Legal Notices

June 21, 2024 To: Town Council From: Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator Amy Frigulietti, Deputy Town Administrator Re: FY25 Budget Adjustment The Town Council will consider a proposed FY25 Budget adjustment to cut from municipal services in an effort to restore some of the School cuts that have been proposed due to the failed townwide override vote on June 11, 2024. We are proposing municipal budget adjustments before the Council for consideration this evening due to the overwhelming amount of public feedback from school parents, educators and stakeholders in the wake of the failed override vote. While we do not take these cuts lightly, we feel they are necessary to try and preserve some of the School cuts. With that said, we want to be clear that this is not a request that has been made by the Superintendent or School Committee. The decision to further trim from the municipal budget was examined, in response to public feedback, with the intention of presenting the next level of discussion and engagement on the town budget prior to the fiscal year beginning. At the meeting on Wednesday, June 26th, we will present a brief slideshow outlining proposed cuts line item by line item and will have handouts. We are still working with our finance team on the slideshow, lists of cuts, communicating them, and revising the voting document for the Town Council to consider. Once finalized, we will publish these materials and will have all the information to the Town Council and the Community as soon as possible. As we have mentioned many times before, the amount of work requested of our staff far exceeds the actual staff capacity. We all have so much going on right now, general administration of these types of items is very challenging to do. The first round of proposed cuts focuses on areas that generate little to no revenue. When the town considers cuts, we also have to be cognizant of the offsetting revenues various departments bring in and potential cost increases associated with cuts, such as overtime, that may accompany a final decision. Please let us know if you have any questions and more materials will be made available next week. June 25, 2024 To: Town Council From: Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator Amy Frigulietti, Deputy Town Administrator Re: FY25 Budget Adjustment UPDATED Attached to this memo is a list of exhibits detailing the proposed FY25 budget adjustments. I have included: 1. A revised FY25 Voting Document (and Revenue Sheet), which includes an additional $1,247,094 of adjustments from the municipal budget to FPS Account 300. By approving the following resolution, at a minimum, will give FPS a one-year increase of $4,582,493 - more than 50% higher than any one-year increase in the history of the Schools. A list of proposed Tier 1 adjustments, including a separate breakdown of DPW Expenses, have already been incorporated into the Voting Document. 2. A list of proposed Tier 2, Tier 3 and Tier 4 adjustments totalling, which is not included in the Voting Document. The total of all three tiers are $3,426,625. These adjustments are NOT included in the Voting Document and would require an amendment from the Council to adjust the Voting Document. 3. I have also included the recent letter from the Superintendent of Schools to the school community. Please let me know if you have any questions.  ‭TOWN OF FRANKLIN‬ ‭RESOLUTION 24-44‬ ‭APPROPRIATION:‬ ‭General Funds Appropriations, Transfers and Adjustments FY25‬ ‭PURPOSE:‬ ‭To raise and appropriate, transfer and adjust‬‭the FY25 General Fund appropriations as follows:‬ ‭Increase‬ ‭Dept. #‬ ‭Department‬ ‭Appropriation‬ ‭(Reduction)‬ ‭950‬ ‭Capital Transfer‬ ‭Expenses‬ ‭(25,000)‬ ‭111‬ ‭Town Council‬ ‭Expense‬ ‭(1,500)‬ ‭123‬ ‭Town Administrator‬ ‭Expense‬ ‭(7,956)‬ ‭135‬ ‭Town Comptroller‬ ‭Personnel‬ ‭(20,705)‬ ‭147‬ ‭Treasurer/Collector‬ ‭Personnel‬ ‭(53,387)‬ ‭147‬ ‭Treasurer/Collector‬ ‭Expenses‬ ‭(16,000)‬ ‭151‬ ‭Legal‬ ‭Expenses‬ ‭(10,000)‬ ‭155‬ ‭Technology‬ ‭Personnel‬ ‭(92,605)‬ ‭155‬ ‭Technology‬ ‭Expenses‬ ‭52,605‬ ‭422‬ ‭DPW‬ ‭Personnel‬ ‭(60,000)‬ ‭422‬ ‭DPW‬ ‭Expenses‬ ‭(190,000)‬ ‭510‬ ‭Board of Health‬ ‭Personnel‬ ‭(21,700)‬ ‭541‬ ‭Council on Aging‬ ‭Personnel‬ ‭(145,238)‬ ‭690‬ ‭Historical Museum‬ ‭Personnel‬ ‭(55,608)‬ ‭910‬ ‭Benefits‬ ‭Expenses‬ ‭(150,000)‬ ‭910‬ ‭OPEB‬ ‭Expense‬ ‭(450,000)‬ ‭300‬ ‭Franklin Public Schools‬ ‭Expenses‬ ‭1,247,094‬ ‭MOTION:‬‭BE IT MOVED AND VOTED‬‭by the Town Council‬‭to raise and appropriate, transfer and adjust the‬ ‭FY25 General Fund individual appropriations in the amounts and to the accounts specified above, that, in total,‬ ‭due to the capital transfer into the operating budget, amounts to an increase of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars‬ ‭($25,000).‬ ‭This resolution shall become effective according to the provisions of the Town of Franklin Home Rule Charter.‬ ‭DATED: ____________ , 2024‬ ‭VOTED: __________________________‬ ‭UNANIMOUS: _______________‬ ‭A TRUE RECORD ATTEST:‬ ‭YES: _________ NO: __________‬ ‭ABSTAIN:_____ ABSENT: _____‬ ‭RECUSED: __________________‬ ‭_________________________‬ ‭Nancy Danello, CMC‬ ‭_____________________________‬ ‭Town Clerk‬ ‭Glenn Jones, Clerk‬ ‭Franklin Town Council‬  TOWN OF FRANKLIN OPERATING BUDGET FY2025 VOTING DOCUMENT FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2025 FY 2025 FY 2025 Town Council Town Council Department Town Admin Fincom Town Council Dept. Department Final Final Request Recommend Recommend Final 111 TOWN COUNCIL EXPENSES 4,000 6,000 7,000 7,000 7,000 5,500 4,000 6,000 7,000 7,000 7,000 5,500 123 TOWN ADMINISTRATOR PERSONAL SERVICES 418,023 584,802 579,799 579,799 579,799 579,799 EXPENSES 130,582 44,782 39,782 39,782 39,782 31,826 548,605 629,584 619,581 619,581 619,581 611,625 131 FINANCE COMMITTEE EXPENSES 1,500 1,500 1,500 1,500 1,500 1,500 1,500 1,500 1,500 1,500 1,500 1,500 135 COMPTROLLER PERSONAL SERVICES 498,505 721,361 754,630 754,630 754,630 733,925 EXPENSES 81,300 85,800 84,600 84,600 84,600 84,600 579,805 807,161 839,230 839,230 839,230 818,525 141 BOARD OF ASSESSORS PERSONAL SERVICES 348,004 370,860 381,597 381,597 381,597 381,597 EXPENSES 99,900 104,900 127,400 127,400 127,400 127,400 447,904 475,760 508,997 508,997 508,997 508,997 147 TREASURER/COLLECTOR PERSONAL SERVICES 388,656 442,959 455,780 455,780 455,780 402,393 EXPENSES 91,105 91,105 91,105 91,105 91,105 75,105 479,761 534,064 546,885 546,885 546,885 477,498 151 LEGAL SERVICES PERSONAL SERVICES 117,531 125,105 128,726 128,726 128,726 128,726 EXPENSES 54,948 60,000 70,000 70,000 70,000 60,000 172,479 185,105 198,726 198,726 198,726 188,726 152 HUMAN RESOURCES PERSONAL SERVICES 221,397 279,500 352,404 352,404 352,404 352,404 EXPENSES 34,750 38,650 38,950 38,950 38,950 38,950 256,147 318,150 391,354 391,354 391,354 391,354 155 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PERSONAL SERVICES 18,645 36,952 92,605 92,605 92,605 - EXPENSES 384,597 457,215 467,448 467,448 467,448 520,053 403,242 494,167 560,053 560,053 560,053 520,053 161 TOWN CLERK PERSONAL SERVICES 219,539 236,950 248,955 248,955 248,955 248,955 EXPENSES 19,557 20,850 21,150 21,150 21,150 21,150 239,096 257,800 270,105 270,105 270,105 270,105 164 ELECTION & REGISTRATION PERSONAL SERVICES 33,629 30,559 133,689 133,689 133,689 133,689 EXPENSES 42,700 60,700 65,700 65,700 65,700 65,700 76,329 91,259 199,389 199,389 199,389 199,389 171 CONSERVATION COMMISSION PERSONAL SERVICES - - 75,541 75,541 75,541 75,541 EXPENSES - - 12,060 12,060 12,060 12,060 - - 87,601 87,601 87,601 87,601  TOWN OF FRANKLIN OPERATING BUDGET FY2025 VOTING DOCUMENT FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2025 FY 2025 FY 2025 Town Council Town Council