Thread by @FranklinMatters

Getting ready to live tweet the school committee meeting starting at 7 PM. Budget hearing opens the meeting follow along with the presentation doc #schcom0322 franklinps.net/sites/g/files/…

All 7 members participating, E Stokes remote tonight, others in Council Chambers #schcom0322

FHS Theatre regional at FHS April 2, mock trial live scrimmage this Thursday evening in the FHS library #schcom0322 junior prom Q&A being prepared to share with those going

Motion to open public hearing for FY 23 school budget, seconded, passes, hearing now open #schcom0322

Supt Ahern outlines process for #schcom0322 budget review, similar to that of Town Council where as the budget lines are read a member may hold and after all the questions will be addressed in order

Chap 70 is the key calculation and bottom line we are getting $11M more than we would otherwise, i.e. being held harmless per Student Opportunity Act. Only 1 other district gets more excess aid than we do (Boston). #schcom0322

As a minimum aid district we only get $30/student (aside from some other circuit breaker funding on transportation and special education) #schcom0322

So whether it is net school spending (78%) or per pupil spending (75%) we spend less then most of the other districts (we get quite a turn on what we do) but in order to really change some performance markers would need to spend more #schcom0322

Salaries and health care account for about 88% of the total district expense #schcom0322

Targeted investment initiatives for specific educational needs touted across the schools and levels (elementary, middle, and FHS) #schcom0322

Additional investment across the district in this slide #schcom0322 and a summary slide of increases

Consideration of things previously cut and could be re-added; world lang cost est at about $350K; likely also need to expand over a few years as not likely to be able to hire as many as needed at once #schcom0322

Enrollment driven reductions possible, est at $575K at this time

While general teaching staff has declined over time, the need for specialists has risen and some info on those impacts are shown in these 2 slides #schcom0322

Also a few slides on accounting for the COVID relief and ESSR funding groups, 1, 2, and 3. All submitted, approved and allocated if not yet spent fully, expected to be by end of FY 2024 #schcom0322

ESSR funding is planned for in full, and accounted for overtime #schcom0322

The budget book link is here franklinps.net/district/schoo… #schcom0322

Several lines being held by various members as the budget summary page is being read #schcom0322
Supt search is a line item for next year (if needed) legal amount est. based upon prior years, this is a negotiation year so it may be more required this than other years

Questions being asked, answers being provided, mostly clarification around where increases are coming from; generally these are easily answered, some are good clarifications for the general community, some are in the weeds detailed, but tying back to presentation #schcom0322

Restoration of full time librarian at FHS removes risk of accreditation loss as well as continues access to online services which in some cases with software services require a full time librarian #schcom0322

In regards to prior note, if it wasn't clear to a listener that these folks know the budget and the details behind it, it should be clear: they do! The answers as noted are easily applied, sometimes looking to their notes/budget, most times not needing to do so #schcom0322

Bus fees offset only about 40% of the actual cost of the bus transportation overall. #schcom0322

Only 1 question requires a "Can I get back to you on that" answer. Simply Amazing! #schcom0322

Reference to FAQs on page 122 of the budget book per #schcom0322 member C Bernstein. Not seen in other district books and one to be used here.

So at this time, a motion to close the budget hearing, second, passes 7-0 via roll call #schcom0322

Picking up with the normal agenda, no citizen comments. Supt report in addition to that mentioned by FHS students Sara adds some items to also be found in the report doc online Wed/Thu #schcom0322 Best Buddies prom held last weekend

All night party returning this year for FHS graduation (after being canceled last 2 years), volunteers being sought to help with this. #schcom0322 not likely to do a school based vaccine program as the Town one has drawn low numbers, will share a home based program from State

Discussion/Action items moved, second passes 7-0 on the four policies up for approval #schcom0322 budget subcom did meet, will meet again as budget progresses; policy meeting for next set; PCCs busy; SWAC meeting Apr 5; SEPAC met last week, group growing recently

Community relations legislative forum schedule Apr 14, next chat June 4, critical conversation March 24 at FHS and via Zoom #schcom0322 students are welcome to attend. Documentary link sent to watch "Like" available through Sunday.

Space needs Subcom starting March 29, zoom only, (info coming to Franklin matters Weds)#schcom0322

Consent agenda recommended for approval, second, passes 7-0 via roll call #schcom0322

Motion to enter executive session not to return to open meeting, second, passes via roll call 7-0 #schcom0322
That's all for tonight, catch you next time!

@threadreaderapp unroll