School Committee reviews FY 2016 budget

The Franklin (MA) School Committee reviewed the budget for next year at its meeting on Tuesday, Apr 28. The Fiscal Year 2016  (FY 2016) budget covers expenses from July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016.

Increasing class size at the middle and high school is driving the request for additional teachers at those levels. Declining enrollment in the elementary levels is allowing for a reduction in teachers there so there is a net increase of four positions being asked when all is said and done.

While it was not mentioned during the meeting, given the churn in the school personnel on a year to year basis, I expect that the number of positions being reduced can be handled in a 'normal' manner; that is through retirements, attrition, or transfers rather than layoffs.

Franklin Public Schools - FY2016 - Proposed Budget from Franklin Matters

The budget hearing was conducted and no line items were put 'on hold' for further question and discussion. This speaks to the level of detail in the presentation of information by the School Administration to the School Committee as well as the level of understanding of the school operations by the Committee.

The budget is scheduled for a vote at the May 12th School Committee meeting. Franklin's budget hearings begin with the Finance Committee on Thursday, Apr 30th at 7:00 PM. Additional budget hearing meetings are scheduled for May 4, May 7 and May 11. The Town Council will also hold their budget hearings on two nights in June before voting on the budget. By law, the budget for FY 2016 needs to be in place before June 30th 2015.

the total amount spent on Franklin education is $113 million

The budget is  2.43% increase over the last budget. The budget does use funds from some of the revolving accounts the School Dept has. There are no fee increases called for by the budget.

The budget presentation is supposed to be posted to the Schools website on Wednesday. As soon as it is available it will be shared. In the mean time, you can follow my notes taken during the meeting here

To review the 'Budget Book' (Note - to open this requires a current version of Adobe Reader)
http://franklindistrict.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinDistrict_budget/FY16%20Budget%20Book.pdf

Live reporting: resuming with Discussion only item...
Live reporting: School Committee - Apr 28, 2015

Reminder: 3rd Annual Best Buddies Dodgeball Tournament - May 3

The Third Annual Best Buddies Dodgeball Tournament will be taking place this Sunday, May 3rd from 2PM-5PM at the Horace Mann Middle School in Franklin, MA. All proceeds will benefit Best Buddies International, a non-profit organization that provides friendship and integrated employment opportunities to children and adults with developmental disabilities.

"Best Buddies is all about friendships and bringing people together," said Sue Streeter, a long-time advocate for Best Buddies in the Franklin school system. "Through Best Buddies kids and adults, on both sides of the friendship equation learn how much they have in common and their friendships grow beyond Best Buddies. My daughter Katie, who has Down syndrome, gets together with friends she met through Best Buddies every week to hang out, go for breakfast dates, trips to the movies or just about anything friends do."

Best Buddies

The previous two Best Buddies Dodgeball Tournaments drew hundreds of people from Franklin and surrounding towns, raising over $27,000 to benefit Best Buddies International, including Franklin's now five local chapters.

"We are grateful to our sponsors and all our participants over the last three years who have all helped us to raise money for this wonderful cause," said Mike Berthiaume, the chair of the tournament's host committee. "More importantly, through their support for Best Buddies we have raised awareness regarding those in our community who live with developmental disabilities."

This year's tournament is sponsored by more than 10 local businesses and will include both a raffle and silent auction. Silent auction items include a Tom Brady autographed football, Dustin Pedroia autographed Red Sox game jersey, Red Sox tickets, Patriots tickets, spa baskets and more!

Teams will compete within 6 different divisions – the elementary school division, the middle school division, the high school division, the 18+ division, the old man river division, and the Best Buddies division. Both Senator Spilka and Representative Roy have fielded teams for Sunday's event.

"It's a great event, a great organization and I am happy to be a part of it," said Representative Roy (D-Franklin). "The Best Buddies organization has made a difference in the lives of many people and provided many opportunities to the residents of Franklin. It is always great to see people get involved in their community especially when it's for such a good case and I would like to thank the organizers of this event for their hard work and dedication."

"The Best Buddies program is a terrific way to bring kids of all abilities together," said Senator Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). "It's my honor to support this valuable inclusion programming in the MetroWest community, and I look forward to a day of friendly competition for a good cause."

It's not too late to participate in the fun! Teams of 6 players are $120 and Best Buddies teams are $60! To sign-up email Mike Berthiaume at mberthia09@gmail.com

What: Third Annual Best Buddies Dodgeball Tournament with Raffle, Silent Auction, Bake Sale, and more! 

