Franklin School Committee Agenda 2/26/08

Franklin School Committee Meeting

February 26, 2008

Municipal Building – Council Chambers

7:00 P.M.

AGENDA

Call to order Mr. Roy

Pledge of Allegiance

Moment of Silence

1. Routine Business

· Citizen’s Comments

· Review of Agenda

· Minutes:

I recommend approval of the minutes from the February 12, 2008 School Committee Meeting.

· Payment of Bills Mr. Kelly

· Payroll Ms. Armenio

· FHS Student Representatives

· Correspondence:

1. Letter to Oak St. School from Franklin Food Pantry

2. Letter from Franklin Recreation Advisory Committee

2. Guests/Presentations:

a. Representative James Vallee – Foundation Budget

b. Kaestle Boos – FHS Feasibility Report

c. FY 2009 Budget Presentation

d. FY 2007 & FY 2008 Budget Transfers

3. Discussion Only Items

· FY 2009 Budget

4. Action Items:

1. I recommend the School Committee enter into an agreement with Dr. George Ladd/Lynch Graduate School of Education, Boston College to collaborate on the Strategic Plan and district improvement.

2. I recommend approval of School Committee Policy KCD – Donation of Non-Budgeted Gifts.

3. I recommend acceptance of two checks from Follett Educational Services from surplus books: $13.32 for the Parmenter Elementary School gift account and $22.00 for the JF Kennedy gift account.

4. I recommend acceptance of budget transfers to close out FY 2007 as detailed.

5. I recommend acceptance of FY 2008 Budget of $54,626,000.

6. I recommend acceptance of FY 2008 budget transfers as detailed.

7. I recommend acceptance of two checks from Ohiopyle Prints, Inc. for the FHS gift account in the amounts of $88.12 and $22.26.

5. Information Matters:

· Superintendent’s Report

a. NEASC

b. FY2009 Budget

c. FHS Feasibility Study

d. MetroWest Health Survey Update

e. Audit Recommendation Update

· 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

· Personnel Matters

8. Adjourn

In the news - Annarella Cookie Company

At newly opened Italian bakery, Annarella Cookie Company, there's more than the aroma of spice filling the air - there's tradition, a little bit of magic, and a lot of love.

After a lifetime dreaming about owning a bakery, but being busy working and raising three young children, Suzanne Gendreau did it: She opened the shop at 1 Crossing Plaza in January.

Every aspect of the bakery, from its start to its recipes, staff, atmosphere, and even its name - Annarella - is filled with family.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News

Train Schedules

The Boston Globe City & Region section today has an article on comparing how the train schedules have changed over time. While it also notes that real comparisons are not available; trains that ran in the 1920's were not regulated like they are today, the schedule into Boston years ago was faster than today.

I have ridden the Franklin line for most of the 12 years I have lived here but that is probably a short time compared to others.

What was it like riding the train to Boston before?

Where in Franklin? #32

Where in Franklin? #32, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Where would you find this entrance? What would you do inside this doorway?

The guidelines for playing "Where in Franklin?" can be found here.


Enjoy!

Where in Franklin? Answer #31

Where in Franklin? Answer #31, originally uploaded by shersteve.

The answer to picture 31 is the Glen Meadows Apartments and Condominiums located along Chestnut Street in this photo but also with an entrance off RT 140.

Stay tuned for the next photo!

In the news - deficit ahead, museum name

Despite passing a $2.7 million override last year to prevent drastic cuts in schools, the town is again facing an estimated $3-$4 million deficit this year, according to Finance Committee Chairman Jim Roche.

State leaders say Franklin, when compared with other towns, is in good fiscal shape and receives more state aid than many of its counterparts.

They have been doing well. My district is one of the highest communities in terms of getting money (from the state),'' said state Sen. Scott Brown, R-Wrentham.

Likewise, state Rep. James Vallee, D-Franklin, said, ``Franklin gets more state aid than almost any other community in Massachusetts, especially with six or seven new buildings.''

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News

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As part of its move to the former senior center on West Central Street, the Horace Mann Museum is getting a new image.

