"teaching does not end at the bell"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

Milford Daily News

Posted May 25, 2009 @ 11:10 PM

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FRANKLIN —

With the fate of at least 16 jobs resting on whether the School Committee and teachers union can agree on a proposed wage deferral, teachers' benefits, workloads and contracts have lately become matters of public debate.

Online comments about some recent Daily News stories on the situation have implied teachers are living "the good life," with three months of vacation, six-hour days that end at 3 p.m., and salaries that burden taxpayers.

Others insist teachers are working 80-hour weeks for low pay, and just don't get the respect from the School Committee they deserve for providing an invaluable service.

This differing views have led to the question: What, exactly, is in that 140-page teachers contract?

It is a complex document, said School Committee Chairman Jeffrey Roy.

Read the full article on the teacher's contract in the Milford Daily News here

Note: The article is incorrectly reporting on the teacher "demands" (Bold for my emphasis)

" ... the permanent removal of the requirement for teachers to attend one of five floating after-school meetings."

My analysis covering the back story can be found here

Dedication Program

If you'd like to review the program for the Memorial Day Dedication of the Iraq/Afghanistan monument on the Town Common, you can do that here.

Franklin Veterans Memorial - Dedication Program

View more PowerPoint presentation from Steve Sherlock.

If you missed the ceremony or would like to listen to a replay, you can find the audio for the complete ceremony here

School Committee - Agenda - 5/26/09

Call to order Mr. Roy
Pledge of Allegiance
Moment of Silence

1. Routine Business

Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the May 12, 2009 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mr. Kelly
Payroll Ms. Armenio
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: 1. Letter from Ms. Barbara Hiss

2. Guests/Presentations
a. FY10 Budget
b. Mary Cole – Track Star

3. Discussion Only Items

FY10 Budget Hearing
First Reading – Acceptable Use Policy

4. Action Items

• I recommend to amend the preamble of the existing agreement of the Bi-County Collaborative to include the School Committee of the Town of Walpole, MA.
• I recommend approval of the Parmenter Primary Learning Center field trip to Roger Williams Park, in Providence, RI on June 2, 2009.
• I recommend approval of the 2009-2010 School Committee Meeting Schedule.
• I recommend approval of the budget transfers as detailed.
• I recommend acceptance of the donation of $5,000.00 to the FHS Science department in memory of Mr. Donald Redpath from the Sanofi Pasteur Company.
• I recommend approval of the request of Peter Light to declare the attached list of additional FHS Library books as surplus.
• I recommend acceptance the following checks for the Franklin High School Scholarships as listed:

1. $500.00 from Alan Guidrey for the Susan E. Guidrey Memorial.
2. $500.00 from Carla & Richard Guidrey for the Susan E. Guidrey Memorial.
3. $500.00 from Philip & Jennifer Guidrey for the Susan E. Guidrey Memorial.
4. $500.00 from Nancy Lovely for the Susan E. Guidrey Memorial.
5. $500.00 from Janet Guidrey for the Susan E. Guidrey Memorial.
6. $5,000.00 from Jessie Lo & Michael Johnson for the Michael N. Johnson Alumni.

• I recommend approval of the RMS Gr. 8 Science field trip to Roger Williams Park Zoo on June 8, 2009 as detailed.

5. Information Matters

Superintendent’s Report
a. Honorary Diploma
b. Retirements

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

Channel 5 Coverage

Hundreds gathered in Franklin Monday to support two families at the dedication of a memorial honoring their sons.

"Their names are inscribed on that monument, and we want people to understand the sacrifice that was made by Shayne and Robert and the sacrifice of their families," said veterans agent Bob Fahey.

For months, three Franklin High School seniors collected hundreds of dollars at lunch. Workers donated materials and their time, and the garden club created a beautiful setting.

Lance Cpl. Shayne Cabino, 19, and Staff Sgt. Robert Pirelli, 29, were both killed in Iraq. They were honored by a community that will never forget their sacrifices.

Read the full article on the Channel 5 site here

FM #40 - Memorial Day 2009

With no intro/closing music this time, we jump directly to the ceremony on the Franklin Town Common May 25, 2009.

This is the annual Memorial Day remembrance and the dedication of the new Iraq/Afghanistan monument inscribed for Lance Cpl. Shayne Cabino, and Staff Sgt. Robert R. Pirelli.

You can navigate to a specific section of the ceremony with the listing below.

