Franklin, MA: School Committee Meeting - Agenda - Oct 13, 2020

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.”

Call to Order

Pledge of Allegiance  

Moment of Silence

 

I.    Routine Business

A.    Review of Agenda

B.    Citizen’s Comments

In the spirit of open communication, “the Committee will hold a public participation segment (also called Citizen’s Comments) about matters not related to an agenda item at the beginning of each regular School Committee meeting. The Committee will listen to, but not respond to any comment made…. A Committee member may add an agenda item to a future meeting as a result of a citizen comment…. The Committee will hear public comments related to an agenda item when the Chair deems appropriate during the Committee meeting. Topics for discussion during the meeting must be limited to those items listed on the Committee meeting agenda for that evening…. ” - from Policy BEDH

C.    FHS Student Representative Comments
D.    Superintendent’s Report

II.    Guests/Presentations
A.    Superintendent Evaluation Evidence Presentation 2019-2020  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/suptevalevidence_presentation_to_sc_10-13-20.pdf
B.    District Improvement Goals 2020-2021  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/dip_initiatives_to_sc_2020-2021.pdf

III.    Discussion/Action Items
A.    District Improvement Plan
I recommend adoption of the 2020-2021 District Improvement Goals as discussed.  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/discussion_action_a_-_dip.pdf
B.    Policy - 2nd Reading/Adoption
I recommend adoption of the following policies as discussed:
A.    EEAEC - Student Conduct on School Buses
B.    EEAJ - Motor Vehicles Idling on School Grounds  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/discussion_action_b_-_policy_0.pdf
C.    Reduction of Pay to Ride Fees
I recommend approval of the Pay to Ride bus fee to be set at $130 for the 2020-2021 school year as discussed.  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/discussion_action_c_-_pay_to_ride.pdf
D.    MASC Resolutions (#1, 4-6)
I recommend adoption of the following MASC resolutions as discussed:
A.    Resolution #1: MCAS and High Stakes Testing
B.    Resolution #4: Lowering the Voting Age for Municipal Elections
C.    Resolution #5:Supporting Increased Federal Support and Stimulus Funding for Public K-12 Education
D.    Resolution #6: Retention of Medicaid Revenue   https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/discussion_action_d_-_resolutions.pdf

IV.    Discussion Only Items
A.    Resolution #2 COVID-19 State Funding
B.    Resolution #3 School Committee Anti-Racism Resolution

V.    Information Matters
A.    School Committee Sub-Committee Reports (e.g. Ad Hoc Supt. Evaluation, Ad Hoc Facilities Analysis, Budget, Community Relations/Public Schools Advocacy, Policy, Transportation)
B.    School Committee Liaison Reports (e.g. Joint PCC, Substance Abuse Task Force, School Wellness Advisory Council)

VI.    New Business
A.    To discuss any future agenda items

VII.    Consent Agenda
A.    Approval of Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from your September 22, 2020 School Committee Meeting as detailed.
B.    Executive Session Minutes
I recommend approval of the Executive Session Minutes from your September 22, 2020 School Committee meeting to be released as detailed.
C.    Parmenter Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $980.00 from the Franklin Community (coordinated by Heather Sansoucy & Kristen Gillen) for supplemental supplies at Parmenter Elementary School as detailed.

VIII.    Payment of Bills    Dr. Bergen
IX.    Payroll    Ms. D’Angelo

X.    Executive Session
Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3), move to go into Executive Session to discuss strategy with respect to potential litigation and collective bargaining with the FEA/RN Unit as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the School Committee and the chair so declares, and not to reconvene in an Open Session.

XI.    Adjournment

Documents released for the meeting can be found in the meeting packet folder on the Schools page   https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/october-13-2020-school-committee-meeting-packet

 

 

Franklin, MA:: School Committee Meeting - Agenda - Oct 13, 2020

Franklin TV: Live Sports & Events - Part 2

We are attempting to cover many events - LIVE! 