For starters, Horace Mann is getting the boot in favor of a less confusing title that does not imply a museum for the historical figure, said Carol Harper, chairwoman of the Historical Commission. The Historical Commission, which runs the museum, wants the public to know the building showcases Franklin artifacts - such as straw hats manufactured here by the same company that supplied hats for the movie, "Gone with the Wind," Harper said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News

Town Council Meeting 2/13/08 Summary

Ad-hoc Recycling Committee creation and appointment (audio)

Downtown Partnership presention (audio)

Q&A following Downtown Partnership presentation (audio)


additional portions of the meeting will be posted (with the exception of the video by the Downtown Partnership; the music is copyrighted and should not be rebroadcast without royalty payment)

Q&A Downtown Partnership

Tow Council meeting 2/13/08

Franklin Town Council in a Q&A session on the Downtown Partnership presentation

Councilors Zollo, Doak, Mason, and Vallee. Town Administrator Jeff Nutting also provides input.

Time: 12 minutes, 48 seconds



MP3 File

Ad-hoc Recycle Committee

Town Council Meeting 2/13/08

The Franklin Town Council creates the Ad-hoc Recycling Committee and approves the appointment to the committee.

Time: 4 minutes, 23 seconds



MP3 File

Franklin Downtown Partnership

Town Council meeting 2/13/08

The Town Council hears from Lisa Piana and the Downtown Partnership goals and objectives.

Time: 11 minutes, 29 seconds



MP3 File

On the same page - Thursday 7:00 PM

On the same page, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Thursday, February 21 at 7PM

Immigration Then. Historian and author James Johnston and historian Robert D'Attilio present a view of what America was like during the first great wave of immigration in the early part of the twentieth century. Mr. D'Attilio's specialty centers on the Sacco and Vanzetti case.

In the news - martial arts

Getting their kicks

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

When Grandmaster Chang Nam Kang decided to open a tae kwon do school in Massachusetts, he said he sought a community where people value education and "really want to better themselves." Kang, who said he served as a bodyguard for the president of South Korea and an international referee for the World Taekwondo Federation, decided Franklin was the perfect town for his Mu Han martial arts school. "This area is focused on education, and martial arts takes a lot of time and dedication. Without discipline and patience, you won't continue. This is for people who really want to better themselves," said Master Jin Oh, who will run the school with Kang. "To me, this is a good location, because people here want to develop and build themselves," Oh said. At Mu Han, which means "infinite, unlimited," Kang will act as the lead instructor of tae kwon do, a Korean martial art, and Oh, a sixth-degree black belt and instructor in Attleboro trained in both tae kwon do and kung fu, will also teach. Both learned their art in Korea, their homeland.

Yes, there will be a celebration this 4th of July! You can help!

Fourth of July Coalition seeking volunteers

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

There is no question whether the town's Fourth of July celebration tradition will continue this year, said Michael A. Walker-Jones. "We're going to make it happen," said Walker-Jones, chairman of the Democratic Town Committee. He has been informally leading the Fourth of July Celebration Coalition steering committee with Michael Kelly.

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read the full article here.

Pirelli Rink

"At 8:18 p.m., all the shouting, banging and stomping at Veterans Memorial Skating Rink halted.

Young men in blue and white uniforms skating in circles and slamming pucks at their goal lined up, facing their opposition in silence. For a few brief moments, only the sound of bagpipes honoring fallen soldier Robert Ryan Pirelli could be heard. 

Following Gov. Deval Patrick's approval Friday, the town renamed the arena last night at the final Panthers home game of the season in memory of Staff Sgt. Pirelli, a former Panther hockey player who was killed by enemy fire in Iraq last year."

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News.(subscription maybe required)

On the same page - discussion

On the same page - discussion, originally uploaded by shersteve.

David Park and Khadija Hassine were deep in discussion during the Tuesday evening get together as part of the Library program "On the Same Page" facilitated by Margaret Ellis.

The immigrant experience in America was one of the themes in the book, Dark Tide: The Great Boston Molasses Flood of 1919 by Stephen Puleo.

What did the recent immigrants have to say about their time here?

• "here in Franklin, it is like a big family, everyone knows somebody"
• "my new 'mother' is downstairs"
• "life is too busy here, all work, work, work"

How did they pick Franklin?

Most acknowledged that the reputation of the school system was the key reason. The location of the commuter rail and the safety of the area were two other prime reasons.

What were difficulties they found here?

• "too many forms, they ask the same questions so many times"
• "making friends, they found neighbors very helpful but those who could be friends had not enough time"

What were differences they found here?

• "so easy to drive here, back in my country it requires much more skill"
• "lives are so independent here, in my country life is more centered on the family"
• "time is so important here, everyone is so busy. I can hear: I have not seen him in two months. Back home, that is not possible."

The Franklin area immigrants represented a diverse collection of countries, from our northern neighbor Canada to Bulgaria, India, Morocco, Poland, and Vietnam.