Time: 48 minutes, 28 seconds





MP3 File

Numbers listed refer to the minutes/seconds of the recording

• Opening Statements
• Invocation – Rev Charles Eastman 00:40
• National Anthem – FHS Band 2:00
• Bob Fahey 3:30
• Chris Feeley 8:30
• Rep Jim Vallee 9:23
• Sen Scott Brown 12:43
• Cabino/Pirelli parents escorted 14:38
• Monument unveiled 15:44
• Moment of silence 17:00
• Jodi Cabino/Nancy Pirelli 19:35
• Story of the monument 23:20
• Dave Roche 25:46
• Monument Committee introductions 30:40
• Dedication – Rev Carol Rosine 33:00
• Placement of wreaths 37:00
• Reading the list of Franklin heroes 41:44
• 21 gun salute 44:25
• Taps 44:45
• Final thanks 46:15
• Benediction – Rev Abraham Waya 47:30

Town Common Memorials

Town Common Memorials, originally uploaded by shersteve.

The blue cover of the new memorial will come off during the ceremony immediately following the parade later this morning.

The parade is scheduled to begin at 10:45 AM.

The unveiling should begin approximately 11:15 AM.

Franklin: Oak St Memorial Day performance

Franklin: Oak St Memorial Day performance, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Parents, grandparents, family and friends of Oak St gathered on Friday to hear the Memorial Day performance by the entire school.

"much of the school budget is still in the air"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

Milford Daily News

Posted May 24, 2009 @ 08:51 PM

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FRANKLIN —

The School Committee will begin its public hearing on the budget tomorrow with no idea what the state will award the district, said Superintendent Wayne Ogden.

As of Friday afternoon, the state Senate budget gives Franklin $1.7 million less than the governor's budget, and schools are slated to take about half of that hit.

In total, $1.5 million - including $800,000 in savings from a prospective wage concession from the teacher's union - is in flux in the school budget, Ogden said.

Ogden, School Committee Chairman Jeffrey Roy, and committee member Ed Cafasso said they were surprised at the Senate slashing Franklin's aid.

The meeting will reflect the recent changes in those numbers, Roy said.

Read more about the school budget in the Milford Daily News here

The opportunity to provide direction to the school committee on what you'd approve of for increases in fees and cuts in services begins with the budget hearing opening Tuesday night.

Tell the School Committee what you think.

more teens caught drinking

By Kendall Hatch/Daily News Correspondent

Milford Daily News

Posted May 24, 2009 @ 08:47 PM

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FRANKLIN —

More than a dozen people were arrested Saturday night after police raided a party on Charles Drive, police said.

After receiving a call on Saturday at 11:25 p.m., about loud youths in the area, police responded and arrested 14 people between the ages of 18 and 23.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

It wasn't so long ago that FHS hosted the wonderful presentation on teen drinking and substance abuse (Dec 2008). That evening's message appears to have been wasted.

Events in the schools this week

ASMS - Class of 2009 Reunion (Cafetorium) 5/26/09 4:00 PM

Oak - Kindergarten Information Night 5/27/09 6:30 PM

Keller - Fun Fair 5/27/09 4-6:30 PM

Keller - Kindergarten End of Year Performance (Café) 5/28/09 9:00 AM

JFK - 4th Gr. Expo 5/28/09 8:30-10:30 AM

FHS - Sophomore Banquet (Café) 5/29/09 7-10:30 PM

JFK - 2nd Gr. Family Day 5/29/09 All Day

Check each school website for additional information on these events.

FM #39-11 Gov Patrick Town Hall - Part 11 - Final

This recording for Franklin Matters is the eleventh and final part of the special series to replay the discussion at the Franklin Senior Center on May 17 when Governor Deval Patrick conducted his Town Hall Forum.

Time: 7 minutes, 11 seconds



MP3 File

FM #39-10 Gov Patrick Town Hall - Part 10

FM #39-9 Gov Patrick Town Hall - Part 9

FM #39-8 Gov Patrick Town Hall - Part 8

FM #39-7 Gov Patrick Town Hall - Part 7

FM #39-6 Gov Patrick Town Hall - Part 6

FM #39-5 Gov Patrick Town Hall - Part 5

FM #39-4 Gov Patrick Town Hall - Part 4

FM #39-3 Gov Patrick Town Hall - Part 3

FM #39-2 Gov Patrick Town Hall - Part 2

FM #39-1 Gov Patrick Town Hall - Part 1


Session Notes:


Music intro
My intro
FM #39-11

This internet radio show or podcast for Franklin Matters is number 39-11 in the series.

