Ogden providing an update on the community health coalition, many of the folks who came to the meeting (over 100) self-identified as wanting to continue to work on the process
Some groups were under representatived, they are being reached out to to obtain representation from those groups
Likely 15-20 to be members of the group
Formation session being scheduled for June 5th, invitations have not yet been sent out
--------------
Action items
1. I recommend adoption of the 2008-2009 School Committee Meeting Schedule.
2. I recommend acceptance of a check for $5,000.00 from Michael Johnson for the FHS Michael Johnson Alumni Scholarship.
3. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,000.00 from Natalie Brunelli for the FHS John A. Brunelli Memorial Scholarship.
4. I recommend acceptance of a check for $500.00 from the Fernando P. Baglioni Family – Peter Baglioni for the FHS Fernando P. Baglioni Memorial Scholarship.
5. I recommend acceptance of a check for $400.00 from the Remington PCC for Nurse expenses on recent field trips.
6. I recommend acceptance of the donation of an HP Photo Smart 1000 Color Printer with 5 ink cartridges from Ms. Karen Todd for the Remington Middle School.
7. I recommend acceptance of the donation of books (list attached) from Mr & Mrs. Darcey for the Oak Street Elementary School.
8. I recommend acceptance of a check for $10.00 from Mrs. Grassey to be used toward the HMMS 8th grade field trip to Hopkinton Laborers Training Center.
9. I recommend approval of the School Business Administrator’s goals for 2008-09.
10. I recommend acceptance of a check for $500.00 from the Fidelity Charitable gift fund for the Fernando P. Baglioni Scholarship fund at FHS.
11. I recommend acceptance of a check for $200.00 from the Franklin Soccer Booster Club for Ice Machine and AED for Athletic Dept. at FHS.
All items approved
---------------
bus accident, one rear-ended the other as the lead one avoided a motorist pulling out in front of the bus. The parties (Police, Fire, bus company, school admins) will be getting together to review role and responsibilities to avoid problems at a future event.
---------------
accreditation is like the "Good Housekeeping" seal of approval for the school system.
"an objective outside measure", not being accredited would not be a good thing, it may hurt our students; public, private and parochial schools have this in common
--------------
policy sub-committee report, continuing to review policies
--------------
Town Council de-funded or reduced the school budget by 5.5 million dollars
How the school committee decides to spend what money they do get
Roy - "You either consolidate or cut?"
Ogden has the memorandum of understanding (MOU) at the moment, Nutting may have unfairly taken some heat over the lack of the memo, he has some edits to make to the document to remove what has been agreed to be removed and corrected.
"My recommendation would be to move the facilities services over to the town side. I think it will have a negative impact. I don't think it would be worse to do otherwise."
Rohrbach - "I do not see us saving us any money"
Armenio - "kneejerk reaction would be to heck with the MOU, we need the MOU to protect the students, the principals, the custodians, etc."
Sabolinksi - "The level of trust, the level of customer service will likely decline"
Rohrbach - "at no time did we agree to take the money out of the budget before the MOU"
--------------
Trahan - Friday night graduation - thanks to all night party for the preparations
motion to move into executive session for contractual negotiations
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
School Committee - override reductions
In the event of the override not passing, the cuts were not previously announced in specific for a couple of reasons (1) notification to the teachers needed to occur first (2) to avoid "scare tactic".
Will not know until evening of the 10th what will happen but the high school is preparing two schedules; one with the override passing and one if the override fails.
Listing provided of the specific positions (to be posted soon)
high school class size will run 28-30
middle school
elementary schools some classes can go as high as 28-30 in specific grades
Ogden - FHS accreditation will be looked on "unkindly" with 17 positions being removed from the school. You can't predict what they will do. However it is likely there will be some adverse action.
Gould - transition to high school is the most important thing to protect, a "sacred cow"
class size discussion, most classes are going to be exceeding the range, not just on the high end of the ranges (if the override fails)
Gould - Franklin has done well at protecting the school instructional side, there is nothing else to cut. The FHS supplies budget is less than it was in 2001 and this is with an increase in students since 2001.
Mullen - would cutting French V affect the college placement for the seniors?
Gould - possibly. Students have to go somewhere, the electives can go higher. "Under Ed Reform, you can not have study halls. You have time to learn measurements."
