FM #1259 - Franklin (MA) School Cmte Mtg - 08/13/24

Franklin Matters Radio

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, July 9, 2024. 5 members participated, all in chambers, two were absent (Charles, McNeill).

Quick recap:

• School dates for opening new year
• Aug 26, teachers report,
• Aug 27 Professional development day,
• Aug 28 First day for 1st - 12 grades,
• Aug 29 First day for K,
• Aug 30 No school (Labor Day weekend)
• Sep 3 - pre-K first day
• Staffing update - 19 hired thus far, some still open, some resignations still coming in
• Redistricting status update - work progressing, principals announced, asst principals announcement forthcoming, work on the district alignment progressing, still working toward a release target of Sept/Oct. The boundary line info would go to the School Committee for review first, no word on the formal closing of the prior redistricting committee or the set up of a new process to continue the work during the school year to prepare for Spe 2025
• New website published as of July 1. Mobile client available for download to Apple or Android devices. Links still being fixed, content generally there and items being added as identified. Notifications not yet turned on
• Lifelong Learning Summer program update - photos of the presentation were captured during the meeting in one photo album; the Lifelong Learning program is fee based and thus self funded, the fees taken in cover the expenses incurred
• Franklin Education Foundation (FEF) votes - two votes were taken to start the process of formally closing out the FEF (a 501(c3) organization) and rolling over the remaining funds they have (approx $150K) to enable the District to continue their work with such funds; details remain to be worked out on the ‘grant application’, approval, and communication process
• FY 2025 budget update - some curriculum development work accomplished during summer but less than previous years due to budget cuts, the last of the additional funds approved by the Town Council ($1M from the debt stabilization account, one time funds) was accepted by the Committee by a 5-0 vote during the meeting

The recording runs about 66 minutes, so let’s listen in.

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The Franklin TV video is NOT available for replay -> (It was recorded and successfully broadcast to Comcast, Verizon and via Zoom but nt to YouTube) When available the link will be added

Agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/events/franklin_school_committee_meeting_6.pdf

Meeting packet folder -> (docs released for this meeting, some of them available after the meeting) https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2024---25-meeting-packets/8%2F13%2F24-sc-meeting-packet/685844

My notes in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Gr8uvNEdDqoW8Irw8pjg3McXgxhRi4ai/view?usp=drive_link

Lifelong Learning Summer Update )pix of slides shared) ->

https://photos.app.goo.gl/FfeYoJc8S5UhAsVJ8

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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!

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