This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Nov 12, 2024. All 7 members participated, 6 in Council Chambers, 1 remotely (Gallagher)

Quick recap:

• School committee voted to continue their leadership team. Griffin was nominated as well as Callaghan for Chair but Callaghan prevailed with a 5-2 (Griffin, Gallagher) vote. McNeill continues as Vice-Chair by a 7-0 vote. Both votes via roll call
• Announcement of MASS student awards for Ella Mahoney and Noah Gorgas
• Middle school presentation & update; If we had more money we could have more clubs and reach more students and their interests Hopeful with the single school next year to be able to do more for the whole population of middle schoolers, more flexibility and opportunities
• Update on the district reorganization From Colin & Lucas
• 29 of the 54 possible students for the DT exemption committed to do so, Staff placement being worked, All dependent upon the budget
• Pond St facility (former Kennedy school) would be the site for an expansion for the ECDC not a replacement of, ECDC was purpose built and will remain, but expanding capacity by using space at Pond St is what is being planned
• Clarification on ECDC expansion, it would be done in phases, the focus is to provide the education space for ECDC population, which is growing, and we won't be able to utilize the Middle school space we have used at Horace Mann
• Key stat 97% of the K-5 teachers got their first choice. There is the plus one for 2nd at North and down one on South so it is budget neutral not a $75K cost as might have been in worst case
• Consideration for moving staff and furniture with the teachers where possible, Capital planning underway, don't know enough details yet but as they rise up, they will be shared

Entered executive session not to return to open meeting

The recording runs about 1 hour & 55 minutes, so let’s listen in.

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Franklin TV -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZaZ-akfth8 

School Committee agenda -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/events/fps_meeting_1.pdf 

My notes for the full session are captured in one PDF file ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r6Fpd_A-8cBzKBLdigphSMvcxcy53mfo/view?usp=drive_link 

Photos of the redistricting update -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/ADsFSJtAkHctX7Rq8 

Photos of the Middle School update ->  https://photos.app.goo.gl/mJFrSfDhaJYbojfh8 

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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?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
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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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