Cafasso - could you get some others to assist with some of the journalism or public speaking?
Gould - they would need to be certified according to the state
-----------
Will not know until evening of the 10th what will happen but the high school is preparing two schedules; one with the override passing and one if the override fails.
Listing provided of the specific positions (to be posted soon)
high school class size will run 28-30
middle school
elementary schools some classes can go as high as 28-30 in specific grades
Ogden - FHS accreditation will be looked on "unkindly" with 17 positions being removed from the school. You can't predict what they will do. However it is likely there will be some adverse action.
Gould - transition to high school is the most important thing to protect, a "sacred cow"
class size discussion, most classes are going to be exceeding the range, not just on the high end of the ranges (if the override fails)
Gould - Franklin has done well at protecting the school instructional side, there is nothing else to cut. The FHS supplies budget is less than it was in 2001 and this is with an increase in students since 2001.
Mullen - would cutting French V affect the college placement for the seniors?
Gould - possibly. Students have to go somewhere, the electives can go higher. "Under Ed Reform, you can not have study halls. You have time to learn measurements."
Cafasso - could you get some others to assist with some of the journalism or public speaking?
Gould - they would need to be certified according to the state
-----------
School Committee - budget to actual
Miriam Goodman
clarification of the $1.8M that appears to unencumbered is actually being planned to be used within the budget for items that are already required
line item currently in deficit was usually covered by the Medicaid revenue which the schools are not getting this year. the budget for FY 09 has been adjusted accordingly. If the schools do get the Medicaid funds, there will be further adjustments.
Roy - facilities budgets question from Town Council meeting earlier? Is there a "slush" fund there as claimed by one Town Councilor.
Miriam will look into the numbers in detail but they are running into deficits at first glance
------------
Finance Administrator goals
Miriam is comfortable with them
clarification of the $1.8M that appears to unencumbered is actually being planned to be used within the budget for items that are already required
line item currently in deficit was usually covered by the Medicaid revenue which the schools are not getting this year. the budget for FY 09 has been adjusted accordingly. If the schools do get the Medicaid funds, there will be further adjustments.
Roy - facilities budgets question from Town Council meeting earlier? Is there a "slush" fund there as claimed by one Town Councilor.
Miriam will look into the numbers in detail but they are running into deficits at first glance
------------
Finance Administrator goals
Miriam is comfortable with them
School Committee - FHS handbooks
Pam Gould, FHS Principal, discussing the high school handbook
memo to committee highlighting the changes, relatively small amount but a good time spent reviewing the whole handbook
tardiness - allowing some leeway for the vice principals to listen to the students explanation before making the decision
cell phones and iPods moved to a whole new section
drug and alcohol policy, there was not clarity around the policy
the MIAA had guidelines for the athletes but there was not something similar for the other students
1st offense - 5 day out of school suspension and a 45 day (term) social probation
looking to add an option of a contract with the principal with random drug and alcohol testing and counseling
sounds like a very reasonable proposal to address the real issue behind the problem
did use the contract in a previous position, had only one failure with one student who had significant problems
Armenio - pushing on the attendance policy
Gould - the rules need to be tightened in some cases, most of the students would not be in these scenarios, if there are exceptions, I can change the record
Armenio - troubled by DPH guidelines
Gould - agrees that there is room for improvement at the DPH
Roy - has a beef with the parent note not being accepted as an excused absence, partially due to the School Committee policy reference differences (JH vs. what is referenced as approved in 1999)
Gould - disagrees, she attempting to put the state rule in this handbook
Roy - concerned with the pattern
Gould - would it be amenable to provide a couple of "freebies" per quarter?
