Monday, April 7, 2008

Franklin School Committee Meeting Agenda 4/8/08

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 March 25, 2008 School Committee Meeting.

  • Payment of Bills Mr. Kelly

  • Payroll Ms. Armenio

  • FHS Student Representatives

  • Correspondence:

    1. Budget to Actual

    2. Letter from Representative James Vallee regarding Portable Classrooms

  1. Guests/Presentations:

    1. Prudential Spirit of Community Award Honoring Remington Middle School student

    2. Remington 6th Grade Project Report

    3. Signing of the Educational Support Personnel (ESP) Contract

  1. Discussion Only Items

  • School Choice for 2008-2009 school year

  • 2009-2010 School Calendar

  • Second Reading of Policy JEA Entrance Age

  • Second Reading of Policy JFAA-R Residency

  • FY 2009 Budget – FinCom and Council presentations

  • FHS Building Project & Building Committee

  1. Action Items:

  1. I recommend approval of the FY 2009 budget at the level service amount of (7.4%) $58,687,804.

  2. I recommend approval of continuing the School Choice Program for the 2008-2009 school year.

  3. I recommend approval of the 2009-2010 School Calendar

  4. I recommend adoption of Policy JEA Entrance Age

  5. I recommend adoption of Policy JFAA-R Residency

  6. I recommend acceptance of a check for $800.00 for a portable washing station for the Davis Thayer art teachers from the Davis Thayer PCC

  7. I recommend acceptance of a check for $35.72 from Follett Educational Services for surplus books for the Parmenter gift account.

  8. I recommend acceptance of a check for $2625.00 from the Annie Sullivan PCC for the 7th grade field trip to McAuliffe Center.

  9. I recommend acceptance of a check for $154.83 from Target for 8th grade field trip to YMCA in Hopkinton, MA.

  10. I recommend acceptance of a check for $198.00 from the Davis Thayer PCC for library books for DT.

  11. I recommend approval of the request of FHS for the Track Team to participate in the Penn Relays from 4/23 to 4/25/08 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Mt. Laurel New Jersey.

  12. I recommend approval of the request of FHS for the Football Team to participate in the Athletic Program & Retreat at Camp Cobbossee in Winthrop, ME from 8/21 to 8/24/08.

  13. I recommend approval of the request of Keller Elementary School for the 5th grade class trip to Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, RI on 5/2/08.

  1. Information Matters:

  • Superintendent’s Report

    1. School Choice 2008-2009

    2. School Calendar for 2009-2010

    3. Enrollment Comparison for 3-30-07 and 3-28-08

    4. Consolidation

    5. Online Courses

  • School Committee Sub-Committee Reports

  • School Committee Liaison Reports

  1. New Business:

  • To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

  1. Executive Session

  • Contractual Negotiations – FEA side letters and early retirement

  1. Adjourn

A letter from Ed Cafasso

Hi everyone,

At this Tuesday evening’s School Committee meeting, members will discuss how to handle the massive proposed cuts your community’s schools are facing in fiscal year 2009, which begins July 1. You can expect several updates on this topic in the weeks ahead.

The Town of Franklin, on average, spends $2,200 less per pupil than the average for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The state Department of Education tracks school district spending in 11 categories, including administration, professional development, pupil services and operations and maintenance. Franklin spends above the state average in only one of the 11 categories – classroom teachers.

In fact, approximately 80 percent of our budget is driven by compensation to teachers. Over years of grappling with school budgets, the Committee has always tried to protect classroom personnel in order to maintain reasonable class sizes for our students.

But, unless we can improve school funding for the coming fiscal year, it’s unlikely that Franklin will be able to claim an advantage in that category any more.

The current school budget is $54.6 million. In order to maintain the same level of services in the new school year, a budget of $58.7 million is required to meet rising salary, healthcare, pension and utility costs. Maintaining the exact same level of services we are providing this year would mean an additional appropriation of $4 million.

Despite receiving an increase in Chapter 70 state educational aid of $2.2 million, town tax revenues are down overall, so the Town Administrator proposing to give schools only $800,000 more in fiscal 2009.

In order to fulfill our responsibility to submit a balanced budget to the Town Council, the School Committee and Supt. Ogden are considering $3.2 million in cuts, including:

  • 15 teaching positions at elementary level

  • 12.5 teaching positions at middle school

  • 17 teaching positions at FHS

  • A $100 increase in the pay-to-ride bus fee hike, and

  • The end of late bus service for students who need to stay after school for academic, club and extracurricular programs.

