The Milford Daily News gets to their write up of the conversation on the Fourth of July from the May 7th Town Council meeting.
You can read my notes here or listen to this segment of the meeting here.
You can read the full Milford Daily News article here.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
On Teachers in Franklin
Jeff Roy wrote a good piece on the overall teacher count; how the school committee counts teachers vs. the Department of Education.
This is required reading to avoid speculation and hearsay.
Click through to read the posting here.
--------------------------
This is required reading to avoid speculation and hearsay.
Click through to read the posting here.
--------------------------
Visit the School Committee override page for the schedule of information sessions
You can find all the override related information here
Be informed to cast your vote on June 10th
Friday, May 16, 2008
In the News - Closing Davis Thayer not an Option
GHS
FRANKLIN —
Shutting down Davis Thayer Elementary School to save money is not going to happen any time soon, or possibly ever, says Superintendent Wayne Ogden, despite suggestions to that effect.
Closing the 16-classroom elementary school on West Central Street was one of a number of ideas raised in conversations between town and school leaders as a way to salvage some cash.
Davis Thayer, the town's oldest elementary school, aside from the one-classroom Red Brick School, was singled out because of its relatively high cost per pupil, said Ogden, compared to the district's other, newer elementary schools: John F. Kennedy, Helen Keller, Jefferson, Gerald M. Parmenter and Oak Street.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
Thursday, May 15, 2008
School Committee Meeting 4/29/08
Audio segments from the meeting 4/29/08
(additional segments will be posted as time allows)
(additional segments will be posted as time allows)
- Annie Sullivan: BC Poetry Contest Winners (audio)
- Annie Sullivan: Latin Awards (audio)
- Annie Sullivan: CSI Presentation (audio)
- FHS Student Representatives (audio)
- Accepting minutes, approving bills (audio)
- Citizens Comment: Chandler Creedon (audio)
Annie Sullivan: BC Poetry Contest Winners (audio)
From the Franklin School Committee meeting on 4/29/08, Annie Sullivan Middle School recognizes two winners of the Boston College Poetry contest.
Time: 3 minutes, 40 seconds
MP3 File
Time: 3 minutes, 40 seconds
MP3 File
Annie Sullivan: Latin Awards (audio)
From the Franklin School Committee meeting 4/29/08, the Annie Sullivan Middle School recognizes 14 students who passed a national Latin exam.
Time: 3 minutes, 38 seconds
MP3 File
Time: 3 minutes, 38 seconds
MP3 File
Annie Sullivan: CSI Presentation (audio)
From the Franklin School Committee meeting on 4/29/08, students from the Annie Sullivan Middle School deliver a presentation. They used scientific methods in a CSI type format to solve a "crime" in one of the classrooms.
There is a video presentation that accompanies this but the audio is still sufficient to hear the enthusiasum of the students and their project.
Time: 9 minutes, 38 seconds
MP3 File
There is a video presentation that accompanies this but the audio is still sufficient to hear the enthusiasum of the students and their project.
Time: 9 minutes, 38 seconds
MP3 File
FHS Student Representatives (audio)
From the Franklin School Committee meeting 4/29/08, the two student representatives from Franklin High School provide their update on what is happening.
Time: 2 minutes, 1 second
MP3 File
Time: 2 minutes, 1 second
MP3 File
Accepting minutes, approving bills (audio)
From the School Committee meeting 4/29/08, the acceptence of prior meeting minutes and approval of bills and payroll.
Time: 1 minute, 38 seconds
MP3 File
Time: 1 minute, 38 seconds
MP3 File
Citizens Comment: Chandler Creedon (audio)
From the School Committee meeting 4/29/08, Chandler Creedon, President of the Franklin teachers union corrects some mis-information
Time: 1 minute, 23 seconds
MP3 File
Time: 1 minute, 23 seconds
MP3 File
"we don't want to be the employer of last resort"
GHS
FRANKLIN —
A group of more than 30 residents exchanged insights on the $2.8 million override question with town and school officials last night at the Knights of Columbus in the first such intimate forum planned before the June 10 vote.
Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting, School Superintendent Wayne Ogden, School Committee Chairman Jeffrey Roy, Finance Committee Chairman Jim Roche and Councilor Stephen Whalen spent more than two hours explaining the town's finances, why officials want an override, and answering the questions at a forum sponsored by Franklin Newcomers and Friends.
In his presentation of the school budget, Ogden responded to suggestions from some residents that administrators should be cut to save money.
Franklin spends less than half of the state average on administration, per pupil: $201 vs. $403 in 2007, according to information posted on the state Department of Education Web site.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
My summary of the same meeting can be found:
- Q & A - continued (live reporting)
- Q & A session (live reporting)
- Newcomer's Club - Override Information Forum
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Q & A - continued (live reporting)
Q - Are Marini's apartments or condominiums?
A - Condominiums. Condos are actually a good deal for the town, they are taxed upon their value. They generally have less children.
Comment from a resident who teaches in Wellesley. She would love to teach here but with the cuts so frequently, she would be one of the first out the door.
Q - Why is the override only affecting the schools?
A - Jeff answers that the 1.8 million in new revenue was split and the town managed to use their portion. The safety (fire and police) got their overtime cut.
Jim Roche
The safety departments were looking for additional folks but they did not get approved in the budget. The town will suffer but it won't be as visible.
Comment: You have a bad rap, you didn't ask for enough so you don't know what you're doing. I am not hearing the buzz that I heard last year. I am hearing a lot more negative this time.
Wayne Ogden
Q - How does the charter school funding work?
A - It is a state formula but the dollars per student that the district pays is what the charter is eligible to receive. So if our funding goes up, they will benefit. If ours go down, theirs will as well.
Q - What about out of town students?
A - We only use school choice to fill spots that would otherwise be empty. Therefore there is no additional cost for us but there is additional revenue.
Q - Can we talk about re-districting?
A - It is highly likely that this will happen sometime. The large majority of the new development coming is in the Keller-Sullivan district. You already tight for space there. As the new construction comes online, this will increase the pressure to re-district and balance the school population amongst the existing facilities. One other factor is the 17 modular units that would need to get replaced in the next several years. Would we replace them or add on to an existing elementary school. There is a space needs committee working on this issue.
Q - Is the Brick school open or closed?
A - It is still in currently but it has not been fully funded. There are open classrooms at Davis Thayer that could easily absorb the classroom.
Q - The Newcomer's group is looking to use space for the meetings but the town facilities are not generally open or under consideration.
A - Jeff Nutting says that this could be discussed.
A - Condominiums. Condos are actually a good deal for the town, they are taxed upon their value. They generally have less children.
Comment from a resident who teaches in Wellesley. She would love to teach here but with the cuts so frequently, she would be one of the first out the door.
Q - Why is the override only affecting the schools?
A - Jeff answers that the 1.8 million in new revenue was split and the town managed to use their portion. The safety (fire and police) got their overtime cut.
Jim Roche
The safety departments were looking for additional folks but they did not get approved in the budget. The town will suffer but it won't be as visible.
Comment: You have a bad rap, you didn't ask for enough so you don't know what you're doing. I am not hearing the buzz that I heard last year. I am hearing a lot more negative this time.
Wayne Ogden
Q - How does the charter school funding work?
A - It is a state formula but the dollars per student that the district pays is what the charter is eligible to receive. So if our funding goes up, they will benefit. If ours go down, theirs will as well.
Q - What about out of town students?
A - We only use school choice to fill spots that would otherwise be empty. Therefore there is no additional cost for us but there is additional revenue.
Q - Can we talk about re-districting?
A - It is highly likely that this will happen sometime. The large majority of the new development coming is in the Keller-Sullivan district. You already tight for space there. As the new construction comes online, this will increase the pressure to re-district and balance the school population amongst the existing facilities. One other factor is the 17 modular units that would need to get replaced in the next several years. Would we replace them or add on to an existing elementary school. There is a space needs committee working on this issue.