Roy - yes, it would be
Roy - chain of command policy should be in all handbooks
Gould - putting policy into the 7 Habits diary that is given to the 9th graders
---------------
memo to committee highlighting the changes, relatively small amount but a good time spent reviewing the whole handbook
tardiness - allowing some leeway for the vice principals to listen to the students explanation before making the decision
cell phones and iPods moved to a whole new section
drug and alcohol policy, there was not clarity around the policy
the MIAA had guidelines for the athletes but there was not something similar for the other students
1st offense - 5 day out of school suspension and a 45 day (term) social probation
looking to add an option of a contract with the principal with random drug and alcohol testing and counseling
sounds like a very reasonable proposal to address the real issue behind the problem
did use the contract in a previous position, had only one failure with one student who had significant problems
Armenio - pushing on the attendance policy
Gould - the rules need to be tightened in some cases, most of the students would not be in these scenarios, if there are exceptions, I can change the record
Armenio - troubled by DPH guidelines
Gould - agrees that there is room for improvement at the DPH
Roy - has a beef with the parent note not being accepted as an excused absence, partially due to the School Committee policy reference differences (JH vs. what is referenced as approved in 1999)
Gould - disagrees, she attempting to put the state rule in this handbook
Roy - concerned with the pattern
Gould - would it be amenable to provide a couple of "freebies" per quarter?
Roy - yes, it would be
Roy - chain of command policy should be in all handbooks
Gould - putting policy into the 7 Habits diary that is given to the 9th graders
---------------
School Committee - live reporting
called to order at 7:45 PM
reason for delayed start due to last week's Tuesday mishap with the scheduling
Matt Kelly absent
minutes approved for May 13th, one abstention
Seniors graduate this Friday, Juniors now rule the school with more room in the halls
Horace Mann Rube Goldberg competition
3 hours to build machine, came in 11 of 27 teams
certificates for each student who participated
bubble needed to float 5 seconds in the air
15 transfers required
first team from Horace Mann to participate
----------------
Oak Street stock market essay winner
funded through FEF grant
1st at Boston Globe, 7th in nation
- Austen Sholudko -
---------------
Michele Kingsland-Smith
presentation on District Literacy Initiative
goal - develop a philosophical and instructional vision for literacy
1 - What do we want students to know and be able to do?
core expectations were identified as
not a small task
3 - What is exemplary literacy instruction?
need to expand the team, focus on K-8 and work up
Team challenges
amongst them, differences in instructional philosophy around the district
Literacy vision developed
assessment planning on-going
- wonderful approach, how is this going to be done with an increase in class size under the scenario with a failed override? - my two cents
Cafasso - can we bring this down to the household level? where do the reading lists and required texts fit in?
Michele - bed & breakfast analogy, what are the essentials? it is easy to by a program but it is a one size fits all. "Hopefully parents will see greater enthusiasm, a greater variety of materials"
reason for delayed start due to last week's Tuesday mishap with the scheduling
Matt Kelly absent
minutes approved for May 13th, one abstention
Seniors graduate this Friday, Juniors now rule the school with more room in the halls
Horace Mann Rube Goldberg competition
3 hours to build machine, came in 11 of 27 teams
certificates for each student who participated
bubble needed to float 5 seconds in the air
15 transfers required
first team from Horace Mann to participate
----------------
Oak Street stock market essay winner
funded through FEF grant
1st at Boston Globe, 7th in nation
- Austen Sholudko -
---------------
Michele Kingsland-Smith
presentation on District Literacy Initiative
goal - develop a philosophical and instructional vision for literacy
1 - What do we want students to know and be able to do?
core expectations were identified as
- read widely
- read strategically
- think critically and creatively
- communicate effectively
not a small task
3 - What is exemplary literacy instruction?
need to expand the team, focus on K-8 and work up
Team challenges
amongst them, differences in instructional philosophy around the district
Literacy vision developed
assessment planning on-going
- wonderful approach, how is this going to be done with an increase in class size under the scenario with a failed override? - my two cents
Cafasso - can we bring this down to the household level? where do the reading lists and required texts fit in?