Last year, even passage of the town’s first-ever override was not enough to help the budget keep pace with escalating costs, and the schools cut 28 positions. The vast majority of those terminations were not educational positions. This year, the 45.5 jobs slated for elimination will have a direct, negative impact on class sizes in Franklin for the first time.

At Franklin High School, where a reasonable class size range is 22 to 26 students, the class size in September will balloon to 25 to 30. Middle school class sizes will range from 25 to 30, as well. Class sizes in most of the town’s elementary schools will push well past appropriate levels, and will feature 26 to 30 students each this fall.

At our most recent meeting, school principals expressed deep concern over their ability to deliver a top quality academic experience to students if these cuts go through. One even predicted that Franklin’s test scores, which have been outstanding despite lower-than-average per pupil spending, will begin showing declines in only one year.

Members of the School Committee – as well as members of the Town Council and the Finance Committee – need to hear your concerns and recommendations on how to proceed. Everyone recognizes that these are tough economic times, but disinvesting in our schools has no good outcome. It will not help our children prepare for their own economic future. It will not maintain our quality of life. It will not stabilize home prices in Franklin.

Please let me know your thoughts on the current situation. In the meantime, the following links provide additional information on budget proposals and discussions:

School Budget Information Home Page:

http://www.franklin.ma.us/auto/schools/FPS/super1/FY06Budget/default.htm

PowerPoint Overview on Proposed FY09 School Budget:

http://www.franklin.k12.ma.us/co/supt/budget/Budget2SCFY09.pdf

Complete Proposed FY09 Budget by School:

http://www.franklin.k12.ma.us/co/supt/budget/FY09Budget.pdf

Franklin School Committee Web Site:

http://www.franklin.ma.us/auto/schools/fsc/

Franklin Town Council Web Site:

http://www.franklin.ma.us/auto/town/towncouncil/

Franklin Matters Blog:

http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/

Franklin Town Common Discussion Site:

http://www.towncommon.net/tcma/forumdisplay.php?f=594

I hope you will use these sources, as well as newspaper reports, PCC meetings and cable broadcasts, to stay informed as budget discussions continue. As always, I am happy to answer any questions you may have. Thank you!

Ed Cafasso, Member

Franklin School Committee

In the News - Seniors play Wii

FRANKLIN —

Watch out, bingo. Wii has got seniors cheering, jumping out of their seats and swinging the "Wiimote" faster than they can stamp a square.

After reading that senior citizens are the second largest market for Nintendo Wii, Susan Bonvilar, director of enrollment for Suffolk University students at Dean College, decided to bring the video game system, to the Forge Hill Senior Living Center.

Last week, one dozen seniors offered stiff competition for six students in the Suffolk University Networking Club based at Dean, in their first Wii-bowling tournament at the center.

They rolled up in wheelchairs, put aside walkers, and grabbed hold of the Wiimote, a remote control which simulates a bowling ball.

"I love it. I love it because I like to bowl, I always used to bowl," said Janet Caton, a senior at the center who played for the second time last week.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News


Sunday, April 6, 2008

In the news - how to handle stormwater

The Boston Globe Globe West section features an article today on how local towns are handling storm water. Franklin is amongst those mentioned. The new technology for handling this run off will get more discussion as the downtown redevelopment plans move forward.

"Before, the thinking was just to get the water off the road for safety reasons, and there wasn't much thought given to pollution," said Denise Zambrowski, storm-water manager for the town of Franklin. "But we have 48 miles of streams and 266 acres of ponds, and 95 percent of our watershed ends up in the Charles River. We are now giving storm water a serious look."

Zambrowski said the town recently received a $131,000 federal matching grant to pay for several projects, including installing a man-made wetland area or other technology to capture runoff from a large condominium development near Route 140. Storm water from the complex, which has approximately 200 units, flows through overflow pipes directly into Mine Brook, a tributary of the Charles.

Franklin, like a number of other area communities, is also considering redeveloping its town center to make it more pedestrian and retail-friendly, and officials are considering measures such as storm-water planters as part of the redesign, she said.

Read the full article here.

Survey says

Yes, this has been operating long enough (five months) to run a few surveys to generate some feedback on how to continue to develop this site, or not.

The survey has one question. You can find it on the right column.

Thanks for visiting and sharing your feedback!

