Monday, April 23, 2018

Franklin Public Schools: Summary of Reductions and Efficiencies (prior to FY 2019)

Summary of Reductions and Efficiencies

FY 2018
● Balance budget using revolving funds
● Depart from SC guidelines as to use of Circuit Breaker funds
○ Use funds in fiscal year rather than bank funds

FY 2017
● Balance budget using revolving funds
● Depart from SC guidelines as to use of Circuit Breaker funds
○ Use funds in fiscal year rather than bank funds

FY 2016
Reduction of K-5 teachers due to declining enrollment
● Implement online payments of officials in athletic department
● Expand online ticket sales for athletic events
● Balance budget using revolving funds
● Depart from SC guidelines as to use of Circuit Breaker funds
o Use funds in fiscal year rather than bank funds

FY 2015
● Competitive bid pricing for purchase of devices / chrome books and laptops
● Implementation of breakfast program
● Reebok BOKS Program
● Transition to Tufts Insurance - same benefits at lower cost
● Copier/Printer solutions at FHS

FY 2014 Efficiencies
● Collective Bargaining Agreements with all support personnel/Sustainable
Agreements over three years
● Partnership with Hockomock YMCA - successful grants to support Wellness
● Partnerships with Dean College
● Hired Van Pool to take over special education transportation

FY 2013
Collective Bargaining Agreement with FEA - sustainable contract over four years

FY 2012
● Partnership with FHS and Dean College Fine Arts program
● DESE Educator Evaluation grant for professional development and HR audit

FY 2011
● Eliminated contractual services for OT/PT through a third party and hired
personnel
● MASBO Transportation audit
● Food Service- Privatized Management / WHITSONS

FY 2010 Reductions
Eliminate K-12 Librarians 4 positions - no librarians at any school
Eliminated 1 Assistant Principal HS
● Replaced 4 PE/Health Teacher’s with ELA, Math, Science, Sped Teachers
Reduced Health /PE classes
● Stimulus Funds Used to supplement other positions
HS schedule change from 7 period day to 6 period - impact students have fewer Course offerings- narrowed curriculum equates to less competitive academic program at HS
Eliminated Latin at MS - all students take Spanish (could not find teachers
however it facilitated equitable scheduling across all three schools)

FY 2009 Reductions
Eliminated 1 Assistant Principal at HS
Eliminated 1 Administrator /Assistant Special Education Director
Eliminated 45 Teaching Positions
  • High School 17 positions
  • Middle School 12.5 positions
  • Elementary 15 positions and 4 specialist teachers reduced from Full -time to Part-time

Reduced Extracurricular Clubs and activities by 1/3
Increased Pay to Ride Bus Fee
Increased Building Use Fees to offset administrative costs

FY 2008 Reductions
Eight Custodians
One HS Administrative Liaison
1.5 Educational Assistants (FHS and Brick School)
Fourteen Professional Teaching Positions
  • Three Technology Curriculum Integration Teachers
  • Three MS Health/PE Teachers
  • One MS School Adjustment Counselor
  • Seven Elementary Teachers
1 Technology Administrator
1 Special Education Coordinator
● K-5 Coordinator Stipends (Tech, Science, Spanish)
Eliminated Core Curriculum Teams
Reduction of HS substitute teacher budget
Reduction of Facilities cost / Brick School - grant funded
● Extracurricular Fees Implemented $25/student at HS and MS levels
Increase HS Athletic Fee to $125
Increase Pay to Ride Transportation Fee by $25
NEASC Dues Elementary and Middle Schools – let accreditations lapse
● Reduction in general supply budget at all levels

FY 2007 Reductions
● Three Trades Personnel (Carpenter, Plumber and Electrician) transferred out of
School budget to Town budget
● One Educational Assistant position eliminated
● Supply budgets reduced at schools

FY 2006 Reductions
Elimination of weekend security for all school facilities
● Elimination of Facilities summer job program for Franklin youth
● Two Central Office positions (Title I Coordinator, Assistant Director of Finance)
eliminated
● Two Custodial positions eliminated
● Elimination of French language instruction at Middle Schools
● Reduction of Professional Development budget

FY 2005 Reductions
● Reduction in general supplies and maintenance supplies for the schools
Reduction in Professional Development
● Elimination of a Foreign Language position
● Assumed $100,000 in trash costs from the Town

FY 2004 Reductions
Twenty-One Teaching Positions eliminated
● Limited public access to schools on weeknights and weekends
Bus fees increased to older students and those living within 2 miles
● Reduction in Technology budget
Increased student-athlete fees
Increased school lunch cost to cover cost of health insurance for Cafeteria
Staff-had been paid for by Town
Reduction in budget for materials and supplies
● Eliminate budget for purchase of textbooks (2004-Present textbooks purchased through Capital Funds voted by the town or from supply budgets)