Q - Is the Brick school open or closed?
A - It is still in currently but it has not been fully funded. There are open classrooms at Davis Thayer that could easily absorb the classroom.
Q - The Newcomer's group is looking to use space for the meetings but the town facilities are not generally open or under consideration.
A - Jeff Nutting says that this could be discussed.
Q & A session (live reporting)
Jeff shifts the topic to Finances
Fixed cost continue to rise above our ability to raise revenues
There is a three-year plan as part of this years budget, we get more negative each year going out.
All employees are getting modest raises, generally less than the cost of living.
"Don't beat up public employees just because the town is having financial problems"
"We talk about regionalization and every where else in the country that happens but doesn't happen here."
There is a ballot item this November to remove the State Income tax. This provides 40% of the state revenue. What would replace it? No one has answered that question.
----------------
Steve Whalen
"A town's budget is a reflection of it's values"
Steve explains how the tax rate analysis he did was done separately it is not an official town document. He did the analysis to answer the comments coming during the override discussion last year that "we can't afford it" He is a financial analyst in his work life.
The residential tax burden goes to affordability.
Being 24th out of 30, tells Steve that if we chose to, we can afford to pay more.
15th out of 17th amongst the towns with a single tax rate.
"One thing I would say to you as an analyst, the override is not about overspending and waste. It not about miss-management. It is about what kind of town you want to live in."
Based upon Steve's analysis, "it is a sensible thing to do."
After tax cost about 50 cents per day.
Newcomer - "There is a different approach this year, it is not being thrust down our throats."
Jeff Roy
"If the layoffs go through, it is a step back of some magnitude."
You are getting factual information to make a choice.
Look at Randolph and what is happening there.
Steve Whalen
OPEC and the oil countries don't care that MA has a Prop 2 1/2 in place.
If I were in Hopkinton, #4 on the listing, I would be digging into the numbers to find ways.
Jim Roche
If property values decrease, the overall taxes will not decrease, we will raise the tax rates.
Arlington plan outlined. Whether we go that way or not, we do need to go with a longer term plan.
Jeff Nutting
Q - What happened to Chap 70? Isn't that the local aid designed for the schools? Where is it going, is it going into the general town fund?
A - Yes, it is but as long as we are above the net school spending per the State, we can apply it as we need to.
Wayne Ogden
Reviewing his handout that will be used in the Town Budget meetings next week.
First chart, the State average spending category by category showing where Franklin is less than the state average in 10 of the 11 categories.
Last year, we were 9 of 11. Next year, Wayne predicts that next year if the override were to fail we will be lower than the state in all 11 categories.
Wayne walks through the numbers to get from the level service number less the town funding to get to the override number of $2.8 Million.
Use gas instead of oil to heat schools and have locked in a good rate to save money.
Impact of failed override restated as
If a teacher gets another position, we don't pay their unemployment.
Sample teacher salaries across several communities the highest and lowest salaries are very comparable.
Q - What is the cost of the late bus?
A - $39,600. There are so many bad choices.
Q - How does the school facilities budget affect the budget?
A - It is not a money savings measure. There are more likely to be increases in future years.
Jeff Roy did find the clip of Jeff Nutting predicting last year that this year we would need approx $3 million for another override, hence his "Nostradamus" nick name.
Jim Roche
Q - I understand why we are here again this year. Mis-management is the perception.
A - The use of the surplus and the growth in Chapter 70 has allowed the town to avoid the problem. The base needs to grow substantially.
Steve Whalen
"Hard to argue that you can be a real high quality town with really low taxes."
Fixed cost continue to rise above our ability to raise revenues
There is a three-year plan as part of this years budget, we get more negative each year going out.
All employees are getting modest raises, generally less than the cost of living.
"Don't beat up public employees just because the town is having financial problems"
"We talk about regionalization and every where else in the country that happens but doesn't happen here."
