Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Live reporting - BMI Q&A

Continuing the conversation around the BMI regulations

Cafasso - Why are we in the middle of this? It says the physician is in the best position for this. It says in the materials that this is a physicians job. For us to step in is kind of a stretch. I think it is very questionable.

Elias - It is just a little more. It is a question of what we can do.

Trahan - The BMI is one more tool to be given to the parent and the physician so they can take action. Given all the increases of diabetes and other diseases that are health related, this is one tool to help address those items early on. The parents do spend time providing additional opportunities with sports, drama and musical opportunities. Now we are talking about alternatives to the health situation.

Armenio - I am still on the fence on this one. I am not sure we as a district should be going this way. I understand we have already be taking the height and weight and sending it home with a tag. I understand where Roberta is coming from. This is an unfunded mandate.

Winslow - I understand the concerns that you have on this issue. I don't think the position of the committee should be, do we decide to do this or not. This is a regulation from the State.

Roy - I take exception to that, this is precisely what we will decide. This may be an emotional issue but the committee will decide and live with the decision.

I don't know where the requirement is coming from to revert to the old system if we don't do the BMI. Can you confirm where the requirement is?

The grant money would gain us $43,000 over 11 years. Implementing this would require more than that amount. This type of regulation is bad government. It belongs in the role of the patient and physician. I don't feel this would be a fair expense for us to justify. The State doesn't have money. It is hypercritical for us to move in this direction.

The legislature had nothing to do with this regulation. If you read that statue, it is not there.

The regulation violates the students rights to privacy. This is not a place where we belong.


Sabolinksi tries to confirm if this section is part of the policy or still on the presentation?
Roy - You'll have time when I am done. I have some more to say. Kids coming on the bus are going to talk to each other, "did you get your fat test done?" That is not what we want. Thank you for what you have done in answering our questions.

Mullen - I don't see how taking height and weight is a violation of the student's privacy.

Roy - How do you handle the kids that will have opted out?
Elias - It won't be any different than how we are handling it today. We take the kids out in small groups from a class, 6-8 at a time. The kids are measured one at time, they don't know the results.

Trahan - Kids get to hear and participate in discussions on MCAS on the bus and that is no different. We are doing this in a way to try and improve their well being.

Mullen - what we came here tonight is with the policy and the changes. Based upon what I have heard, I am not sure where we want to go.

Roy - I made some suggestions that I think should be addressed.
Mullen - Motion for the policy to second reading
Trahan - seconded

Cafasso - I'd like to see the answer to Jeff's question on the regulations. I would need that answer before considering the policy.

Winslow - The assumption is that School Districts will comply with the regulations.

Cafasso - I think we need to better confirm what the burden would be if we don;t go with the BMI.

Rohrbach - Through the two measures that you already take (height and weight) would be calculated by the software. The interpretation is done by the physicians. The schools are in the best position for capturing the data. The physicians are in the best position for the interpretation and action.

Elias - we have always applied for the waiver and received it. The waiver is gone with the new regulations. You won't need to do all the grades, you would only do the grades required.

Rohrbach - Do we know from the DPH what school districts will not comply?

Elias - I did survey surrounding towns, 14 of the town is either doing or will be doing it. No one in the survey is not doing.

Winslow - There is only one other school district that is talking of not complying with this regulation.

Elias - If the waiver goes away, we have to do heights and weights of everyone. Under the new regulation, we only have to do some of the grades, hence less screenings.

Kelly - I am surprised that we have done this for so long. We have provided this to the physicians?

Elias - Yes, with the parents permission.

Armenio - If the kids wear glasses and bring in their physical, do they still get screened.
Elias - depending upon the timing of the physical.

Roy - show of hands for moving to second reading, failed 4-3




Live reporting - BMI Screening

resuming after a fine minute recess


2. Guests/Presentations

c. Growth Assessment Reporting – Patty Elias, RN and Sally Winslow

Since the 1950's we have been taking heights and weights, it has not been reported, it is just put into the file. With the new BMI reporting requirements, those numbers need to be provided to the parents. It was approved in April 2009 and intended to be effective at that time.