This segment of the Town Hall Forum conducted by Governor Deval Patrick at the Franklin Senior center on Sunday May 17th continues the second round of Q&A with

unidentified person, moved from Maryland in 1983,

Gov Patrick thinks aggregation of services should be explored, the solution may not the same for every service – then goes into a quick closing comment

I hope you have learned something from listening to one or more of these segments. I have found them very insightful.

here we go

---- ---- ----
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

FM #39-10 Gov Patrick Town Hall - Part 10

This recording for Franklin Matters is the tenth of a special series to replay the discussion at the Franklin Senior Center on May 17 when Governor Deval Patrick conducted his Town Hall Forum.

Time: 14 minutes, 54 seconds



MP3 File

FM #39-9 Gov Patrick Town Hall - Part 9

FM #39-8 Gov Patrick Town Hall - Part 8

FM #39-7 Gov Patrick Town Hall - Part 7

FM #39-6 Gov Patrick Town Hall - Part 6

FM #39-5 Gov Patrick Town Hall - Part 5

FM #39-4 Gov Patrick Town Hall - Part 4

FM #39-3 Gov Patrick Town Hall - Part 3

FM #39-2 Gov Patrick Town Hall - Part 2

FM #39-1 Gov Patrick Town Hall - Part 1


Session Notes:


Music intro
My intro
FM #39-10

This internet radio show or podcast for Franklin Matters is number 39-10 in the series.

This segment of the Town Hall Forum conducted by Governor Deval Patrick at the Franklin Senior center on Sunday May 17th continues the second round of Q&A with

Paul – these revenue increases are a “no-brainer” to me, casino revenue should be considered, thanks for reaching out (comment part of the video summary)

Sandra – special ed day program currently being cut could cause one of the two job holders to lose their job to provide the care

Jessie – casino and gambling issues have not be given a proper public discussion, for every dollar in revenue to the state costs 3-4 dollars in providing services related to gambling addiction

Gov Patrick closes this segment with his position on the casino/gambling discussion

---- ---- ----

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

FM #39-9 Gov Patrick Town Hall - Part 9

This recording for Franklin Matters is the ninth of a special series to replay the discussion at the Franklin Senior Center on May 17 when Governor Deval Patrick conducted his Town Hall Forum.

Time: 13 minutes, 49 seconds



MP3 File


FM #39-8 Gov Patrick Town Hall - Part 8

FM #39-7 Gov Patrick Town Hall - Part 7

FM #39-6 Gov Patrick Town Hall - Part 6

FM #39-5 Gov Patrick Town Hall - Part 5

FM #39-4 Gov Patrick Town Hall - Part 4

FM #39-3 Gov Patrick Town Hall - Part 3

FM #39-2 Gov Patrick Town Hall - Part 2

FM #39-1 Gov Patrick Town Hall - Part 1


Session Notes:

Music intro
My intro
FM #39-9

This internet radio show or podcast for Franklin Matters is number 39-9 in the series.

This segment of the Town Hall Forum conducted by Governor Deval Patrick at the Franklin Senior center on Sunday May 17th starts a second round of Q&A by picking 5 people. The discussion continues with

Mary Anne – talking about “community first” vs “kids first”, involve the employee unions in looking at the reforms

Marian – DCR parks can charge more

Gov Patrick talks about the value choice we have made

Chris – talks about Federal money for Rails to Trails

Rep Vallee – jumps in has reached out to Gov Patrick about this

Gov Patrick says “here locally there is some good news coming”

Manasa – beyond taxing, what else can you ask of me, this is a game changer, what can we do to help?

Gov Patrick – I can't thank you enough for asking this question. Suggests cleaning up the parks regularly.

Great sound bite from this section, already shared as a “found sherku”

We better start behaving
Like we are members
Of the same community

---- ---- ----

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

"land conservation outpaced development"

"The ideal situation is to intensify development in smaller areas so there are more acres to permanently protect. That's the way the planning world is thinking right now," said Bryan Taberner, Franklin's planning director. "But you also have the economics of it, and a person has the right to develop their land and there are a lot of issues at play."

Taberner said he thinks the size of houses will plateau because "as we know, a lot of people over-bought and a lot of people are going to be looking to sell and get into something smaller."

Read the full article on the recently updated Audubon Society report on development vs preservation in the Milford Daily News here

Kodak Digital Camera Found

A Kodak digital camera with a red case was found in the driveway to the Parmenter Elementary School on Wachusetts St on Saturday morning.

It looks like it has been run over. The screen is cracked but it powers on. There are pictures stored on the card.

The camera was left with the Franklin Police Dept on Panther Way and can be claimed there.