Strategic Planning survey announced previously is now available.
Please take a few minutes to provide your input online here
What is the survey about? This slide cast will explain:
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
"will meet on Tuesday to make final decisions on what areas to cut"
Milford Daily News
FRANKLIN —
The Finance Committee unanimously approved the School Department's $50.3 million, level-funded budget, as recommended by Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting, though school officials are banking on getting up to another $3.5 million to help keep pace with rising costs.
The budget does not reflect the School Department's final budget, as the School Committee is expecting at least $1.5 million worth of revenue from state and federal funds, and possibly another $800,000 from wage concessions by the teachers union, said Chairman Jeffrey Roy.
The School Committee is aiming for a level-service budget, at just over $53.8 million, and is still optimistic about closing the budget gap between the two versions, Roy said. "We've been targeting a level-service budget since the beginning of this process," Roy said.
The budget has been a moving target, with so many unanswered questions about funding, such as how much Franklin schools will get from state aid and the federal stimulus package, he said.
Read the full article about the Finance Committee meeting in the Milford Daily News here
In addition to what the article references, the Finance Committee also approved the Information Technology budget. The coverage of the complete meeting can be found here.
"Let us put an end to this public squabble"
Milford Daily News
FRANKLIN —
In what has grown into online crossfire between school leaders, new teachers union President Robert McLaughlin posted a two-page letter on a Web site yesterday picking apart statements made in the School Committee's two YouTube videos.
In the letter, posted on franklinteachers.org/joomla, McLaughlin said he was heartened to hear School Committee Chairman Jeffrey Roy use the word "partner" in reference to contract talks with the union, but concluded the School Committee "certainly has not even met us halfway in attempting to resolve this stalemate."
The School Committee has asked the Franklin Education Association to defer its negotiated 2.5 percent wage increase until fiscal 2011 to save about 16 teachers' jobs.
"As always the members of the FEA were glad to pitch in and do their part," said McLaughlin.
Read the full article about the teachers response to the School Committee in the Milford Daily News here
Treesavers: Paul Barcelo
Paul Barcelo, author of The Sweet War Man
Will be appearing at Treesavers Books to sign his new book, The Sweet War Man.
Paul Barcelo completed Army Infantry training at Fort Benning, Georgia, then rotary wing training at Fort Wolters, Texas and Fort Rucker, Alabama. He flew one tour as a UH-1 pilot in Republic of Vietnam. He resides in Franklin, Massachusetts with his wife and four children. This is his first novel.
May 16, 2009 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Finance Comm 05/05/09
The budget hearings held by the Finance Committee covered IT, Tri-County and the School budget on Tuesday May 5th. The live reporting sessions are:
Live reporting - School District
Maureen Sabolinski, Jeff Roy
Formal budget discussion scheduled for 5/26/09 School Committee meeting
School District has been targeting a "level funded" budget since the beginning
Differences between level service and level funded budget described
revised $53,291,773
Increases in revenue currently anticipated
If FEA wage concession comes in, the deficit will be approx. $700,000
Decisions coming in SchCom meeting on Tuesday (5/12/09) on ways to cut the gap
Public hearing on budget scheduled for 5/26/09
Roche - thanks for the information an numbers provided this year
offsets are visible here
Same dollars as last years budget
Town has legal authority over the one line item
School Committee has legal responsibility for all the details
Level funded number $50,297,820
There is no text book line item in the budget
There is a workbook for K-5 Everyday math that is a consumable and required yearly
One vendor, we are at their mercy. To adopt another text book series is a huge effort.
The transportation line item had been the subject of the forensic audit
We have been trying to increase the transportation line item to avoid that issue
We have a total bottom-line item for the overall budget
the fee schedule has not been set yet, stay tuned for Tuesday night (5/12/09)
Field house banners were sold and the money is going back into the athletic budget
Athletic Director Sidwell is using the funds to minimize operating osts
We have applied for several grants and we turned down for several
We are not as diverse a district as we could be to benefit from the grants
The grants have primarily been Federal, several of the State level grants have been cut
One grant for 90,000 this year is only 5,000 and next year goes away
Contractual services private?
