MassBudget: Five Things to Look for in the FY2020 Budget

Read our new report

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. January 22, 2019 Five Things to Look for in the FY 2020 Budget When the Governor releases his budget this week, he will kick off the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 budget debate. The FY 2020 budget will not only determine funding for schools, roads, parks, and other essential services, but can also move the discussion on how to raise the revenues our state needs to pay for these services. For those following the debate, the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) offers a new report, Five Things to Look for in the FY 2020 Budget. http://massbudget.org/report_window.php?loc=Five_Things_to_Look_for_in_the_FY_2020_Budget.html "State lawmakers have a tough task this year. We have many needs - such as education funding reform and transportation improvements - but we have no significant, new revenue sources to help pay for these essentials and fix substantial holes that may develop in state revenue sources over the next couple of years," said Marie-Frances Rivera, Interim President of MassBudget. "One overarching question to consider during this year's budget cycle is whether state lawmakers propose new, progressive sources of revenue through the state budget or through independent legislation." An update of the outdated formula that funds our K-12 schools has been a key issue in recent months. Reform of this can come through the state budget or through separate legislation. Another question to consider is whether the state budget will account for this year's minimum wage increase (from $11 to $12 per hour) which will benefit many low-income workers who provide care for children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Without funding from the state, providers may struggle to maintain the same level and quality of services while paying their workers the higher wage. Undergirding the questions on spending is a question on how the state can generate adequate revenues to overcome impending shortfalls and plan for the future. The revenue forecast over FY 2019 and FY 2020 is mixed and will depend greatly on whether the state economy's decade-long upturn will slow or falter.  Further, over the next two years, the state expects to see substantial holes develop in both tax and non-tax revenue sources - stemming from scheduled drops in the personal income tax rate and from the expiration of a roughly $260 million temporary assessment to help pay for subsidized health care. Neither the Governor nor the Legislature has yet offered specific plans that would fill those holes with new revenues. It will be worth considering whether any proposed taxes or fees make the state's tax system more equitable - by requiring top income-earners to contribute a greater share of their incomes, closer to the share that everyone else pays. The report also includes information to help budget watchers follow the debates. Readers can track funding recommendations in each budget proposal using MassBudget's Budget Browser. Read the report http://massbudget.org/report_window.php?loc=Five_Things_to_Look_for_in_the_FY_2020_Budget.html. 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 Sent by mrivera@massbudget.org in collaboration with Try it free today

Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee: Upcoming Events

View this email in your browser Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee Upcoming Events There is plenty going on with the FBRTC. Check out the events below for more information. We hope to see you at one of the events or on the trail! SNETT Walk with FBRTC Friday, January 25 11 AM - 12 PM Lake Street parking lot in Bellingham Join members of the FBRTC for a group walk on the trail! More info January FUNdraiser Pour Richards Sunday, January 27 1 PM - 4 PM Join us at Pour Richard's Wine & Spirits for our winter FUNdraiser of beer, wine tasting and great conversations! More info Franklin Fives Road Race Saturday, May 11 10 AM Help support our effort to develop the Southern New England Trunkline Trail into a multi-use path for Franklin and Bellingham at our annual road race! More info Copyright © 2019 Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you have opted in to stay informed about the Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee Our mailing address is: Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee PO Box 68 Franklin, Ma 02038

In the News: Franklin looking for interest in Red Brick School; Board of Higher Ed examining college closures

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

looking for 'expressions of interest' for the Red Brick School 

"Town government is inviting the public to take a look inside the Red Brick School House next month in hopes of making use of the historic space. 

The town is hosting a walk-through of the building at 2 Lincoln St. on Feb. 14 from 10 to 11 a.m. for anyone interested in utilizing the structure. Those who plan to attend should RSVP with Deputy Town Administrator Jaime Hellen by calling 508-553-4887. 

The building was built on the foundation of an older schoolhouse in 1833, and is still in perfectly good working order, Hellen said. 

The Red Brick Schoolhouse, according to Hellen and Wikipedia, is the oldest functioning schoolhouse in the country."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190123/franklins-red-brick-school-house-up-for-grabs

Get a copy of the instructions here 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EkxdTCzUuDB9lfnTwotWRvXbSzX5l25F/view?usp=sharing

or on the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/red_schoolhouse_rfpei_final.pdf

Town of Franklin looking for "expressions of interest" for the Red Brick School House

Board of Higher Ed examining college closures

"Amid abrupt college closings and declining confidence in higher education, state officials are weighing a proposal that would allow the state to more closely monitor financially troubled schools. 

