In the News - Lester Landry at 99

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GateHouse News Service

Posted Apr 05, 2008 @ 12:19 AM

---

FRANKLIN —

Lester Landry has learned a few things in his 99 years, and he doesn't keep those lessons secret.
``Money is secondary - people are number one,'' is Landry's first rule. He also advises, `If you get depressed, exercise - it clears your brain.''
Every day, Landry applies his wisdom and shares it with those around him - and he has made it a point to surround himself with people.
``I'm always very active, I like people, I like being with them,'' Landry said.
Between 7:30 to 8 a.m. each morning for the past 15 years, Landry has volunteered as a greeter at the Benjamin Franklin Bank on Main Street, lending an ear, telling stories and starting workers' days with a smile and a reminder that someone cares.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News

Google on Privacy

Online privacy is something anyone cruising on the web needs to be aware of. Spend a few minutes to review the video tips that Google has put together.

Attention Franklin Line Commuters

I received a series of T-Alerts today piece by piece the told the following story:

The Franklin Line will undergo necessary maintenance involving the installation of 24,000 ties.
Franklin Line Necessary Track Work Beginning Thursday April 10, 2008

We apologize for any inconvenience that may result from this necessary track work and thank you for riding Commuter Rail.

The work period will be between 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Mondays through Fridays. Delays of 20 to 30 minutes are anticipated during the work period.

The first phase of this work will commence at 9:00 AM on Thursday April 10, 2008.

In the News - kids go green

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Apr 03, 2008 @ 10:48 PM

---

FRANKLIN —

Frightened that an "environmental catastrophe" is looming after conducting research on global warming, Remington Middle School students launched a public awareness campaign yesterday on the benefits of using compact fluorescent lights.

To combat energy waste, Team Titans, a group of 50 sixth-grade Remington students, made arrangements with Franklin stores J.D. Daddario, Stop & Shop, and Aubuchon Hardware to keep recycling bins on the premises.

Now people can drop off their used compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), which are energy-efficient but contain a small amount of mercury, at the same place they purchase replacements.

If every American household replaced one incandescent light bulb with an Energy Star-qualified compact bulb for a year, enough energy would be saved to light more than 3 million homes and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of more than 800,000 cars, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Web site.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News

Twitter - a teaching learning tool

From Nottinghamshire (yes, Robin Hood country) Tom Barrett teaches and writes a blog. This post goes into great detail on how he uses Twitter as a teaching and learning tool.

In my experience, and in the short time that I have used it, Twitter has grown quickly to play a major part in the way that I interact with fellow colleagues and professionals from around the world. In my classroom and with the children I teach it has been an exciting tool to utilise and support learning. However it is one of many tools that we have at our disposal. I do not see it replacing any of the others we use nor do I see the positive impact upon learning being exclusive to Twitter.

Read the full posting here.

Cruise around Tom's site. He has video tutorials. He has some wikis.

Do you twitter?

Another Franklin's Goals

A year ago, as Franklin, MA prepared for an operational override, Franklin, WI had just rejected an override for their schools.

Visiting the Franklin, WI school department web site I find their school district goals

Their Franklin Education Foundation is prepared to accept donations online.

Franklin Industry: PLC Systems

PLC Systems, which was in the news in December, has announced an international distribution agreement:

Franklin, MA - PLC Systems Inc., a company focused on innovative cardiac and vascular medical device-based technologies, announced recently that it has entered into a 3-year exclusive agreement with Artech s.r.l., Cavezzo, Italy for distribution of its RenalGuard System into Italy. Artech is one of Italy's leading distributors of interventional cardiology-related medical devices, doing business with most of Italy's major interventional cardiology centers. Artech will target early adopters who recognize the benefits of utilizing the unique fluid balancing capabilities of RenalGuard System in a cath lab setting during cardiovascular imaging procedures for patients at higher risk of Contrast-Induced Nephropathy (CIN).

Read the full announcement here.

Read the December news here.

