"a form of vital relief"

Unfunded mandates that drive implementation costs for school districts are finally getting some attention.

Addressing many of the mandates, Ludlow Public Schools Superintendent Todd Gaza said at the hearing, "The new teacher evaluation regulations, bullying legislation, implementation of the Common Core … all require professional development for our teachers in order to meet their requirements. This leaves little time for other professional activities." 

Daniel Gutekanst testified that the grind to put in place all of the mandates actually steals time away from improving classroom learning. 

"The pace of change and reform is grueling and unrelenting," Gutekanst said. "Teachers, school staff and principals are increasingly required to address and attend to mandates and initiatives that leave them little time to personalize learning experiences for children in their charge."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x946750480/Roy-co-sponsors-bill-on-unfunded-mandates-for-school-districts#ixzz2YjMbbND6


Related posts:

Jun 16 - summary of impacts that unfunded mandates will have for the coming school year
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/06/in-news-unfunded-mandates-structurally.html

The first article in MDN (Jun 29) about the hearing on this bill
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/06/reduce-mountainous-regulatory.html

Rep Jeff Roy's newsletter describing his co-sponsorship of the legislation (Jul 7)
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/07/rep-roy-july-newsletter-whats-happening.html

Shuttle buses replacing Franklin Line from 06:00 AM to 08:00 PM on Sat Jul 13, 2013 due to track work

When I saw the notice about Beaver St being closed for track work on Saturday, I expected to hear about what that work would do to the train schedule. The notification has arrived. There will be shuttle bus service between Forge Park and downtown Franklin to avoid the track work on Saturday. If you are going to Boston, simply start from downtown Franklin, don't use Forge Park. You'll avoid the shuttle!

In case you missed the earlier notification on Beaver St
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/07/beaver-street-railroad-crossing-closed.html

Shuttle buses replacing Franklin Line from 06:00 AM to 08:00 PM on Sat Jul 13, 2013 due to track work Affected stops: Franklin Forge Park / 495 Last updated: Jul 10 2013 7:16 AM Sent by the MBTA.  - Help (or write support@govdelivery.com )

Senator Karen Spilka's Office Announces Holliston Office Hours

On Friday, July 12th, join Senator Karen Spilka and Puja Mehta, Senator Spilka's District and Constituent Services Director, for district office hours in Holliston. Senator Spilka will be available to update constituents on the latest news and events and discuss any concerns or questions you may have.

HOLLISTON OFFICE HOURS
Pejamajo Café
770 Washington Street, Holliston, MA
8:30 – 9:30 a.m.

Any resident unable to attend or those interested in scheduling an appointment should feel free to contact Senator Spilka's office at (617) 722-1640 at any time.


For more on Senator Karen Spilka visit her entry on the MA Senate page
https://malegislature.gov/People/Profile/KES0

Concerts on the Common - full schedule 2013

Following is the lineup for the rest of the summer:

July 17 - Franklin School for the Performing Arts' Electric Youth
July 24 - Sharon Band; children's program is Elaine Kessler, story teller
July 31 - Frank Padula; children's program is led by DJ Mike Ruttkowski
Aug. 7 - Ayla Brown, Ambient Entertainment
Aug. 14 - Fab 4 Ever (Beatles music)

In the event of rain, concerts will be held at the Benjamin Fraklin Classical Charter Public School across the street from the common.

Set aside Wednesday nights for "family night" on the common. Bring a blanket and chairs, and a picnic dinner.


Read more: http://www.wickedlocal.com/franklin/news/x1651961763/Franklin-Concerts-on-the-Common-slated#ixzz2YjU2aad0

Chantal has fallen apart

An update on the Tropical Storm that earlier this week appeared headed for the East Coast. Chantal has fallen apart and is no longer a threat.

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT3+shtml/102035.shtml

remnants of Chantal

Concerts on the Common: Roy Scott Swing Band

WEDNESDAYS 6:30 PM TO 8:30PM

CHILDRENS PROGRAMS 6:00PM TO 6:30 PM

Concerts on the Common

July 10th = Roy Scott Swing Band

Children's Program = Ethan Rossiter and the Jamberries

Attention Franklin: Board and Committee openings

The following Boards/Committees are looking for members:

Conservation Commission - Kathy Celorier-508-520-4929

Finance Committee - Jeff Nutting-508-520-4949-Send letter of interest and resume to Jeff Nutting, 355 E.Central Street

Franklin Cultural Council - Claire Griffin-508-520-8857

Library Board of Directors - Felicia Oti -508-520-4940

Franklin Housing Trust Fund - Maxine Kinhart 508-553-4886

Public Land Use Committee - Beth Dahlstrom 508-553-4852

If you are interested in serving on the committee, please complete the attached form and if you would like more information on the committee, please contact the above.


The Committee application form can be found here:
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_News/01B2AF2D-000F8513.0/Town%20of%20Franklin%20-%20Request%20For%20Committee%20Appointment.pdf

Updated 7/11/13 - the PDF form was removed from the Committee notification on the Franklin website. You'll need to use the phone numbers to make contact for each of the open positions.