Episode 1370

FM #1370 - Franklin (MA) School Cmte FY 2026 Budget Hearing - 02/04/25

Published on: 5th February, 2025

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, February 4, 2024. The meeting had been added to the schedule given the revised budget timeline which enabled this 2 months earlier than previous years. 6 of the 7 members participated (4 in Chambers, 2 remotely, and 1 absent - O’Sullivan).

Quick recap

  • The meeting did start late due to some timing and technical issues that were resolved to get the meeting going
  • The redistricting efforts provide significant savings. If the redistricting was not done (to be effective this Sept 2025) the "level service" budget as proposed would be approx $6M more than requested. That said, this budget still assumes (1) the Town Council approves of an override of at $3 to 5M (number still to be determined) (2) and it is successful, or there would be cuts to this budget
  • Lots of questions to clarify line items not so much the amount but what it covered in terms of education services, etc.
  • No vote tonight, that comes next week at their Feb 11 scheduled meeting

The recording runs just under 2 hours minutes, so let’s listen in.

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Franklin TV Video -> (Full video uploaded now) 

https://youtu.be/vAltgGVwnQE?&t=100 

The "budget book" was posted Tuesday afternoon -> https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/5269967/-FY26_Franklin_Budget_Book_.docx_-_Google_Docs_1_.pdf 

The budget line item summary was posted during the meeting ->    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fy1HMBBXlvR3R8TLgKfELxoy9pEwk8P5/view 

The agenda doc -> 

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/5247243/SCAGENDA_2-4-25_Budget_Open_Hearing.pdf 

My notes taken during the meeting in one PDF -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yWlpg2EVU57DC3EUI1Oh-PTaCpSS9Jno/view?usp=drive_link 

Photos of the presentation doc taken during the meeting (doc itself should be posted to Schools page Wed/Thu will update to include link when available)

https://photos.app.goo.gl/tyFRLmSzqjBU7td18 

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

Franklin Matters Radio
Information for the community because Franklin matters
What matters in Franklin MA - we follow the money sharing Town & School meetings, community events, and interviews to enable an informed resident & voter

About your host

Profile picture for Stephen Sherlock

Stephen Sherlock

I volunteer as the Community Information Director for Franklin, MA (USA)*. I have been providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin since 2007. Currently working in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019.

*They don't have one and couldn't afford me.