In the News - Water, Sewer, Rubbish rates; new development

Water, rubbish rates may rise in Franklin

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

Water rates and rubbish fees may be going up, while sewer rates could go down, if the Town Council goes along with a proposal by Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting. Nutting requested councilors raise trash fees $12 a year to cover a potential shortfall and to rebuild the trash reserve account that dropped below $100,000 to $61,000 this year.

Read the full article here

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

Developer reviewing cost for office park

An eight-building commercial development on land near the Bellingham line, involving a major extension and paving project for Spring Street, could start before summer - if the developer decides he can afford it, and Franklin officials approve the final plans, and the project meets state environmental measures.

Developer Paul Maggiore has proposed constructing the eight buildings on a 53.4-acre property off Spring Street, south of Route 140 and near the Forge Park industrial complex.

Read the full article in the Boston Globe here

Town Council Mtg Summary 4/2/08

• Budget Update FY09 (audio)
• Sewer and Water rate discussion (audio)
• Rubbish Rate discussion (audio)
• Citizens Comment (none) and License Transfers (aud...
• Open House - New Fire Station

other segments of the meeting will be posted as I have time

Budget Update FY09 (audio)

a preliminary update on the FY09 budget from Town Administrator Jeff Nutting with Q&A from several of the councilors.

Time: 10 minutes, 17 seconds



MP3 File

Sewer and Water rate discussion (audio)

From the Franklin Town Council meeting 4/2/08

Time: 18 minutes, 17 seconds



MP3 File

Rubbish Rate discussion (audio)

From the Franklin Town Council meeting 4/2/08

Time: 10 minutes, 35 seconds



MP3 File

Citizens Comment (none) and License Transfers (audio)

From the Franklin Town Council meeting of 4/2/08

Time: 2 minutes, 49 seconds



MP3 File

Open House - New Fire Station

Yes, the new station will be open for viewing by anyone in the Town:

April 12th 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Where in Franklin? #42

Where in Franklin? #42, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Hmm, big nets... big fish?

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

Where in Franklin? Answer #41

Where in Franklin? Answer #41, originally uploaded by shersteve.

The correct answer to picture #41 did come in finding this building part of the Hayward Estate property.

Thanks for playing!

Stay tuned for the next opportunity.

In the News - Budget

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Apr 01, 2008 @ 11:36 PM

Last update Apr 02, 2008 @ 12:59 AM

---

FRANKLIN —

The Finance Committee voted last night to recommend several budgets prepared by Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting, including employee benefit line items totaling $7.2 million.

The cost of benefits for town and school staff represents a $400,000 increase over last year's figure of $6.8 million, said Finance Committee Chairman Jim Roche.

Pensions, excluding teachers', will cost the town an extra $588,000 in the coming fiscal year for a total of $3,250,290, Nutting said.

read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Town Council Meeting agenda for 4/2/08

The agenda for this Wednesday's Town Council meeting has been posted to the town website (PDF).

Items likely to be of interest:

• Shaw's is renovating and moving their wine/liquor area within the store
• Annie's Market, liquor license transfer
• FY09 budget is on the agenda with no details in the package
• Trash or rubbish fee proposed to be increased by $12
• Sewer fee to be reduced by about $45 dollars
• Water fee to be increased by $45 dollars so the net between water/sewer is no change

Where in Franklin? #41

Where in Franklin? #41, originally uploaded by shersteve.

A carriage house from yesteryear. Where in Franklin would you find this one?

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

Where in Franklin? Answer 40

Where in Franklin? Answer 40, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Yes, the answer to picture #40 was the Best Deli located on East Central St.

Thanks for playing.

Stay tuned for the next opportunity!

Congratulations to Franklin High School's All Stars

The Boston Globe has a special section today to highlight the All-Scholastics for the Winter 2008 season. Amongst those recognized are the following from Franklin High School.