The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education examined a report that outlined recommendations at a Tuesday meeting at Framingham State University. The report calls for a new process of screening colleges to identify those in need of monitoring and intervention. 

“The goal of this is not to highlight finger-pointing but actually to restore confidence in a field that is suffering from some slippage,” said board Chairman Chris Gabrieli. 

In May, the board announced it would examine ways to determine the financial health of colleges as well as ways to lessen the fallout from school closings and provide the recommendations to the board members. The group, known as the Transitions in Higher Education: Safeguarding the Interest of Students (THESIS), met four times and submitted a final report last week."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190123/board-of-higher-education-proposes-closer-scrutiny-for-colleges

"In summary, the THESIS Working Group report includes two findings and several recommendations. The findings are as follows: 

1) The risk of further challenges to viability at non-profit institutions of highereducation (NPIHEs) leading to potential student disruption is significant, ongoing, and likely growing; and 

2) Current standard financial metrics are insufficient for timely or fully identifying atrisk NPIHEs, and current processes among the triad of accreditors, U.S. Department of Education, and state authorities are insufficient to ensure prevention/mitigation of future unacceptable disruption to students and others."

From the THESIS report submitted last week
http://www.mass.edu/bhe/lib/documents/BHE/03_BHE%2019-04%20THESIS.pdf

Live reporting: Consent Agenda to Closing (Executive Session)

7. Consent Agenda
a. Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from your January 8, 2019 School Committee Meeting.
b. Transfers
I recommend approval of the transfers as detailed.
c. Veteran’s Auditorium Concert Recurring Trip
I recommend approval of the request of Mary MacMurray to take students to the
Veteran’s Auditorium in Providence, RI for a concert on May 21, 2019 (Parmenter) and May 24, 2019 (JFK) as detailed.
d. DECA Competition Recurring Trip
I recommend approval of the request of Miguel Carmo to take FHS DECA Students to Orlando, FL from 4/27/2019 through 5/1/2019 for the International Competition as detailed.

motion to accept, seconded, passed 6-0

8. Payment of Bills Dr. Bergen

9. Payroll Mrs. Douglas

10. Correspondence

11. Executive Session

a. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with the FEA/RN unit as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the School Committee and the chair so declares.

motion to go to executive session, seconded, passed 6-0

Live reporting: Information Matters

4. Discussion Only Items
a. None Proposed

5. Information Matters
a. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports 

Budget
as discussed, subcommittee meeting Weds

Community Relations
meeting and discussion at Senior Center, how serious are the issues at the schools? They were getting a good sense of what the problems are

Seniors were hungry for info, a packed room, will be back in March with updates

a good conversation on what education is like today vs what they had experienced

Policy
next meeting on the 24th

Public Schools Advocacy
Feb 5th legislative forum

MassBudget released study today (in Franklin Matters on Weds morning)


b. School Committee Liaison Reports 

Joint PCC

Substance Abuse Task Force
met today

School Wellness Advisory Council [SWAC]
nothing since last time

School Start Times Advisory Committee [SSTAC]
parent info night coming Jan 30th at FHS Lecture Hall

preliminary results being evaluated from survey

MASC

6. New Business
a. To discuss any future agenda items

DIP update
homework
'Portrait of a graduate'

Live reporting: Discussion - Action Items

3. Discussion / Action Items
a. 2019-2020 School Calendar
I recommend adoption of the 2019-2020 School Calendar as discussed.

recent changes:
Presidential Primary - Tues, March 3, 2020
amended calendar to adjust accordingly

SATs - Saturday, May 2
hence can't do the prom on May 1, so moved it to May 8th

motion to adopt calendar as changed, seconded, passed 6-0


b. Policy – 2nd Readings/Adoption
I recommend adoption of the following policies as discussed:

• (NEW) INJDD – Social Media Policy
• JFAA-E1 – Residency Statement
• LB – Relations with Other Schools & School Districts

motion to adopt calendar as changed, seconded, passed 6-0

Live reporting: Superintendents Recommended Budget

b. FY 2020 Superintendent’s Recommended Budget
tied to values, mission and DIP goals

budget process to date (slides to be added when available on Wednesday)
screen grabs to be inserted as available

circuit breaker amount increased, so it may appear the costs are going down so it may be misleading

started with level service and then looked to 'critical needs'
a total of a 6% increase as it is (leaving some 'critical needs' out)

