Thread by @FranklinMatters

Getting ready to report on the School Committee meeting at 7 PM, follow along with the agenda here -> franklinps.net/sites/g/files/… #schcom0425

At the end of the agenda they do enter executive session and not will return to open meeting #schcom0425

FHS student updates, critical conversations on 4/26, best buddies prom, Apr 28, music group returned from Disney, great trip. FHS junior district musical festival hosted at school on Saturday, junior prom, May 5 at Lomberto's, Jun 2 #schcom0425

Supt report welcome back, entering 4th Q, trip to Spain also went well, music group also performed while there at Disney. #schcom0425 science night, May 4 (?) Thursday
May 5 Professional development day, half day. Grant opportunity, received 4 grants 2for $500k literacy

Horace Mann asst principal resigned recently, position being posted for short and long term fulfillment, will use normal process for long term review, #schcom0425 Dr Frazier covering in interim. Cost savings are approx. $50k on average for in district vs out placement

Remington MS presentation, copy not released before the meeting, usually added in the next day or so, in meantime photos of the slides are captured in one album for viewing #schcom0425

Photos coming... Delayed in upload of album to internet...

Q - on issue we should be aware of, A - mental health of the students a concern, more discussion around this #schcom0425

Q - new teachers, more so than before? A - not really, it includes experienced teachers that are new to the school as well as brand new teachers #schcom0425

Ok, thanks for your patience, here are the slides all in one album #schcom0425. photos.app.goo.gl/3ULdjXviehRsVn…

Next up, Redistricting Analysis report (also not shared prior to meeting) will capture photos as they make sense. Heard it was a 20+ page doc so more reading than charting #schcom0425

Background on the story of how they got here, more details on the three options developed for review by Advisory Cmte, and further reviewed by Space Needs Subcmte #schcom0425 forums held in March to share the info, survey and emails gathered feedback which is in report

Photo album for the presentation as such shared tonight photos.app.goo.gl/y5D4LEVkxBRSXq… #schcom0425 more photos will be added as discussion continues

This photo captures the recommendation #schcom0425

Approx 50 folks logged into the Zoom session, only 4 on YouTube session, unable to say how many are watching via Comcast & Verizon, fairly light attendance for a major report #schcom0425

Miriam Goodman adds about 2 surveys for additional info, 1 to incoming K students, other to former DT families, to help clarify the use of the buffer zones. Informed potential class size data, and financial impact. Opt 1 no impact, Opt 2 at least $30k for analysis #schcom0425

Per demographer, turnover of single family homes is the largest driver of the student population, apartments are not a big driver. A link in the report provides info for current known projects in town being built #schcom0425

Question time for #schcom0425 clarification from M Whitmore, Stokes voted not to bring this recommendation, needs more time for the better analysis (i.e. facilities analysis is completed) emails received included a petition signed by over 200 folks urging vote against 2

Q on option 3 and clarification on transportation cost, if the move is by choice they would be waiving transport by district if it was for their primary school. #schcom0425 master facilities plan development - needs to look at the maintenance cost of existing bldgs ...

As well as include the special in house programs and their space needs which were not included in prior facility report #schcom0425 back to the slide to reinforce the study needs

McNeill questions the 'urgency' alluded to by Stokes, answer from Giguere doesn't acknowledge urgency but stresses the process and development of concepts #schcom0425

Callaghan asks what changed between Jan 2021 and Apr 2023 to raise this redistricting for about 20% of the students #schcom0425 the redistricting Analysis did look at whether the initial close of DT was sustainable? And effectively it is showing there are minor issues

Charles "all we have done is moved it (the question) from 2021 to now"
Callaghan - When did the modulars get removed? How the rooms are utilized (i.e. special programs) there now #schcom0425 BICO leases 2 classrooms at Annie Sullivan, 4 at least 15-20 years

Bernstein questions around DT closure and how it was done during COVID and avoided redistricting at that time, humans have trouble with long term planning, predicated on flexible use of AS/K, complex ways to access facilities. #schcom0425 Q around acceptance into MSBA ...

And there may be some percent of their reimbursement for the facility or whatever is required but the community still needs to pay and approve to pay for it #schcom0425
Long range plan is really required, it wasn't done before, and needs to be done, so let's do it ...

Option 1 or 3 can be done, option 2 helps to get to a better balance across the district, it helps us get ahead of an inevitable move to balance #schcom0425 lots of clarification questions on terminology used in the text.

Shared concern about communications and process for choice, it is not likely to be as competitive as a T Swift concert, but doing it fairly and with sufficient time to provide for the choices to be made. #schcom0425

After long series of clarification questions, Bernstein is done. Stokes offers to answer Qs on the DT decision, the meeting links for that process are available on FranklinMatters.org also argues that redistricting was not in the radar then. Space was available. Frustrated..

By hearing that there were issues, she can't answer the question "Why?" Why are we uprooting so many to solve a problem at Keller? Let's fix Keller. #schcom0425 What is the capacity for change? 19% is not high, Holyoke redistricted the entire town, it depends upon what you ...

Need to do and the story you tell to bring folks along. If you do, you're successful, if not, then you fail. #schcom0425 ok, that's all for this topic

MS Grand Canyon Trip -
I recommend approval of the request of Greg Rakovik and Nick Goldman to take 8th graders to the Grand Canyon from 4/15-20/2024 as presented at the last meeting. moved, seconded, passes 7-0 #schcom0425

Info matters: gathering info from sch Cmte members process outlined by Stokes. Budget scheduled for May 10 budget hearing. Policy next meeting May 16, looking at MASC recommendations, likely to see more after that #schcom0425

SEPAC workshop Weds night, mental health may 9, critical conversations at FHS Apr 26, via zoom, TV, YouTube and live in the school #schcom0425

Consent agenda, moved, second, passes 7-0

I stood up to share the Favorite poem reading Apr 29 and then the community walk May 6 more info and details on Franklin Matters
#schcom0425
Motion to enter exec session seconded, passes 7-0

That's all for tonight catch you next time!

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