Officials investigate Franklin High assault caught on tape

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Officials investigate Franklin High assault caught on tape

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Brian Benson on 4/26/12

Police are investigating an assault today at Franklin High School that was videotaped and posted on a social media website, according to police and school officials.

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The text of the School Department broadcast to the school community:

*A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT* **** 

April 26, 2012 

Dear Members of the Franklin Public Schools Community: 

Franklin Public Schools has learned that a videotape has been released on a social media site that depicts a Franklin High School student physically assaulting another student today at Franklin High School. There were no weapons involved and one student was injured. We are committing our full resources to investigating and responding to this appalling incident in our school community. 

We have also referred this matter to the Franklin Police Department and are giving them our complete cooperation. Franklin Public Schools is fully committed to supporting students and families who have been impacted by this incident and has made counselors available to meet with students and families. 

This cowardly act is disturbing and it does not reflect the expectations we espouse as a school district or as a community. We are committed to ensuring all of our students are safe while they are in school. We will continue to collaborate with the Franklin Police as the investigation proceeds and we will keep you updated. 

Respectfully,
Maureen Sabolinski
Superintendent of Schools

Finance Committee - Budget Hearing FY 2013

The Finance Committee approved the budget put forward for Fiscal Year 2013 on Wednesday evening. The total of $102,179,773 provides the same level of service with no program reductions and no increase in school fees. Some fees on the Town side of the budget were previously approved and their revenue is accounted for.

The refinancing effort of current debt to lower the interest cost will be beneficial especially in the area of the debt exclusions. The lower interest rates were announced during the meeting as the bond sales was held on Tuesday. The final impact to the dollar amounts overall will be available later.

While the FinCom approved the total budget, they did not explicitly approve the transfer of the $350,000 from the stabilization fund for use in the budget. I expect that approval to be scheduled for their May meeting next week. Their vote on the matter is usually an input to the Town Council for their deliberation and vote.


The collection of posts from the Finance Committee budget hearing are found here:

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/04/live-reporting-finance-committee-budget.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/04/live-reporting-fincom.html

The summary budget documents referenced can be found here

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/04/franklin-ma-fy-2013-budget-documents.html

Franklin music students win gold

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Franklin music students win gold

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Staff reports on 4/25/12

The Franklin Middle Schools Combined String Orchestra and the Franklin Repertory String Orchestra both took home gold medals from the regional three-day Massachusetts Instrumental & Choral Conductors Association (MICCA) festival.

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Summer Glee

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Summer Glee

via Lifelong Learning by Pandora Carlucci on 4/25/12

April 25, 2012 This summer the Music Department and Lifelong Learning are offering Summer "Glee" for students entering grades 4 and 5, and Teen Summer "Glee" for students entering grades 7 to 9. Students will experience singing in a choral setting where they will learn and practice their singing techniques. The summer music "Glee" camp will include "Glee" music from the TV show, as well as other pop music hits to be performed in a concert at the end of the music camp. The "Glee" camp will meet from July 23 to August 3 at Franklin High School. Register online at www.franklin.k12.ma.us, select Lifelong from the top gold banner, select Summer program, select Summer music. Come and be a part of this fun and musical experience.

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Live reporting - FinCom

Citizens Comments - none

Approval of Minutes - none


Action Items:
Appropriations: $151,114 – Wages (Contract Settlement) Source: FY 12 Additional State Aid


Of the 9 unions in negotiation, we have four tentative agreements
This amount may cover all the nine settlements when the Council approves them next week
The money is coming from the extra State allocation provided last October, 2011
(add link to announcement to tie back) not in free cash but if not used, could end up in free cash


Exact line item to be determined, once the agreements get finalized, the line items
the money would be a one time payment to the employees not increasing their base, hence not in the FY 2013 budget


Motion to approve, passed 6-0


Revenues


budget subcommittee discussion on the $350
will be coming back from the stabilization account rather than free cash