• ECDC request for PreK curriculum leadership, not recommended
• Adjustment counselors currently at Middle School, would add 2 FTE to elementary, and adjust as necessary with study underway (results not yet available)
• Expansion of NECC Partner Program at Parmenter 
• Instructional interventionists - not recommended at this time
• ESP support at K level, principals requested 2 FTE at each, recommended 1 at each
• Adjustment counselors at the Middles School, requested 2 per, recommending 1 per
• STRIVE program at ASMS
• Classroom teachers at FHS to address growing class sizes, recommend to add 4 FTE
• Curriculum leadership, missing piece at MS and ES; 2 FTE
• substitute recruitment strategies - recruit and retain more long term subs
• Digital integration specialists, not recommended at this time
• Van driver - looking to add but it would have cost savings
• Technology replenishment, use capital 

Superintendents Recommended Budget for FY 2020 - summary slide

decreasing the use of revolving funds to balance the budget (approx $300K)

anticipated budget gap to close - TBD

variables:

• Actual allocation from the Town
• collective bargaining
• Actual health insurance
• other revenue streams
• Remaining FY 2019 expenditures

Feb 5th - Legislative Forum
Feb 26th (actually a Tuesday - slide said 27th which was last year's date)

add $50K, not $75K for NECC item

Q - if we put the not recommended to the future? how will we pay for those?
A - always an issue, if it goes forward, we will need to be creative, it is a tight budget

Live reporting: School Committee - Jan 22, 2019

Present: Feeley, Linden, Douglas, Scofield, Bergen, Schultz
Absent:  Zub


1. Routine Business
a. Review of Agenda
no changes

b. Citizen’s Comments

i. In the spirit of open communication, “the School Committee will hear public comment not related to an agenda item at the beginning of each regular School Committee Meeting. The Committee will listen to, but not respond to any comment made. A Committee member may add an agenda item to a future meeting as a result of a citizen comment” – from Policy BEDH

c. FHS Student Representative Comments
2nd quarter ends this week
DECA competition
Mock Trial 
dance and banquet season end of March
girls hockey undefeated; girls basketball one loss

d. Superintendent’s Report
acknowledge this was a difficult storm to work with and clean up after
snow, freeze, and clean up after the freeze
emergency busing implemented again
thanks for patience during the school day, arrivals, departures, etc.

Franklin Cultural District awarded as the 46th in the State
eligible for grants, etc.
Schools are a partner and excited for the possibilities

MLK - Project 351 ambassadors convened this weekend
Amy Alston (8th grader) representing Franklin

superintendents association conf this weekend; Ahern and Edwards participating
(additional detailed to be shared when available from the Superintendent)

2. Guests / Presentations
a. FHS Program of Study
Paul Peri, Clements Vice-Principal

Program of studies overview an annual exercise
celebrate the work of Clements and Edwards who have done the 'heavy lifting'

Peri: looking to add 
an AP level 3D sculpture course
Marketing II, looking to add to the DECA realm
film score course 
Roman technology - an elective in World Languages

Clements:
always looking at course leveling, Honors, AP, and pre-requisites for the course
looking for consistency, room for improvement for a school for this size
21st century learning expectations cited this year; overlap with 'portrait of a graduate' work

Peri: an out growth of the NEASC visit 2 years ago

Clements: looking to increase elective opportunities for underclassman rather than waiting for Jr/Sr years; impact on students with different learning styles

Q - how do HS get the SEL aspects of learning
A - grade specific topics as well as with school adjustment councilors, advisory program, 
work that happens during class meetings, work that is done with the staff is also embedded within the curriculum

It used to be SEL or I teach? No longer, they are interwoven today

Clements:
entire English language section has been redesigned, captures what is being done now more accurately; IDD introduction to Development Disabilities - renamed to Intro to Special Ed

Honors section of human anatomy
getting more students into the physio lab, previously underutilized as a new thing in the new building

social studies electives

earth science has re-appeared; was marine science this year; some students did sign up for the US Marine training not realizing the real topic

Q - where do you see the Arts Academy and what would you add to it as another academy?
A - Arts academy started with a small number and now serves 140, examining success and looking to see where it can go. A potential STEM pathway to appeal to this niche of students with some specialized training and courses modeled to this area of passion. Want to be careful to go academy approach and not include the inter-disciplinary approaches

What is my degree/major study area? bringing this philosophy to the high school students

Q - Any budget increase associated with the new offerings?
A - generally no, it would be covered by a re-alignment of the existing teachers and better meeting the needs of the students

Q - where is civics aligned?
A - a new curriculum coming, more widespread than a one year course; world one shifting to HS; world one will cover democracy beginnings with Greece and Rome; also Street law which is highly demanded; AP courses bring in independent candidates; supplemented with after school activities; Mock trial, etc.