Brick Classroom FY09 budget status (audio)

A segment from the Franklin School Committee meeting on 2/26/08, Supt Wayne Ogden answers a question from Sue Rohrbach on the Brick FY09 budget status.

Time: 2 minutes, 9 seconds



MP3 File

The full segment from which this piece was taken can be found here.

The full meeting summary can be found here.

Pay to Ride or 20 Teachers? (audio)

A segment from the Franklin School Committee FY09 budget discussion during the 2/26/08 meeting, one option to save some teachers (instead of cutting 45 positions) would be cutting instead the entire pay-to-ride program. Supt Wayne Ogden explains.

Time: 2 minutes, 4 seconds



MP3 File

The full segment from which this piece was taken can be found here.

The full meeting summary can be found here.

Where in Franklin? #43


Where in Franklin? #43, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Hmm, where in Franklin would you find this white mill structure?

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

Where in Franklin? Answer #42


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

Yes, the giant fish netting in picture #42 can be found along RT 140 as part of the Franklin Country Club driving range.

Thanks for playing. How about someone giving ltsjs some competition? ltsjs has been on a streak!

Stay tuned for the next opportunity to discover "Where in Franklin?"

Franklin Schools Art Gallery - April 14th


FHS_Gallery1, originally uploaded by shersteve.

From Mike Caple via the Franklin School Committee blog:
The Art Department has been working this year to open a Franklin Public Schools K-12 Art Gallery. All the teachers in the department work tremendously hard to teach the students relevant art skills and thinking strategies. We believe it is important to get the results out of the class room and share it with the greater community. The new gallery space is yet another way we can share with the community.

The new gallery space, Gallery 218, is located in the old bank space at Franklin High School. I want to stress that even though the space is housed at FHS the gallery is K-12. The work that will be on display for the first show will represent all buildings in the district. We are calling it Young Artists 08! The art work is from this year’s Boston Globe Scholastic Art Awards entries and work that is currently at the Worcester Art Museum as part of the Youth Art Month Program.

I would like to invite all of you to the Inaugural Exhibition Opening of Gallery 218! The opening will take place Monday April 14th from 6:30-8:30pm and is free to all. That evening we will also be running an Empty Bowls event to continue to raise money for the Franklin Food Pantry. A $5 donation will allow you to pick out your own mug or plate and fill it with hot chocolate, coffee, or sweet treats. I do hope you can join us.
Note: Mike Caple is the K-12 Art Director for Franklin schools. The "old bank space" in case you are not familiar with it, is located off the cafeteria at the High School.

In the News - still hope for Brick?

Milford Daily News
Posted Apr 05, 2008 @ 10:45 PM

FRANKLIN —

The little Red Brick School House that could just might.
Despite the School Committee's recent action banning the targeted donations on which the historic school is dependent for operation costs, the Brick School House Association remains optimistic about keeping it open, members said following their biannual meeting last Tuesday.
``As of right now, it's (funding) still in the School Committee's budget, so we're being optimistic. Until we know for sure otherwise, we're assuming it will be open'' next year, said Sandra Hunter, a Brick School House Association board member.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News

Brick is the least of Franklin's budget problems, loosing 45 teachers is far bigger an issue that needs to be addressed.

I provide additional editorial comment here.

Franklin Blogger: Susan Speers

Susan Speers writes:
Are you due to get a tax refund or an "economic stimulus rebate" this spring? Why not spend it on energy-saving improvements or other steps to reduce your carbon footprint? The Bush rebate of $1,200 for a working couple might not pay all the cost of a solar-powered hot water system but it would go a long way for less intensive, smaller-ticket items! A few ideas for the typical Massachusetts home:
Click through to read if one of the dozen ideas she lists would be something you could do.

Saturday, April 5, 2008

FHS Lacrosse fund raising


FHS_Lacrosse, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Answered a knock on the front door a few minutes ago. The Franklin High School Lacrosse team is out going door-to-door selling coupon books as a fund raiser.

Good choices, good price!

Support FHS sports!


In the News - Lester Landry at 99

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.

Friday, April 4, 2008

In the News - kids go green

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.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

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

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

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

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

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

Monday, March 31, 2008

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

Sunday, March 30, 2008

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)

Saturday, March 29, 2008

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

Friday, March 28, 2008

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.

Thursday, March 27, 2008

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.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

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

· 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

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...

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

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, 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.

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

Sunday, March 23, 2008

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?"