There is a ballot item this November to remove the State Income tax. This provides 40% of the state revenue. What would replace it? No one has answered that question.
----------------
Steve Whalen
"A town's budget is a reflection of it's values"
Steve explains how the tax rate analysis he did was done separately it is not an official town document. He did the analysis to answer the comments coming during the override discussion last year that "we can't afford it" He is a financial analyst in his work life.
The residential tax burden goes to affordability.
Being 24th out of 30, tells Steve that if we chose to, we can afford to pay more.
15th out of 17th amongst the towns with a single tax rate.
"One thing I would say to you as an analyst, the override is not about overspending and waste. It not about miss-management. It is about what kind of town you want to live in."
Based upon Steve's analysis, "it is a sensible thing to do."
After tax cost about 50 cents per day.
Newcomer - "There is a different approach this year, it is not being thrust down our throats."
Jeff Roy
"If the layoffs go through, it is a step back of some magnitude."
You are getting factual information to make a choice.
Look at Randolph and what is happening there.
Steve Whalen
OPEC and the oil countries don't care that MA has a Prop 2 1/2 in place.
If I were in Hopkinton, #4 on the listing, I would be digging into the numbers to find ways.
Jim Roche
If property values decrease, the overall taxes will not decrease, we will raise the tax rates.
Arlington plan outlined. Whether we go that way or not, we do need to go with a longer term plan.
Jeff Nutting
Q - What happened to Chap 70? Isn't that the local aid designed for the schools? Where is it going, is it going into the general town fund?
A - Yes, it is but as long as we are above the net school spending per the State, we can apply it as we need to.
Wayne Ogden
Reviewing his handout that will be used in the Town Budget meetings next week.
First chart, the State average spending category by category showing where Franklin is less than the state average in 10 of the 11 categories.
Last year, we were 9 of 11. Next year, Wayne predicts that next year if the override were to fail we will be lower than the state in all 11 categories.
Wayne walks through the numbers to get from the level service number less the town funding to get to the override number of $2.8 Million.
Use gas instead of oil to heat schools and have locked in a good rate to save money.
Impact of failed override restated as
- 17 teachers and one administrator at the High School
- 12.5 teachers at the middle schools
- 15 teachers at the elementary schools
- district wide reductions in curriculum teams, professional development, text books, late bus, increase pay-to-ride, and loss one additional administrator at the Central Office
- increase in class sizes
If a teacher gets another position, we don't pay their unemployment.
Sample teacher salaries across several communities the highest and lowest salaries are very comparable.
Q - What is the cost of the late bus?
A - $39,600. There are so many bad choices.
Q - How does the school facilities budget affect the budget?
A - It is not a money savings measure. There are more likely to be increases in future years.
Jeff Roy did find the clip of Jeff Nutting predicting last year that this year we would need approx $3 million for another override, hence his "Nostradamus" nick name.
Jim Roche
Q - I understand why we are here again this year. Mis-management is the perception.
A - The use of the surplus and the growth in Chapter 70 has allowed the town to avoid the problem. The base needs to grow substantially.
Steve Whalen
"Hard to argue that you can be a real high quality town with really low taxes."
Newcomer's Club - Override Information Forum
Live reporting from the Knight's of Columbus Hall
Jeff Nutting, Wayne Ogden, Jeff Roy, Steve Whalen, Jim Roche
Jeff Nutting opens with a general overview of Franklin
New Senior Center, Fire station (ladder truck arrives next week)
New building downtown, continuing to build the condominiums in back
Family Circle one of top 10 to raise a family
Fortune Small Business of of 10 best to start a business
Fourth of July being supported by Town to the extent that they can
Looking to improve te quality of life
Bids out to repair the outside of the library
Schools need repairs, the high school is also a challenge
Sewer rate going down, water rate going up
Continue to re-invest in the town and its facilities
Done a lot of catch up in last 6-7 years
Now try to just maintain the capital investments
and to take care of the roads, the State paid for Union St (over $1M)
redesign downtown being planned
will look at underground utilities, they are expensive
Four Corners Building sale up for Council vote next week
$2.5 Million vs. the $1 M we paid for it
Pond St land still up for consideration
Banners are not actually legal in town
trying to contain the use, Town has been guilty of violating this
--------------
Q - What about the signs over the train tracks?