Girls Basketball - Kelly Merideth (All-Scholastic and Hockomock All Star); Siobhan Sullivan (Hockomock All Star)

Boys Basketball - Matt Dean, Matt Palazini, and Ryan Spencer (all Hockomock All Stars)

Boys Hockey - Jeff Kaplan (All-Scholastic and Hockomock All Star), Paul Childers, Kevin Gallagher, Nate Weber (all Hockomock All Stars)

Girls Hockey - Erin Burke, Rachel Porter, Melissa Coughlin and Maura Teehan (all Hockomock All Stars)

Boys Track - Andy Childs, John Dacey, Chris Letorneau (all Hockomock All Stars)

Girls Track - Kathleen Ryan and Leanne Swanson (all Hockomock All Stars)

Wrestling - Nick Colace (All-Scholastic and Hockomock All Star), Peter Gill, Jim Koshivas, Garrett McNeilage, Jamie O'Neil, and Dan Telhada (all Hockomock All Stars)

Parmenter Notices

Parmenter Notices, originally uploaded by shersteve.

The sign says it all for the upcoming schedule at Parmenter Elementary School.

Another Top10 listing

Money/CNN has Franklin, MA ranked in the Top10 of their "100 best places to live and launch"

Shouldn't we tell them to stay away?

With 45 teachers potentially heading out the door in June, our high ranking on MCAS will start dropping as class size increases next year.

Of course, Franklin does have a choice.

• We can choose to pay our fair share of our children's education.

or

• We can wait for the Commonwealth to give us more than the 50% of our educational expenses that they do today. (p.s. - that's not likely.)
  

Did you know? v2.0

This brief (about 8 minutes) video was created in 2006 for an audience of 150 teachers in a Colorado high school. By June 2007, it had already been viewed by over 5 million people.

Did you know?




What can Franklin afford to provide an education for our youth?

Motion to adjourn (audio)

The final act of the meeting is a motion to adjourn.

Time: 24 seconds



MP3 File

New Business: The Charlebois issue (audio)

The Franklin School Committee does not have much of a position to handle this issue but it is addressed. Karen Seyfried, Principal and Director of the ECDC answers questions along with Wayne Ogden.

Time: 11 minutes, 5 seconds



MP3 File

Sub Committee Reports (audio)

The Franklin School Committee hears from the various sub committees.

Time: 4 minutes, 18 seconds



MP3 File

Action Items (audio)

The Franklin School Committee rolls through a number of actions items. The listing can be found on the copy of the agenda.

Time: 11 minutes, 31 seconds



MP3 File

Facility Consolidation (audio)

The Franklin School Committee get an update from the group that met with some of the Town Council and other Town administration to discuss the proposa. It will require a memorandum of understanding between the Town Council and School Committee to put into effect.

Details remain to be worked out but in Jeff Roy's terms it was "the most productive meeting on this topic".

Time: 8 minutes, 16 seconds



MP3 File

Superintendent Wayne Ogden's goals approved (audio)

While the School Committee approved the goals for Superintendent Wayne Ogden, it would be nice to have a copy of the goals to review.

Time: 5 minutes, 52 seconds



MP3 File

Budget to Actual (audio)

The Franklin School Committee spends a brief bit on the FY08 budget to actual report and report process.

Time: 2 minutes, 1 second



MP3 File

1st Reading: Residence Policy revision (audio)

The Franklin School Committee considers a revision to the current residence policy and moves the revision to a 2nd reading. A copy of the draft is available here.

Time: 9 minutes, 0 seconds



MP3 File

1st Reading: Entrance Age Policy revision (audio)

The Entrance Age policy has revisions under discussion. This is the first reading. A copy of the draft is available here.

This draft will be adjusted per the discussion and moved to 2nd Reading.

Time: 11 minutes, 10 seconds



MP3 File

FY09 - Final questions (audio)

Franklin School Committee completes their discussion for today on the proposed FY09 budget.