Tuition to private schools and residential placements
We can not provide the services for those Special Ed students
We provide as much as we can
Every school district in the Commonwealth has some cost in that line item
Franklin has 71 students in the Special Education
Wellesley has double the number of student for a district half the size of ours
Is Professional Development a problem with the teachers?
The PD budget has been centralized and removed from each individual schools
The final budget will have that spelled out
Our final budget may look significantly different
We have not determined how to flow the stimulus funds across the budget
Using the revolving fund for School Choice was the equivalent of 2.5 teachers
We could not leave that just sitting there
We like to be about 14 percent, this budget could be about 1-2% above the minimum
Legal increase - had a residency case this year
hard to predict the utilization of these funds
generally a one time cost, end result did not pick up the tuition of a student who did not officialy reside in the town
Discussion on validity of voting for a budget tonight
Tuesday May 12th, school detail discussion on fees, and other cuts
Tuesday May 26th, formal vote on final budget
Motion to approve $50,297,820 - passed 11-0
Any old business - no
New business - recommended budget to be published and go to the Council for June 10/11
Next Finance meeting 6/2, may hold until 6/9, but that is still dependent upon the Commonwealth and where the numbers are at that time
Requesting an increase in Building Inspector's of $4400
to cover use of individual's personal vehicles
Inspection Acct 240
total of $369,006
Money to balance this comes from "Other Available Funds"
Technically still part of the budget hearing
Approved 11-0
Formal budget discussion scheduled for 5/26/09 School Committee meeting
School District has been targeting a "level funded" budget since the beginning
Differences between level service and level funded budget described
revised $53,291,773
Increases in revenue currently anticipated
- Increase in circuit breaker revenue
- State stabilization fund
- Federal stimulus package
- Extraordinary relief package
- School Choice revenue
If FEA wage concession comes in, the deficit will be approx. $700,000
Decisions coming in SchCom meeting on Tuesday (5/12/09) on ways to cut the gap
Public hearing on budget scheduled for 5/26/09
Roche - thanks for the information an numbers provided this year
offsets are visible here
Same dollars as last years budget
Town has legal authority over the one line item
School Committee has legal responsibility for all the details
Level funded number $50,297,820
There is no text book line item in the budget
There is a workbook for K-5 Everyday math that is a consumable and required yearly
One vendor, we are at their mercy. To adopt another text book series is a huge effort.
The transportation line item had been the subject of the forensic audit
We have been trying to increase the transportation line item to avoid that issue
We have a total bottom-line item for the overall budget
the fee schedule has not been set yet, stay tuned for Tuesday night (5/12/09)
Field house banners were sold and the money is going back into the athletic budget
Athletic Director Sidwell is using the funds to minimize operating osts
We have applied for several grants and we turned down for several
We are not as diverse a district as we could be to benefit from the grants
The grants have primarily been Federal, several of the State level grants have been cut
One grant for 90,000 this year is only 5,000 and next year goes away
Contractual services private?
Tuition to private schools and residential placements
We can not provide the services for those Special Ed students
We provide as much as we can
Every school district in the Commonwealth has some cost in that line item
Franklin has 71 students in the Special Education
Wellesley has double the number of student for a district half the size of ours
Is Professional Development a problem with the teachers?
