This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, May 28, 2024. All seven members of the Committee were present in the Council Chambers. 

Quick recap:

• Multiple Parmenter students led the pledge of allegiance
• FHS "Seal of Biliteracy" students were recognized
• School retirees were recognized for their years of service
• The Franklin Education Foundation is going to close out as an organization and turn over their remaining funds to a new "revolving account" for the School District to continue the grant program. Details remain to be worked out on the final amount of the contribution and within the District on how the grant process will work
• District Improvement Plan updated 
• Superintendent evaluation data provided to the Committee in preparation for their formal review scheduled for June 18
• Discussion and vote on the override pledge document. Questions remain on exactly how much the schools will get in years 2 and beyond as the pledge doc is inconsistent in providing the info. As the successful override is the primary matter of focus, the Committee did vote to approve the pledge (5 for, 1 no, 1 abstain). The funding for FY 2026 and future can be addressed after the override is determined
• Preview of the proposed fee schedule to be implemented if the override fails. Staffing cuts were also provided in a summary format, as there are multiple scenarios where a position cut could trigger a chain reaction where the person fulfilling that position ends up bumping someone else to remain employed per seniority and certification as set within the contracts
• Committee entered executive session not to return to open meeting just before 11 PM

The recording runs about 3 hours & 46 minutes, so let’s listen in.

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The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->   https://www.youtube.com/live/eDKY6IjM1GU?si=j7JVUIWwZf1f6sXn&t=218 

Agenda doc  ->    https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/scagenda_5-28-24.pdf 

Meeting packet folder -> (other docs released for this meeting, some of them available after the meeting) 

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/may-28-2024-school-committee-meeting-packet 

My notes in one PDF ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cLsuju5KNR_O8vnKbIvZ_Sbm-l9gAbZ3/view?usp=drive_link 

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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?

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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!

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