Frequently asked questions: the full listing

Frequently Asked Questions: (each line is a link to the question and answer)

• What is a Prop 2 1/2 Override?
• What other federal and state funds support the school department’s operating budget?
• Can the town guarantee that the funds from the override will always be spent exactly the same way?
• Why do some citizens disagree with rating agencies about Franklin’s debt?
• How does per pupil spending in Franklin compare with spending in other Massachusetts communities?
• We wouldn’t be in a crisis if we hadn’t spent money on the senior center, fire station and new ball fields.
• Pension costs are killing us, so why don’t town employees fund their own pensions?
• What in the world is free cash?
• I have heard some people suggest we should adopt a split tax rate that makes businesses in Franklin pay more property taxes. Wouldn’t that solve the problem?
• Why do parents pay fees for their children to ride the bus or participate in athletics?
• Can’t we keep using money from the stabilization fund to get rid of our budget deficits?
• My children are in the Charter School. Will the override affect them?
• The town officials have found money in the past. They’ll find it again this time, won’t they?
• What has the town done to try to eliminate waste and bring spending under control?
• I have heard people criticize the way the town is run. If that’s true, why should I give the town more of my hard-earned money?
• Why is the school district continually facing a budget gap?
• When would the impact of an override take effect in Franklin?
• Has Franklin really laid off teachers?
• Why have my taxes gone up so much in the last four years?
• Is it true that we have too many overpaid administrators?
• Why should the community support the school budget?
• Will the override solve all of our fiscal problems?

If there is another question you would like answered, please ask.


Franklin, MA

Frequently asked questions: "Is it true that we have too many overpaid administrators?"

People tell me that our schools cost too much money, and that we have too many overpaid administrators. Is that true?

Based on statistics maintained by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Franklin pays less than half of the state average for administrative and labor costs. The statistics for all 11 categories of education spending are included below:




According to Massachusetts Department of Education, more than 85 percent of the K-12 districts in the state spend more per pupil than Franklin. Franklin’s per pupil spending is the third lowest among its 30 peer communities. The per pupil expenditure for children in Franklin’s “regular day” school programs (which excludes Special Education) has lagged well behind the state average for the last 5 years, according to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. In fiscal 2008, Franklin spent $9,751 per pupil in these programs -- $2,702 less per pupil than the statewide average of $12,453.


One of a series to address frequently asked questions
http://investinfranklin.weebly.com/faq-part-1.html


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The special election on June 8th gives Franklin voters the choice:

Increase taxes to continue to provide the services we have this year (and that does not restore any of the services already cut)

Or

Continue to cut municipal services for all and cut educational opportunities for our children

I'll help to provide the information. You need to do two things:

1. Make your choice
2. Vote on June 8th

You get bonus points if you talk with your neighbors about this and get them to vote!

Additional information on the override can be found here:

• http://investinfranklin.weebly.com/index.html
• http://franklinschoolcommittee.wordpress.com/override-page/
• http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/budget-override-collection-fy-2011.html

Franklin, MA

Frequently asked questions: "Why have my taxes gone up so much in the last four years?"

If Proposition 2½ says my property taxes can’t go up more than 2.5% per year, why have they gone up so much in the last four years?

Proposition 2½ does not say that your taxes cannot go up more than 2.5% each year. It says that the total amount of money the town raises from property taxes cannot increase by more than 2.5% a year plus new growth.


The reason some residential tax bills have increased significantly over the few years is because the market value of some homes– probably your family’s most important investment – has increased. This is due in part because Franklin is perceived to have good municipal services, strong public safety, convenient businesses and top quality schools, and, hence, Franklin is considered a great place to live. Our assessed and fair market property values reflect that market perception.


Notwithstanding the appreciated values referenced above, some residential property owners have, in fact, experienced a flattening or even a decrease in the assessed value of their homes in recent years due to the macroeconomic environment. And, keep in mind that commercial and industrial property is assessed based on income, so the value of those assessments has been stagnant due to the economic downturn that affected the business community.