A - use the sign in downtown to advertise, approval for sign comes from the Building Dept.
Q - How is revenue generated for the town?
A - business pay about 20% of our income, previously paid about 24%, the burden shifts amongst the payers but the town still collects the same amount of tax income (by law). It would be nice to collect more from businesses, but given the amount of land left, not going to change the percentage very much. There will be more re-development than new development. Local receipts fluctuate with the economy, i.e. excise taxes from auto sales. MA very reliant on property taxes. Where did last year's override money go? It is in the revenue stream, in the budget and being used. State will have a real issue in 2010 with limited options to provide local funding. The good news about Prop 2 1/2 is that the citizens decide the quality of life for the community. Most important it to get the facts and make a decision. Show up and vote.
Q - What would it take to get sidewalks on Chestnut?
A - Jokingly, slim or none. Realistically, there are other roads ahead of Chestnut on the list. Re-doing Pleasant street is estimated at costing $9.2 million. Storm water regulations are coming. Unfunded Health Insurance liability, $50 Million exposure with no plan yet.
Q - Is there a way to find out when sidewalks get fixed.
A - There is a listing at the DPW of priorities.
Q - Any thoughts of re-designing Lincoln St near the school?
A - Did put some adjustments there when it opened. There is a design on file to replace the walkway with another lane. It is designed in case it really becomes an issue. If more folks do drive their kids (i.e. with the bus fee rising).
Q - On the re-design of downtown is there a parking garage?
A - Not really foreseeable. Parking is an issue. Park at Wrentham Mall and walk a mile to the car, but downtown you want to park next to the store.
Q - What about the water ban?
A - Part of our state permit is the water ban. They determine the amount of water we can pump. We are selling less water which is why the water rates are going up?
Q - Everybody is going green, what about solar?
A - From a commercial perspective, only one location in the state forest and one up by Tri-County that would have enough wind to drive the turbine and sell electricity back to the grid.
Q - What is happening on Daniels St?
A - A new water main is going in this year, paving would be next year.
Jeff Nutting, Wayne Ogden, Jeff Roy, Steve Whalen, Jim Roche
Jeff Nutting opens with a general overview of Franklin
New Senior Center, Fire station (ladder truck arrives next week)
New building downtown, continuing to build the condominiums in back
Family Circle one of top 10 to raise a family
Fortune Small Business of of 10 best to start a business
Fourth of July being supported by Town to the extent that they can
Looking to improve te quality of life
Bids out to repair the outside of the library
Schools need repairs, the high school is also a challenge
Sewer rate going down, water rate going up
Continue to re-invest in the town and its facilities
Done a lot of catch up in last 6-7 years
Now try to just maintain the capital investments
and to take care of the roads, the State paid for Union St (over $1M)
redesign downtown being planned
will look at underground utilities, they are expensive
Four Corners Building sale up for Council vote next week
$2.5 Million vs. the $1 M we paid for it
Pond St land still up for consideration
Banners are not actually legal in town
trying to contain the use, Town has been guilty of violating this
--------------
Q - What about the signs over the train tracks?
A - use the sign in downtown to advertise, approval for sign comes from the Building Dept.
Q - How is revenue generated for the town?
A - business pay about 20% of our income, previously paid about 24%, the burden shifts amongst the payers but the town still collects the same amount of tax income (by law). It would be nice to collect more from businesses, but given the amount of land left, not going to change the percentage very much. There will be more re-development than new development. Local receipts fluctuate with the economy, i.e. excise taxes from auto sales. MA very reliant on property taxes. Where did last year's override money go? It is in the revenue stream, in the budget and being used. State will have a real issue in 2010 with limited options to provide local funding. The good news about Prop 2 1/2 is that the citizens decide the quality of life for the community. Most important it to get the facts and make a decision. Show up and vote.