Michele - bed & breakfast analogy, what are the essentials? it is easy to by a program but it is a one size fits all. "Hopefully parents will see greater enthusiasm, a greater variety of materials"
Town Council - Budget hearing - after recess
Going back to the elected officials item
raise was an average 2.1%
elected officials got 2%
Mason, "amounts to a token increase"
motion made to increase salary treasurer/collector , passed 7-2
motion mode to increase town clerk, passed 7-2
motion made on downtown planner, 5 yes 3 no 1 abstain
motion on adoption of town budget for FY 09
motion passed unanimously
Doak "budget time trying to choose between least bad options"
need to think seriously about what kind of town we want to live in
Pfeffer explains why she was driving in the parade
Bartlett outlook on budget has changed, impressed with effort on part of all in the town
"I can find no waste and believe me I have looked"
"need to tackle much harder redundancies due to state and local requirements"
motion to adjourn
raise was an average 2.1%
elected officials got 2%
Mason, "amounts to a token increase"
motion made to increase salary treasurer/collector , passed 7-2
motion mode to increase town clerk, passed 7-2
motion made on downtown planner, 5 yes 3 no 1 abstain
motion on adoption of town budget for FY 09
motion passed unanimously
Doak "budget time trying to choose between least bad options"
need to think seriously about what kind of town we want to live in
Pfeffer explains why she was driving in the parade
Bartlett outlook on budget has changed, impressed with effort on part of all in the town
"I can find no waste and believe me I have looked"
"need to tackle much harder redundancies due to state and local requirements"
motion to adjourn
Town Council - Public Hearing on FY 09 Budget
These are notes taken during the meeting and published live... they will be updated as the evening progresses.
Clerk reading budget line items, anyone can put an item on hold for further discussion
Doak arrives at 6:06; Whalen and Zollo still not here
Instructions on motion or release of hold for the items that were held
Mason hold on Treasurer/Collectors Salary
opened a can of worms here, Jeff and Susan aren't in agreement on the timing of the 2 vs. 2.5 percent increase
Bartlett, willing to reconsider but would like the confusion resolved before she makes up her mind
Doak supports the 2.5 percent that was previously voted
- Zollo arrives -
Feeley explains that the elected officials are not entitled to merit or step increases
Doak clarifies his position to review the elected officials on an annual basis
moving on while the item is clarified
Bartlett motion to reduce planning and growth management salaries
effectively removing the downtown manager position
- Whalen arrives to complete council attendance -
McGann speaking against motion
Nutting clarifying that the position is going to be needed and used as the downtown planning progresses in response to Zollo question; can be reviewed next year
Zollo speaking for the position, does need to have the position justified but shouldn't be terminated prematurely
Doak concerned about the overall Planning Dept increase of 13%
Doak challenges McGann's reckless comment to save us all some time by identifying the "waste in this budget"
motion failed 4-4 with one abstention
new motion
second failed same vote
determined to come back to this item
Vallee speaking for the addition of 2 police officers
"not providing adequate safety for our citizens"
making motion to add 2 positions with commensurate salaries
Jeff makes technical amendment to make the salaries and expenses align properly
Vallee approves of the amendment
money to come from the stabilization fund
Doak agrees with the justification but not with the money coming from the stabilization fund
Whalen agrees also with Vallee's sentiment on safety
Whalen also takes on McGann's comment on "waste in the budget"
"as a community we have to come with a plan"
Nutting saying with 40 plus teachers going out the door, adding two here is not good
"tough thing to do at this point"
"3 years in a row the department waived raises"
McGann will back Vallee on this
Bartlett "can't support hiring unless we are falling apart at the seams"
Zollo "this conversation underscores the seriousness that the citizens need to understand"
"We are the least taxed, understaffed in every department, too late to repair after breaking at the seams"
"What type of community do I want to live in?"
"Commends chair for coming up with group to study and develop the multi-year plan"
Jim Roche, put forth increase to override to cover the increase for Fire and Police
should rename the stabilization fund as the "emergency repair and replacement fund"
Pfeffer thought she found a million dollars by using the revenue from the 4 Corners building but that would only free about 100,000 dollars of operating revenue
motion to add the police failed at 7-2 vote
Dept 300 - Town Schools
the budget item seems to include the transfer of the support staff yet there is no MOA, there is no hearing by the Town Council, there is no number crunching as requested by Councilor Zollo
the budget does not include the $5.4M for the facilities consolidation
Doak, without memorandum in place are we exposed if we proceed down the way
Nutting what has to happen, town has two actions, school committee has to approve
Nutting "have to meet the net school spending"
should make it now or next year, not practical to do in October
Whalen concerned
Vallee wants an answer
Pfeffer doesn't understand either
Rohrbach disagrees with the budget subcommittee statement that Feeley made about the budget dollars
Roy stating the case for the School Committee/Department maintaining
This proposal will not save the town money, this proposal will cost money
It is a good idea to explore, let the planning committee explore those opportunities
Why can't we wait until the memo is done?
