Thread by @FranklinMatters

It is almost time for my real time reporting on the Franklin (MA) School committee meeting. #schcom0111 the agenda doc can be found -> franklinps.net/sites/g/files/…

(1) The "Meetings are recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29" (2) They are also available via Zoom (see link in agenda doc). (3) They can also be live streamed via the Franklin home page -> franklinma.gov/home/pages/liv… #schcom0111

The meeting packet folder so you can follow along is found -> franklinps.net/district/meeti… contains all docs released for this meeting except for the Supt's report which is only posted day or so after the meeting #schcom0111

Noteworthy, the committee will break for executive session AND return to public meeting after doing so. Any guesses how long we'll wait? Last time with this group (if I recall correctly) it was about 45 mins. #schcom0111 whatever it is, use your time productively! I will

Meeting starts on time! #schcom0111 oh, they just announced not returning to open meeting after executive session. Yay!

Moment of silence includes mention in memory of former Councilor Andy Bissanti #schcom0111

Went back to the agenda to see if I had misread it but "and to return in Open Session" is there. #schcom0111 M Benson commenting on DESE stance of masks and lack of response of Supt and SchCom from prior meetings that she raised this. One member remote so roll call taken

FHS Student updates - DECA over 100!students qualified for state level comp, sports underway, FHS jazz band concert coming, drama fest prep underway, middle theater clinics underway, senior project prep underway. #schcom0111 senior banquet and sophomore banquet scheduled

Next up, superintendent report; preview of professional development day coming #schcom0111 wide variety of content topics coming, can't cover them all. 58 presenters scheduled within district for peer learning, DT update. Being used for storage of equipment/furniture .
..

Also holds the PPE for schools and Town, are in regular conversation with town on readiness, but pandemic has delayed things, want a thoughtful plan with master facilities plan to start in near future #schcom0111

Had planned on tours of schools for new #schcom0111 members but would prefer to delay to March or so depending. Committee comments on development, thrilled for plan; gratitude for teachers and staff doing what it takes during this period.

Putting out a call for substitute teachers, check web page for info, qualifications and applications. franklinps.net/district/human… #schcom0111

Feedback on last PD was incorporated into this session on Friday's half day being set up. #schcom0111 moving to guest and presentations; first up is special education and student services doc -> franklinps.net/district/meeti…

New structure within Dept outlined by Paula Marano #schcom0111

District resources outlined in slide support the parent in development of the individual education plan (IEP) not cookie cutter, parents get packet of details as what is covered, etc. #schcom0111 504 plan calls for accomodations for student learning

Bad connection from one of the presenters #schcom0111 (oh well, this is the world we are in, all is not perfect) population counts are from Oct 2021 and similar to prior years, also aligned with rates in other districts. Shows #s not increasing

(Student population numbers haven't increased however the costs associated with that is another story for another day) #schcom0111 ECDC is the entry point for district 33% of the students in this school which is high but also the early intervention pays dividends thru the years

Jefferson numbers seem high but that is also due to the programs offered there but not elsewhere in the district. #schcom0111

Slide shows the programs offered across the district and what schools they are housed within #schcom0111 GOALS is the program for autistic students with mild to moderate needs

STRIVE for students with developmental disabilities, needs to be delivered in a small ratio of student/teacher. NECC partners with the district to deliver on site rather than sending them off-site which is more expensive as well as includes additional transport $s #schcom0111

Planning with NECC to prepare for the 5th graders to move to 6th (middle school) and stay within district as opposed to leaving #schcom0111

Remington numbers are higher but they have two programs as shown on next slide #schcom0111 where the other schools have only 1

Moving from middle to FHS, these numbers and programs outlined #schcom0111 co-teaching is a regular teacher along with a special Ed teacher delivering the curriculum materials, etc.