Department Town Admin Fincom Town Council Dept. Department Final Final Request Recommend Recommend Final 176 ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS EXPENSES 10,000 9,000 7,000 7,000 7,000 7,000 10,000 9,000 7,000 7,000 7,000 7,000 177 PLANNING & GROWTH MGMT PERSONAL SERVICES 417,966 456,979 394,671 394,671 394,671 394,671 EXPENSES 32,300 32,300 31,000 31,000 31,000 31,000 450,266 489,279 425,671 425,671 425,671 425,671 184 AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION EXPENSES 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 192 PUBLIC PROPERTY & BUILDINGS PERSONAL SERVICES 2,930,770 3,326,055 3,484,614 3,484,614 3,484,614 3,484,614 EXPENSES 5,108,400 5,172,200 5,384,040 5,384,040 5,384,040 5,384,040 8,039,170 8,498,255 8,868,654 8,868,654 8,868,654 8,868,654 196 PURCHASING/CENTRAL SERVICES PERSONAL SERVICES - - 92,249 92,249 92,249 92,249 EXPENSES 160,500 161,000 170,524 170,524 170,524 170,524 160,500 161,000 262,773 262,773 262,773 262,773 Subtotal, General Government 11,869,804 12,959,083 13,795,519 13,795,519 13,795,519 13,645,971 210 POLICE PERSONAL SERVICES 6,018,217 6,688,800 6,974,304 6,974,304 6,974,304 6,974,304 EXPENSES 316,140 332,331 374,016 374,016 374,016 374,016 6,334,357 7,021,131 7,348,320 7,348,320 7,348,320 7,348,320 220 FIRE PERSONAL SERVICES 6,149,076 6,572,224 7,181,065 7,181,065 7,181,065 7,181,065 EXPENSES 535,703 654,000 506,000 506,000 506,000 506,000 6,684,779 7,226,224 7,687,065 7,687,065 7,687,065 7,687,065 225 REGIONAL DISPATCH EXPENSES 610,664 958,670 1,309,797 1,309,797 1,309,797 1,309,797 610,664 958,670 1,309,797 1,309,797 1,309,797 1,309,797 240 INSPECTION DEPARTMENT PERSONAL SERVICES 355,990 426,373 416,583 416,583 416,583 416,583 EXPENSES 22,712 29,512 29,950 29,950 29,950 29,950 378,702 455,885 446,533 446,533 446,533 446,533 292 ANIMAL CONTROL EXPENSES 80,700 92,700 104,700 104,700 104,700 104,700 80,700 92,700 104,700 104,700 104,700 104,700 Subtotal, Public Safety 14,089,201 15,754,610 16,896,415 16,896,415 16,896,415 16,896,415 300 FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOLS EXPENSES 70,220,825 71,989,431 81,319,261 75,324,829 75,324,829 76,571,923 70,220,825 71,989,431 81,319,261 75,324,829 75,324,829 76,571,923 390 TRI-COUNTY REGIONAL SCHOOL EXPENSES 2,540,198 2,674,447 2,908,492 2,908,492 2,908,492 2,908,492 2,540,198 2,674,447 2,908,492 2,908,492 2,908,492 2,908,492  TOWN OF FRANKLIN OPERATING BUDGET FY2025 VOTING DOCUMENT FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2025 FY 2025 FY 2025 Town Council Town Council Department Town Admin Fincom Town Council Dept. Department Final Final Request Recommend Recommend Final 395 NORFOLK AGGIE VOC ED TUITION EXPENSES 68,585 66,660 69,993 69,993 69,993 69,993 68,585 66,660 69,993 69,993 69,993 69,993 Subtotal, Education 72,829,608 74,730,538 84,297,746 78,303,314 78,303,314 79,550,408 422 DPW - HIGHWAY PERSONAL SERVICES 647,816 668,104 703,139 703,139 703,139 668,139 EXPENSES 545,100 1,095,100 939,000 939,000 939,000 884,000 1,192,916 1,763,204 1,642,139 1,642,139 1,642,139 1,552,139 422 DPW - PARK & TREE PERSONAL SERVICES 555,210 560,477 582,600 582,600 582,600 557,600 EXPENSES 516,750 563,251 611,250 611,250 611,250 556,250 1,071,960 1,123,728 1,193,850 1,193,850 1,193,850 1,113,850 422 DPW - SNOW & ICE PERSONAL SERVICES 203,000 255,000 255,000 255,000 255,000 255,000 EXPENSES 853,500 1,167,500 1,167,500 1,167,500 1,167,500 1,167,500 1,056,500 1,422,500 1,422,500 1,422,500 1,422,500 1,422,500 422 DPW - CENTRAL MOTORS PERSONAL SERVICES 209,133 272,169 271,735 271,735 271,735 271,735 EXPENSES 667,900 713,500 889,500 889,500 889,500 889,500 877,033 985,669 1,161,235 1,161,235 1,161,235 1,161,235 422 DPW - RECYCLING PERSONAL SERVICES 87,142 89,492 93,066 93,066 93,066 93,066 EXPENSES 133,000 149,000 166,000 166,000 166,000 166,000 220,142 238,492 259,066 259,066 259,066 