FY 03 Reductions
No additional staff hired – enrollment up 400 students
● Supply and equipment purchases curtailed
● MS guidance program eliminated
● Building Use fees implemented in 2003
● Athletic fees increased
● Pay-to-Ride Transportation initiated
● PCC’s funded more programs, athletics and extracurricular activities
All Field Trips funded by PCC’s
Six elementary positions in Health/PE in elementary cut
● Elementary Health eliminated from curriculum
● Elementary PE reduced from twice to once a week
● Six middle school positions eliminated, reducing that program by 1/3
● Two elementary Music positions eliminated
● Elimination of the 4th grade Instrumental Music Program
● One middle school Music position eliminated
● Two elementary Spanish positions eliminated
● Elementary Spanish instruction reduced from twice to once a week
● Two middle school Science specialist positions eliminated
● One 6th grade teaching position cut at Remington, increasing class size
● Five middle school Educational Assistant positions cut
● One HS Special Education Teacher eliminated, increasing class size
● One HS Reading/English Teacher eliminated

This listing was copied from the Budget Documents prepared for the October 10, 2017 School Committee budget workshop
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0wjbnXDBhczcTV2QldjaXg4bUdqaUlhUXkzbmI5UHJvUkxr


Franklin Public Schools: Summary of Reductions and Efficiencies (prior to FY 2019)
Franklin Public Schools: Summary of Reductions and Efficiencies (prior to FY 2019)

Award Winners by Category - Art from the Heart - Franklin Art Association Show - April 21-22, 2018

Award Winners by Category - Art from the Heart -
Franklin Art Association Show - April 21-22, 2018

Category
Award
Artist
Art Title
Oil
1 - Blue Ribbon
Helene Mohn
Bass Rocks Gloucester
Oil
2 - Red Ribbon
Dick Fotland
Lake Windermere
Oil
3 - Yellow Ribbon
Lenora Palanzi
They’ve Come Home to Roost
Oil
Honorable Mention
Susan Pratt Sheridan
Tea Time
Oil
Honorable Mention
Marilyn Mercure
My Rose of Sharon
Acrylic
1 - Blue Ribbon
LIsa Beausoleil
Bittersweet
Acrylic
2 - Red Ribbon
Diane Choquette
Which Way
Acrylic
3 - Yellow Ribbon
Joe Mueller
Water Lilies and Frogs
Acrylic
Honorable Mention
William Wallhausser
Italian Alps Over Lago de Arte
Water Media
1 - Blue Ribbon
Sally Brodie
Foggy Day
Water Media
2 - Red Ribbon
Diana C Maley
Garden Royalty
Water Media
3 - Yellow Ribbon
Deb Ryan
1959 Cadillac
Water Media
Honorable Mention
Victor A Pisini
Autumn in Italy
Water Media
Honorable Mention
Patricia Thomas
Happy Birthday
Photography
1 - Blue Ribbon
Dale Hoopingarner
Emergence
Photography
2 - Red Ribbon
Joan Callahan
Hope Springs Eternal
Photography
3 - Yellow Ribbon
Pam Warren
Old Boat
Photography
Honorable Mention
Hannah Liverant Close
Stripes
Photography
Honorable Mention
Marjorie S Sardilla
Antica Osteria - Rugantinio Trastevere
Drawing
1 - Blue Ribbon
Tina Guarino
The Moment
Drawing
2 - Red Ribbon
Victor A Pisini
Inward Reflecting, Outward Reflection
Drawing
3 - Yellow Ribbon
Margaret L Munson
Late Afternoon Curtain Call
Drawing
Honorable Mention
Joanne Willoughby
Rolling Thunder
Drawing
Honorable Mention
Stephanie N Miksis
reCreate #11
Student Work
1 - Blue Ribbon
Michael Callahan

Student Work
2 - Red Ribbon
Hannah Addi

Student Work
3 - Yellow Ribbon
Sadie Ficco

Student Work
Honorable Mention
Emma Owens

Student Work
Honorable Mention
Lilly Sennett


Award Winners by Category - Art from the Heart -   Franklin Art Association Show - April 21-22, 2018
Award Winners by Category - Art from the Heart - 
Franklin Art Association Show - April 21-22, 2018

St. Mary’s St. Vincent de Paul Mother’s Day Outreach

The St. Mary’s St. Vincent de Paul Society will once again be sponsoring a Mother’s Day Gift Bag Drive. The SVdP will be reaching out to make Mother’s Day a special day for some mothers who presently are having a difficult time. Community members are invited to put together Mother’s Day gift bags containing three cheerful items.

St. Mary’s St. Vincent de Paul Mother’s Day Outreach
St. Mary’s St. Vincent
de Paul Mother’s Day Outreach
Suggested inexpensive items to place in the bag include a scarf, a Mom’s key chain, gift cards for a doughnut shop or a local store, socks, hand cream, soaps, a gas gift card, towels, and stamps. A Mother’s Day card is a nice touch, too. It is always fun to see the creative items that our donors place in the bags.