The PD budget has been centralized and removed from each individual schools
The final budget will have that spelled out
Our final budget may look significantly different
We have not determined how to flow the stimulus funds across the budget
Using the revolving fund for School Choice was the equivalent of 2.5 teachers
We could not leave that just sitting there
We like to be about 14 percent, this budget could be about 1-2% above the minimum
Legal increase - had a residency case this year
hard to predict the utilization of these funds
generally a one time cost, end result did not pick up the tuition of a student who did not officialy reside in the town
Discussion on validity of voting for a budget tonight
Tuesday May 12th, school detail discussion on fees, and other cuts
Tuesday May 26th, formal vote on final budget
Motion to approve $50,297,820 - passed 11-0
Any old business - no
New business - recommended budget to be published and go to the Council for June 10/11
Next Finance meeting 6/2, may hold until 6/9, but that is still dependent upon the Commonwealth and where the numbers are at that time
Requesting an increase in Building Inspector's of $4400
to cover use of individual's personal vehicles
Inspection Acct 240
total of $369,006
Money to balance this comes from "Other Available Funds"
Technically still part of the budget hearing
Approved 11-0
Live reporting - Tri-County RVTHS
Tri-County Regional Voc Tech High School
Introductions around
Tri-County is well aware of the needs of the feeding towns
A required minimum amount was budgeted for
The required minimum amount was set by the State
Assessment is down by approx. 269,000 dollars
Enrollment down from 192 to 159 students
Roche - we appreciate your efforts in that regard
In order to get our budget down, we prioritized keeping teachers
We reduced administrative staff, by one curriculum coordinator
Due to retirement of one individual took the opportunity to change that position from full year to school year and reduce salary level
We rely heavily on instructional supplies, did cut supplies
any further cuts will come from teacher salaries
Reduced 181,000 in instructional equipement
eliminated renovation projects
eliminated virtual high school
Budget for next year is 2% less than the current operating budget
The minimum amount is done on a district level
For Tri-County it is determined by the eleven sending districts
Offset by Chapter 70 funds
Will reduce our currency for one year, will be fine for this year
Equipment does take a lot of use when used by the student
Franklin's legal commitment is the same as other communities
There is no debt at Tri-County so there is a benefit there
results in a zero for capital
Applications year-to-date don't indicate that the drop is a trend
A similar drop did occur several years ago and then picked up the following year
Changed their Special Ed approach, teachers assigned to grades and subjects
teachers will address the students as required to meet their needs
the classrooms are mainstreamed (all inclusive)
Most Special Education teachers are dual certified,
have 8 teachers to meet the 37% of the students have IEP's
Transportation for a regional school is different from local schools
the reimbursement rate is higher
They absorbed the difference between the actual transportation and the reimbursement rate rather than billing it out to the sending districts as they did prior
Motion to approve budget - Passed 11-0
Introductions around
Tri-County is well aware of the needs of the feeding towns
A required minimum amount was budgeted for
The required minimum amount was set by the State
Assessment is down by approx. 269,000 dollars
Enrollment down from 192 to 159 students
Roche - we appreciate your efforts in that regard
In order to get our budget down, we prioritized keeping teachers
We reduced administrative staff, by one curriculum coordinator
Due to retirement of one individual took the opportunity to change that position from full year to school year and reduce salary level
We rely heavily on instructional supplies, did cut supplies
any further cuts will come from teacher salaries
Reduced 181,000 in instructional equipement
eliminated renovation projects
eliminated virtual high school
Budget for next year is 2% less than the current operating budget
The minimum amount is done on a district level
For Tri-County it is determined by the eleven sending districts
Offset by Chapter 70 funds
Will reduce our currency for one year, will be fine for this year
Equipment does take a lot of use when used by the student
Franklin's legal commitment is the same as other communities
There is no debt at Tri-County so there is a benefit there
results in a zero for capital
Applications year-to-date don't indicate that the drop is a trend
A similar drop did occur several years ago and then picked up the following year
Changed their Special Ed approach, teachers assigned to grades and subjects
teachers will address the students as required to meet their needs
the classrooms are mainstreamed (all inclusive)
Most Special Education teachers are dual certified,
have 8 teachers to meet the 37% of the students have IEP's