259,066 422 DPW - ADMINISTRATION PERSONAL SERVICES 193,587 207,875 218,577 218,577 218,577 218,577 EXPENSES 211,300 213,300 187,300 187,300 187,300 157,300 404,887 421,175 405,877 405,877 405,877 375,877 422 DPW - STORM WATER PERSONAL SERVICES 269,914 - - - - - EXPENSES 677,000 - - - - - 946,914 - - - - - 422 DPW - STREET LIGHTING EXPENSES 65,000 55,000 75,000 75,000 75,000 25,000 65,000 55,000 75,000 75,000 75,000 25,000 424 DPW - STREET LIGHTING EXPENSES - - - - - - - - - - - - Subtotal, Dept of Public Works 5,835,352 6,009,768 6,159,667 6,159,667 6,159,667 5,909,667 510 BOARD OF HEALTH PERSONAL SERVICES 260,985 296,931 306,553 306,553 306,553 284,853 EXPENSES 48,400 48,400 48,400 48,400 48,400 48,400 309,385 345,331 354,953 354,953 354,953 333,253  TOWN OF FRANKLIN OPERATING BUDGET FY2025 VOTING DOCUMENT FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2025 FY 2025 FY 2025 Town Council Town Council Department Town Admin Fincom Town Council Dept. Department Final Final Request Recommend Recommend Final 535 DISABILITY COMMISSION EXPENSES - 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 - 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 541 COUNCIL ON AGING PERSONAL SERVICES 455,471 610,975 666,345 666,345 666,345 521,107 EXPENSES 6,700 33,100 33,100 33,100 33,100 33,100 462,171 644,075 699,445 699,445 699,445 554,207 543 VETERANS SERVICES PERSONAL SERVICES 97,714 107,852 119,487 119,487 119,487 119,487 EXPENSES 11,115 11,115 12,115 12,115 12,115 12,115 VETERANS SERVICES 165,000 165,000 165,000 165,000 165,000 165,000 273,829 283,967 296,602 296,602 296,602 296,602 Subtotal, Human Services 1,045,385 1,274,374 1,352,000 1,352,000 1,352,000 1,185,062 610 LIBRARY PERSONAL SERVICES 774,394 814,818 862,725 862,725 862,725 862,725 EXPENSES 293,130 282,000 292,000 292,000 292,000 292,000 1,067,524 1,096,818 1,154,725 1,154,725 1,154,725 1,154,725 630 RECREATION PERSONAL SERVICES 430,818 467,656 511,372 511,472 511,472 511,472 EXPENSES 243,749 277,000 284,000 284,000 284,000 284,000 674,566 744,656 795,372 795,472 795,472 795,472 690 HISTORICAL MUSEUM PERSONAL SERVICES 31,931 73,928 70,057 70,057 70,057 14,449 EXPENSES 1,000 3,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 32,931 76,928 80,057 80,057 80,057 24,449 691 HISTORICAL COMMISSION EXPENSES 4,000 4,000 4,000 4,000 4,000 4,000 4,000 4,000 4,000 4,000 4,000 4,000 693 ARTS & CULTURE PERSONAL SERVICES - - 95,000 95,000 95,000 95,000 EXPENSES - - 15,400 15,400 15,400 15,400 - - 110,400 110,400 110,400 110,400 695 CULTURAL COUNCIL EXPENSES 15,000 25,000 25,000 25,000 25,000 25,000 15,000 25,000 25,000 25,000 25,000 25,000 696 CULTURAL DISTRICT COMMITTEE EXPENSES 1,000 1,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 1,000 1,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 Subtotal, Culture & Recreation 1,795,021 1,948,402 2,171,554 2,171,654 2,171,654 2,116,046 710 DEBT SERVICE - PRINCIPAL EXPENSES 4,374,000 4,072,000 3,990,000 3,990,000 3,990,000 3,990,000 4,374,000 4,072,000 3,990,000 3,990,000 3,990,000 3,990,000 750 DEBT SERVICE - INTEREST EXPENSES 2,300,164 2,108,253 2,067,087 2,067,087 2,067,087 2,067,087 2,300,164 2,108,253 2,067,087 2,067,087 2,067,087 2,067,087  TOWN OF FRANKLIN OPERATING BUDGET FY2025 VOTING DOCUMENT FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2025 FY 2025 FY 2025 Town Council Town Council Department Town Admin Fincom Town Council Dept. Department Final Final Request Recommend Recommend Final Subtotal, Debt & Interest 6,674,164 6,180,253 6,057,087 6,057,087 6,057,087 6,057,087 910 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS EXPENSES 14,064,063 14,771,423 15,627,691 15,627,691 15,627,691 15,027,691 14,064,063 14,771,423 15,627,691 15,627,691 15,627,691 15,027,691 Subtotal, Employee Benefits 14,064,063 14,771,423 15,627,691 15,627,691 15,627,691 15,027,691 945 RISK MANAGEMENT EXPENSES 700,000 