When: Sunday, May 3^rd, 2PM-5PM 

Where: Horace Mann Middle School, 224 Oak Street, Franklin 

Franklin Library: Genealogy Club - 4/30/15 - 6:30 PM

The next Genealogy Club meeting is Thursday evening April 30 at 6:30 PM at the Franklin Library.

genealogy club - Apr 30

This was shared from the Franklin Library web page here

http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/04/genealogy-club.html

280 unit apartment building at 1330-1342 West Central Street

At 7PM Thursday evening (April 30th) the Franklin Zoning Board of Appeals will be deciding on whether or not to issue a building permit for a monstrosity of an apartment complex in Franklin. The proposed complex will be located close to the intersection of rt140 and South Maple Street in Bellingham (see photo), an area that has significant traffic issues as is.

The meeting is at the Franklin Municipal Building. Both Franklin and Bellingham residents are welcome, and a strong presence is crucial to having our voices heard.

Since the land is privately owned, development is inevitable. However, the complex needs to be scaled down to a more reasonable size so as to minimize the impact to that all ready traffic-congested area.

Please try to attend the meeting, and please share the info.
(the photo depicts the total area of the proposed proposed project - the photo was edited to add an orange arrow/text to point out Garelick Farms.)

http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150323/NEWS/150328942

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA)
Agenda item

1312 and 1330-1342 W. Central St – Acme Jazz, LLC Applicant is seeking a building permit to construct a 280 unit multi – family development. The building permit is denied without a comprehensive permit from the ZBA.

The full agenda for the ZBA meeting can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_ZBAAgendas/Agendas%202015/04-30-15%20ZBA%20Agenda.pdf

3 ways to celebrate Mother's Day at 3

3 461 W Central Street (Rt.140), Franklin, MA 02038 • 508.528.6333 • www.3-restaurant.com Please visit our other Let's Eat, Inc. restaurant in Norwood: SKY

Forward email Let's Eat, Inc. | 461 Central Street | Franklin | MA | 02038

In the News: pipeline feedback, school budget

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) this week began accepting input from the public as it compiles an environmental review of Spectra Energy’s natural gas pipeline in Massachusetts. 

The Texas-based company has sought approval from the FERC to start work on a project to extend existing pipeline in New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts. 

The Massachusetts phase of the project includes installing more than 10 miles of new natural gas pipeline through Norfolk, Walpole, Millis, Franklin and Medway. Spectra is also planning to build a compressor station, used in the transferring of the gas, in Weymouth. 

It is all part of the company’s ambitious Atlantic Bridge Project, which when completed would connect natural gas infrastructure in Massachusetts to the 1,127-mile-long Algonquin Gas Transmission pipeline that stretches from New Jersey into Maine and Canada.

Continue reading the article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150429/NEWS/150426396/1994/NEWS

In putting together next fiscal year's $56.95 million budget, school officials said Tuesday they needed to balance larger class sizes at the high school and middle schools with declining enrollment at the elementary schools. 

The School Committee will vote on the budget, up 2.43 percent over last year, during its May 12 meeting after reviewing the numbers for the first time Tuesday with the district schools chief. 

The budget includes the hiring of five classroom teachers - four at two middle schools and one at the high school - in an effort to curb class sizes. 

“This is part of our continuing progress toward reinstating budget cuts that went into effect in 2007, 2008 and 2009,” Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski told the committee. “We know what the data is on larger class sizes.”

Continue reading the article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150429/NEWS/150426366/1994/NEWS

Live reporting: resuming with Discussion only items to closing

3. Discussion Only Items
Accept Collaborative Agreement

Needham and Wellseley have petitioned to join the agreement
one of the action items is to add representatives to the Board for the Accept Collaborative
joined in 1999 and have been proud to be part of this expansion
annual fee is only $4,000
does require real collaboration


Bi-County Collaborative Activities & Information
the quarterly report for your review



4. Action Items:
a. I recommend approval of the revised Accept Collaborative Agreement as discussed.
motion to approve, seconded, passed 6-0

b. I recommend acceptance of a check for $4,700 from Davis Thayer PCC for Field Trips.
motion to approve, seconded, passed 6-0

c. Recommend recurring field trip for music students to Canobie Lake Park
motion to approve, seconded, passed 6-0


5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
3 coaches were named Coach of the Year
Splillane, Geysen, (to be added)

school safety as the newest training area, environmental security and safety
with security firms to develop some courses for teachers to take part in