Transportation for a regional school is different from local schools
the reimbursement rate is higher
They absorbed the difference between the actual transportation and the reimbursement rate rather than billing it out to the sending districts as they did prior
Motion to approve budget - Passed 11-0
Live reporting - Finance Committee - 5/5/09
Attending:
Brett S. Feldman
Juan Rivera
Patricia Goldsmith
Phyllis Messere
Rebecca Cameron
Jack Caufield
Mark Cataldo
James Roche
Tina Powderly
Craig Maire
Robert Teixeira
Almost final budget hearing
Information Technology
Tim Raposa
Similar to last year's budget, bare bones
"School Dude" work order management system, being set up this year to be used
should be set up over the next couple of months
doing cafeteria point of sale systems now
Efficiency based, current work order system is paper based
Virtual townhall - they do the website hosting, all done off-site
Folks call them directly, training is done on their site
Complete salary budget for technology department is in the School Budget
Motion to approve budget - Passed 11-0
Brett S. Feldman
Juan Rivera
Patricia Goldsmith
Phyllis Messere
Rebecca Cameron
Jack Caufield
Mark Cataldo
James Roche
Tina Powderly
Craig Maire
Robert Teixeira
Almost final budget hearing
Information Technology
Tim Raposa
Similar to last year's budget, bare bones
"School Dude" work order management system, being set up this year to be used
should be set up over the next couple of months
doing cafeteria point of sale systems now
Efficiency based, current work order system is paper based
Virtual townhall - they do the website hosting, all done off-site
Folks call them directly, training is done on their site
Complete salary budget for technology department is in the School Budget
Motion to approve budget - Passed 11-0
"adopt the concept of 100-100"
Robert McLoughlin, President of the FEA, has posted the teacher's response to the School Committee's YouTube videos.
In case you have not seen the YouTube videos, you can find them here
School Committee YouTube videos
I was heartened to hear Mr. Roy use the word partner many times in his online presentation this weekend. In the context of partnership, some time ago I was introduced to the relational concept of 100/100. This idea being that a partnership should not be 50-50, but rather 100-100. Each partner in a relationship should not give 50 percent toward making the partnership successful, but 100% of their energy and effort toward achieving the shared goal(s) of the partnership. After just four days in office, I can proudly claim that the Franklin Education Association is putting the concept of 100-100 boldly into practice for the parents and children of Franklin.Read the full posting here
In case you have not seen the YouTube videos, you can find them here
School Committee YouTube videos
FM #38 - Parents Call to Action
This is #38 in the series of podcast on what matters in Franklin, MA. This segment focuses on the current impasse between the School Committee and the teachers union, and issues a call to action to Franklin's parents.
Time: 8 minutes, 7 seconds
MP3 File
Session Notes:
Music intro
My intro - FM #38
This internet radio show or podcast for Franklin Matters is number 38 in the series.
On the disclosure front, I stand here today not as the husband of a Franklin teacher. Yes, my wife Dolores does teach kindergarten at the Oak Street School. I love her dearly. I don't need to represent her or the teacher's union. They are quite capable of representing themselves.
I do stand here today as a parent of two Franklin High School graduates (class of 2004 and 2006) knowing full well that if you are a parent of children in the school district today or a parent with children yet to enter the schools, your children are not getting the same level of educational opportunity that my daughters received. That is my concern.
A quick story to lead to the call to action for today.
Many years ago, in my first corporate position, I started as a call center operator. Burroughs Corp, now known as UNISYS, was just starting regional call centers to support their customers. I spent a few days training, reading the manuals, policies, procedures, familiarizing myself with the call dispatch program. I also spent many hours double jacked. Double jacked meant I was listening in to the phone conversation with another operator as my trainer and mentor.
Then the time came for me to take the lead on the phone and as luck would have it, my first phone call was a dozy. I answered with phone with the standard greeting and was welcomed with a series of expletives. Briefly, the caller was a Southern NJ police chief whose Burroughs terminal was not operating. He was quite irate, expletive this, expletive that, “get this expletive device out of here” and so forth. I think you get the gist of how it was going. I let him vent and then chimed in with my best voice to try and resolve this problem. He would have none of it.
“Son”, he said, “How long you been there?”I was honest and admitted that I had just started.
“Son”, he said, “Let me give you some advice. Quit!”