 

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 10/11/2020 

 

The pandemic has forced schools to make and remake some very difficult decisions. These decisions remain in flux as conditions shift. Safety dictates that crowds of parents and friends be minimal to nonexistent. For most schools, that means only one-parent-per-student is permitted to attend the event.

 

a camera operator somewhere in that plastic

Our first attempt was foiled by audio problems at our main  studio. (Sorry!) Frustrating.  Not a great start.

The emptiness of the walkway and stands is stark.

Our second attempt was during the rain and windstorm that rolled through during the game. There was a fast scramble to protect people and equipment.

There’s a camera operator somewhere in that plastic. 

We cobbled up a makeshift rain shelter. Director Chris Flynn, hanging in there.

 

Director Chris Flynn, hanging in there

Our announcers, Sam Reis and Nipun Goel got to see our cameras and call the game from the warmth and comfort of home – thanks to Zoom.

Our third game the next day at Beaver field was in better weather. We will continue refining our live game coverage efforts as best we can as winter rolls in.

You can watch our live sports on our Franklin Pride school channel, on Comcast 96 or Verizon 28. We are also now streaming our channels in high definition.
 

announcers, Sam Reis and Nipun Goel got to see our cameras and call the game from the warmth and comfort of home – thanks to Zoom

How can you find our live streams? 

• Visit our Franklin●TV website
• Click on Franklin Pride TV
• Click on “ Watch Now”

Easy-peasy!

We are also coordinating our live programs with those of other community PEG studios across the Hockomock League and region. Lots of events are planned.

We will also post our games for Video-on-Demand replays. This may take up to a week after game time. Will we be perfect? No guarantees. The internet and the weather can be fickle. But, continue we must. Fingers crossed.

And – as always –
Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm. 

And, thank you for watching.

 

 

The weekly Program Guide can be found online

http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf   or for historical purposes use this link

https://drive.google.com/file/d/160bhnvLgsqhNSkVABzJxG5nsvbugM4FV/view?usp=sharing

 

Ben Gardner's Boat, in the Franklin TV studio (pre-COVID-19)

In a time seemingly long ago, pre-COVID-19, Jeff Roy and his band Ben Gardner's Boat spent some time in the Franklin TV recording studio. Jeff got to post the video segments of the songs recorded. Here is one: "Collide"  https://youtu.be/TmPZULYRc-E

For more songs from the recording session, find them in Jeff's YouTube channel

https://www.youtube.com/user/jalinat/videos

 

Invisible People: "‘American Dream’ Takes Final Blow"

"Our nation is on a trajectory to experience exponentially more homelessness. Yet this didn't occur overnight. 

Over the past 40 years, unequal income distribution has allowed the top 1% of earners to take roughly $50 trillion from the bottom 90%. "

Read more https://t.co/BAXtZvX55F

Invisible People: "‘American Dream’ Takes Final Blow"

Town Council Meeting Recap - Oct 7, 2020

Quick Recap:

• CPA promoted during Citizens Comments
• Two more sets of lot line clean ups approved by Council; sewer extension approved for single family residence
• Citizen comment via landline phone added later as broadcast of number did not allow time to dial and address a comment. Question was effectively following up on a study of the DPW workforce and why there were so much turnover (and recently acknowledged 5 openings being filled). Study is being worked not received yet.
• Presentation and discussion on Planning and Community Development Dept, which includes work by Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Design Review, Technical Review and Conservation Commission (see agenda doc for link to presentation)
• Meeting broadcast was interrupted with loss of sound just as they moved into the Legislation for action section. Apparently, the laptop in the Chamber lost connection and no audio was broadcast either live stream or Zoom (it controlled the Zoom session). Did return approximately 20 minutes later with some disconnected audio, then it seemed to synch properly to close out the meeting
• Light for intersection of Grove and Washington coming (yah!), plans for rework all along Grove St talked of, timeline TBD.
• Study of South Meeting House received and to be posted to web site
• Drought status is worsening

Photos captured during the meeting and shared via Twitter cen be found in the album https://photos.app.goo.gl/4c91qnWNXfmPKigi8

 

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As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.