While the total amount of revenue the town can raise from property taxes can only increase by law, by 2.5% each year, how much money each property in the town contributes to the total amount can change based on changes in its respective assessed and/or fair market value.

One of a series to address frequently asked questions
http://investinfranklin.weebly.com/faq-part-1.html


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


The special election on June 8th gives Franklin voters the choice:

Increase taxes to continue to provide the services we have this year (and that does not restore any of the services already cut)

Or

Continue to cut municipal services for all and cut educational opportunities for our children

I'll help to provide the information. You need to do two things:

1. Make your choice
2. Vote on June 8th

You get bonus points if you talk with your neighbors about this and get them to vote!

Additional information on the override can be found here:

• http://investinfranklin.weebly.com/index.html
• http://franklinschoolcommittee.wordpress.com/override-page/
• http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/budget-override-collection-fy-2011.html

Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - 6/08/10

Vision Statement

The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.

Mission Statement

The Franklin Public Schools, in collaboration with the community, will cultivate each student's intellectual, social, emotional and physical potential through rigorous academic inquiry and informed problem solving skills within a safe, nurturing and respectful environment.

1. Routine Business

Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the May 25, 2010 School Committee Meeting and the Executive Session minutes from the June 1, 2010 Negotiations Strategy Session.
Payment of Bills Mr. Glynn
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives

Correspondence:

1. Letter from Mary Fallon

2. Letter from Mrs. Hildman

3. Budget to Actual

4. Letter from Mrs. Mitchell

2. Guests/Presentations

a. Retirees

• Anne Bergen, HMMS Principal
• Judi Bassignani, Parmenter Elementary Principal
• Joyce Bardol – ASMS Teacher
• Elizabeth LaPlaca – Oak St. Elementary Teacher
• Unable to attend: Linda Chelman, Jane Sveden

b. ASMS Communiteen Club – Pennies for Patients

c. Maggie Streeter (ASMS) John F. Kennedy Make A Difference Award

d. FHS Building Update – Tom Mercer

3. Discussion Only Items

• Facilities MOU
• Foreign Language
• Data Assessment & Resource Tool (DART)
• MSBA Architect Selection Representative

4. Action Items

a. I recommend adoption of the Facilities MOU as detailed.

5. Information Matters

Superintendent’s Report
a. Foreign Language
b. Enrollment Comparison

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

banner ads move outdoors

It was announced recently that the pilot to raise revenue for the athletic teams with banners in the Franklin High School field house has been expanded to include banner ads on the outdoor fields.

A sample of the field house banners (from October 2009)

A new banner at the entrance to the track and multipurpose field (June 2010):

The banners were first approved in 2008:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2008/10/live-reporting-field-house-advertising.html


Franklin, MA

3 owner makes decision to go with 2

Stephen Corcoran, owner of the Sky Restaurants in Sudbury and Norwood and the 3 in Franklin is selling the Sudbury restaurant.

Q: So you are only selling Sky Sudbury, not your other two restaurants?

A: Yes, I am only selling Sky in Sudbury. Sky in Norwood and "3" (the name of the restaurant) in Franklin will remain open.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here:
http://www.milforddailynews.com/business/x775079935/Sky-Restaurant-ends-run-in-Sudbury-after-13-years


Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA: Class of 2010 - congratulations!

Congratulations to the Franklin High Class of 2010!

Good luck on the road ahead of you.

Franklin, MA

Spruce Pond - Building Blue (presentation doc)

The presentation document used on Monday May 24, 2010 is available here:

CRWA Pres 20100524

View more presentations from Franklin Matters.

Franklin, MA

Frequently asked questions: "Why should the community support the school budget?"

Why should the community support the school budget?

The commitment to educate our children is a commitment that the residents of Franklin have long supported. Horace Mann, the father of public education and integral to Franklin’s historical legacy stated, “Education then, beyond all devices of human origin, is the equalizer of conditions of men, the great balance wheel of the social machinery”.