Well, I did not quit. I did take away from customer service that you are as good as your last phone call. You always have to be on. It was interesting to listen to the reaction in the callers voice as I greeted them. If the customer did not like what had happened previously in our conversation, I could hear the disappointment in their voice as they recognized, “Oh, Steve.”
I quickly learned to answer the phone every time with my best voice. Then the customer would say, “Oh, Steve!” and we would get down to business with a good conversation.
The call to action.
Franklin parents, you have no doubt heard about the impasse between the School Committee and the teachers union. If by chance, you haven't heard of the details, you can visit the links in the blog post that accompanies this podcast to watch the School Committee's YouTube videos and to read my analysis of the discussion. The teachers are preparing their response. Once that is available, I'll post the link to that so you'll have their side of the story.
Updated: The teachers response has been posted here
You now have a few opportunities to let the School Committee know where you stand.
The School Committee needs to know where you stand. Your point of view will potentially break the current impasse between the 7 School Committee members and the over 500 members of the teachers union (FEA).
There is no time like the present to stand up and state your case. This will determine the future of your children's education. This will determine Franklin's future.
When you step up to state your point of view, be positive! Take the high road.
Links referenced:
School Committee YouTube videos
Back story and my analysis
---- ---- ----
This podcast has been a public service provided to my fellow citizens of Franklin, MA
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.blogspot.com/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The musical intro and closing is from the Podsafe Music Network
Jon Schmidt - Powerful Exhilarating Piano Music
Time: 8 minutes, 7 seconds
MP3 File
Session Notes:
Music intro
My intro - FM #38
This internet radio show or podcast for Franklin Matters is number 38 in the series.
On the disclosure front, I stand here today not as the husband of a Franklin teacher. Yes, my wife Dolores does teach kindergarten at the Oak Street School. I love her dearly. I don't need to represent her or the teacher's union. They are quite capable of representing themselves.
I do stand here today as a parent of two Franklin High School graduates (class of 2004 and 2006) knowing full well that if you are a parent of children in the school district today or a parent with children yet to enter the schools, your children are not getting the same level of educational opportunity that my daughters received. That is my concern.
A quick story to lead to the call to action for today.
Many years ago, in my first corporate position, I started as a call center operator. Burroughs Corp, now known as UNISYS, was just starting regional call centers to support their customers. I spent a few days training, reading the manuals, policies, procedures, familiarizing myself with the call dispatch program. I also spent many hours double jacked. Double jacked meant I was listening in to the phone conversation with another operator as my trainer and mentor.
Then the time came for me to take the lead on the phone and as luck would have it, my first phone call was a dozy. I answered with phone with the standard greeting and was welcomed with a series of expletives. Briefly, the caller was a Southern NJ police chief whose Burroughs terminal was not operating. He was quite irate, expletive this, expletive that, “get this expletive device out of here” and so forth. I think you get the gist of how it was going. I let him vent and then chimed in with my best voice to try and resolve this problem. He would have none of it.
“Son”, he said, “How long you been there?”I was honest and admitted that I had just started.
“Son”, he said, “Let me give you some advice. Quit!”
Well, I did not quit. I did take away from customer service that you are as good as your last phone call. You always have to be on. It was interesting to listen to the reaction in the callers voice as I greeted them. If the customer did not like what had happened previously in our conversation, I could hear the disappointment in their voice as they recognized, “Oh, Steve.”
I quickly learned to answer the phone every time with my best voice. Then the customer would say, “Oh, Steve!” and we would get down to business with a good conversation.
The call to action.
Franklin parents, you have no doubt heard about the impasse between the School Committee and the teachers union. If by chance, you haven't heard of the details, you can visit the links in the blog post that accompanies this podcast to watch the School Committee's YouTube videos and to read my analysis of the discussion. The teachers are preparing their response. Once that is available, I'll post the link to that so you'll have their side of the story.
Updated: The teachers response has been posted here
You now have a few opportunities to let the School Committee know where you stand.