775,000 819,571 819,571 819,571 819,571 700,000 775,000 819,571 819,571 819,571 819,571 Subtotal, Liability Insurance 700,000 775,000 819,571 819,571 819,571 819,571 TOTAL ALL GENERAL FUND $128,902,599 $134,403,451 $147,177,250 $141,182,918 $141,182,918 $141,207,918  TOWN OF FRANKLIN OPERATING BUDGET FY2025 VOTING DOCUMENT FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2025 FY 2025 FY 2025 Town Council Town Council Department Town Admin Fincom Town Council Dept. Department Final Final Request Recommend Recommend Final 434 SOLID WASTE BUDGET PERSONAL SERVICES 104,263 132,806 141,400 141,400 141,400 141,400 EXPENSES 2,462,691 2,682,833 2,776,549 2,776,549 2,776,549 2,776,549 2,566,954 2,815,639 2,917,949 2,917,949 2,917,949 2,917,949 Subtotal, Solid Waste Disposal 2,566,954 2,815,639 2,917,949 2,917,949 2,917,949 2,917,949 440 SEWER BUDGET PERSONAL SERVICES 802,798 935,104 989,282 989,282 989,282 989,282 EXPENSES 3,878,510 3,995,550 4,237,224 4,237,224 4,237,224 4,237,224 DEBT PRINCIPAL 288,000 768,703 245,000 245,000 245,000 245,000 DEBT INTEREST 85,010 315,470 396,525 396,525 396,525 396,525 5,054,318 6,014,827 5,868,031 5,868,031 5,868,031 5,868,031 Subtotal, Sewer 5,054,318 6,014,827 5,868,031 5,868,031 5,868,031 5,868,031 450 WATER BUDGET PERSONAL SERVICES 1,479,850 1,694,900 1,783,316 1,783,316 1,783,316 1,783,316 EXPENSES 2,306,000 2,446,045 2,491,147 2,491,147 2,491,147 2,491,147 DEBT PRINCIPAL 2,070,065 2,107,204 2,009,026 2,009,026 2,009,026 2,009,026 DEBT INTEREST 604,367 558,233 848,646 848,646 848,646 848,646 6,460,282 6,806,382 7,132,135 7,132,135 7,132,135 7,132,135 Subtotal, Water 6,460,282 6,806,382 7,132,135 7,132,135 7,132,135 7,132,135 460 STORMWATER BUDGET PERSONAL SERVICES - 334,117 371,296 371,296 371,296 371,296 EXPENSES - 500,000 728,360 728,360 728,360 728,360 - 834,117 1,099,656 1,099,656 1,099,656 1,099,656 Subtotal, Stormwater - 834,117 1,099,656 1,099,656 1,099,656 1,099,656 TOTAL ALL ENTERPRISE FUNDS $14,081,554 $16,470,965 $17,017,771 $17,017,771 $17,017,771 $17,017,771 TOTAL OPERATING BUDGET $142,984,153 $150,874,415 $164,195,021 $158,200,689 $158,200,689 $158,225,689  TOWN OF FRANKLIN FISCAL YEAR 2025 REVENUE AND CONTROL SHEET ORIGINAL REVISED FINAL FINAL PROPOSED PROPOSED INCREASE/ FY23 FY24 FY25 FY25 (DECREASE) TAX LEVY Prior Year Levy Limit plus 2 1/2% ($ 85,955,821) ($ 89,436,897) ($ 92,839,014) ($ 92,839,014) ($ -) New Growth ( 1,299,688) ( 1,137,751) ( 1,000,000) ( 1,000,000) ( -) ( 87,255,509) ( 90,574,648) ( 93,839,014) ( 93,839,014) ( - ) DEBT EXCLUSIONS Horace Mann Issue #1 ( 93,600) ( -) ( -) ( -) ( -) Keller-Sullivan ( 390,910) ( 376,050) ( 360,325) ( 360,325) ( -) Horace Mann Issue #2 ( 290,000) ( 280,000) ( 270,000) ( 270,000) ( -) High School Issue #1 ( 2,881,163) ( 2,878,163) ( 2,879,488) ( 2,879,488) ( -) High School Issue #2 ( 149,813) ( 151,563) ( 153,062) ( 153,062) ( -) Tri-County New School ( -) ( -) ( 132,298) ( 132,298) ( -) ( 3,805,486) ( 3,685,776) ( 3,795,173) ( 3,795,173) ( - ) TOTAL POTENTIAL TAX LEVY ( 91,060,995) ( 94,260,424) ( 97,634,187) ( 97,634,187) ( - ) STATE REVENUE Chapter 70 School Aid ( 28,885,721) ( 29,191,961) ( 29,717,993) ( 29,717,993) ( -) Charter School Reimbursements ( 971,965) ( 1,032,630) ( 767,369) ( 767,369) ( -) Unrestricted Aid ( 2,862,319) ( 2,953,914) ( 3,042,531) ( 3,042,531) ( -) All Other Net of Offsets ( 414,166) ( 426,733) ( 427,465) ( 427,465) ( -) ( 33,134,171) ( 33,605,238) ( 33,955,358) ( 33,955,358) ( - ) OTHER REVENUES Local Receipts - General Fund ( 10,606,309) ( 12,456,309) ( 13,572,562) ( 13,572,562) ( -) Host Community Agreement ( 335,295) ( -) ( -) ( -) ( -) J&J Opiod Settlement ( 67,505) ( -) ( -) ( -) ( -) ( 11,009,109) ( 12,456,309) ( 13,572,562) ( 13,572,562) ( - ) OTHER AVAILABLE FUNDS Net Budget Stabilization / Other Transfers ( 250,000) ( 2,007,009) ( 2,032,009) ( 25,000) Enterpirse Fund (Indirects) ( 1,255,000) ( 1,593,000) ( 1,841,000) ( 1,841,000) ( -) ( 1,255,000) ( 1,843,000) ( 3,848,009) ( 3,873,009) ( 25,000) TOTAL REVENUES & OTHER FUNDS ( 136,459,275) ( 142,164,971) ( 149,010,116) ( 149,035,116) ( 25,000) ASSESSMENTS & OTHER VOTES School Choice ( 496,436) ( 426,028) ( 488,259) ( 488,259) ( -) State Assessments ( 502,519) ( 528,947) ( 530,992) ( 530,992) ( -) County Assessment ( 246,505) ( 255,963) ( 262,362) ( 262,362) ( -) Charter School Assessment ( 5,544,108) ( 5,874,756) ( 5,895,585) (5,895,585) ( -) Provision for Abatements & Exemptions ( 729,733) ( 622,394) ( 650,000) ( 650,000) ( -) Subsequent Votes ( -) ( 7,519,301) ( 7,708,088) ( 7,827,198) ( 7,827,198) ( - ) TOTAL NET REVENUE ( 128,939,974) ( 134,456,883) ( 141,182,918) ( 141,207,918) ( 25,000) LESS: TOTAL GENERAL FUND BUDGET ((128,902,599) ((134,403,451) ((141,182,918) ((141,207,918) ( (25,000) UNUSED LEVY ($ 37,375) ($ 53,432) ($ -) ($ -) ($ -)  Franklin Public Schools Office of the Superintendent 355 East Central Street; Suite 3 Franklin, Massachusetts 02038 Phone: 508-553-4819 To: Franklin Community From: Lucas Giguere, Superintendent Date: June 20, 2024 RE: FY25 Budget Update Dear Franklin Community, On May 22nd, the Franklin Town Council approved an appropriation of $75,324,829. While this appropriation represents a 4.5% increase over FY24, the largest increase the Franklin Public Schools have ever received, it still represents less than the School Committee’s approved budget intended to stabilize the district. As a result of the failed override vote, there is not enough funding to support the approved budget for current services and staffing in the next year (FY25). We must implement program and service cuts as a result of the failed Proposition 2 ½ override. This document outlines the cuts in staff, supplies, and materials. The School Committee will need to approve a new budget that aligns with the amount allocated by the Town Council. The outlined reductions are necessary to address the financial constraints, as the final budget is lower than the amount needed for Level Service Plus, as detailed in the budget documents available on our website. With a less-than-level service budget, 37 positions were eliminated, including teachers and educational support personnel (-5.1%), school administration (-6.4%), and other district non-union personnel and administrator (-22%), necessitating the district to prioritize educational needs. Over the past months, we have identified the reductions and shared the associated impacts with our school community. ● Educators = 33/644 = 5.1% ● School Leaders = 2/22 = 9.1% ● District non-union personnel and administrator= 3/9 = 22% Below is a summary of the anticipated areas impacted and how these will affect our schools, staff, and students. Please note that program reductions may also include the elimination of specific programming for certain student populations, such as particular grade levels. AS THE BUDGET IS FINALIZED AND MASTER SCHEDULES ARE BUILT, SHIFTS MAY OCCUR. 1. Elementary —Reducing elementary classroom teachers will increase class sizes, with multiple sections at or over recommended guidelines and sections at or above 24 students. Reductions in curriculum specialists will impact elementary tier 2 support for math and literacy, curriculum and assessment development, and classroom support. Reducing library support will result in limited access to elementary school libraries, with school libraries being closed on certain days of the week. Reducing an elementary school adjustment counselor prioritizes students with the most needs, limiting our ability to support students and families proactively. 