Episode 1406
FM #1406 - Chalkboard Chat - 03/13/25
This session shares my conversation with School Committee Chairperson Dave Callaghan. This is a new episode of our continuing “Chalkboard Chat” series. We had our discussion virtually via Zoom on Thursday, March 13, 2025. We had the opportunity to recap the Joint Budget Listening Sessions and the School Committee meeting of March 11, 2025.
We cover
- Recognition of multiple sets of students for accomplishments in (arts, writing, painting, ceramics), and for those in the DECA program who were State champions
- The redistricting facility update was talked about. The doc itself was posted on Wednesday. It lays out the process in 3 phases of immediate, near term, and long term apparently in detail.
- The Transportation update was good, ultimately while some more students are expected to ride the bus, with the redistricting, travel times should be improved, and potential for 2 less buses remains. Now, this is a model based upon current students in the district. The key will be the bus enrollment/payment process beginning in April, that closes at the end of school in June to confirm the bus routing that would really be required.
- The consideration of fees was a discussion only topic. This doc was posted on Wednesday. There was discussion of going to 4 tiers of sports fees (rather than 3). Hockey effectively moves to its own tier. Busing fees are being considered for reduction from $500 to $387 with a return of the family cap, and capping at $1000.
- A summary of the Joint Budget recommendation for the override of $3.8M on June 3 will be taken up by the Town Council at their March 19 meeting.
The recording runs about 35 minutes, so let’s listen in.
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Contact info for Dave Callaghan -> callaghand@franklinps.net
School Committee Meeting Info
Franklin TV video for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocJsUiAaOw0
The agenda doc -> https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/5388334/SCAGENDA_3-11-25.pdf
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/march-11%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/770110
Transportation update -> https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/5408487/Franklin_Public_Schools_Reorganization_Transportation.pptx.pdf
Facility projects update ->
Fees analysis for discussion only ->
My full set of notes taken during the meeting can be found in one PDF ->
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IMCqlD8Uouxkf0bB0ZuwRY8uZoH-o576/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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