Horace Mann Day - at the Museum, May 3rd at 1:30PM

Best Buddies Dodgeball also on Sunday
Keller team will participate
nice fund raiser and a gentle game

K registration, initial 275, now up to 282

Sclipke (fix spelling) one of 55 educators to attend a 'boot camp' for STEM middle school program


School Committee Sub-Committee Reports - none


School Committee Liaison Reports - none

6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.
thanks for the support for the Trivia Bee
Harlem Wizards coming Nov 13th
looking for volunteers for the night

8. Adjourn
motion to adjourn, second, passed 6-0

Live reporting: School Committee - Apr 28, 2015

Present: Douglas, O'Malley, Clement, Mullen, Trahan, Jewell
Absent: Rohrbach


1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments - none

Review of Agenda
an addition of an action item


Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the April 7, 2015 School 
Committee Meeting.
motion to approve, seconded, passed 6-0


Payment of Bills Mr. Clement
motion to approve, seconded, passed 6-0

Payroll Mrs. Douglas


FHS Student Representatives no representatives for this evening

Correspondence:
none
2. Guests/Presentations
a. FY 16 Budget Hearing

Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski, Business Administrator Miriam Goodman
thanks to all the school administrators for their input and to Miriam and her staff for putting this together

Foundation budget
number changes based upon enrollment and other factors
DESE determines the required municipal contribution
then add the Chapter 70 funds
required Net School Spending 
total FY 14 = $113M
slide to be added later with breakout on the totals

photo capture of slide during School Committee meeting presentation on school budget

28.5% of the town population is under 18
well above the state average of 21.7% and Norfolk Cnty avg of 23.3%

Chapter 70  $27M plus = 48.4% of the budget
down about 6 percentage points from prior years

slide showing Chapter 70 funds as a percent of school budget
and in relation to net school spending

Federal revenue of about $1.4M for Title I, Title II, IDEA/IDEA preschool and SPED program Improvements

Word from the State House is the kindergarten funds have been kept in the budget despite what the Governor has asked for. It has fluctuated from week to week.

Other sources of revenue from the revolving accounts
Circuit breaker, Lifelong Learning, Food Service, Transportation, etc.

no fee increases across the board: transportation or athletics

2.43% over the current year budget
contractual obligations of $1.0M and $213,000 for health care

5 new teachers being proposed for adding at the following schools

• 1 - FHS
• 2 - ASMS
• 2 - RMS

new teachers being brought in to reduce class size

reduction of 5 teachers across elementary due to declining enrollment
adding 3 math FTE specialists to help with the math program

overall the personnel changes would be a 4.0 FTE

looking at kindergarten enrollment, had 275 at end of registration, had 5 enroll today

$14,547 vs. $11,890 is the per pupil spending on state average DESE calculations

this is again below the state average in 10 of the 11 areas, only professional development (due to the new programs which is driving it) exceeds the state average

seeing increases in ELL requirements which is also driving the hiring process

O'Malley - how can we be so far below the state average? substantially, not just by a little. This is the town that started it all (Horace Mann). I want to be vigilant and increase it however we can.

Trahan - thanks for an excellent presentation. One of the reasons we can be under the state average is because we have phenomenal people teaching and supporting the schools.

reading the budget lines for holds on specific items (per budget hearing process)
no holds on budget

motion to close the budget hearing

MassBudget: New Report: The Right Size for Learning

The Right Size for Learning: Class Sizes in Massachusetts      Children have a better chance to succeed in school when they receive individualized support and attention. Smaller class sizes are one way to help our teachers meet the needs of each child. In The Right Size for Learning, MassBudget examines the evidence on how class size reductions can improve outcomes and expand opportunity for all of our children, particularly those who face the greatest obstacles. The evidence shows that reducing class sizes, particularly in early grades, can improve student engagement, academic achievement and college readiness--but only if it is done right. Examining successful programs in Tennessee and Wisconsin we see clear lessons. Class size reduction efforts work well when they are: Targeted for students in the early grades. Combined with other effective school practices, such as strong teacher professional development. While well-designed programs have shown positive results, a major initiative in California was far less effective. That case provides important lessons. Funding was structured in a way that provided more help to affluent districts and actually made it harder for lower income districts to attract high quality teachers. To read the full paper, please click HERE. This report is part of a shared project--the Roadmap for Expanding Opportunity: Evidence on What Works in Education--led by MassBudget and the Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy. The project is composed of a series of reports that identify evidence-based strategies for supporting all children in achieving college, career, and life success. Click HERE to visit the project website and read the reports. The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

Goodbye Cook's Farm

The process to get the zoning approvals seems like quite awhile ago. Tensions were raised in a June 2013 meeting. Math came to play as recently as a Nov 2014 meeting when the Council would have needed 6 votes and only had a maximum of 5 available. 