2. Middle—Eliminating middle school chorus and orchestra programs. Reducing band across the three middle schools will limit the number of students accessing the program. Reducing to one Spanish teacher at each middle school adjusts the program's instructional expectations. Middle school tier 2 reading support is reduced. Reducing library support will result in limited access to middle school libraries, with school libraries being closed on certain days of the week.  3. High School—Reducing high school teachers will increase class sizes, with some sections at or above the recommended guidelines of 24 students. Courses that are graduation requirements will be prioritized over elective offerings in all subject areas, resulting in elective offerings being reduced or eliminated. The electives being reduced are still being finalized, but likely include: AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles, Introduction to Computer Science, AP Latin Language and Culture, Latin I, Creative Writing, Early Childhood Education, Astronomy, Robotics, FAA Anatomy/Structures of Life, Stagecraft, Theater I, II, III, Musical Theatre Workshop, AP Music Theory, Music Production I, II. Juniors and seniors will have priority in AP course selections and wellness/PE electives, displacing and potentially eliminating sophomore AP and PE elective experiences. Athlete access to PE electives will be limited. Many high school extracurricular activities will also be eliminated or reduced. 4. Administrators and non-union staff—Reducing two school-based administrators results in redistributing the responsibilities of current administrators among schools. Reducing three district non-union positions, two in non-union personnel and one district administrator. In analyzing the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's RADAR reports for Franklin Public Schools compared to state averages. Across key categories, the district aligns closely with the statewide norm regarding school leaders per 100 students, maintaining parity at 0.2. Across other key categories, the district falls below the statewide norm regarding Instructional leaders at 0.5 per 100 students, below the state's 0.6 average, and District-level administration, at 0.1 per 100 students versus the state's 0.3. 5. Support Services—District-wide social worker support services affect student caseloads, leading to reduced counseling staff intervention, prioritizing those with the most needs, and impacting our ability to support students and families proactively. 6. Operational Adjustments—Increasing all fee and tuition-based programs, self-funding athletics, and reducing all school supply budgets (-25%), reducing the Office of Teaching and Learning budget (-25%) to reduce professional learning opportunities for educators, curriculum resources for students, curriculum committees, educational software, and stipends, Central Office (-25%). Reducing activity monitors (-17%) and educational interventionists (-25%) decreases time spent supporting students. 7. Staff Transfers—Staff transfers due to eliminated positions can create a cascading effect on less senior staff members at various grade levels based on seniority. Timing and Planning—The impact of additional funding this late in June, before the start of the fiscal year in July, creates challenges for operations, ordering supplies for the new school year, rebuilding master schedules, creating student schedules, and taking away from the time needed to close out the previous fiscal year and plan for the upcoming school year. For example, the high school schedule cannot be run until definitive course and staffing decisions are finalized. The impact of receiving funding so close to the start of the fiscal year cannot be overstated. It compresses our timeline for crucial tasks such as revising our budget and hiring essential staff, making it challenging to retain and secure high-quality educator positions and allocate resources effectively. We have received eighteen resignations in May and June, with eleven received