Times: 10 minutes, 45 seconds



MP3 File

FY09 - Elementary School principals (audio)

Franklin School Committee continues the detail discussion on the FY09 budget with the Elementary School principals

Time: 13 minutes, 14 seconds



MP3 File

FY09 - Special Ed: L Waters (Audio)

Franklin School Committee continues the discussion on FY09 budget with Linda Waters on the special education budget

Time: 6 minutes, 34 seconds



MP3 File

FY09 - Middle school principals (audio)

Franklin School Committee meeting continues the discussion on the proposed FY09 budget cuts and in detail the impact in the middle schools.

Time: 26 minutes, 14 seconds



MP3 File

FY09 - High School Impact (audio)

Franklin School Committee continues the discussion on FY09 with questions on the impact at the high school. Paula Mullen and Pam Gould primary speakers in this segment.

Pam also returns at the end of the Middle School segment for an additional question.

Time: 2 minutes, 32 seconds



MP3 File

FY09 - Wayne Ogden's overview (audio)

The Franklin School Committee got to get into some details with the school prinicpals during the meeting 3/25/08. Supt. Wayne Ogden leads the introductory overview in this segment.

Time: 17 minutes, 2 seconds



MP3 File

Where in Franklin? #40

Where in Franklin? #40, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Where do you find this sign proclaiming that they are open for business?

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

Where in Franklin? Answer #39

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

The answer to picture #39 is the Horace Mann Museum currently located at the Old South Meeting Church building on Washington St but being planned to move into the old Senior Center building downtown sometime this year.

Thanks for playing!

Stay tuned for the next picture.

In the News - diesel costs for school buses

The skyrocketing price of diesel fuel is putting a squeeze on school budgets and the contractors that districts hire to bus students.

"It's impacting us tremendously," said Joseph Vendetti, owner of Vendetti Bus Co. in Franklin. "Everybody's complaining about paying $3 a gallon for gasoline, and we're paying $4 for diesel."

Most school buses run on diesel, and the cost for that fuel shot past $4 last week - up 59 cents from just five weeks ago, according to AAA of Southern New England. As of Monday, the average price for diesel in Massachusetts was $4.14 a gallon.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily news

Gee, imagine if?

Gee, imagine if something like that could happen here?

“It was a very difficult choice to have to use one-time revenue, but it’s Franklin, and we have to make sure our schools work,” Nutting said. “Classroom instruction remains our top priority, and we cannot retreat on progress.”

This is purely wishful thinking, at least for now, as this quote is a doctoring of what Mayor Tom Menino said when Boston came up with additional funding to help balance the city's school budget, as reported in the Boston Globe.

Tom Menino really did say:

“It was a very difficult choice to have to use one-time revenue, but it’s Boston, and we have to make sure our schools work,” Menino said. “Classroom instruction remains our top priority, and we cannot retreat on progress.”

alas Jeff Nutting did not.

Contract Signings (audio)

Miriam Goodman, the new School Business Administrator, signs her contract to start working in Franklin April 29th.

There is also a contract signing for the School Nurses.

The committee breaks for two minutes to process the paperwork.

Time: 5 minutes, 6 seconds



MP3 File

Horace Mann School Improvement Plan (audio)

Dr Anne Bergan, Principal of the Horace Mann School presented the current school improvement plan to the School Committee and answered questions.

Time: 17 minutes, 7 seconds



MP3 File

Discussion on handbook revisions (audio)

From the School Committee meeting 3/25/08, the discussion on revisions to the various school handbooks lead by Maureen Sabolinksi and Wayne Ogden.

Time: 7 minutes, 47 seconds



MP3 File

Routine Business items (audio)

Multiple routine business items from the meeting of 3/25/08.

Time: 4 minutes, 18 seconds



MP3 File

Items include:
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 - Letter from Jeffrey Nutting regarding consolidation of facilities.