It is very clear that the expectation that the school districts will be in compliance. I have also seen some draft advisories coming to the school on how the districts will be implementing this.

While school districts must comply, parents can opt out for their children.


(The presentation has been slow loading. I'll reload it as soon as I can)

BMI is a screening tool, it is not a diagnosis.

Part of a program that over 11 years would yield $43,000. As part of the program requirements, the BMI stats need to be reported or we loose the money.

Currently have a waiver from the DPH. The waiver expires with the new BMI requirements.

If we do the BMI, the nurses would handle approx 8,000 screenings. If we skip the BMI, in order to maintain compliance, the nurses would need to do over 18,000 screenings.




Live reporting - Life Long Learning

2. Guests/Presentations

b. Lifelong Learning Update - Pandora Carlucci

The Class of 1959 recognized at the High School Graduation in June.

Ginormous program 23 boys, 2 girls traveled into and out of the city via the Commuter Rail and Red Line.

90 students in the High School Experience (up from 25 last year). The Class of 2013!

Music initiatives
  • String school
  • Elementary school program
  • Private music lessons
Private Music Lesson Recital by the teachers
The parents, guardians, they already knew we had good music faculty, they found out during the recital that we have "great" musical teachers!

Adult education expanding to meet the needs of the demographics in Franklin. For example, over 180 child care providers in the immediate area. Coordinated a three-part series to help them with their professional development. The first two classes sold out, the third had half capacity. For the time around, this exceeded expectations.

The Class of 1960 will be recognized at this year's graduation. June 4, 2010 - save the date!

Rohrbach - You always surprise us. You are always coming up with something new.

Carlucci - It was good, well received. The only complaint was that they wanted it longer. We had it for two hours and they wanted three. Thanks to the teachers for making it happen,

Trahan - echo compliments, thank you
Cafasso - This is not coming from a budget, this is self funded.

Carlucci - We do give out scholarhsips for most of the programs.

Live reporting - FHS Update

2. Guests/Presentations

a. FHS Update – Peter Light

Viewing a quality movie tour and intro to FHS produced by the school for Panther Pride Night.

updated: 7:32 PM

Peter Lights comments after the video.

The video was all student work, production, script, made contacts with Alumni to return for interviews, etc.

From the PSAT scores, 2 FHS students were semifinalists amongst 5,000 across the country. The program averages 1.5 students per high school and Franklin has 10.

Friday halftime, Senior players recognized 20 faculty for their educational contribution over their high school years.

FHS Discipline stats:
  • Tardiness has decreased 20% this year with an increase in student population.
  • Tardiness to school down 33%.
  • Misbehaving in class down 60%.
Impressive numbers! The full sheet is shown below:

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Armenio: I was impressed with the entry to the Panther Pride Night. The one thing that really impressed me were the kids talking to kids. I could not get over the attendance.

Light: We are going to estimate that we had about 750 people over the course of the night. Thanks to Bob Lima for the layout and to the PCC (Barbara Brunelli esp.) for all the help they did to create a great night.

Kelly: the discipline speaks well for the job you are doing. Can the video be posted for others to view regularly.

Light: we don't have a video server but we can try to find a way. (Steve Sherlock can help with this)

Rohrbach: Can you leave the marketing program for us to view? Can you reach out to the 6th grade? They are getting inundated with materials from other schools. This would help them think about and make a decision.

Rohrbach: Why are the numbers down?

Light: we are trying to figure that out. One factor clearly is that there are less passes in the hallway so there is less opportunity for somethings to occur. We have the asst principals in the hallways instead of teachers. The one stat that is up is cutting classes. We are better at catching them because they are in the hallway and looking for them.

Sabolinksi: One thing is you and your administration has made the students more responsible for their own behavior. You have changed that whole atmosphere.