- The Finance Committee will hear the school departments initial budget presentation Tuesday, May 5th. I say initial budget as clearly the teachers issue has not yet been resolved nor has the School Committee formally voted to accept a budget for FY 2010.
- The Town Council has a meeting Wednesday May 6th. There is a citizen's comment portion of the meeting so you can step up to take 3 minutes and state your point of view.
- The School Committee will meet on Tuesday May 12th and again on Tuesday May 26th. The meeting on the 26th is currently scheduled to be the formal vote on the FY 2010 budget.
The School Committee needs to know where you stand. Your point of view will potentially break the current impasse between the 7 School Committee members and the over 500 members of the teachers union (FEA).
There is no time like the present to stand up and state your case. This will determine the future of your children's education. This will determine Franklin's future.
When you step up to state your point of view, be positive! Take the high road.
Links referenced:
School Committee YouTube videos
Back story and my analysis
---- ---- ----
This podcast has been a public service provided to my fellow citizens of Franklin, MA
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.blogspot.com/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The musical intro and closing is from the Podsafe Music Network
Jon Schmidt - Powerful Exhilarating Piano Music
"It's not going to go on YouTube"
Milford Daily News
FRANKLIN —
Using two video clips on YouTube, the School Committee directly appealed to the teachers union for wage concessions that will save 16 teachers' jobs.
Addressing the entire Franklin Education Association in a 9-minute video, and again in a 4-minute video, Chairman Jeffrey Roy said the district only has a few weeks left to "put aside emotions and work together for what's in the best interest of students, parents and guardians in this community."
He beseeched the union, and its new leadership, headed by President Bob McLaughlin, a Franklin High School gym teacher, to join the School Committee as partners to help close the budget gap.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
"no one made a motion"
GHS
FRANKLIN —
School officials shouldn't expect any changes from the teachers union's new leadership, which took the reins May 1, said new union President Bob McLaughlin.
In the past several months, communication seems to have broken down between the Franklin Education Association and the School Committee, and negotiations for wage concessions to save teachers' jobs appear stalled.
At last week's union meeting, then-union President Chandler Creedon, a psychologist at Horace Mann Middle School, projected a "terse" e-mail from School Committee Chairman Jeffrey Roy onto a big screen in the auditorium, which further angered union members, McLaughlin said.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
Finance Committee - 5/5/09 - Budget Hearing
No agenda has been posted on the Town website for this meeting. The last agenda posted was for the 2/3/09 meeting (posted on 2/4/09).
No minutes for the current series of budget hearings have posted. The most recent minutes were for the meeting of 4/14/09 (updated on 4/30/09).
Tonight's agenda per the last meeting is reported to be
Note: the order of the agenda is subject to change
No minutes for the current series of budget hearings have posted. The most recent minutes were for the meeting of 4/14/09 (updated on 4/30/09).
Tonight's agenda per the last meeting is reported to be
Information Technology
Tri-Country Regional Vocational Technical High School
School Department
Note: the order of the agenda is subject to change
Town Council - 5/6/09 - Agenda
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – April 1, 2009
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS
F. HEARINGS
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS – Request for Approval of Change of Manager – 99 Restaurant
H. Presentations/DISCUSSION
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
L. OLD BUSINESS
M. NEW BUSINESS
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
P. ADJOURN
The documents for this agenda can be found on the Town website
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS
- Cultural Council
- Council on Aging
- Charles River Pollution Control District
F. HEARINGS
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS – Request for Approval of Change of Manager – 99 Restaurant
H. Presentations/DISCUSSION
- Zoning Bylaw, Chapter 185-39. Uses accessory to dwellings.
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
- Resolution 09-26: Acknowledgment of Invalidity of Order of Taking Directed to Land of United States of America
- Resolution 09-27: Appropriation – DelCarte Open Space Dam Repair/Removal
- Resolution 09-28: Appropriation – Veterans’ Benefits
- Resolution 09-29: Appropriation – Snow & Ice
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
L. OLD BUSINESS
M. NEW BUSINESS
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
P. ADJOURN
The documents for this agenda can be found on the Town website
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