"anxious about full-day kindergarten"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

Milford Daily News

Posted May 11, 2009 @ 10:54 PM

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FRANKLIN —

Tonight, the School Committee will make final decisions about what to cut - with full-day kindergarten and at least 30 teachers' jobs on the line - to balance the budget.

As of yesterday afternoon, the union and School Committee had not yet reached an agreement on wage concessions, said Chairman Jeffrey Roy.

Without a wage deferral from the 550-member Franklin Education Association, the School Department faces a budget gap of $1.5 million, Roy said.

A "yes" from the union will save about $800,000, which will be used to save 16 teachers' jobs, Roy said.

A "no" from the union means a minimum of 30 teachers will be laid off, Roy said.

Tonight, the School Committee must vote on a final budget in time for its public hearing on May 26, though the budget does not have to be finalized until June 30, Roy said.

Read the full article about the school budget in the Milford Daily News here

HMEA's 8th Annual Independence 5K Walk/Run

HMEA's 8th Annual Independence 5K Walk/Run in the Park will be held on Sunday, May 17, 2009. Our friends at EMC2 Corporation, 50 Constitution Boulevard, Franklin, MA have again allowed us to hold this premier fundraising event on their grounds. Gail Huff from WCVB-TV Channel 5 News will once again be our host.

To register to walk please visit firstgiving.com/hmea. Here you can also set-up your own personal fundraising page that can be e-mailed to all your family, friends and co-workers asking them to support your efforts to raise funds for HMEA.

If you want to participate in the road race please register at active.com/hmea. OR, if you prefer you can complete your registration form online, print it and mail directly to HMEA along with your registration fee(s). You could also e-mail it back to hmea@hmea.org. Click here for the registration form.

Interested in becoming a sponsor of this fun-filled family day event? To learn what sponsorships are available click here for the Sponsorship Opportunities flyer.

More information will be available shortly. In the meantime if have any questions please call Linda Conley at 508.298.1107 or Doug MacPherson at 508.298.1105.

Parmenter sign updated with upcoming events

Parmenter sign updated with upcoming events, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Strategic Planning Survey Closes 5/12/09

The Strategic Planning survey announced previously is available for your input. The survey closes out on Tuesday, May 12, 2009.

Please take a few minutes to provide your input online here

What is the survey about? This slide cast will explain:

Strategic Planning Process Overview (audio) 4/15/09

View more presentations from Steve Sherlock.

School Committee Meeting May 12, 2009 - Agenda

Franklin School Committee Meeting
May 12, 2009
Municipal Building – Council Chambers
7:00 P.M.

AGENDA

1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the April 14th and April 28th 2009 School Committee Meetings.
Payment of Bills Mr. Kelly
Payroll Ms. Armenio
FHS Student Representatives

Correspondence

1. Budget to Actual
2. Letter from Susan Tribe

2. Guests/Presentations
Moodle Facilitated Courses

Pandora Carlucci
Eileen Belastock
Adam Wawrow

3. Discussion Only Items

• Draft MSBA Report on FHS
• User Fees
• Staff Reduction in Force (RIF)
• Adoption of FY10 Budget for public hearing (May 26, 2009)

4. Action Items

1. I recommend approval of the FHS field trip to McCoy Stadium, Pawtucket, RI on (tentatively, based on ticket availability) June 15, 2009 for a Pawsox game from 5 P.M. to approximately 10:30 P.M.
2. I recommend approval of the FPS Music Dept. field trip to Canobie Lake Park in Salem, NH on June 12, 2009 from 2:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M.
3. I recommend acceptance of a check for $500.00 from Exxon Mobil for Franklin High School to be used for academic recognition for seniors.
4. I recommend moving FY10 Budget amount of $50,297,820. to public hearing on May 26, 2009.

5. Information Matters

Superintendent’s Report

• Reduction in Force
• User Fees
• Town / School Expenditure Agreement (Final Draft)
• End of Year Events
• Enrollment Comparisons for April 08-09

School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
School Committee Liaison Reports

6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

7. Executive Session
Contractual Negotiations

8. Adjourn

Brook St house fire

By Krista Perry, Daily News staff

GHS

Posted May 09, 2009 @ 11:34 PM

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FRANKLIN —

One Franklin firefighter was injured yesterday afternoon in a two-alarm house fire at 179 Brook St.

Fire Chief Gary McCarraher did not identify the firefighter, but said the injuries were not life-threatening. The firefighter was taken to Milford Regional Medical Center, he said.

Firefighters encountered heavy smoke and heat conditions throughout the building, McCarraher said.

Flames blazed from the roof of the two-story home around noon, and smoke continued to rise above the house for about 20 minutes after the fire was under control at 12:30 p.m.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, McCarraher said. The fire started in a utility room on the lower level, he said.

The lower level sustained extensive fire and water damage, and the whole house suffered smoke and fire damage, McCarraher said.

Franklin Building Commissioner David Roche said the house needs to be condemned and boarded up.

Read the full story on the Brook St fire in the Milford Daily News here

"the ensemble's just so energetic and so happy to be there"

By Edward B. Colby, Daily News staff

GHS

Posted May 09, 2009 @ 11:42 PM

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FRANKLIN —

Noble and Greenough School senior Andrea Ross has had a fairly incredible career at age 18. The Franklin resident has already starred in the national tour of an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, recorded her own CD and won a prestigious Boston theater award.

But only now will Ross debut on her own high school stage, as the lead in "Thoroughly Modern Millie," opening next Tuesday.

Ross says she initially planned on doing lots of shows at Nobles, but "this is the first year that I've been here for the full year. And I finally have a spring free, so I'm finally doing the musical."

Her turn in the school's Vinik Theatre comes just in time, as Ross graduates May 28.

Read the full article on Andrea's stage debut in the Milford Daily News here