In the News: Ahern contract is near; school budget funding not sustainable

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The School Committee is in the midst of negotiations with its pick for superintendent, with officials hoping to see progress in the next couple of weeks. 

Committee Chairman Kevin O'Malley said the committee's preferred candidate, Holliston Assistant Superintendent Sara Ahern, had accepted the offer to succeed Maureen Sabolinski, who is retiring at the end of the school year. 

The committee, O'Malley said, must now negotiate a contract with Ahern and conduct a background check on her. 

"We expect no trouble with either," he said, adding that he expected a signed contract in the next week or so, or within the next few weeks at the latest. "We're fortunate to have someone as capable as Dr. Ahern."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170328/franklin-superintendent-contract-deal-expected-soon

"The town's schools presented a $60.2 million proposed fiscal year 2018 budget to the public Tuesday night, though officials said the revolving funds used to balance it are being depleted. 

The proposal represents an increase of $1.8 million - or 3 percent - over the 2017 budget. District officials cited healthcare costs and special education transportation as among the items that drove the budget higher. 

Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski said the budget would have the district maintain level services, and did not include a reduction in staff. She said some elementary school staff might be moved around, depending on enrollment figures. 

District Finance Director Miriam Goodman said salaries and healthcare costs account for about 86 percent of the proposed budget. The town is expected to receive about $28 million - around 47 percent of the proposed amount - through Chapter 70 state aid. In the proposal, schools would spend $6.3 million from district revolving funds."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170328/franklin-schools-propose-60-million-budget

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - March 28, 2017

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.

AGENDA

"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."

the key to learning

1. Routine Business
Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the February 28, 2017, March 15, 2017 and March 17, 2017 School Committee Meetings.
Payment of Bills Dr. O’Malley
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
1. Nicolas Gnaman
2. Alexander Chitarra
Correspondence: Budget to Actual – Miriam Goodman

2. Guests/Presentations
a. FY18 Budget Hearing

3. Discussion Only Items

• Grant Procedures Manual
• 2017-2018 School Committee Schedule – Draft
• School Choice

4. Action Items
a. I recommend approval of the Budget Transfers as detailed.
b. I recommend adoption of the 2017-2018 School Committee Schedule as discussed.
c. I recommend adoption of the Grant Procedures Manual as discussed.
d. I recommend that the district not participate in school choice for the 2017-2018 school year as discussed.
e. I recommend approval of the request of Diane Plouffe to take music students to Boston from 3/9-3/11/17 for the MA All State Music Festival as detailed. (pre-approved remotely 7-0)
f. I recommend acceptance of checks totaling $1,560.00 for the Robert Lima Scholarship.
g. I recommend acceptance of two checks totaling $1,265.80 from the Oak Street PCC for inhouse enrichment.
h. I recommend acceptance of the donation of $300.00 from Columbia Gas of MA as a Teacher Appreciation Award for Sarah Murphy (Gr. 4) to be used for supplemental classroom supplies at Parmenter Elementary School.
i. I recommend acceptance of a check for $5,000.00 from the Digital Federal Credit Union for the Robert Lima and Keiichi Kitanosono scholarships.
j. I recommend acceptance of checks totaling $2,245.00 from the JF Kennedy PCC for field trips as detailed.
k. I recommend approval for the recurring field trip for 8th graders to Providence Place Mall on April 13, 2017 as detailed.
l. I recommend acceptance of a check for $4,819.68 from the Jefferson PCC for Field Trips.
m.I recommend acceptance of a check for $220.00 from Franklin Music Parents for inhouse enrichment as detailed.
n. I recommend acceptance of two checks totaling $801.75 from the Parmenter PCC for Field Trips.
o. I recommend approval of the recurring field trip for Keller 5th Grade students to travel to Roger Williams Zoo in Providence, RI on May 5, 2017
as detailed.
p. I recommend approval of the request for FHS cheerleaders to travel to Rochester, NY for Platinum Nationals Competition from April 8-10, 2017 as detailed.

5. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports

a. Budget Sub Committee – Dr. O’Malley 

b. Community Relations – Ms. Schultz

School Committee Liaison Reports

a. PCC Liaison – Dr. Bergen 

b. SWAC Liaison – Mrs. Douglas

6. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

7. Executive Session
a. Contractual Negotiations

8. Motion to Adjourn
– Dr. O’Malley

Franklin Public Schools FY 2018 Proposed Budget from Franklin Matters

Franklin Almanac - Episode 4

The 4th episode of Franklin Almanac is available for viewing. It is broadcast on the local cable channels daily (M-F) at noon and 7:00 PM. You can also view the episode via the YouTube link provided here.

The four stories covered in this episode of Almanac 

• Relay for Life
• Empty Bowls Club
• Giovanna and Olivia Sabini-Leite Blood Drives
• 40% Club and women's empowerment

For additional info on these stories

• Relay for Life
• Empty Bowls Club
• Giovanna and Olivia Sabini-Leite Blood Drives
• 40% Club and women's empowerment

For a complete schedule of what is broadcast on Franklin TV, check the program guide  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf

“Art Makes The Heart Spring" - Apr 22-23

Franklin Art Association’s Annual Gala Art Show and Sale takes place 

• Saturday, April 22, noon - 8 PM 
• Sunday, April 23, noon - 4 PM

at Black Box Theater, 15 West Central Street, Franklin. 

 “Art Makes The Heart Spring" features a display and sale of judged inclusive fine art, scholarship raffle, small works, art bin pieces. Plus popular attractions such as "Peoples Choice Award" and "Clothesline” of unframed, 8x10, original art. 

There also will be area of art from FHS art students. 

Event is free, open to the public, parking. Come and enjoy live music with wine and cheese during Saturday’s 4-7 PM reception, refreshments throughout the show.

“Art Makes The Heart Spring" - Apr 22-23

Genealogical Club Meeting - March 30th - 6:30pm

The Genealogical Club will meet at the Franklin Historical Museum on Thursday, March 30 at 6:30 PM. The agenda includes Italian genealogy research with guest speaker Mary Tedesco.

Genealogical Club Meeting - March 30th - 6:30pm

Franklin Historical Museum

In the News: water ban bylaw reviewed; stuff animals donated to Fire Dept

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The Town Council is considering changes to its water ban bylaw, though the new proposal drew sharp criticism from some members. 

The council discussed the matter at its March 22 meeting, with Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting saying the new language would codify the town's current practices. The proposed changes explain more fully the uses of water that would be affected by a ban, create an official "state of water conservation" designation and discuss how the public will be informed of a ban. 

Nutting said that despite discussion at an earlier council meeting, bans would not include private well owners. The new language, he said, did require that private well owners who water their lawns have signs to indicate they have wells, in order to make enforcement easier."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170327/franklin-considers-water-ban-law

"On a recent rainy day, Chloe Zajac and Harriet Chalk arrived at the Franklin Fire Department's headquarters with a special delivery packed inside a plastic laundry basket. 

Armloads of plush animals of all shapes and sizes were piled into the basket, with arms, legs, tails and snouts poking out here and there - a mound of pink, purple, gray, brown, white and yellow cheerfulness. 

Chloe, 7, and Harriet, 8, said they had gotten all of the love and comfort out of the animals they needed, and wanted to share it with others. So they decided to donate them to the fire department, to be given out to children in situations that call for such objects of consolation."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170327/youngsters-donate-stuffed-animals-to-franklin-fire-dept

MBTA: Franklin Line notice on parking at Norwood Central; elevator at South Station

Franklin Line notice: Parking availability may be limited at the southern section of the Lenox Street parking lot at Norwood Central Station from Wednesday, March 29, through Tuesday, April 4.

Due to a bridge replacement project on Guild Street, parking availability may be limited at the southern section of the Lenox Street parking lot at Norwood Central Station from Wednesday, March 29, through Tuesday, April 4. Availability will meet demand as some spaces in the southern edge of the lot will be used to support the bridge replacement efforts.

Affected stops:
Norwood Central

Last updated: Mar 27 2017 06:34 PM

Norwood Central in 2010 (By John Phelan - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10599575)

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The South Station Concourse Elevator, which operates to/from the Commuter Rail and Red Line/Silver Line levels, will be out of service through Friday, March 31, due to modernization.

During this scheduled outage, please utilize South Station Elevator 926 (located on Atlantic Ave) for access to the Red Line and Silver Line.


http://mbta.com/rider_tools/transit_updates/?ttype=elevator&advistory=true&route=Elevator