Armenio budget subcommittee member, present at the meeting
MOU would be put together and then the budget would be discussed
Cafasso was put on hold previously to not confuse the override last year
under the state law, the school principals have authority over whoever works in the school
a transfer could take place mid-year
Feeley motion to accept town administrator's version of the budget (giving the town the building management)
Nutting restating the prior arguments
Nutting won't give an answer to Zollo's question
Vallee consolidate to save money
Is that item overspent or underspent? It makes him suspicious.
motion approved unanimously
Clerk reading budget line items, anyone can put an item on hold for further discussion
Doak arrives at 6:06; Whalen and Zollo still not here
Instructions on motion or release of hold for the items that were held
Mason hold on Treasurer/Collectors Salary
opened a can of worms here, Jeff and Susan aren't in agreement on the timing of the 2 vs. 2.5 percent increase
Bartlett, willing to reconsider but would like the confusion resolved before she makes up her mind
Doak supports the 2.5 percent that was previously voted
- Zollo arrives -
Feeley explains that the elected officials are not entitled to merit or step increases
Doak clarifies his position to review the elected officials on an annual basis
moving on while the item is clarified
Bartlett motion to reduce planning and growth management salaries
effectively removing the downtown manager position
- Whalen arrives to complete council attendance -
McGann speaking against motion
Nutting clarifying that the position is going to be needed and used as the downtown planning progresses in response to Zollo question; can be reviewed next year
Zollo speaking for the position, does need to have the position justified but shouldn't be terminated prematurely
Doak concerned about the overall Planning Dept increase of 13%
Doak challenges McGann's reckless comment to save us all some time by identifying the "waste in this budget"
motion failed 4-4 with one abstention
new motion
second failed same vote
determined to come back to this item
Vallee speaking for the addition of 2 police officers
"not providing adequate safety for our citizens"
making motion to add 2 positions with commensurate salaries
Jeff makes technical amendment to make the salaries and expenses align properly
Vallee approves of the amendment
money to come from the stabilization fund
Doak agrees with the justification but not with the money coming from the stabilization fund
Whalen agrees also with Vallee's sentiment on safety
Whalen also takes on McGann's comment on "waste in the budget"
"as a community we have to come with a plan"
Nutting saying with 40 plus teachers going out the door, adding two here is not good
"tough thing to do at this point"
"3 years in a row the department waived raises"
McGann will back Vallee on this
Bartlett "can't support hiring unless we are falling apart at the seams"
Zollo "this conversation underscores the seriousness that the citizens need to understand"
"We are the least taxed, understaffed in every department, too late to repair after breaking at the seams"
"What type of community do I want to live in?"
"Commends chair for coming up with group to study and develop the multi-year plan"
Jim Roche, put forth increase to override to cover the increase for Fire and Police
should rename the stabilization fund as the "emergency repair and replacement fund"
Pfeffer thought she found a million dollars by using the revenue from the 4 Corners building but that would only free about 100,000 dollars of operating revenue
motion to add the police failed at 7-2 vote
Dept 300 - Town Schools
the budget item seems to include the transfer of the support staff yet there is no MOA, there is no hearing by the Town Council, there is no number crunching as requested by Councilor Zollo
the budget does not include the $5.4M for the facilities consolidation
Doak, without memorandum in place are we exposed if we proceed down the way
Nutting what has to happen, town has two actions, school committee has to approve
Nutting "have to meet the net school spending"
should make it now or next year, not practical to do in October
Whalen concerned
Vallee wants an answer
Pfeffer doesn't understand either
Rohrbach disagrees with the budget subcommittee statement that Feeley made about the budget dollars
Roy stating the case for the School Committee/Department maintaining
This proposal will not save the town money, this proposal will cost money
It is a good idea to explore, let the planning committee explore those opportunities
Why can't we wait until the memo is done?