 

The Twitter hashtag can be found online  #tc1007

https://twitter.com/search?q=%23tc1007&src=typed_query 

 

• Getting ready for the next meeting; Town Council up at 7 PM, agenda and connection info in doc here https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/10-07-2020_town_council_meeting_agenda.pdf… #tc1007
• Multiple options to watch/listen to meeting; Comcast channel 11 or Verizon channel 29, also live streamed from town of Franklin page  https://franklinma.gov/home/pages/live-meetings-stream… as well as the Zoom info in doc linked earlier #tc1007  oh, and you can call in via phone as well!
• #tc1007 Meeting opens
• Citizen comments used by two Franklin folks to talk about the Community Preservation Act on the November ballot as ballot question #3. Webinar coming Oct 15 at 7 PM send email to cpa4franklin@gmail.com or visit http://cpaforfranklin.org for info #tc1007
• Opening 2 hearings for lot line changes more in the series of clean up. #tc1007 parcels were in multiple zones and being moved to a single zone. No material impact to current owners (had my own lot line cleaned up previously)
• Clarification questions on reading the map and which way the zone changes would go. One question was for a lot not part of this set of changes #tc1007 only changes the lots split, if lots weren't split not part of the change. Q on mixing changes, attorney approves this use case
• #tc1007 single family house with failing septic, had been here previously (Sep) looking for a private extension for the one house; hearings closed
• Reopening citizen comments for one who dialed via phone but couldn't do so fast enough to get into that section of the meeting. Comment on the study of the DPW mentioned previously: 5 open positions. Will the study be available?  #tc1007
• Bryan Taberner of Planning and Community development here to do  presentation on their work #tc1007
• Support conservation and planning issues, #tc1007 Planning Board elected positions
• Lots of variety in applications submitted #tc1007
• Q to clarify some of the categories
• Q on who does the inspection of these plans and approvals, contracted with Beta to do so. #tc1007 Beta's report comes back thru channels for decision. Q on bond holding process re: enforcement for subdivision yes, site plan no
• Attny Cerel comments on the covenant process for the subdivisions, various methods of surety (cash, etc) #tc1007 pros, cons and things change overtime with the market place
• There are a few problem areas that remain unresolved. #tc1007 Jen Delmore, conservation agent takes this part of the presentation
• #tc1007 clarification on types of work covered and required for ConCom
• ConCom has an open position, looking for a volunteer. Design review commission support provided by dept. Covers all sign requirements. #tc1007 makes recommendations to Planning Board
• #tc1007 Q when dealing with a franchise (Wendy's, etc) how do they handle them? Are their hands tied? Attny Cerel to weigh in on this in absence of others who may be out due to power outages around this evening
• Comprehensive planning, zoning bylaws, master plan review should be started in 2023 for approval in 2025 or so. Hazardous plan in review with MA before going to FEMA, will ultimately require Town Council endorsement #tc1007
• #tc1007 (just photos)
• SNETT trail tunnel almost complete, 'complete streets' project coming #tc1007  use of TIFs is great, three used so far Hamilton, Cold chain, and Tegra Medical... https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/a._planning_and_conservation_presentation_web.pdf
• Detail doc on master plan updates https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/masterplan_update_materials.pdf
• #tc1007
• Oops, just lost audio from meeting on both live stream and Zoom session #tc1007  (08:15 PM)
• Meeting continues so they are not aware of our no sound status #tc1007
• FYI the chamber lost connection and are working on it. #tc1007 (08:25 PM)
• 5 minutes recess called #tc1007
• They're back albeit with gaps in the audio more than a normal voice pause, phrases being missed. Oh well. We'll do what we can #tc1007  (08:33 PM)
• Picking up with the authorization for fixing the intersection at Grove/Washington Sts (yah!) #tc1007 revenue from the cannabis companies coming would help to pay for this work, check the details in memo https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/resolution_20-59_borrowing_authorization_-_washington_and_grove_streets_0.pdf
• Did apply for MassWorks grant for repaving of Grove St up to Kenwood Circle, need to get this and other pieces together to do the work in 2021. #tc1007
• Still in drought and additional measures coming to help conserve water supply. #tc1007 museum may open before election. Should get an update each meeting.
• We are in a drought, it could get really serious, forecast doesn't show help coming soon. #tc1007
• Could we talk with Nationalgrid again, power outages are becoming frequent? #tc1007
• Comments DPW study is being worked coming shortly, been worked. Flag policy reached tonight for 9/11 .
• Museum holiday Ornaments for sale this weekend, drive by purchase at museum. Fund raiser for museum #tc1007 3 families affected by the fire on Peck/Winter st a stubborn blaze to fight
• Compliments for fire department and response from local community
• FEF fund raising via many smaller events as the basketball game can't be played #tc1007 SAFE Coalition busy as addiction is increasing during covid-19
• Executive session to be entered and not return to open session #tc1007 motion passed 8-0, redo vote via roll call. Still 8-0