Tax levy is what it is
state aid is determined by the State
combination of past collections, expectations, some are seasonal
take a deduction to create a safety net
motor vehicle excise will come in as expected
DOR won't allow forecast higher than collected the prior year, allowing within 10% of estimations
need to work within a narrow band that is fiscally prudent
we can increase a revenue if the Council votes to increase rates
action needs to justify the revenues


Question on the tax levy amount used to set the 2.5% and forecast for FY 2013
need to exclude the debt exclusion amounts from the levy base to calculate the 2.5% increase


we are getting a lull now, the real crunch will be 2014 when the state faces their numbers issue


approx $340K from meals tax


anything in misc non-recurring can not be counted as an expectation for the next year


interest income is really hitting the bottom, it is good for borrowing


other excise, is the hotel, motel we use in the non-operational accounts but it is in there


Q - If we do get extra money from the State, what would we do with it?
A - I think we would go with the Schools to avoid the draw down of the reserves
this budget is 99% to bed,I am already thinking of 2014
I'd like to cover the Schools as they are almost 60% of the budget and driving the bus


We get $52M in tax revenue with the levy, we have gotten cut $3M in state aid. Our days of big numbers from the state are long gone.


We have 20% less employees than we had years ago, you've seen the numbers on all the departments, they are all doing an excellent job. When you at rock bottom you will face difficulty


Schools going up 1.6 the levy is going up 2.1 


Reading line item by line item for approval, seconded, passing 6-0
if any one of these differs, it will be noted.


The line items correspond to the following document
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B0wjbnXDBhczMmdIMjB1NENGOEk

Comment from Feldman about the Library and while there is an increase this year, what will happen next year?

Side note Bruins are loosing 1-0 to the Capitals

Bond sale, note sale and refunding sale occured today
AA stable reafirmed
105 day note for 2.5M at .3681%
1.76% came it from 7 bids
refinance bonds some of the Keller Sullivan will come off the debt exclusion amount
exact amounts on the refinancing will come in in a couple of days

motion to adjourn

Live reporting - Finance Committee - Budget Hearing

Present: Roche, Quinn, Messere, Feldman, Goldsmith, Dufour
Absent: Dewsnap, Smith, Huempfner



Budget Hearing
Education – Franklin Public Schools C-1

Miriam Goodman, Maureen Sabolinski, Paula Mullen, Sue Rohrbach, Sally Winslow

presentation may be available later




review of expectations on revenue for the School Budget
coming in at 52,170,000 which was the Town Administrator recommended number

$1,650,000 increase over prior year
health care costs and contractual obligations for employees are two key drivers

$850K loss of revenue due to expiration of Federal Funds
$916K due to contract increase

Franklin versus state average $10,693 vs $13,371 lower in every category

Q&A

The Schools are drawing down some of their revolving funds to meet this budget total

No increase in fees for buses or athletics

$3.3 million in revolving accounts as a balance (from fees and transportation items)

Money from this year transportation fees, circuit breaker, etc is used for next years budget

Circuit breaker increase helps to offset the special education out of district placements

differences among the individual school budgets due to population and teacher placement
principals get an allocation per pupil for their discretionary use

Teachers at the middle and high school cost more than a new elementary teacher

Reallocation of instructional materials some of which are covered by capital budget items, to use the budget funds for classroom teachers

Parents are partners in this, either individually or through the PCC's, the support is essential to the success of our program

Keller parents were doing mulching and flowers today, the community value of that is priceless

Administration 51% below state average, we can be having too many administrators if that is the case

Secretarial agreement came in with an increase of days worked during the school year to bring them over three years to the full school year. This year coming is when the agreement and days increase finishes

Fees generally come in about as forecast, we shouldn't see too much of a change there

Only curriculum changes are due to the state changes, aligning the grade level frameworks to meet standards. No program level reductions or eliminations this year.

