In the News - principals bemoan budget cuts, Natick override passes

By Heather McCarron/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Mar 26, 2008 @ 12:18 AM

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FRANKLIN —

School Committee members last night got a brief insight into how potential cuts in the fiscal 2009 school budget will translate into the town's classrooms: Most significantly, larger class sizes and, consequently, less individual attention.

Principals from all town schools attended the board's meeting, where officials continued to struggle with a grim budget outlook that, without an infusion of $3.2 million in additional revenue, will mean 45 layoffs - most of them among professional staff, Superintendent Wayne Ogden said.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

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Voters approve Natick override

By Erica Noonan Voters in Natick Tuesday approved a $3.9 million Proposition 2 1/2 override by a 55 to 45 percent margin -- a tax increase that is expected to cost the average homeowner an extra $290 annually. The...

SchCom: Middle School Principals

SchCom_MS_Principals, originally uploaded by shersteve.

The middle school principals did not have happy faces when explaining what the FY09 budget cuts will do to the operation of their middle school beginning in September.

The outlook is grim.

SchCom: Pam Gould

SchCom_FHS_Gould, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Pam Gould, Principal at Franklin High School, answered some questions during the School Committee meeting Tuesday evening on what impact the FY09 budget cuts would have at the high school.

Recorded sections of the full meeting will be made available beginning Wednesday evening.

SchCom: Miriam Goodman

SchCom_MGoodman, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Miriam Goodman, the successful candidate for the Business Administrator position for the Franklin School Department, signed her new contract this evening and wil start work April 29th.

Given the FY09 budget situation, she will have her work cut out for her!

I wish her all the best.

Franklin School Committee Meeting Agenda

Franklin School Committee Meeting

March 25, 2008 7:00 P.M.

Municipal Building – Council Chambers

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 26, 2008 and March 11, 2008 School Committee Meetings.

· Payment of Bills Mr. Kelly

· Payroll Ms. Armenio

· FHS Student Representatives

· Correspondence:

1. Letter from Jeffrey Nutting regarding consolidation of facilities.

2. Guests/Presentations:

a. 2008-09 Handbooks (all but FHS)

b. Horace Mann School Improvement Plan

c. Miriam Goodman, Business Administrator contract signing

3. Discussion Only Items

· Budget to Actual

· First Reading – Entrance Age Policy JEA

· First Reading – School Admission/Residency Policy JFAA-R

· FY 2009 Budget

· Finalize Superintendent’s Goals

· Consolidation of Facilities

· FHS Project & Building Committee

· Advertising Subcommittee legal opinion

· Early Retirement Incentives

4. Action Items:

1. I recommend acceptance of the Horace Mann Middle School’s School Improvement Plan.

2. I recommend acceptance of a check for $2,000.00 from the Best Buy Teach Award grant awarded to Laura Chiaravallotti, 6^th grade English/Social Studies teacher at the Remington Middle School.

3. I recommend acceptance of a check for $35.32 from Follett Educational Services from surplus books for the Parmenter gift account.

4. I recommend approval of Leighanne Cullen’s request for an Orlando, Florida trip for the spring of 2009 for FHS music students as detailed.

5. I recommend acceptance of a check for $5,000.00 from the Keller PCC for field trips and In-house enrichment for Keller students.

6. I recommend approval of FHS Lacrosse trip to Guilford, CT on March 29-30, 2008 for Athletic Scrimmage/Jamboree.

7. I recommend approval of FHS Art trip to New York City on May 10, 2008 to the Museum of Modern Art.

8. I recommend acceptance of a check for $250.00 from the Norfolk DA’s office for the Graduation Safety Grant for the FHS.

9. I recommend acceptance of a check for $119.92 from Target for the Horace Mann Middle School.

10. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1500.00 from the Jefferson PCC for field trips for Jefferson Elementary School.