Members of the Society will distribute the gift bags to mothers in town and mothers living in area shelters.

The gift bags may be dropped off any time between now and May 6 and may be placed in the boxes at the doors of the church.

Thank you for your generosity and for continually helping us reach out to our neighbors in need.

A Night of Spiritual Readings & Connecting With Lost Loved Ones - April 26

"Sometimes we lose people that may have unfinished business for us. You might just want to know that a loved one is all right or make sure that they are still around you. Stephanie has been connecting people with lost loved ones for over 15 years. The experience is always very personal, special and unique to each individual.
SPIRITUAL READINGS with STEPHANIE McBRIDE - THURSDAY APRIL 26th 7 PM
SPIRITUAL READINGS with STEPHANIE
McBRIDE - THURSDAY APRIL 26th 7 PM

Have you ever thought about what you’d say if you had another chance? Maybe you ran out of time to repair a relationship or you just didn’t say everything you would have liked. Stephanie has a unique ability of bringing peace and comfort to those left behind and to those who have moved on. It is not too late to reconnect with those you love.

Understanding loss and grief is one of the ways Stephanie is able to connect and help you with your process. Bringing peace and understanding to those that are here and those that are no longer with us is the goal.
A Night of Spiritual Readings & Connecting With Lost Loved Ones - April 26
A Night of Spiritual Readings & Connecting With Lost Loved Ones - April 26

This Workshop is $40 per person
Each person will receive a personal reading
Event is limited to 10 people

Light snacks and beverages as well as BYOB"





Please Note: Cancellations Within 24 Hours Of The Event Will Not Be Refunded. These Nights Usually Have A Waiting List, So Please Let Us Know If You Are Unable To Make It. Thanks :)

SPIRITUAL READINGS with STEPHANIE McBRIDE - THURSDAY APRIL 26th 7 PM
https://secure.mainstreetsites.com/dmn3567/register.aspx


"Raising awareness is the first step in prevention"


"Since April is Financial Literacy Month, it’s important that we remind ourselves and our older loved ones on the importance of being financially literate, and that includes knowing how to spot and prevent elder financial abuse. 
The National Council on Aging estimates that elder abuse costs older Americans $36.5 billion per year. Elders are a target for scammers for many reasons. They may be isolated from family and friends; they may be less technologically –inclined than younger generations; or they may have more assets, such as retirement funds, for scammers to steal. 
Financial abuse can take many forms, from common phone or email scams to stolen credit cards or depletion of financial accounts. A common scam known as the “grandparent scam” preys upon elders who are tricked into thinking they are helping a loved one (usually a grandchild). Callers will say that the grandchild has been arrested or kidnapped, for example, and need money transferred immediately or payment using gift cards to post bail or pay ransom. There are instances where seniors have spent hundreds of dollars hoping to help their grandchild only to learn she or he had been safe all along."
Continue reading the article from Mass Consumer Affairs
http://blog.mass.gov/consumer/massconsumer/becoming-a-scam-savvy-senior/

"Raising awareness is the first step in prevention"
"Raising awareness is the first step in prevention"

Sunday, April 22, 2018

Photos from the SNETT trail clean up - Saturday, Apr 21

A group of volunteers gathered to walk along the SNETT and trim back the tree fall from the winter storms on Saturday. Some of the low spots were filled in and trash was picked up along the way.

My wife and I love walking the SNETT so this was a good way to help give back!


trail head for the SNETT on Grove St
trail head for the SNETT on Grove St

puddle was shrunken as part of the work done Saturday
puddle was shrunken as part of the work done Saturday

the clean up crew
the clean up crew

The portion cut through the rocks
The portion cut through the rocks 

puddle reflection
puddle reflection

the trail with bare trees
the trail with bare trees


Haven't been to the SNETT yet? 
Check it out. From the Grove St parking lot, it is about 2.5 miles round trip to Prospect St and back. Cross Prospect St and go to Center St in Bellingham and it is about 6 miles round trip.






For additional information on the SNETT visit the Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee page  http://franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/



Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - FY 2019 Budget Hearing #3 - April 24, 2018

Tuesday, April 24, 2018 
at 6:00 PM 
Franklin Town Hall
3rd Floor Training Room 




AGENDA



1.    Approval of Minutes
2.    FY 2019 Budget Presentations:     Dept.               Tab
Schools                                             300                 Education Information

Technology                                       155                 General Government

Any department not heard from April 17th or April 18th

Police Dept

3.    Final Recommendations and Vote
4.    Adjournment



This was shared from the Town of Franklin page
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/events/finance_committee_agenda_4-24-18_1.pdf



Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - FY 2019 Budget Hearing #3 - April 24, 2018
Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - FY 2019 Budget Hearing #3 - April 24, 2018

The full 160+ page budget for FY 2019 and supporting documents can be found here
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1srWLWOHO81af4aQq8cNWIJcLAtImjRJG