We do need a principal at each school, especially with all the paperwork and other things they do

ECDC runs a tuition based program, this is used to offset the educational assistance
The change noted is more due to accounting for the funds than a significant change

Pay-to-ride using some of the reserves not that they are getting additional riders

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - Budget Hearing

Town of Franklin

Finance Committee Agenda

Wednesday April 25, 2012

7:00 PM

Municipal Building Council Chambers

(post agenda to web site) (meetings are recorded)

Balances - 2/29/12

Gen Stab 5,118,572
PW Stab 275,332
Traffic Stab 4,559
OPEB Stab 69,367
Overlay Surplus -0-
Free Cash 1,118,676

Call to Order

Citizens Comments

Approval of Minutes

Budget Hearing
Education – Franklin Public Schools C-1

Action Items:
Appropriations: $151,114 – Wages (Contract Settlement) Source: FY 12 Additional State Aid

Old Business

New Business

Adjournment


Important note:
In the overview provided by Town Administrator Jeff Nutting at the beginning of the budget hearings on Apr 3, he does acknowledge the intent to use $350,000 from free cash to support the School Dept budget for FY 2013. This replaces the $350,000 the Town Council took from the School budget in Oct 2011. The use of such 'one time' funds is against the fiscal policy of both the Finance Committee and Town Council. The discussion on this use is sure to be an interesting one.


You can view the video on demand of the Apr 3 budget hearing here: (Jeff's comment occur during the first 11 minutes)

http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?ecm=634709304100034131&indexSessionSKU=OQs85NOhWcBJ13Ix9wlbOw%3D%3D&siteSKU=L7qhQ46xin/r3Z0jcDVCNw%3D%3D

Looking for a summer camp in Franklin?

Are you looking for a fun program to send your kids to this summer?

Sunrise Montessori School still has room in their summer camps. Summer camp programs at Sunrise are open to all children, ages 3 to 6. Children do not need to be enrolled in our regular, school-year programs to participate. Our camp day begins at 9:00AM and finishes at 1:00PM. Children should bring a peanut free lunch. Snacks are provided by the camp.

Our programs are developmentally and socially age appropriate for younger children, and the wide variety of exciting themes appeals to their imagination and sense for adventure. We offer flexibility - Children may sign up for one week or several. The cost per week is $160.00 (there is no camp held during July 2 - 6)

Summer 2012 themes are as follows:
Earth Science - June 18 - June 22
Outer Space - June 25 - June 29
Circus - July 9 – July 13
Ancient Egypt – July 16 - July 20
Bubble Mania – July 23 - July 27

Contact Karen Roeber at 508-541-8010 for more information or see www.mysunrisemontessori.com

Parmenter 5K - Jun 10

This year's 4th Annual Parmenter Fun Run for All Ages will be held on Sunday, June 10th at 10am.

You can register online here

http://www.active.com/running/franklin-ma/4th-annual-parmenter-run-for-all-ages-2012

For specific questions, one can email parmenter5k@gmail.com

Franklin Cub Scouts step it up with shoe drive

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Franklin Cub Scouts step it up with shoe drive

via Wicked Local Franklin News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 4/24/12

Over the course of the last two Saturdays, there have been some young, goodhearted boys in blue uniforms asking local residents to step up and donate shoes to help those in need. They are Franklin's local Cub Scouts who, as active members of the local community, are collecting shoes to benefit two shoe charities: Souls4Souls® and Rerun Shoes.

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Franklin Recreation: Summer Camp registration

Franklin Recreation registration for Summer Camp has a coupon offer valid through Friday, Apr 27:

The Summer Camp brochure is here:




The registration special available through Apr 27:



You can also view the brochure on the Franklin website
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Recreation/2012%20camp%20brochure.pdf

and register on the Franklin website
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Recreation/online

Growing in Franklin

The Community Garden is showing signs of growth already. While not all the beds are fully planted, some of the gardeners have taken the opportunity to put some peas in or layout their beds. A walk through the garden beds on Saturday gave me the opportunity to take some pictures of the progress.