Armenio budget subcommittee member, present at the meeting
MOU would be put together and then the budget would be discussed
Cafasso was put on hold previously to not confuse the override last year
under the state law, the school principals have authority over whoever works in the school
a transfer could take place mid-year
Feeley motion to accept town administrator's version of the budget (giving the town the building management)
Nutting restating the prior arguments
Nutting won't give an answer to Zollo's question
Vallee consolidate to save money
Is that item overspent or underspent? It makes him suspicious.
motion approved unanimously
TOWN COUNCIL BUDGET HEARING - 6:00 PM
FY 09 TOWN COUNCIL BUDGET HEARINGS
TUESDAY MAY 27, 2008
6:00 PM
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
the first time in five years Franklin is not using its reserves for operating expenses
GHS
FRANKLIN —
The Town Council is due to vote tonight on the town's $88.02 million operating budget, following its second public hearing at 6 p.m.
With water, sewer and solid waste spending included, the town's fiscal 2009 budget totals $99.5 million.
The council will also consider a request Councilor Robert Vallee last Wednesday said he would make to add two officers to Police Chief Stephen T. Williams' 46-member force.
Williams had asked for the additional officers in his initial budget request, but was denied.
Policing in town continues to increase each year, while the department is understaffed, Williams said.
Each new officer could cost the town $60,000 to $80,000, Williams estimated.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
Go to the Council Chambers tonight to participate or tune in via cable to see the Town Council and School Committee meeting back to back tonight. Town Council at 6:00 PM. School Committee was scheduled for 7:00 PM (before the Town Council adjust their schedule to finish up tonight).
Monday, May 26, 2008
Letter from Ed Cafasso
Good evening everyone!
I hope you and your families had a pleasant Memorial Day weekend. We certainly could not have asked for a better stretch of weather…
I wanted to pass along a couple of important scheduling notes as we all head back into our work and home routines, and the kids enter the homestretch of the 07-08 academic year.
On Tuesday (the 27th) at 6 p.m., the Town Council is schedule to finalize Franklin’s budget for fiscal 2009, which begins July 1. The school budget will be among those voted upon by the Council. Immediately following that session, the School Committee is scheduled to meet at 7:15 p.m.
Tuesday’s School Committee meeting will be an important one because it will be the first time we will be in position to analyze in more detail how the recent move to lay-off school personnel will impact academic classes, class sizes in key grades, and extracurricular offerings in the fall.
Now that the lay-offs have gone forward, in combination with retirements and terminations, Supt. Ogden and his staff will be able to present a clearer picture of the potential impact on student services. I urge you to tune in to the discussion Tuesday night if possible.
On Wednesday night, members of the Town Council, the School Committee and the Finance Committee will gather at 7 p.m. at the Mercer Auditorium at Horace Mann Middle School for a town-wide forum to answer citizen questions about the override votes scheduled for June 10.
I hope you will take the opportunity to attend Wednesday evening’s forum to learn more about the town’s fiscal condition and to speak your mind on budget matters, the town’s financial management and the value of the school services to the quality of life and property values here.
For additional information, you can view the Town budget page at: http://www.franklin.ma.us/auto/town/admin/budget2/default.htm
You can view the proposed FY09 school budget at:
http://www.franklin.ma.us/auto/schools/FPS/super1/FY06Budget/default.htm
In addition, an override page is available that offers a central repository for a great deal of school and financial information. You can view it at:
http://franklinschoolcommittee.wordpress.com/override-page/
A small group of parents has begun to organize a citizen’s group in support of the override. If you are interested in meeting with them, please let me know and I will connect you.
Thank you for your time and attention, and your continued support. Please stay tuned for additional budget information in the weeks ahead.
Ed Cafasso, Member
Franklin School Committee
I hope you and your families had a pleasant Memorial Day weekend. We certainly could not have asked for a better stretch of weather…
I wanted to pass along a couple of important scheduling notes as we all head back into our work and home routines, and the kids enter the homestretch of the 07-08 academic year.
On Tuesday (the 27th) at 6 p.m., the Town Council is schedule to finalize Franklin’s budget for fiscal 2009, which begins July 1. The school budget will be among those voted upon by the Council. Immediately following that session, the School Committee is scheduled to meet at 7:15 p.m.
Tuesday’s School Committee meeting will be an important one because it will be the first time we will be in position to analyze in more detail how the recent move to lay-off school personnel will impact academic classes, class sizes in key grades, and extracurricular offerings in the fall.