School Committee Meeting 3/25/08

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 (audio)

1. Routine Business · Citizen’s Comments (audio)

· 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 - Letter from Jeffrey Nutting regarding consolidation of facilities.
The above items can be found in this audio segment (audio)

2. Guests/Presentations:
a. 2008-09 Handbooks (all but FHS) (audio)
b. Horace Mann School Improvement Plan (audio)
c. Miriam Goodman, Business Administrator contract signing and School Nurses contract signing (audio)

3. Discussion Only Items

· FY 2009 Budget

• Superintendent's overview (audio)
• High school (audio)
• Middle schools (audio)
• Special education (audio)
• Elementary schools (audio)
• Last questions (audio)

· Budget to Actual (audio)
· First Reading – Entrance Age Policy JEA (audio)
· First Reading – School Admission/Residency Policy JFAA-R (audio)

· Finalize Superintendent’s Goals (audio)
· Consolidation of Facilities (audio)

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, 6th 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.

all the action items are contained in this segment (audio)

· School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
· School Committee Liaison Reports

The sub-committee and liaison reports are together in this segment (audio)

6. New Business:
· To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee. (audio)

7. Adjourn (audio)

SchCom: The Charlebois' statement (audio)

During the Citizens Comment portion of the Franklin School Committee meeting on Tuesday 3/25/08, Amie Charlebois presented this statement.

Time: 7 minutes, 18 seconds

The text of the statement is available here.



MP3 File

SchCom: Pledge (audio)

The Pledge of Allegiance led by Robert Gallo opens the Franklin School Committee meeting on Tuesday 3/25/08.

Time: 1 minute, 42 seconds



MP3 File

SchCom: The Charlebois' statement

The text of the statement presented during the Citizens Comment portion of the School Committee meeting 3/25/08. The text was scanned from a printed copy provided by Amie Charlebois.

Hi, my name is Amie Charlebois and this is my husband David. I wanted to come before you tonight to ask that you make an assessment of my current situation with the FX O'Regan Early Childhood Development Center. I have approached the principal, Karen Seyfried as well as Wayne Ogden with this matter. Before I go any further, it has always been my understanding that the school department has what is in the best interest of each individual child.

I have 3 small children 5 years, 22 months and 4 months. My 5 year old son is at the end of his second year in attendance of preschool at ECDC. He attended 2 afternoons his first year and has been attending 5 afternoons this entire school year. My husband and I have been truly happy with his experience at ECDC and believe that it has laid a wonderful foundation for his education. I have faith that when my 2 other children attend ECDC, that they too will have the same wonderful experience.

Unfortunately, my family has recently undergone a severe financial hardship. My husband was badly injured in an accident at work and has recently undergone surgery due to that accident. The insurance company that deals with workers compensation has denied our claim and we are awaiting a hearing date. We have had a dramatic loss in income.

I brought my situation to Karen's attention and Karen told me there were scholarships available that I could apply for to assist with my sons tuition. I was very pleased to hear that we qualified for the highest level scholarship available with tuition that would cover 2 days and a reimbursement of my June deposit of $305. With the reimbursement, I would be able to apply that to the remaining 3 days for April and May and keep my son in the 5 day program he has been in since August. At a time in our lives when the reimbursement would be very helpful to put toward other household expenses, our priority is put that money toward our sons education. Karen informed me that I could not do that according to policy. It never once entered my mind that if I qualified for the scholarship, my son would only be able to attend school 2 days a week when he is enrolled in 5.

I signed an enrollment agreement last year accepting the 5 day program, a signed agreement, which is a binding contract between 2 parties stating my son is enrolled in the 5 day program. I am upholding my portion of the agreement and the ECDC is not. The policy states that scholarships are given out for 2 days and does not say anywhere that if you qualify for the scholarship your child can not attend the other 3 days as well. I told Karen that if I had known that was how the scholarship program operated, I never would have applied because again my son is in the 5 day program. Karen also informed me that the policy needs to be adjusted for next year and that she is in the process of "adding language" for next years handbook. Karen has stated to me the intent of the policy but I do not believe intent can be enforced.