Q - courses through health and wellness, a work in progress?
A - health needs more time, period - it is a conversation on how it can fit, and expand. Haven't increased the time over the past several years and need to look at that

It really comes down to the staff, building relationships, etc. They are doing it daily

“It’s early in the process right now”

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

"Monetary concerns are looming in town as it enters the fiscal 2020 budget season. Officials expect another deficit, but are working to make sure the trend doesn’t continue. 

There are no numbers out for the fiscal 2020 budget, but town and school districts offices are discussing proposed figures that will be available in the next month. 

The approved town budget for 2019 is $124.2 million, with the school budget accounting for approximately $63 million. Officials used close to $1.5 million from a stabilization account to balance the 2019 budget last cycle. 

Schools Superintendent Sara Ahern plans to present her recommended fiscal 2020 budget to the School Committee meeting on Tuesday. The budget is expected to be discussed until a final decision is made at the committee’s March 12 meeting, when the members will vote. There will be a public hearing on the budget on Feb. 27."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190121/franklin-anticipates-another-budget-deficit


Among the items on the agenda for Tuesday's School Committee meeting are 

• the proposed calendar for 2019-2020

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/discussion_actiona_-_calendar.pdf

• Final readings of a few policies (including one on Social Media)

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/discussion_actionb_-_policy.pdf

The Superintendent's budget proposal is not yet available on the meeting packet page. It usually is posted the morning after the meeting.

The agenda and documents released for the meeting can be found
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/school-committee-meeting-packet-documents-1-22-2019

Superintendent Sara Ahern presenting at a SchCom meeting in 2018

FHS girls basketball tops Holy Name, boys hockey skate to tie with Mansfield

Via HockomockSports, we share the results of the FHS sports action that did manage to happen despite the weather on Monday, Jan 21, 2019. Among the several schedule adjustments, the Davey Frosh/Soph Track meet at Wheaton was canceled and will not be rescheduled.


Girls Basketball = Franklin, 35 @ Holy Name, 33 – Final
– Ali Brigham secured the win and a season sweep of Holy Name, scoring the game-winning basket with just one second remaining on the clock. Brigham scored 23 points on the night.

Boys Hockey = Franklin, 2 @ Mansfield, 2 – Final
Ryan Lanigan, founder and Editor-in-Chief of HockomockSports.com, provides the game recap

"It wasn’t the wide open, free flowing game that some expected, but it was still a hard fought game between rivals Franklin and Mansfield that resulted in a tie that left both sides satisfied with a point. 

The Panthers and Hornets were the top two teams in the Kelley-Rex division entering the contest, with Franklin holding a one point lead at the midway point of league play. After skating a 2-2 at Foxboro Sports Center, Franklin remains a point ahead in the division with three games left. 

Franklin had a pair of one-goal leads in the game but Mansfield was able to respond each time, the game-tying goal coming early in the final period after the Hornets entered the frame facing a one-goal deficit."

Continue reading online
https://hockomocksports.com/mansfield-boys-hockey-franklin-tied/

A photo gallery from the hockey game
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2018-2019/Winter-2018-2019/Mansfield-Franklin-Boys-Hockey-01-21-19/

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/mondays-schedule-scoreboard-01-21-19/

Mansfield’s Brian Grant attempts to get past Franklin’ Matt D’Errico in the second period.
(Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

Don White with Mike Agranoff opening Sat., Feb. 2

OCC COFFEEHOUSE

Original Congregational Church

1 East Street, Wrentham, MA 02093

Phone: 508-384-3110

OCC Coffeehouse Website

DON WHITE

with MIKE AGRANOFF opening

at OCC Coffeehouse

Saturday, Feb. 2, 7:30 PM

DON WHITE

If you've never seen Don White, you are in for a treat! If you've seen him before, you know how entertaining he is. There is no one-word description for what Don does. 

He has survived and thrived for twenty-five years, bringing his audiences to laughter and tears in his live performances, studio recordings, and on the printed page. 

He is a storyteller-comedian-author-troubadour-folk singer-songwriter. He is a walking challenge to the phrase "file under." Best to just sort him under "Don White."