5. Information Matters:

· Superintendent’s Report

a. Residency Policy

b. Monthly Enrollment Comparison for February

c. Early Retirement Incentive

· 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

Where in Franklin? #39

Where in Franklin? #39, originally uploaded by shersteve.

White columns. Hand rail.
Odd looking contraption.
Where in Franklin have I seen that?



A sherku to introduce the next challenge.

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

Where in Franklin? Answer #38

Where in Franklin? Answer #38, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Yes, the correct answer to picture #38 was Stobbart's Nurseries on East Central St. Thanks ltsjs.

The seasons have indeed changed. This week the sign was proclaiming "egg cellent" values for spring planting.

Stay tuned for the next challenge for "Where in Franklin?"

Riding around for pictures

If you saw an odd looking guy on a bike stop here and there to take pictures today, that might have been me. I was scouting for new entries in the "Where in Franklin?" series.

If you did happen to see me, that could be a helpful clue to a future picture :-)

Where in Franklin? #38

Where in Franklin? #38, originally uploaded by shersteve.

As we change seasons this week, we'll step back to another change of seasons and see if you can identify where in Franklin you'll find this?

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

Where in Franklin? Answer #37

Where in Franklin? Answer #37, originally uploaded by shersteve.

The correct answer to picture #37 is the water tower along Upper Union Ave near the Forge Park Industrial Park.

Thanks to ltsjs for the answer.

Stay tuned for the next opportunity.

In the News - mayhem charges, food pantry, school committee self-evaluation

'Project Mayhem' charges brought
By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

Police are filing criminal complaints against several Franklin High School students who allegedly planned to wreak "chaos and mayhem" in the style of "Project Mayhem" from the movie "Fight Club" last Friday, said Deputy Police Chief Stephan H. Semerjian.

Police thwarted the students' day of confusion after School Resource Officer Dan MacLean, along with a high school janitor and a girlfriend of one of the suspects, alerted them, he said.

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read the remainder of this article in the Milford Daily News
originally reported last week, you can find that article here


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Tough economy hits food pantries
By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

Spikes in food, gas and even real estate prices are driving a growing number of local people to turn to food pantries in recent weeks, according to Linda Pouliot-Whitez, executive director of the Franklin Food Pantry.

"We've been getting two, three new clients a week," said Michelle Reid, an outreach director at the food pantry who attributed the increased need partially to higher real estate taxes, which caused landlords to bump up rents.

read the full article in the Milford Daily News

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Franklin School Committee sets new goals
By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

In a special meeting Tuesday night, School Committee members gave self-evaluations of their work, which included many high marks and noted several new areas for improvement.

The School Committee agreed to set goals earlier in the year for the superintendent and to review its policy manual in a methodical manner.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News

In the News - Town Council rejects sign

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Mar 19, 2008 @ 10:51 PM

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FRANKLIN —

The Town Council last night swiftly rejected a proposal to place a welcome sign downtown, saying it would "denigrate" the common.

Based on feedback from the Downtown Partnership, Historical Commission chairman and Town Common Committee, the Department of Planning and Community Development recommended installing the sign at the corner of Pleasant and Main Streets as part of ongoing downtown revitalization.

The sign, which would look similar to those already installed in the area, would be funded by a state grant, which must be spent by June 30, said Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Listen to the full Town Council discussion here.

Town Council Meeting Summary 3/19/08

The audio recordings for the town meeting 3/19/08 are available in the following sections:

• Town Administrator's Report etc.
• Approval for backup generator at the High School
• Approval for Summer St Paving
• Discussion on proposal for sign on the Town Common...
• Habitat for Humanity presentation
• Tavern License Transfer Approved

Town Administrator's Report etc. (audio)

The Town Administrator, Jeff Nutting, makes his report, followed by old business (none), new business (one), and councilor comments before the meeting adjorns.

Time: 8 minutes, 38 seconds



MP3 File

Approval for backup generator at the High School (audio)

The replacement for the failed backup generator at the high school was finally approved by the Town Council.

Time: 11 minutes, 34 seconds



MP3 File