Now that the lay-offs have gone forward, in combination with retirements and terminations, Supt. Ogden and his staff will be able to present a clearer picture of the potential impact on student services. I urge you to tune in to the discussion Tuesday night if possible.
On Wednesday night, members of the Town Council, the School Committee and the Finance Committee will gather at 7 p.m. at the Mercer Auditorium at Horace Mann Middle School for a town-wide forum to answer citizen questions about the override votes scheduled for June 10.
I hope you will take the opportunity to attend Wednesday evening’s forum to learn more about the town’s fiscal condition and to speak your mind on budget matters, the town’s financial management and the value of the school services to the quality of life and property values here.
For additional information, you can view the Town budget page at: http://www.franklin.ma.us/auto/town/admin/budget2/default.htm
You can view the proposed FY09 school budget at:
http://www.franklin.ma.us/auto/schools/FPS/super1/FY06Budget/default.htm
In addition, an override page is available that offers a central repository for a great deal of school and financial information. You can view it at:
http://franklinschoolcommittee.wordpress.com/override-page/
A small group of parents has begun to organize a citizen’s group in support of the override. If you are interested in meeting with them, please let me know and I will connect you.
Thank you for your time and attention, and your continued support. Please stay tuned for additional budget information in the weeks ahead.
Ed Cafasso, Member
Franklin School Committee
In case you missed the parade
Here are some musical highlights from each of the Franklin Public Schools as the marched by this morning.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Franklin Fire Dept. new Tower Truck
The new $860,000 Tower 1 truck is at home in the new fire station in downtown Franklin, MA.
The truck will be paid for over five years, the first payment this year at $160,000, followed by four yearly payments of $175,000 each.
With a little luck it will be used for training and parades. If it does get called out to be used in a fire, the safety features it contains will hopefully enable a safe operation and rescue, if necessary.
------------------
From the Town Council meeting authorizing payment (audio and text)
From the Finance Committee meeting authorizing payment (audio)
"The family atmosphere we have is because of them"
GHS
Thousands of Bay State residents will observe Memorial Day today with cookouts, parties, days at the beach or soaking up sun with family and friends.
While she doesn't begrudge anyone having a good time this holiday weekend, Jodi Cabino-Cipriano wants people to remember the cost every Memorial Day entails.
The Franklin resident will this year mark the third Memorial Day since her son, Shayne Cabino, was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq. She said the holiday this week should serve as a reminder of the cost her family - and thousands more like it across the country - have paid.
"It'll never be the same," she said of the holiday. "I'll never have it again. We'll never, ever, ever be complete."
Cabino joined the Marine Corps after graduating from high school and was just 19 when he was sent to Iraq. He was killed along with three others when an improvised explosive device exploded outside Fallujah.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here.
"The energy this crystal has is very loving"
GHS
FRANKLIN —
It's not a bad life, being one of Sage Marianne's "babies."
Sage gently sings to the "newborn" crystals and says she infuses them with a divine healing energy.
A few of them even rest in their own purple velvet-lined basinets.
Since Sage's first "birth" in October 2000, she has opened her Glenn Meadow Road home to hundreds, possibly thousands of quartz crystals she unearthed during her bi-annual crystal mining trips to Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Recently, 63-year-old Sage "Crystal Singer" returned from Hot Springs where she unearthed a few new gems, a tradition that began when she decided to take a six-week absence from work to explore who she is, she said.
"I'm an adventurous woman. I always wanted to drive cross-country - it took me (more than a decade) to do it," Sage said.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
"50 cents a day, just seems like such a bargain"
As Franklin's second Proposition 2 1/2 override vote in as many years approaches, town officials are seeking to inform residents about the possibility of teacher layoffs, among other proposed school-related cuts, if they turn down the requested property-tax increase.
A special election has been called for June 10 to ask voters to decide on the proposed $2.8 million override. If approved, the additional funds would allow the district to save approximately 43.5 teaching positions - 16 at Franklin High, 12.5 at the middle school, and 15 at the elementary school - that would otherwise be eliminated, according to school officials. The extra tax money would also forestall a $100 increase in the pay-to-ride bus fee, and spare late bus service for students who stay after school for clubs and other extracurricular activities, they said.
Read the full article here in the Boston Globe
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