 

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen with an update during the Town Council meeting

Economic Development Meeting Recap - Oct 7, 2020

Quick Recap:

• Bissanti was late for session so the first vote was 3 members, and remaining votes were 4. Room for improvement in knowing who is on when they are all in the room and no need to do the roll call they used to when remote.
• Two more groups of lotline changes to better align the zoning with lots lines were brought forward for discussion. Both sets moved forward to full Council
• Discussion on feedback from listening session.
• Discussion on a draft trifold doc those in the room were able to see and comment on. Potential for use to tout businesses locally, i.e with the #thinkfranklinfirst tag

Photos captured during the meeting and shared via Twitter can be found in this album  https://photos.app.goo.gl/DK9KWgP9PYNj8gpN6

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As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.
 
The Twitter hashtag can be found online  #edc1007
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23edc1007&src=typed_query

• Getting ready for Real time reporting for the Economic Development meeting tonight 5:45 agenda and link info here https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/2020-10-07_edc_agenda_complete_web_version.pdf  #EDC1007 
• Multiple ways to participate: listen/watch only - Verizon 29 or Comcast 11 local cable channels ; via zoom at link in agenda doc, or via live stream via Town web page https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/live-meetings-stream #EDC1007 or follow text notes here, your choice
• Meeting opening protocol message being read at start. #edc1007
• Lot line changes next package, #5 in series, last set on Oak St. #edc1007
• #edc1007 clarification questions on the changes and how the lines fell, circles vs ways handled differently by developers overtime motion to move to full council, second, passed (hard to see Committee members present, 3 known so far)
• Next up,  group #6 of lot line changes, #edc1007
• Bissanti now speaking and acknowledged that he arrived late, that makes 4 votes going forward and three for prior. #edc1007
• #edc1007 motion to move to full Council, second, passes 4-0
• Next up follow up on listening session, #1 last week. Sample brochure provided for those in chamber. Q raised on issues with college getting involved with jingle/social campaign
• Hoping for more business participation in coming sessions, #edc1007 Q no one using the parking spaces in municipal lot as well as only a few cars in train station lot. Use of space in municipal lot for art. Anne Marie talking of draft/mockup brochure
• Craft drink brochure to circulate with 67 Degrees, La Cantina, and Glen Pharma to help tell their story and activities. #edc1007 touts #thinkfranklinfirst series of videos on YouTube channel to update them; PPE and thermometers to help with local businesses reopening
• Motion to adjourn. Passed 4-0. That's all for this one. Back at it with Town Council session coming up at 7 PM. #edc1007

Economic Development Meeting Recap - Oct 7, 2020

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