But at this time, with 38 days left in the school year I am being told that in order to accept a scholarship that we qualified for, we can only use it by taking school days away from my son. My son who loves school and asks numerous times every morning "when are we leaving for school". At a time in my sons life when things are turbulent enough, I am being told that there is help available but that it will negatively affect my child if I accept that help. I feel that it is an absolute necessity to keep my sons school structure in tact, now on March 25, with 38 school days left in the year. My sons education is a priority especially in these early years. He would be devastated and confused if I had to take school days away from him at this point and I know that trying to explain to him that there are unclear policies that must be followed, will not help ease his hurt. Doing this to my son at this time would hurt him. My son is not taking a spot away from another child nor does it have any effect on anyone except for him. If this were October or November I would consider having to make certain adjustments with it being so early in the year but it isn't, it is almost April. I'm asking to be allowed to keep my son at the 5 day level, accepting the financial help from the scholarship that I qualified for to put toward the 2 days and I am asking ECDC to accept my money for the other 3 days of the week to keep my sons education consistent. There have been 3 different occasions, prior to our hardship that I have talked with my sons teacher about her feelings toward him attending the 5 day program, and she has said numerous times, that she believes my son is thriving in the 5 day program, he benefits from it and he needs consistency. I know his teacher of the past 2 years, has my sons best interest at heart. I am deeply saddened that amidst everything going on at home, I am required to fight in order to keep educational stability for a 5 year old boy, in a school that he truly loves. The ECDC Mission reads "The Francis X O'Regan Early Childhood Development Center's mission is to focus on the whole child and their family..." and every time I bring the attention and focus back to my son, I am told to refer to a handbook. All I am asking is for you to do what you already do when you make your decision, and that is to look at what is in the best interest of my child.

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

By Heather McCarron/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Mar 26, 2008 @ 12:18 AM

---

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

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

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

---

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

Approval for Summer St Paving (audio)

Franklin Town Council approves transfer of funds from developer to allow for the paving all at once of the Summer St section where sewer extentions were made. Passed by a 6-0 vote with 1 abstention (McGann).

Time: 7 minutes, 35 seconds



MP3 File

Discussion on proposal for sign on the Town Common (audio)

Franklin Town Council discusses the proposal for a sign on the Town Comon. Proposal was eventually withdrawn before a vote was taken as there were objections from some of the Council.

Time: 10 minutes, 56 seconds



MP3 File

Habitat for Humanity presentation (audio)

The Franklin Town Council hears presentation from the Old Colony Habitat for Humanity which just expanded their scope to include Franklin and Bellingham.

Time: 25 minutes, 12 seconds



MP3 File

Tavern License Transfer Approved (audio)

Franklin Town Council approved unanimously the transfer of license for the former Franklin Tavern per bankruptcy court proceedings. ABC approval is still required.


Time: 2 minutes, 20 seconds



MP3 File

Note: When Chairperson Chris Feeley defers to Jeff Nutting, Jeff in turn passes to Maxine Kinhart, who passes to Attorney Mark Cerel. This transfer does not get picked by the recording.

New School Business Administrator chosen

The School Committee last night unanimously voted to hire town resident Miriam Goodman as the new school business administrator.

During a break at last night's special meeting, committee Chairman Jeffrey Roy called Goodman, offered the job and reported that she accepted.

Goodman is director of administration and finance for the Woonsocket, R.I., Education Department, a post she has held since 1999.

She was one of four finalists in the search for a new business administrator following the committee's ousting of Dolores McCoy last fall. McCoy was put on administrative leave when officials discovered she had made numerous accounting errors, including putting $590,000 in expenses from last year into this year's budget.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here.

The interviews conducted by the School Committee can be found here.

Dark Tide - Book Review

I had published my short form book review of Dark Tide previously.

My long form of Dark Tide was published Tuesday as part of the month long Love Affair with Books on the Joyful Jubilant Learning blog.

You have my permission, indeed encouragement to click on over, read it and participate in the conversation.

Dark Tide is the focal point for On the Same Page at the Franklin Library this year.