Light: Give credit to the teachers, they are teaching more during the day.

Trahan: you have changed the face of the high school, thank you.

Mullen: I don't like to repeat things that others have said. It is great work there with the administrative team, the teachers, the students. If you would have told me last year of the change that would have occured, I would have said, "yea right." but you have.

Roy: in the eyes of my 8th grader, he really enjoyed the night. The evening flowed, there was something to do.

Light: All the music in the video was produced by the students.








Live reporting - School Committee 10/27/09

Attending: Armenio, Cafasso, Kelly, Mullen, Roy, Rohrbach, Trahan

Missing:

1. Routine Business

Citizen’s Comments  none

Review of Agenda  none

Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the October 13, 2009 School Committee Meeting.
 motion to approve minutes, passed 7-0

Payment of Bills - Mr. Kelly
Motion to approve, 7-0

Payroll - Ms. Armenio

FHS Student Representatives

Correspondence: None


Sabolinski made the announcement that the Kennedy School was one of 12 schools in the State to be highlighted for high growth according to the new State MCAS reporting released today.




Candidates Night - Photo Slideshow

Here are the photos from the Candidates Night in the Council Chambers on Monday evening, October 26th.



If you click through to Flickr to view the photos, the captions identify the candidates. This slide show format, hides that info.


Candidate Forum Town Council/Board of Health

The collection of live reporting posts from the Franklin Candidates Forum at the Municipal Bldg on Monday evening, Oct 26th can be found here





In the News - candidate views, BMI question

The Milford Daily News recap of the Candidate Forum can be found here

Franklin candidates express views at forum

from The Milford Daily News Homepage RSS


--------

One item scheduled for discussion at the School Committee meeting Tuesday night is covered in the news today:

Franklin schools to weigh BMI question

from The Milford Daily News Homepage RSS



Monday, October 26, 2009

Live reporting - Closing comments

2 minutes for closing comments by each candidate

Mason - essential for citizens to exercise their right to vote. The decisions the Council make will be critical over the next two years.

McGann's statement being read by Larry Benedetto. Public safety, schools and the seniors are our primary concerns Promote increased mixed use development.

Pfeffer - I don't have all the answers, nobody else does either. We are all volunteers trying to make it work under tough circumstances. Seniors in Franklin are making decisions between food and medicine right now.

Vallee - I decided to return to the council because the cuts will have to made and be fair and equitable. Let's not dissect our school system to lose it's accreditation. I am concerned about the seniors and others with low income. We need to be vigilant about finding new revenue streams. I wan to reinforce and re-look at some bylaws.

Whalen - I am very concerned about the projected deficit for next year ($5-7 million). I would like to maintain a level service budget. It will be difficult but should be achievable.

Zollo - The strength of any community is how it treats its most vulnerable. It is not any one group. It can be one or more as the circumstances go. I am discouraged by some of the things said about having somethings off the table. In this crisis, everything must be on the table. Service on the council should help to generate a greater level of pride in Franklin. I urge you all to vote, there needs to be civic participation on Nov 3rd.

Avakian - There has been always a fiscal problem, we didn't know how to spend the money in the times of high grown, now we don't know where to cut. This is our community our town.

Ballenger - I think it obvious we are heading to a fiscal crisis. We will get through this. Look for as many solutions outside the normal. Use of college students for labor; i.e. cheap labor. Ask the citizens of Franklin to donate some time and not just their money. You don't know until you ask.

Jones - A lot of topics have come across tonight, there will be lots of solutions too. It takes a tough individual to put aside biases to deal with the issues. I am that individual. Respect, honor, dedication. Never give up, never give in.

Kelly - Thanks for the opportunity for sharing my opinions in this forum. The challenges are here. My participation on the School Committee and Long Range Planning have prepared me for the challenges. You vote on Nov 3rd will show me how much you know and love the Town.