The School Committee, administration and staff developed a fiscally responsible budget that promotes student achievement, protects core programs and is respectful of the current economic climate. The FY 2011 proposed budget requests a 3.89% increase to maintain level services. We have used grants, stimulus and revolving funds to reduce the budget gap and we are requesting what we needed to maintain the program we currently have in place for our students.


Having strong and vital schools is important for every community. Those who advocate for greater investment in education often make the economic argument: more education leads to higher wages and is critical for financial stability and independence. They’re right. Robust evidence supports the view that higher levels of educational attainment are linked to higher incomes, less unemployment, less poverty, and less reliance on public assistance.


More education is also linked to better physical and mental health, longer lives, fewer crimes, less incarceration, more voting, greater tolerance, and brighter prospects for the next generation. More education is good for individuals who stay in school to earn their high school degree or who enter and graduate college, but it is also good for all of us, paying big dividends in the form of increased civic engagement, greater neighborhood safety, and a healthy, vibrant democracy.


One of a series to address frequently asked questions
http://investinfranklin.weebly.com/faq-part-1.html


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


The special election on June 8th gives Franklin voters the choice:

Increase taxes to continue to provide the services we have this year (and that does not restore any of the services already cut)

Or

Continue to cut municipal services for all and cut educational opportunities for our children

I'll help to provide the information. You need to do two things:

1. Make your choice
2. Vote on June 8th

You get bonus points if you talk with your neighbors about this and get them to vote!

Additional information on the override can be found here:

• http://investinfranklin.weebly.com/index.html
• http://franklinschoolcommittee.wordpress.com/override-page/
• http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/budget-override-collection-fy-2011.html

Franklin, MA

Frequently asked questions: "Will the override solve all of our fiscal problems?"

Will the override solve all of our fiscal problems?

Unfortunately, it will not. However, it will balance our budget this fiscal year. It is estimated that next year’s budget may require as much as an additional $6 million in revenue for fiscal 2011 to maintain level services. This is due largely to the anticipated decrease in state and federal aid that have been received in each of the last two fiscal years.


Going forward, Franklin will need to confront the fact that basic municipal and school expenses continue to outstrip its ability to raise new revenue from property taxes. There will be other community needs, like the eventual renovation of Franklin High School, repairs to roads and sidewalk, and the town’s unfunded retiree health care, as well as annual increases in fixed costs for insurance, contractual obligations and utilities.

One of a series to address frequently asked questions
http://investinfranklin.weebly.com/faq-part-2.html


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


The special election on June 8th gives Franklin voters the choice:

Increase taxes to continue to provide the services we have this year (and that does not restore any of the services already cut)

Or

Continue to cut municipal services for all and cut educational opportunities for our children

I'll help to provide the information. You need to do two things:

1. Make your choice
2. Vote on June 8th

You get bonus points if you talk with your neighbors about this and get them to vote!

Additional information on the override can be found here:

• http://investinfranklin.weebly.com/index.html
• http://franklinschoolcommittee.wordpress.com/override-page/
• http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/budget-override-collection-fy-2011.html

Franklin, MA

In the News - graduation, override, drinking water

Franklin grads ready for the future

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by By Ashley Studley, DAILY NEWS STAFF

Franklin override opponents speak out

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Ashley Studley/Daily News staff

Franklin drinking water safe after E.coli found in ground water

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Ashley Studley/Daily News staff

Franklin, MA

Frequently asked questions: "Has Franklin really laid off any teachers?"

Have you really laid off any teachers?

The tables below reflect, over a 10 year period, the increase in Franklin’s student population and the associated decrease in its teaching population. At its peak in 2005, Franklin had 517 teachers. Since that time, Franklin has eliminated more than 100 teachers. These staffing cuts have taken place at the same time Franklin has experienced increasing student enrollments, resulting in larger class sizes. That is a worrisome trend and is not a good long term indicator for positive educational results.