Next several slides get into more details on the different programs offered see pages 16-20 for the program details #schcom0111

Out of district slide a data point (no way to interpret if similar #s to prior years in any way) #schcom0111 talking to these numbers being lower than prior years, i.e. with expansion of program/services to deliver in district

List of programs for the out of district placements #schcom0111 families are involved in the planning for placement and service needs of the student; district is a member of the ACCEPT and BICO collaboratives

Goal slide as summary #schcom0111

Q on Best Buddies and unified sports; district does have first total district to do so, unified over subscribed at FHS may also have a program starting at middle school this year #schcom0111

Space mentioned as an issue in terms of expanding other programs to keep students in district and reduce costs #schcom0111 glad to have the new structure of one assistant for each elementary and secondary (middle-FHS) levels

Will have number for how much is saved by in district services vs out of district placements during the budget period, all the services are mandated to be provided #schcom0111 how are staff handling the pandemic with shortages of staff, "it is tough!"

Moving to discussion action items: franklinps.net/district/meeti…
Working on a capital plan for next 5 years; moved, seconded, passes 6-0 (Stokes recused) (so no roll call required)

BICO leases spaces from the district at Annie Sullivan. #schcom0111
Capital plan next up franklinps.net/district/meeti… math and social studies curriculum costs; moved, seconded, passes 7-0 via roll call (capital plan will go to FinCom and then TC for approval)

Next up, budget adjustment to FY 2022 franklinps.net/district/meeti… #schcom0111 minor relatively speaking, moved, seconded passes 7-0 via roll call

Next discussion action items for the FHS unified basketball team to go to Orlando for the US Special Olympics later this year franklinps.net/district/meeti… #schcom0111 includes missing 5 school days, asking for exception, moved, seconded, passes 7-0 via roll

No cost to district for the trip, first MA team selected for participation, kudos to all involved #schcom0111

franklinps.net/district/meeti… moved, seconded, passes 7-0 via roll call

Discussion only: COVID numbers updated late due to snow day Friday, enormous jump in past week, but increasing since Thanksgiving, #schcom0111 COVID page -> sites.google.com/franklinps.net…

Approx 15% students out, approx 11% faculty is a big puzzle, accolades to the principals for doing this daily, it is a drain on us all. #schcom0111 another youth vaccine clinic next week at Senior Center, 50% youth with 1 dose; 40% fully vaxed another 10% out with quarantine

About 105 cases were in school vs others were sourced out of school. Would take 3 weeks to out pool testing in place, so many positives it is a problem, better for lower positivity. DESE has extended masks policy, DESE also changed details, did cover implementation ...

With legal advice (i.e. the citizen comment earlier); masks are now fully required with the situation we are now are in, contact tracing being done as best we can, very difficult. #schcom0111 there is no remote waiver or option, if we close a school, day would get made up

C Bernstein mentions from the teacher and student perspective, it is a real challenge, stressful. Please be patient with teachers, admin and students. The best you can do is what it is, we can recover later #schcom0111 appreciate the work over the break on getting the test

Home tests reported to schools if positive, otherwise the numbers are lower than 'reality'. #schcom0111 what if a school has to close? Decisions to be decided as soon as info is available, working evenings on call outs when they occur, would use regroup notification as needed

For a day or two, this is New England and winter so we could all handle this, longer than a day/two would be interesting, anticipating only a day or 2 period of closure. #schcom0111 Norwood doing a pool of 2, so is that really a pool? #s are staggering

When students are absent due to immunocompromised folks, are there any exceptions/adjustments for attendance in those cases? No, not per DESE, but we can work thru superintendent's group to see #schcom0111

Test and stay numbers are showing we are doing okay given the circumstances, there is some hope and credibility to the mitigation strategies in place (masks, air cleaning, etc.) #schcom0111

Superintendent eval, meeting at end of month; budget subcom did meet to review the adjustment, will be doing more, comm relations meeting Weds, policy did meet last week and working on policy revisions, joint PCC rescheduled to the 24th #schcom0111

Social media critical conversations planning underway, SWAC being scheduled; SEPAC update, virtual Q&A Jan 25, more info on Facebook or web page franklinsepac.org #schcom0111

Update on FHS for school learning, COVID #s, coming up next time
Consent agenda items, moved, second, passes 7-0 via roll #schcom0111

Motion to enter executive session, for three reasons, see agenda details, NOT to return to open meeting #schcom0111 via roll call passes 7-0

That's all for tonight, catch you next time! #schcom0111

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