All that is in the archives now and today when we go by what was the Cooks Farmstand on Route 140, it is no longer there.

what was Cooks Farm (Franklin Country Club to left in photo)

what was Cooks Farm (Franklin Country Club to left in photo)

what was Cooks Farm (Franklin Country Club to left in photo)

Additional links from the archive on Cooks Farm:

The Planning Board meeting in June 2013 that had a procedural problem with one of their votes
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/10/contrary-to-theory-of-smart-growth.html

The Council finally approved the bylaw changes to allow for Cooks Farm to proceed in Oct 2013
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/10/ichigo-ichie-cooks-farm-and-bunch-of.html

FSPA Debuts New Summer Theater Program

Franklin School for the Performing Arts debuts an all-new FSPA Summer Theater program with opportunity for hands-on immersion in a cabaret show, concert musical, behind-the-scenes theater design, straight play or musical theater production. With a focus on performing opportunities, enrollment is open for one to five weeks, with each week running Monday through Friday from 9:30-3:00 daily.

FSPA

Registration is underway for all programs and placement auditions will be held on Saturday, May 2 at 38 Main Street in downtown Franklin. Auditions are for placement purposes only, as all students are guaranteed a part in whichever week(s) they are registered. A makeup audition will be held on Monday, May 4 at 6:30 p.m. or by appointment throughout the month.

The Summer Theater’s Cabaret week, from July 20-24, focuses on performance skills and presentation, including repertoire choices, song interpretation and audition technique. The experience concludes with a cabaret style revue at THE BLACK BOX that showcases the solo and small ensemble pieces that have been workshopped during the week. For grades 5-12, Cabaret participants also will have the opportunity to perform during the Franklin Cultural Festival.

Students in grades 3-12 enrolled in the Concert Musical week, from July 27-31, will rehearse and present the iconic Schoolhouse Rock! With timeless hits such as “Conjunction Junction,” “I’m Just a Bill” and “Three Is a Magic Number,” the Emmy Award-winning Saturday morning cartoon series taught an entire generation lessons about grammar, science, math, money and American history in a most animated and catchy way. An August 1 matinee performance of Schoolhouse Rock! will be presented at THE BLACK BOX as part of the Franklin Cultural Festival.

A two-week musical theater program, running August 3-7 and August 10-14 for grades 3-12, will present the Disney mega-hit, High School Musical. FSPA will stage the record-breaking, chart-topping pop culture phenomenon at THE BLACK BOX at the conclusion of the second week.

FSPA Summer Theater Week 5, running from August 17-21, will focus on the rehearsal and preparation of a play. The play, which will be chosen based on enrollment, will feature students in grades 5-12 and will be performed at THE BLACK BOX on August 20 and 21.

A behind-the-scenes exploration of theater design and production will include staging, lighting, costuming, sets, stage managing and sound. Offered to students in grades 7-12, Behind the Scenes runs August 10-14 and 17-21, with enrollment options for one or both weeks. Participants in the first week will be part of the tech crew for High School Musical, while those registered for the second week will tech the play.

Placement auditions on May 2 will begin at 2 p.m. for students entering grades 3-5 in September and continue at 2:30 for students entering grades 6-8, and at 3:00 for those entering grades 9-12. Please prepare 16 bars of a musical theater song. Students auditioning for the straight play may choose to prepare a monologue, but that is optional. Cold readings may also be part of the audition.

FSPA Summer Theater is only part of a full roster of programming at the school, which also features two 3- and 4-week ballet intensives, three-day workshops, weeklong camps, and an eight-week session of dance, voice, and instrumental private lessons and classes. The summer session runs from June 29 to August 21. For summer registration or information about programs or the May auditions, call FSPA at (508) 528-8668. For summer session brochure with full program descriptions and dates, call or visit online at www.FSPAonline.com.