You can obtain additional historical teaching figures in Franklin at the following blog post:http://franklinschoolcommittee.wordpress.com/2008/05/17/information-on-teachers-in-franklin/.



One of a series to address frequently asked questions
http://investinfranklin.weebly.com/faq-part-1.html


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


The special election on June 8th gives Franklin voters the choice:

Increase taxes to continue to provide the services we have this year (and that does not restore any of the services already cut)

Or

Continue to cut municipal services for all and cut educational opportunities for our children

I'll help to provide the information. You need to do two things:

1. Make your choice
2. Vote on June 8th

You get bonus points if you talk with your neighbors about this and get them to vote!

Additional information on the override can be found here:

• http://investinfranklin.weebly.com/index.html
• http://franklinschoolcommittee.wordpress.com/override-page/
• http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/budget-override-collection-fy-2011.html

Franklin, MA

Frequently asked questions: "When would the impact of an override take effect in Franklin?"

When would the impact of an override take effect in Franklin?

The June 2010 override ballot question would apply to the fiscal 2011 budget. That is, the override would take effect on July 1, 2010. However, the increase in taxes would not show up until the third quarter tax bill which is mailed at the end of December and due by February 1, 2011.

What is my tax rate now and how does it compare to surrounding communities?

Franklin employs a single tax rate for both commercial property tax payers and residential property tax payers and that rate is currently 12.03 per thousand dollars of assessed property value. Fourteen of our thirty peer towns employ split, or dual property tax rates, one for residential payers and a higher rate for commercial payers. Set forth below is a chart in descending order which shows how Franklin’s $12.03 single property tax rate compares to our 15 other peer towns that employ a single property tax rate. Franklin also happens to have a lower property tax rate than most of our 14 peer towns that employ a split tax rate.

Town	2010Tax Rate
Sharon	17.92
Westborough	16.98
Holliston	16.31
Medway	16.29
Hopkinton	15.76
Chelmsford	15.15
Northborough	14.38
Medfield	14.24
Southborough	14.06
Average	13.95
Reading	13.75
Millis	13.64
Franklin	12.03
Natick	11.67
Foxborough	10.91
North Attleborough	10.44
Shrewsbury	9.68

One of a series to address frequently asked questions
http://investinfranklin.weebly.com/faq-part-1.html


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


The special election on June 8th gives Franklin voters the choice:

Increase taxes to continue to provide the services we have this year (and that does not restore any of the services already cut)

Or

Continue to cut municipal services for all and cut educational opportunities for our children

I'll help to provide the information. You need to do two things:

1. Make your choice
2. Vote on June 8th

You get bonus points if you talk with your neighbors about this and get them to vote!

Additional information on the override can be found here:

• http://investinfranklin.weebly.com/index.html
• http://franklinschoolcommittee.wordpress.com/override-page/
• http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/05/budget-override-collection-fy-2011.html

Franklin, MA

In the News - override

Franklin override supporters make their case

by Ashley Studley/Daily News staff

Junior Robby Kent and sophomore Ali Sturtevant said they want to see an end to the misery they and their siblings have endured with previous budget cuts.

"We've been losing a lot of teachers since 2005," Kent said. "My brothers are both in middle school now, and they don't get as much attention from the teacher."

----

Franklin councilor says override is needed

by Ashley Studley/Daily News staff

Councilor Robert Vallee said fixed costs, like pensions and health care plans, contribute to the town's financial woes.

"I know the budgets very, very well. I have a hard time finding any waste," Vallee said. "It's all very well-documented, and run very, very efficiently. The shortfall is there's a recession going on."

Franklin, MA

Farmers Market returns June 11th

Yes, fresh and local produce will be available at the Framers Market on the Franklin Town Common beginning Friday, June 11th and running through October.

I recall the hours last year as being from noon to 6:00 PM. If there is a change, I'll share that as soon as I can.


Franklin, MA