Sunshine Week

While many public officials are hesitant to share information about what the government is doing, what many Americans don't realize is that the business of public officials is highly accessible, especially when it comes to how taxpayers' dollars are spent.

To raise such awareness, the Daily News is participating in Sunshine Week, an annual project aimed at creating awareness about freedom of information and government secrecy.

A Daily News reporter hand-delivered written public record requests to several Milford and MetroWest town officials last month, asking for each one's three most recent town-issued cell phone bills.

How did Franklin fare?

Franklin Police Chief Stephen Williams also refused to provide complete bills.

Franklin Town Attorney Mark Cerel wrote a letter on Williams' behalf, explaining he would provide general billings, but not an itemized record.

"Public safety and security and personal privacy interests preclude making any of the records available," wrote Cerel. "There is a significant risk that he would inadvertently disclose an exempt telephone number in reviewing a high volume of calls, thereby creating a public safety and/or security risk or a personal privacy violation."

The town later provided general billings of all townwide-issued cell phones, which includes Williams' phone, free of charge. Franklin pays about $3,000 each month for all town employees' cell phones.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here.

This is a nice attempt to participate in "sunshine week". Rather than make an issue on the phone numbers themselves, I'd have preferred an analysis of the kinds of coverage the phones have.

Do they have basic phone service or a higher level of service?

Then you could have a discussion on what level of phone service is appropriate by department for a local community to provide.

Town Council Agenda - 3/19/08

The agenda for Wednesday's Town Council meeting can be found here (PDF).

The license transfer for what was operating as the Franklin Tavern (formerly GoodFella's) is on the agenda.

Egg Hunt Friday

EGG HUNT FRIDAY - An egg hunt for children 9 and under will take place Friday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Franklin High School field house. Peter Cottontail and his friends will entertain children with egg painting, face painting, and photographs. Children will be divided into age groups and should bring their own baskets. The fee to participate is $10.

For more information, contact the Recreation Department at 508-520-4909 or visit its page on the town's website, franklin.ma.us. - Rachel Lebeaux

Annual HMEA 5K Road Race - May 18th

From the Town Crier

Come to the 7th Annual HMEA Independence 5K Walk and Race in the Park on May 18th at 11AM, being held at 50 Constitution Blvd on the fields at EMC in the Franklin Industrial Park. All proceeds from this fund raising event go to benefit 2000 children and adults with developmental disabilities in Massachusetts. The event is a 5K Walk and a 5K race with free tee shirts for all fund raising partners and racers. Special gifts for fund raising walkers and medals and trophies for 1st through 3rd place finishers (all catagories) in the race. Free food, entertainment, games and activities. A special tribute to local veterans plus special guest appearances by Gene Lavanchy (Fox 25 News annchor), Gail Huff (WCVB NewsCenter 5 reporter), Ayla Brown of American Idol fame and Pat Patriot from The New England Patriots.

Registration for the race and the walk is through HMEA's web site

Horace Mann Education Association (HMEA) is a non profit human services agency located in Franklin MA, in Forge Park, Incorporated in 1961, providing specialized supports, education and therapy for 2000 individuals with disabilities in 110 Massachusetts cities and towns including Franklin.

Franklin bus schedule

yes, there is a bus that runs through Franklin from the Municipal Building to the Village Plaza. The bus runs six days (Mon-Sat) and the schedule can be found here (PDF).

MA Best Zip Codes

Did you see the Globe Magazine on Sunday? They had this special feature on housing, real estate, etc. One article in particular summarized their choices for the top 25 zip codes to live in Massachusetts.

Best part of the article?

Franklin's zip code was NOT in the top 25!

Do you think some folks will stay away?

We only want businesses to come here. Not families with kids!

Boston Globe gets to the high school renovation

The Boston Globe Sunday edition of Globe West caught up to the FHS renovation or build a new school question, both of which are rather pricing. Yet, with a warning already we could loose the accreditation and jeopardize the plans for our students unless we do something.

The question is what? and for how much?