Don's approach to music is a weird, unique blend. If he just played folk music, it would be a handy label. But he has invented his own genre with a mix of humor and powerful songwriting. White's arc as a writer and performer has taken him from his industrial hometown of Lynn, Mass. across the country as hitchhiker, through Boston's comedy clubs and coffeehouses, and onto the stage with greats like Christine Lavin, Arlo Guthrie, Taj Mahal, Ritchie Havens, Patty Larkin, Bill Morrissey, Tom Rush, and Louden Wainright III. At every point, White has been the ultimate observer, infusing his work with his experiences as a husband, a father, a seeker, and a joker.

Many songwriters use their real lives for inspiration, but few do it like Don White. He often draws inspiration from his family, whether it's a touching song about the circle of life or an uproarious story about dealing with his daughter. "It's what I'm comfortable doing. It's what I know. I'm always amazed by people who write songs about the Civil War in a convincing way and were never there. I assume they were never there. Write about what you know. I've been raising kids and being in a relationship since I was a kid myself. I mean, I could try to write about other things, and I do, occasionally, but that's what I know best." 

Lots of information about Don, his many CDs, and his tour schedule can be seen on his website http://www.donwhite.net/.

Mike Agranoff

Mike Agranoff, opening for Don, is equally at home in the contemporary and traditional camps of the Folk world. His prime instrument is the guitar, upon which he shines with intricate fingerstyle arrangements of anything from Tin Pan Alley tunes of the '20s to fiddle tunes to his own music. He also plays concertina, piano, banjo, or sings acapella. He can be uproariously funny, contempletive, and powerfully emotional in the space of a few minutes. 

Not so much a singer-songwriter as a "singer-songfinder, Mike takes great delight in discovering the little-known hidden gems, polishing them with his own distinctive style, and bringing them to the light of day where they sparkle.

Tickets for the concert are $20 in advance and $25 at the door, available at the church office, 508-384-3110, or at www.musicatocc.org. The event will be in Fellowship Hall at the back of the church with entry from the parking lot behind the church. Parking is available behind the church and in the lot across the street. For more information and to be added to the mailing list, visit the website or contact Ken Graves, 508-384-8084, occmusic99@gmail.com.

UPCOMING SHOWS

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AT OCC COFFEEHOUSE (Tickets now available for all shows on website. All shows are general admission seating, so arrive early for good seats.

• Saturday, March 2, 2019, Fellswater, Boston's Celtic Music Ensemble. Back by popular demand.
• Friday, April 5, 2019, Tom Rush, folk music icon, with Matt Nakoa.
• Saturday, April 27, 2019, Bill & Kate Isles, an acoustic singer/soungwriter duo based in Duluth, Minnesota. Audiences feel they are listening to stories of the own lives, told by two of their best friends.

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See website https://www.musicatocc.org/upcoming-shows.html for complete OCC Coffeehouse season schedule, more details, and for ordering tickets.

In the News: Franklin has a 'cultural district'; Franklin Patriot fans at Arrowhead

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

Franklin Cultural District

"After five years of hard work, the Franklin Cultural District was officially recognized by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. 

As part of an effort led by the Franklin Cultural District Committee, the town became the 46th cultural district in the state. Massachusetts has more state-designated cultural districts than any other state. 

“The population here just really supports art and culture,” said Cultural District Committee member and Franklin Cultural Council Chairman Stacey David. “It’s something that people want and they look for. It’s something that the state government really supports, and it’s really something to be proud of.” 

A state-sanctioned cultural district opens up artistic and economic development opportunities, town officials have said. The designation not only boosts Franklin’s reputation in the art world, it may lead to grants that may fuel other projects."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190121/state-designates-franklin-cultural-district

Franklin Cultural District

Franklin Patriot fans at Arrowhead

"A pair of dedicated New England Patriots fans may have helped their team win the AFC Division Championship against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. The team is now headed to its fourth Super Bowl in five years. 

Aaron Gouveia, 39, and his father Bill, 62, both of Franklin, traveled to the Midwest city to cheer on their beloved Patriots in Arrowhead Stadium. And when they were unexpectedly invited to a pre-game tour of the field, they decided to take full advantage of the opportunity. 

“We didn’t know we were going to be on the field,” Aaron Gouveia said. “But I had my boots packed away from the last time I was at Gillette (Stadium) so I scooped a little (dirt) out, put it in my pocket and when we got on the field I dropped some of it. It was our makeshift idea of ‘home-field advantage’” 

Dirt, lucky pennies, and going without a jacket in 20-degree weather were all part of the pair’s winning game strategy. And an attentive member of the Patriots organization unknowingly became a co-conspirator."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190122/patriots-super-fans-from-franklin-help-their-team-win-afc-title