This session shares the Franklin School Committee Budget Subcommittee meeting of Tuesday, May 28, 2024. Subcommittee Chair Dave McNeill, Dr Paul Griffith, KP Sompally, Supt Lucas Giguere, Business Administrator Dr Bob Dutch and current Asst Business Administrator Janaina Vasconcelos-Melotti participated.

My notes from this session:

• Overview of agenda from Supt Giguere, Dr Dutch provides update on scenarios being prepared, 35+ staff possible if the override fails, some of the estimates depending upon how the teacher contract handles the individuals and their status, licensure, tenure, etc.
• If fees go up, then some of the cuts could decrease. There is more coming in the SchCom meeting about use of the revolving funds, there is nothing more there to use, albeit some folks not quite accepting/understanding it
• The cuts, if the override does not pass, will increase class sizes, and course loads for teachers and other staff will also increase. They did look to provide class size equity across in consideration.
• By way of example, high school students in selecting their electives are helping to determine what is offered or not
• An overview of the revolving accounts. "The idea that revolving funds can contribute more than they have is not reality" Revolving funds accounts are also restricted to expenses of that nature, they can't be used indiscriminately elsewhere
• Special Ed would be an investment that can provide a return
• Review of the future budget forecast, after the $6.3, assuming the override passes, then the 60% would come, does it include the 'normal' 2.5% or not. Bottom line, the $4m would still be more than 'normal'
• Meeting adjourned, downstairs to full school committee meeting

The meeting recording runs about 46 minutes.

--------------

Agenda for this session ->  

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/5-28-24_agenda-budgetsubcom_0.pdf 

My notes captured via Twitter can be found in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bQxguiqvMylIi8_n0OOfzP6NJwDUsngX/view?usp=drive_link 

-------------

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
• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

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!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"