Read the Globe article here

Where in Franklin? #37

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

Can you identify "Where in Frankin?" this picture was taken?

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

Where in Franklin? Answer #36

Where in Franklin? Answer #36, originally uploaded by shersteve.

The correct answer to #36 was the Ben Franklin Bank branch office located on East Central Street next to Honey Dew Donuts.

Thanks to ljsts for providing their third correct answer (I had miscounted last time).

Thanks to all for playing!

Stay tuned for the next chance to find "Where in Franklin?"

A process to reach agreement on joint maintenance

Following up on the issue and need to reach an agreement raised earlier, I have the following as a process to achieve this. There are other ways but we just need to execute on one that will allow the key stake holders a say in the process.


Using the talking stick concept, the stake holders should come together in a circle.

Stakeholders:

• Town Council
• School Committee
• School Administration
• Dept of Public Works
• Town Administration
  
• parents
• principals
• custodians
• tax payers
• are any left out?
  

Sitting in a circle with two representatives from each group. Representatives can not sit next to another of their own group.

Several white boards or flip charts to record the key points

Volunteers solicited to assist in the recording of the key points

First round records all the objectives, or goals, or constraints of each group that they feel need to be part of the ultimate agreement. Let's get all the issues on the table.

For example:

• cost savings
• principals control people working within their school
• education reform act requirements
  
• labor contracts
• etc.

Second Round prioritizes the goals, objectives, constraints as outlined in Round One

Third Round entertains proposals from each stake holder group on how they would meet the overall goals as outlined in Round One and prioritized in Round Two

Fourth Round works to build consensus on the proposals from Round Three

There should be a break between the second and third rounds to provide time for the individual stake holder groups to prepare their proposals

There may need to be more than four rounds but that will depend upon the openness of the discussion and how well the group is able to come to a consensus

It may be required to review the current maintenance agreement which the town believes is working and at least from the point of view as expressed by one custodian, clearly isn't. We will need to address any and all issues with this process. We need a working process, not a broken process. If the current process has some flaws, let's address them, agree to fix them and then agree to move on. If we don't fix them, we will not be able to make significant progress on a new process for the custodians.

Cost savings or power struggle?

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

FRANKLIN —

School and town officials battling for control of the School Department's $5 million maintenance account will continue to duke it out this month, according to Town Councilor Robert Vallee.

The account has traditionally been managed by schools, but Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting has proposed the town's Department of Public Works take it over for to eliminate duplication of jobs and maximize cost-efficiency, Vallee said.
Nutting, Vallee, Town Councilor Shannon Zollo, Councilor Deborah Bartlett,
Chairman Chris Feeley, School Superintendent Wayne Ogden, and several other town officials debated the issue at a joint budget subcommittee meeting last week, Vallee said.

``Nothing was accomplished, but we exchanged thoughts,'' said Vallee.
School officials still need to ``clearly understand'' why Nutting is seeking the change, said Ogden. Nutting could not be reached for comment on Friday.

Read the remainder of the article at the Milford Daily News here

My two cents:

If Franklin is going to make any significant progress on the growth of costs, tight cooperation needs to take place amongst the Town functional organizations.

This may be "low hanging fruit" but it needs to be handled properly. The Town does not need to split over issues that could save money. It is incumbent upon the Town to clearly explain what it would look like to have the two departments combined. This future vision would help to focus the discussion properly on who would do what, how school building issues would be handled, how the school and their important daily functions would operate so that the most important function of delivering a safe, efficient and highly qualified education to our children.

The current education reform act requirement that the school principals are responsible for everyone who works in their building is a potential road block. If properly addressed, it should be a key reason for crafting an agreement that will satisfy all parties.

Communication and open discussion are critical. Let's get all the parties to the table, not just a few. Include the custodians in this discussion. Include some parents. Bring in a moderator to facilitate the discussion and agreement if necessary.

Above all avoid the negatives. Avoid name calling. This is not an 'us' vs. 'them' situation. This affects all of us.