Powderly - I hope everyone comes away from the Forum with a better idea of what we all bring. The budget crisis is real but we have a lot of strengths, our energy should be spent on addressing the causes of the crisis, like our over reliance on the State Aid. Communication is a two way street. Please vote, please make sure your friends vote.



Live reporting - Council questions continued

Ballenger proposing to use some of the Franklin properties as "long term leases" rather than sell it off. The leases, if possible, would generate some income for the town.

Jones mentions Town Clerk should remain as an elected position, Treasurer/Collector can be appointed. Does not completely agree with the staggered terms as it can be interpreted in many different ways.

Kelly maintaining services will be a large issue, keeping the community safe, and improving the education for the children are the other two.

Powderly the evidence I have seen supports a single tax rate. The Board of Assessor and Town Council need to justify that to the citizens. The issue would be how the long term Franklin family business would bear the increased rate under a split tax. The EMC's might be able to handle it but maintaining the smaller would be a concern.

Pfeffer every year seems to be the worst. We are in a unique position and need to do everything we can do.

Vallee all the towns have water bans. The State limits how much we can distribute. We have enough.

Whalen capital expenditures are necessary, we need to maintain equipment, we always have more requests than we have funds for.

Zollo raises the Financial Planning Committee report that was endorsed by the current council and that the new council should do so as well. It is important to education the citizens on how much we spend and where, schools, police, fire, etc.

Avakian we have approved the bond for the study, we should wait to see what the report comes back with. It will depend upon what our fiscal situation is.

Ballenger the Finance Committee will need to work closely with the council and take Mr Nutting's recommendations under advisement. It will have to be a working partnership.

Jones I don't support an override until we have a viable plan in place to explain to the citizens on what will be spent, where and why. Any cuts on the state side will trickle down to us. It needs to be made as clear as possible for the citizens.

Kelly I would look for a partner who can work with all the organizations in the Town.

Powderly The Franklin Downtown Partnership has done a fabulous job. We are the city that calls itself a Town. We like the small town feel. I'd love to have a more active relationship with the project.







Live reporting - Town Council candidates

Candidates getting similar questions but worded in different ways generating their comment about the same question. Well, it could be that each should have answered the same question. There are not that many real issues for Franklin, or are there?




Live reporting - Town Council candidates

The full slate of candidates, at least those that have shown up this evening.



Single biggest opportunity thus far, regionalization is one way to save some money.

It is encumbent upon the citizens to be aware and become involved of the town issues.



Live reporting - Town Council candidates

Town Council - 9 Positions (For 2 Years)

  • Joseph McGann (absent due to a medical emergency)
  • R. Scott Mason
  • Judith Pond Pfeffer
  • Shannon Zollo
  • Robert Vallee
  • Stephen Whalen
  • Glenn Jones
  • Daniel Ballinger
  • Robert Avakian
  • Matthew Kelly
  • Tina Powderly
  • Glenna Richards - not in attendance
  • Bryce Kuchs - not in attendance due to other work commitments announced last week



Live reporting - Borad of Health 1 minute intro, questions

  • Bruce Hunchard, three children
currently chairman, has been on board for 17 years
long listing of experiences, native from Franklin

  • Koren Kanadanian
currently Director of Emergency Services at Providence College


What is the Board of Health role in health issues?
The current issue is the H1N1 virus, he has set up the process to prepare Franklin

Full time agent for Board of Health in Franklin, how is your role in relationship to the agent.
The agent does the day-to-day inspections and brings information back to the board, the board should have a good relationship

Q - How can you be pre-active instead of re-active?

Q - You have the ability to enact public policy, how would you do that?

There were only four questions prepared, two questions were repeated to a candidate that had not been asked that question before.

Two minutes for a closing statement

Koren
I am new to the political arena. I have an open mind to listen to address issues before the board.

Bruce
My 17 years of experience dealing with local leaders and others in the area can enable a continuity of process.






Live reporting - starting now

Moderator Larry Benedetto

Panel will randomly select a question, no questions from the audience.