in June. Some referenced a desire for more budget stability and less volatility as their reason for leaving the Franklin Public Schools. Given the timing of our circumstances, an infusion of one-time revenue would only exacerbate the financial challenges the district faces exponentially and would not be used to restore staff positions. As a result of the failed override, we have been prepared to move forward with the reductions in less-than-ideal conditions. While additional funding would benefit students, we, as a community, must recognize that additional allocations to the schools likely come at the expense of town-wide cuts and town-wide services. We do not support subsidizing the schools at the expense of town services and staff. Many of these departments such as the Police, Fire, DPW, Library, and Facilities directly support schools in a variety of ways. While additional funds are appreciated as a long-term commitment, it remains a reality that receiving these funds at this late date creates challenges with retaining previously cut staff, hiring new staff, and rebuilding master schedules in time, all previously communicated as impacts. We created four budgets at the start of the budget development cycle, received School Committee approval on a recommended budget, and revised the budget to meet the town appropriation. We are now conducting an exercise to identify a series of prioritized bringbacks in the event additional funds are allocated from the town before the start of the fiscal year. These bringbacks have financial implications. The majority of time in July and August will be spent hiring new staff and creating new master schedules at all levels. It is estimated that it will take six full weeks at the high school to meet with students and build a new schedule. Should long-term funding be allocated to the schools, we’ve summarized the POTENTIAL use of resources below, subject to further review. ● Reinstate elementary school educators due to larger-than-optimal class sizes ○ Strive Teacher (1.0 FTE) ○ Kindergarten teachers (2.0 FTE) ○ Grade 5 (1.0 FTE) ● Reinstate middle school educators in the following areas: ○ Chorus (1.0 FTE)- reinstate chorus ● Reinstate FHS educators in the following areas: ○ PE/Wellness (1.0 FTE) - add sections of required PE/Wellness classes for all students ○ Theater/Music (1.0 FTE) - reinstate theater and music electives ○ Librarian (1.0 FTE): NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges) accreditation evaluates schools based on various standards. Standard 4.4 in Student Learning Support requires a qualified librarian to support curriculum delivery, student research, and information literacy. ○ Business (1.0 FTE) - increased student demand and the requirement for Financial Literacy ● Review reinstating elementary instructional intervention supports ● Review reinstating elementary activity monitors ● Review reinstating selected middle school educator instructional and non-instructional stipends ● Review reinstating high school educator non-instructional stipends for activities such as Science, Math, Business National Honor Societies, and SAGA (subject to further review) ● Fund high school Guidance Department summer hours to build the new master schedule and meet with students to finalize individual schedules for the 2024-25 school year. Despite the challenges presented, we are committed to staying true to our goal of providing the best education possible for our students with the available resources. Please understand that our leadership team needs the time, space, and bandwidth this summer to complete these priorities while completing the work normally done during the summer as well. As such we will do our best to respond to your contacting us via email and/or phone in as timely a manner as practical. Sincerely, Lucas Giguere Superintendent Franklin Public Schools