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