A special town election date is being determined. This field will be updated when that is announced. One Franklin is advocating for a June election to prevent cuts to our public schools perpetuating the deficit. There is a petition to gather support for this if you would like to add your name HERE - SIGN THE PETITION
Two options: Visit Town Clerk's Office and fill out a voter registration form or Register To Vote The voter registration deadline is 10 days prior to any election. We will update that deadline when the date is determined.
School closings/consolidation and needing more local funding are not mutually exclusive.
School consolidation is on the table, we know there is a subcommittee devoted to a comprehensive facilities plan. Last year’s redistricting analysis was voted down by school committee as it was seen by constituents as another temporary bandaid, similar to the DT closing, which has little impact on the budget and caused some disruption. We see this potential as a way to SUSTAIN level service if the override is successful, because costs do rise (healthcare, special ed, etc).
School consolidation is part of sustainability always, especially when districts are stable enough to develop a vision and model effectively. Our Superintendent Lucas Guigere had an analogy at a recent 2024 meeting that it’s difficult to envision a pool and deck when you’re trying to come up with the rent. We strongly believe while closing schools could very much help us keep this momentum, it is not the answer to this deficit.
This budget recommendation that was voted on by School Committee and brought to Town Council with the ask to fully fund the Schools Operating Budget this year is not in the “thrive” column, It’s “stability”. Room to breathe at any point enrollment may temporarily dip, allows some things in the thrive column to even have any potential. All the student/school movement it will take to deliver greater efficiencies takes bandwidth, which has been scarce the last 5 years minimally. However, work is well underway on this topic for a sustainable long term vision, and will be voted on May 14th by School Committee.
We have confidence in our Superintendent to lead this district together with our Town Administrator and Town Council, to deliver for Franklin students and preserve all the services offered to the broader community.
This is a great time to explain the difference between DEBT EXCLUSIONS and an OPERATIONAL OVERRIDE FOR FRANKLIN. Both require an investment in real estate taxes from residents. However, much like a mortgage, the increase is for a rate/term loan that is not a permanent increase. DEBT EXLUSIONS are also specific to a project, and cannot be used for Franklin's operational budget.
An override, will provide Franklin the ability to prevent cuts to our Town Departments in a more sustainable way. You can find an example of how an override would effect your tax bill HERE.
This is an override for operations of many Franklin departments. Franklin Public Schools, DPW, Police, Fire Department, Library, Senior Center and Recreation. Our Superintendent and Town Administrator are still quantifying the demand. Once completed, the override proposal will be brought to the Joint Budget Subcommittee to meet publicly to discuss and engage with residents of Franklin about what to prioritize. To learn more about what each department will use funds for please click HERE.
Yes. Franklin offers exemptions and at times deferrals when qualified.
To see if you are eligible to qualify, there is a link to an online flyer HERE.
Of if you prefer, you may reach out directly to the Franklin Senior Center at (508) 520-4945.
Also you may call the Veteran's Services Office at (508) 613-1315
To reach the full list of Franklin tax exemption and deferral forms click HERE.
We are currently understaffed. We have music teachers teaching art. We have long term subs teaching high school math. Some high school classes have had 4-5 teachers for one class over the school year due to lack of staffing.
We also are staffed incorrectly for the current student body. The student population count is like a wave. The lowest point in the wave is in 4th grade right now. It has 303 students. The overall average per grade is 350 students. Kindergarten should be back to nearly 340 students next year. Because of how this wave of student population moves through the schools, we are continuing to see some grades with fewer students and other grades with significantly more. Elementary schools are already increasing over the lowest point - 2023 had 1869 and this year has 1928. However, the Middle Schools and the High School are still trending down and will continue for several years. The total school population should start increasing around 2028 or 2029, but the high school won't bottom out for several more years after that.
We cannot turn a middle or high school science teacher into an early elementary or kindergarten teacher. They are different specialties. We have to hire to fill the roles which are currently not filled to meet the current class sizes, and to handle the incoming growth at the lower elementary levels. FPS previously reduced staffing at those grades due to the lower population.
Yes, prop 2 1/2 causes many towns, especially those that have seen escalating home values to increase their town's operational funding to keep up with inflation and demand.
Franklin has not passed an operational override in 16 years, here is a list of towns that have invested in their town during the last decade or so.
Franklin Massachusetts
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