FM #1364 - Franklin (MA) School Cmte Mtg - 01/28/25 (full Mtg)

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Jan 28, 2024. 6 of the 7 members participated (6 in Chambers,  1 absent - Sompally).

1364 is the full school committee meeting in one audio file

1365 is the start of the meeting through to the end of the Middle School Math

1366 starts with the FY 2026 budget presentation and runs to the end

Quick recap

• The middle school math curriculum program is being revised to meet MA Curriculum Framework guidelines and to better meet the needs for a solid foundation in math for all students. 
• Photos of the presentation were recorded into one album -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/73DtDSCgcRCPiPHz9 
• Actual presentation doc posted after the meeting (normal process) https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/5247238/January_28__2025_MS_Math_Update_to_SC_for_Website.pdf 
• The FY 2026 budget was presented and multiple questions from the committee to clarify the details. $80M is being requested, 3.78% more than prior year but within the guidelines offered by the Town Administrator which also assuming successful passage of the possible override
• The schools do achieve significant savings with the redistricting. 34 positions are reassigned within the district, 20 positions ultimately will be reduced. For the non-redistricted budget: it would be a >$6M increase from last year. About $3M more than level service that is being requested for this year
• The budget timeline was laid out which includes a budget hearing Feb 4, School Committee vote on Feb 11, the Joint Budget listening sessions, before the Finance Committee hearings in April and Town Council hearings in May
• What was not discussed, but is on the timeline, is the Town Council consideration of the possible override at a March meeting AFTER the listening sessions complete. The decision for yes or no on the override, and if yes, to determine a date and an amount are to be expected
• Photos of the presentation were recorded into one album ->  https://photos.app.goo.gl/URuuP6RLYXmtnR3G9 
• Actual presentation doc posted after the meeting (normal process) https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/5256280/28Jan2025_FY26_Super_Rec_Budget_to_SC.pdf 
• The decision to release the Parmenter facility to the Town was approved. Consideration of the alleged Parmenter family requirement for the land to be kept in school use was made but based upon Town Attorney advice that the deed does not include such a provision, the decision was made to proceed. Vote on this was 6-0-1 (1 absent, 6 for)
• Three sets of policy modifications were made per DESE request to bring language of the policy into compliance with current requirements. Vote on this was 6-0-1 (1 absent, 6 for)
• Motion to enter into executive session for contract negotiations, not to return to open session was made and approved. The vote on this was 6-0-1 (1 absent, 6 for)

The recording runs about 4 hours & 13 minutes, so let’s listen in.

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Franklin TV video available for replay ->  (full meeting)

https://www.youtube.com/live/HYxJEgzxVww?&t=31  

Jump to the Start of Middle School Math Curriculum presentation & discussion

https://www.youtube.com/live/HYxJEgzxVww?&t=599 

Jump to the Start of FY 2026 Superintendent’s Recommended budget presentation & discussion

https://www.youtube.com/live/HYxJEgzxVww?&t=6047

The agenda doc -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01282025-1531 

Meeting packet (other docs as they are released after the meeting will get posted here) -> https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2024---25-meeting-packets/january-28%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/750840 

My full set of notes taken during the meeting can be found in one PDF ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PHnEHNKly-gag8T04ftDUSmm2JWyBc-G/view?usp=drive_link

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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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