More about the Community Gardens can be found on their website
http://www.franklincommunitygardens.org/

Sunrise Montessori School Spring Fair - May 5

Sunrise Montessori School Spring Fair

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Noon to 2PM

Rain or Shine

31 Hayward Street, Franklin

Please join us as we host our 5th Annual Spring Fair at Sunrise Montessori School, 31 Hawyard Street, Franklin. This event is open to the general public.

Kids of all ages enjoy riding in the train and jumping in the bounce house.How about getting your face painted or designing a bracelet? Plenty of fun, games and crafts for the kids. Adults will definitely
want to take a chance on our raffle baskets or perhaps, bid in our silent auction.

All proceeds to benefit the Sunrise Montessori School, Inc., a non-profit 501c3 organization, which offers preschool and kindergarten programs to children in Franklin and the surrounding communities.

Living with Alzheimers

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(title unknown)

via Franklin Public Library by Franklin Public Library on 4/23/12

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The power of music

Spend a few minutes to see the power of music! (Video less than 7 minutes)

Actually the promo for a documentary film:

Music imprints itself on the brain deeper than any other human experience. It speaks to us in a different language and arouses every emotion. It connects us all, it is a force that ignites our souls. 

Alive Inside is a documentary film that follows Dan Cohen’s Music & Memory project, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing personalized music into the lives of the elderly and infirm, thereby vastly improving their day-to-day existence.

FinCom: FY 2013 Budget hearings

The budget hearing for FY 2013 have mostly been held now. They were scheduled for four sessions as follows

Apr 3
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_FinanceAgendas/Agenda%202012-4-3.pdf


Budget Hearing
Veterans 543   E-19
Human Resources 152 A-26
Facilities 192   A-47
Library 610   F-1
Town Council 111  A-1  
Town Administrator 121 A-2
Finance Committee 131 A-4
Comptroller 135  A-5
Treasurer/Collector 147 A-16
Legal 151   A-23
Central Services 196  A-53
Animal Control 292  B-53
Benefits 910   G-16
Liability Insurance 945 G-26

The video replay for this meeting is available on the Franklin website
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?ecm=634707088382946090&indexSessionSKU=OQs85NOhWcBJ13Ix9wlbOw%3D%3D&siteSKU=L7qhQ46xin/r3Z0jcDVCNw%3D%3D



Apr 10
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_FinanceAgendas/Agenda%202012-4-10.pdf


Budget Hearing
Council on Aging (COA) 541   E-9
Inspections 240   B-53
Appeals 176   A-42
Police 210   B-1
Recreation 630  F-10  
Fire 220   B-12
Norfolk Aggie School 395 C-3


There is no video replay available as this session was held in the 3rd floor training room and not broadcast via local cable.

Apr 11
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_FinanceAgendas/Agenda%202012-4-11.pdf


Budget Hearing
Health 510   E-1
Assessors 141    A-11
Planning 177   A-43
Town Clerk 161  A-36
Elections 164   A-39  
Information Systems 155 A-33
DPW 422   D-1
Enterprise   H-1

The video from this meeting is available on the Franklin website
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?ecm=634707075522074166&indexSessionSKU=sKQphCKirlrcGpOc9OakkQ%3D%3D&siteSKU=L7qhQ46xin/r3Z0jcDVCNw%3D%3D



Apr 25
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_FinanceAgendas/Agenda%202012-4-25


Budget Hearing
Education – Franklin Public Schools    C-1

"lower the amount of phosphorus discharged"

You may recall the EPA has proposed new standards for treating water before it gets into the Charles River. During 2011, there were public meetings and comment sections where local communities could provide input to the EPA. The new regulations were supposed to be issued during Q1 (which has come and gone) with no indication from the EPA on the new timeline.

The Milford Daily News checked on the impact of the regulations with other communities along the Charles River.

Some have taken a wait-and-see attitude, while others, such as Franklin, have been proactive by building rain gardens, reducing the size of streets and only having a sidewalk on one side of a road, she said. Improving existing infrastructure to meet the requirement is costly, and the challenge is to figure out how to do that affordably, Bowditch said. 