Q - What would it take to get sidewalks on Chestnut?
A - Jokingly, slim or none. Realistically, there are other roads ahead of Chestnut on the list. Re-doing Pleasant street is estimated at costing $9.2 million. Storm water regulations are coming. Unfunded Health Insurance liability, $50 Million exposure with no plan yet.
Q - Is there a way to find out when sidewalks get fixed.
A - There is a listing at the DPW of priorities.
Q - Any thoughts of re-designing Lincoln St near the school?
A - Did put some adjustments there when it opened. There is a design on file to replace the walkway with another lane. It is designed in case it really becomes an issue. If more folks do drive their kids (i.e. with the bus fee rising).
Q - On the re-design of downtown is there a parking garage?
A - Not really foreseeable. Parking is an issue. Park at Wrentham Mall and walk a mile to the car, but downtown you want to park next to the store.
Q - What about the water ban?
A - Part of our state permit is the water ban. They determine the amount of water we can pump. We are selling less water which is why the water rates are going up?
Q - Everybody is going green, what about solar?
A - From a commercial perspective, only one location in the state forest and one up by Tri-County that would have enough wind to drive the turbine and sell electricity back to the grid.
Q - What is happening on Daniels St?
A - A new water main is going in this year, paving would be next year.
Where in Franklin? #49
A challenge this time submitted by a reader.
Where would you find this scene?
The guidelines for playing "Where in Franklin?" can be found here.
Where in Franklin? Answer #48
The answer came in from two folks correctly identifying this as
Bullukian Oil on Alpine Row.
Thanks for playing!
"Some people believe school officials are not actually going to follow through"
GHS
FRANKLIN —
Forty-seven teachers were given notices yesterday informing them they may not have a job this September, Superintendent Wayne Ogden announced last night.
The teachers, whose identities are not public, were told the district's budget made it impossible to promise them a job in the fall, Ogden said.
School Committee Chairman Jeffrey Roy said it made him "sick."
"It's just painful for people who received the notices, it's their livelihood," Ogden said, noting some of the teachers have worked in Franklin schools many years.
"It's a heavy burden for them," said Ogden, who decided to warn teachers early to give them an opportunity to find other jobs.
Read the full story at the Milford Daily News here
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
School Committee Mtg Summary 5/13/08
These are the written posts I made during the meeting.
The audio files for these segments will be posted as time permits.
Text summary of each meeting segment
The audio files for these segments will be posted as time permits.
Text summary of each meeting segment
Sub - committee reports/New business
Rohrbach
working on goals for the new business administrator, Miriam Goodman
Rohrbach, can we get a MetroWest Health Survey update
to be put on a future meeting agenda
Cafasso
can we get a listing of programs that are "unfunded mandates"
Nov 18th, Nov 25th
4th is election day, 11th is Veterans day
working on goals for the new business administrator, Miriam Goodman
Rohrbach, can we get a MetroWest Health Survey update
to be put on a future meeting agenda
Cafasso
can we get a listing of programs that are "unfunded mandates"
Nov 18th, Nov 25th
4th is election day, 11th is Veterans day
"this is not a drill"
April to April - 200 increase
coincidently works out to about $2.6 million, increase in students means an increase in costs
high school enrollment will increase at a minimum of 101
17 teacher positions are projected to be cut at the high school
parents of means make make the choice after June 10th to move the students to private school to maintain a smaller class size
Sabolinski
"this is not a drill"
Roy
"This is not the way to attract and retain good teachers"
coincidently works out to about $2.6 million, increase in students means an increase in costs
high school enrollment will increase at a minimum of 101
17 teacher positions are projected to be cut at the high school
parents of means make make the choice after June 10th to move the students to private school to maintain a smaller class size
Sabolinski
"this is not a drill"
Roy
"This is not the way to attract and retain good teachers"
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