Boston Globe: "Would you fall prey to authoritarianism? Take the test."

"Do you have a susceptibility to authoritarianism that deeply influences your viewpoint and possibly your voting behavior?

This is your chance to find out, on the privacy of your own laptop, cell phone, or iPad, with results for you alone to see. Simply by clicking your level of agreement or disagreement with 20 statements, you can learn where you stand in comparison with other Americans.

The Boston Globe’s online authoritarianism exam measures your inclination toward authoritarianism using a scale developed by Robert Altemeyer, a retired professor of psychology who has spent decades studying, researching, and writing about authoritarianism.

Do you dare? That is, do you want to know?"

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/07/22/opinion/take-authoritarianism-test/

Boston Globe: "Would you fall prey to authoritarianism? Take the test."

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - July 27, 2021

Franklin School Committee

July 27, 2021 = 7:00 PM

Municipal Building – Council Chambers

Call to Order 

Pledge of Allegiance 

Moment of Silence

I. Routine Business
A. Review of Agenda
B. Citizen’s Comments

In the spirit of open communication, “the Committee will hold a public participation segment (also called Citizen’s Comments) about matters 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…. The Committee will hear public comments related to an agenda item when the Chair deems appropriate during the Committee meeting. Topics for discussion during the meeting must be limited to those items listed on the Committee meeting agenda for that evening…. ” - from Policy BEDH

C. FHS Student Representative Comments
D. Superintendent’s Report

II. Guests/Presentations
A. none

III. Discussion/Action Items
A. Policy - 2nd Reading / Adoption
I recommend adoption of policy JRAA-R Student Admission / Residency as discussed.

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/discussion_action_a_-_policy_7.pdf

IV. Discussion Only Items
A. none

V. Information Matters
A. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports (e.g. Ad Hoc Supt. Evaluation, Budget, Community Relations/Public Schools Advocacy, Policy, Transportation)
B. School Committee Liaison Reports (e.g. Joint PCC, Substance Abuse Task Force, School Wellness Advisory Council)

VI. New Business
A. To discuss any future agenda items

VII. Consent Agenda
A. Approval of Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from your June 22, 2021 School Committee Meeting as detailed.
B. Music Gift
I recommend acceptance of two checks totaling $1,221.54 from Music Parents for in-house enrichment for the Music Department as detailed.
C. Athletic’s Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $500.00 from the Special Olympics-MA for in-house enrichment for the Athletics Department as detailed.

VIII. Payment of Bills Dr. Bergen

IX. Payroll Atty. Pond-Pfeffer

X. Adjournment 

Meeting folder

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/july-27-2021-school-committee-workshop-meeting

Agenda document 

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/sc_mtg._agenda_7-27-21.pdf

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - July 27, 2021

Franklin, MA: School Committee Workshop - July 27, 2021

Franklin School Committee

July 27, 2021 = 4:00 P.M.

Municipal Building – Training Room

Call to Order Dr. Bergen

1. Workshop

a. Update from the Superintendent

b. Superintendent’s Evaluation Evidence

c. Superintendent’s Evaluation Process and Timeline

d. Discuss School Committee’s Goals

e. School Committee Presentations 2021-2022

2. Adjournment

Workshop agenda doc  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_7-27-21_workshop.pdf

Franklin, MA: School Committee Workshop - July 27, 2021

We Are Convened - In Order to Form a More Perfect Union

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director   07/25/2021

Zoom is the new normal for our weekly Radio Roundtable, More Perfect Union.

The good news – it works remarkably well, enabling the four of us to find an hour in our full calendars to gather and open the floor to vibrant discussions on all manner of issues. We recorded this episode about election reform on Friday morning.

Some weeks might begin with, “Not sure what I can bring to this week’s discussion.” Then we start recording and the conversation flows. Jeff Roy, Dr. Natalia Linos and Dr. Michael Walker-Jones all begin to spark off each other, and I (upper right) am happy to draft in the wake of their brilliant insights. Next thing we know – another easy hour has rolled by, and we are all just a bit smarter for the discussion.

You can get a little smarter along with us. Search for wfpr●fm’s ‘More Perfect Union’ wherever you get your podcasts.

And –  as always –
Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm. 
And, thank you for watching. 

Get this week's program guide for Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf  or for archive purposes

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qRmS9GqpjA3aAlXzCet26d19snoTrOrW/view?usp=sharing

More Perfect Union can be found on Google Podcast (among others)

https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9tb3JlLXBlcmZlY3QtdW5pb24uY2FwdGl2YXRlLmZtL3Jzc2ZlZWQ

We Are Convened - In Order to Form a More Perfect Union

FM #585 - Town Council Quarterbacking - 07/22/21 (audio)

FM #585 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 585 in the series. 

This shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. This is one of a series of conversations meant to provide a recap of the prior Council meeting. Akin to one of the many sports post-game analysis broadcasts we are familiar with in New England,  this would be a discussion focused on the Franklin Town Council meeting: 

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

We cover the following key topics

4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS  

a. Retirement: Patti Wyllie, Treasurer-Collector's Department 

b. Retirement: Tommy Gundstrom, DPW 

c. Recognition: Ndoumbe Ndoye, Franklin High School, Commonwealth Heroines Award

Acknowledged – Chrissy Welton relocating to FL, hiring to backfill

Transition planning

 

Dean College all alcohol license

Right of first refusal for Maple Hill, first use of CPA funds

Town Administrator contract minor modifications and extension

The show notes include links to the meeting agenda and associated documents.

Our conversation runs about 28 minutes, so let’s listen in to my quarterbacking session with Tom Mercer.

Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/54ea70a2-5181-4415-92f9-81216f7b4319

--------------

Agenda doc (including connection info) ->  

https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/_2021-07-21_town_council_agenda_2.pdf

Agenda folder -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/july-21-town-council-agenda 

My notes from the meeting -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/07/recap-town-council-approves-dean.html 

Town Council audio recording -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/07/franklin-ma-town-council-meeting-audio.html 

-------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

 

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news 

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

FM #585 - Town Council Quarterbacking - 07/22/21 (audio)

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Policy Subcommittee Meeting - July 28, 2021

Policy Sub Committee Meeting

Municipal Building - Council Chambers (Virtual Link in Agenda)

Wednesday, 7/28/2021 

TIME: 6:00 - 7:30 pm

I. Electronic Distribution of Approved Policies
1. JFAB - Student Moving Procedures
2. JFABE - Educational Opportunities for Military Children
3. JFABF - Educational Opportunities for Children in Foster Care
4. JFAA-R - School Admission/Residency (pending SC adoption 7/13/21)
5. Policy Distribution Folder

II. Discussion of Policies sent to School Committee
A. none

III. Policy Revisions & New Policies - New Discussion Item
A. COVID-related policies for return to school 2021-2022
B. Review of Policy EEA - Student Transportation Policy and Eligibility
C. Review of Policy JFAA - New Resident Procedures
D. Continued review of Policy Section G

Shared from Town of Franklin page ->   https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/7_28_21_policy_sub_com_agenda.pdf

Policy Subcommittee Meeting - July 28, 2021

SAFE Coalition is hiring

The SAFE Coalition is looking to hire a full time community outreach coordinator. 

Shared from Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/p/CRrFED0NUOe/

or Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/safecoalitionma/posts/2295089797287880

SAFE Coalition is hiring