Spring sports found Franklin vs. KP mostly

A full day of spring sports action found Franklin vs. King Philip for all but the girls lacrosse match. The results from Hockomock Sports are as follows:

Baseball

Franklin, 8 @ King Philip, 2 - Final 

- Zane Byrne tossed a complete game to pick up the win, striking out three and walking just one. Four different players had multi-hit games for the Panthers as Nick Burgos went 2-4 with a double, a pair of runs scored a pair of stolen bases, Byrne went 2-4 at the plate with an RBI, a double and a run scored, Tyler Gomes was 2-4 with an RBI and a triple, and Ben Chaffee was 2-4 with a pair of RBIs.

FHS Panthers

Softball

Franklin, 0 @ King Philip, 1 - Final 

- Kali Magane struck out eight and allowed just one hit to lead King Philip. Magane also tripled in the first inning with two outs and scored on a base hit by Breanna Sebio.

Boys Tennis

Franklin, 3 @ King Philip, 2 - Final

Girls Tennis

Franklin, 5 @ King Philip, 0 - Final

Girls Lacrosse

Foxboro, 10 @ Franklin, 18 - Final 

- Franklin qualified for the postseason with the win. Emily Jeffries scored six goals, had one assist and 10 draw controls to pace the Panthers while Kendall Reardon had four goals and one assist. Siobhain Nolan had four goals for Foxboro, Jackie Brion scored three goals and Mary Beth Sweeney, Kiersten Warner and Morgan Ames each scored once.

For the complete set of results from Monday's Hockomock League action
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-042715

In the News: school budget, i495 crash

School officials Tuesday will present the School Committee with a $56.9 million budget proposal for next fiscal year, a 2.43 percent increase over this year. 

Larger class sizes at Franklin High School and the three middle schools, contract negotiations and health insurance increases played a key role in the crafting of the budget, which does not increase fees or cut programs in art, music or athletics. 

To control class sizes, the district has asked to hire four new middle school teachers and one high school teacher. At the elementary level, three math specialists are sought to help continue efforts in those schools to align the curriculum with the Common Core standards.

Continue reading the article here:
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150428/NEWS/150426814/1994/NEWS

The full agenda for the School Committee meeting can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/04/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda-apr_26.html

State police say a 31-year-old Whitinsville woman died Sunday afternoon in a one-car crash on Interstate 495. 

Ashley Hartung, the only passenger in a 2014 Ford Focus, was killed instantly when the vehicle turned right off the highway and struck a guardrail while traveling south near exit 17, police said. 

According to police, the force of the crash split the guardrail.

Continue reading the article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150427/NEWS/150426820/1994/NEWS

Mother’s Day Shopping Event Benefits Franklin Food Pantry

esbe Designs will hold a Mother’s Day Jewelry Sale on Thursday, May 7, at the Franklin Food Pantry to raise money for hunger relief efforts at the Pantry. The community is invited to do their Mother’s Day shopping from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m., and will have the opportunity to tour the Pantry and learn about volunteer opportunities. 

Representatives from esbe Designs will have a variety of merchandise available for purchase. A portion of the proceeds from every sale will go directly to the Food Pantry. Items include designer jewelry, handcrafted in Bali, using quality metals and real gemstones. Traditional and on-trend designs will be featured. Complimentary gift wrapping and gift certificate purchases will be offered on site.  

screen grab of esbe Designs webpage

“With nearly 600 households counting on us for supplemental food assistance each year, this benefit will help other moms in Franklin provide enough food for their families,” says Erin Lynch, executive director of the Franklin Food Pantry. “Many parents in our community struggle with providing three meals a day for their children. Mother’s Day was the inspiration for esbe Designs to help others do something nice for their moms while also doing something meaningful for the families we serve. It is a way for people to pay it forward with their Mother’s Day shopping.” 

For more information on the jewelry sale, please contact Sue Kilcoyne at skilcoyned1@hotmail.com. 

The Franklin Food Pantry is located at 43 West Central Street, Franklin, near the Rockland Trust parking lot on Route 140 across from the Franklin fire station.

Franklin Library: Creating a Gmail account and creative writing workshop

On Tuesday afternoon, there is a session on How to Create and Manage a Gmail Account. Gmail is the name for Google's email service. Gmail is a free email service. The session will walk through setting up and how to manage the account.

The session starts at 1:00 PM. Space is limited, please call the Library (508-520-4940) to register.

Create and Manage a Gmail Account

This was shared from the Library page
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/04/create-manage-gmail-account.html

Creative Writing Workshop

For youth in grades 6-12 there is a creative writing workshop from 6:30 to 8:00 PM.

creative writing workshop

This was shared from the Library page
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/04/creative-writing-workshop.html