“Public infrastructure was built back at a time when we didn’t think much of rainwater as a resource. We just thought of it as a nuisance,” she said. “We didn’t realize as a society how many problems we were creating just simply dumping everything in the river.” 

Complying with both proposals could cost up to $111 million in Milford, $75 million in Franklin and $35 million in Bellingham, an EPA-funded study found.

One of Franklin's objections to the regulations was that the study done (referenced here) used numnbers that understated the cost of compliance. Franklin's calculations showed more in the $100 million range. Another study was just completed that confirmed Franklin's numbers.

You can get an update on this from the DPW section of the FY 2013 budget hearings held by the FinCom. This segment is available on the Franklin website in the video on demand section.

DPW section of the budget occurs towards the end of the recording.
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?ecm=634707562664708360&indexSessionSKU=sKQphCKirlrcGpOc9OakkQ%3D%3D&siteSKU=L7qhQ46xin/r3Z0jcDVCNw%3D%3D

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x643676252/EPA-proposal-felt-outside-Milford-Franklin-and-Bellingham#ixzz1sr1hN9Lu

Related Posts

On the Charles River plant enhancements to treat phosphorus
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/08/there-isnt-going-to-be-option-not-to-do.html

On the EPA regulations
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/its-huge-issue-for-municipalities.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2010/06/costs-of-charles-river-cleanup.html

"families out gardening together"

Amy Acevedo of Franklin was happy to have her hands in the dirt at the Franklin Community Garden in Memorial Park yesterday, leading a volunteer group of gardening enthusiasts in a day of weeding, mulching and planting. 

“This is primarily a vegetable garden, but the vegetables need pollinators, so we are going to be planting some sunflowers to encourage some honey bees — plus it looks nice,” Acevedo said. 

It was Acevedo’s dream to start the organic garden, so maintaining it on Earth Day weekend made sense.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x643676114/Earth-Day-inspires-a-weekend-of-lending-nature-a-hand#ixzz1slecoNDC




Chris Clay shares a good reason for gardening via video by the MDN reporter.

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - 4/24/12

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.

"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."

1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the April 10, 2012 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mrs. McIntyre
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: none

2. Guests/Presentations
a. Art / FAA Update – Jane Hogan (presentation doc can be viewed here)
b. FY2013 Budget Open Hearing (budget summary document can be found here)

3. Discussion Only Items
Collaborative Agreement

4. Action Items
a. I recommend acceptance of a check for $728.48 from the Hockomock Y (Stop & Shop mini grant) for supplies for Parmenter Elementary School.
b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1778.00 from the Parmenter PCC for Field Trips.
c. I recommend approval of the Budget Transfers as detailed.
d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $780.00 from Horace Mann PCC for field trips.
e. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1165.00 from the Franklin Music Boosters for In-House Enrichment.
f. I recommend approval of the field trip request of Nancy Schoen for middle school music students to Canobie Lake Park on June 8th as detailed.
g. I recommend approval of amendment number 1 to the Agreement with Bi-County Collaborative titled Inactive Membership as detailed.
h. I recommend approval of amendment number 2 that outlines the annual meeting schedule for the Board of Directors of the Bi-County Collaborative as outlined in the memo.

5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
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. Adjourn


The School Budget up for discussion can be found here:
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/04/franklin-ma-fy-2013-budget-documents.html

Franklin Public Schools: Art program

An overview of the Franklin, MA Public Schools Art program as scheduled for the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Apr 24, 2012.

FPS Art SchComm April2012

Curious: There is no mention of Gallery 218. Is it still alive or did it get closed?

You can also view the file via Google docs here
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczR3ZUVHQwcmtvRmc

Related posts on Gallery 218:

The Alumni show
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2009/02/gallery-218-alumni-show.html

Summer Art program
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2010/10/gallery-218-works-of-summer.html

Non-art teachers show their works
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2009/09/gallery-218-new-art-show-reveals.html