LIVE BLOG: Framingham Town Meeting - Night 9

The Framingham Public School’s $115.7 proposed 2015-16 school budget is to be discussed tonight.

Framingham Patch will be live blogging.

Editor’s Note: Please excuse the typos while the blog in progress. I ill try to hit refresh as often as possible to update the blog.

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Town Meeting is expected to start at 7:30 p.m. or when a quorum is present.

7:33 p.m.

Test question of the electronic voting devices - Moderator - are the intestines the largest human organ?

33-36-15 vote

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Article 15

CFO reading the Stabilization budget --

Deb Butler - TMM7 - passed

Make a motion to remove $150,000 from stabilization for 1% for COLA for non bargaining municipal employees

Moderator -- Ms. Butler if you discussed this with the budget involved we could save some time.

Herb Chasan -- TMM4 -- can I make a motion to untable the school budget?

Moderator - not at this time.

Editor’s Note: The school budget can not be discussed until a Town Meeting member makes a motion to untable it.

Karl Rookey -- speaking rise in opposition to Ms. Butler’s motion.

Important to keep savings who when we need it.

Dick Weader -- TMM4 - I oppose the motion.

Moderator -- it is a resolution not a motion

Vote on the resolution -- 1 hand raised -- FAILS

CFO -- reserve fund budget

no passes - hand vote -- passed

Snow and ice line item - $$1.6 million

Pass -- Gerry Bloomfield

Moderator refused to let Bloomfield speak

she said he did not walk to the microphone quick enough

Point of personal privilege -- Karl Rookey -- the person who passed should have been allowed to speak.

Moderator - I am not going to allow it.

Point of order -- Deb Butler - motion to untable the school department budget

7:45 p.m. School Budget -- $115.7 million proposed now to be discussed

Moderator - Dr Scott please have you presentation ready

Beverly Hugo - speaking - for the utmost respect for the work you do here at Town Meeting

In order to provide the best education possible for every student in Framingham

School Committee Vote 6-0-0

Moderator -- why are you giving a report when this should be a presentation?

Hugo speaking -- volume of information -- budget materials have been on the back table since Town Meeting started 2 weeks ago. Trust all of you have adequately reviewing them

We have a compelling story to tell.

Now one half of students are on free and reduced lunch - a few years ago it was 33%.

High needs population is now at 55.6%

This is education in 2015 - it is much diffrent than what most of us experienced when we went to school.

About 715 new students have entered this year.

Educate 8400 students

Our students speak over 50 languages

The exciting part of the story - our teachers and specialists are rising to meet these new challenges

all the while dealing with new state and federal mandates

Just this week - US news and world report - placing 36th in Massachusetts

Every single school in our district has made progress this year.

High school went from a level 3 school to a level 1 school

Your support and the support of Framingham taxpayers has enabled our schools to improve.

Our budget request $115.7 for FY16 is supported unanimously by the Board of Selectmen, Town Manager and CFO

Your vote is the critical one.

Thanks you

7:53 p.m.

Stacy Scott - superintendent speaking -- power point is on the back table

honored to be with you this evening

sorry we missed you yesterday.

Talk with you about the critical things happening in the district.

715 new students to district

45% speak English

low income in 2011 33%

48% as of May 1 2015

387 students identified as homeless this year

student population 8607 as of May 1. - population continues to increase

Moderator -- let me get okay from Town Meeting for another 10 minutes to speak

Hand vote - passed

Scott speaking again

1 in 5 FPS student has a mental health diagnosis

1 in 3 FPS student has a chronic health issue

we are tightening up our curriculum

we are improving steadily

excellent staff

growths cores for our students are increasing.

that is the overall movement of the district

You gave us $500,000 my first year here -- I hired assistant principals

second year gave me $1.2 million --

last year you gave me another $1.2 million -- opened a new elementary school to accomodate our growth

Our numbers continue to improve.

Our budget number is $115.7 million

additional staff to be hired - $807,000

closing contract this year too

8:02 p.m.

staffing we would hire with additional $800,000

all positions are classroom needs says Scott

“Building a brighter tomorrow for Framingham School” name of Scott’s presentation

Make our budget as transparent as possible

the bottom line is clear

dramatically improving the school district

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Committee reports

Finance committee report - two votes

5-1-0 in favor support the CFO’s budget of $114.9

May 13 -- vote -- 5-0-2 to support $115.7 compromise school budget number

8:05 p.m.

Concerns by Fincom of Schools

• Bonding for this Fuller-Farley project alone could put a burden on taxpayers
• Finance committee has some concerns with salaries of employees told them will be made available next school year
• SC should develop a long term budget plan for operating and capital
• Cost of special education is increasing
• Enrollment increasing

Harold Gellar - TMM2 -- chair of ways & means speaking

issues - examine this year’s budget - short term considerations

long term -- future needs and expeditures

looming is the need for a new school or schools

twice rejected for state funding but a new application submitted in April. Awaiting word.

Debt exclusion is one of the possible approached for a new school

must take a cautious approach to expenditures.

Framingham spend over $15,000 per student per year - one of the highest in the state

Our costs are greater due to our student population and needs

Framingham School costs are overwhelmingly paid for my the town.

State underfunds us by almost $3 million per year.

Homeless students - place burden on our system

Framingham offers services but they are costly

Why are the trends happening in Framingham? The trends are only happening to a few communities in the Commonwealth

Large increases may not be sustainable in future years

7-0-1 voted in favor of the $115.7 million budget

8:13 p.m. DickWeader - TMM4 -- chair of education committee speaking

6-0-1 vote in favor of $116 million budget

Last thing held meeting on May 12 -- considering the compromise agreement

Committee finds it difficult as we were excluded from the negotiations process

agreement does not settle underline issues on level service

the recommended $115.7 is barely enough to maintain a level 3 school system

We hope that the education committee will be involved in the working group.

5-0-0 in favor -- $116.5 million -- Motion on the floor.

Education Committee made an amendment to increase the school budget, which the School Committee voted it would not support, in reaching the compromise budget amount

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Selectmen chair speaking -- Charlie Sisitsky speaking.

4-0 in favor of the compromise number of $115.7

Motion -- Selectmen support the Town Manager and CFO -- public school at $155.7 million - subject to agreements

SC would expect to adopt the same recommendation

including opposing efforts to increase the amount by amendment or motion at Town Meeting

any additional money would be appropriated to the town.

If further increase in education - TM and CFO recommend the excess by given to schools in October Town Meeting.

we think we reached a good and fair compromise to bring to you tonight

DISCUSSION by Town Meeting members - 8:23 p.m.

Karl Rookey -- TMM14 -- rise in support of this line item.

Like to thank the standing committee on education -- giving us on why they don’t agree with this and why an increase makes sense.

I will support the compromise

I would like to hear the SC thoughts

Hugo speaking -- We agreed to the $115.7 million compromise budget 4-0-0

SCOTT speaking -- no eagerness to obit any schools - just needed to cut down my slides - in the booklet on back table we speared no detail. Every school has its own story. Only one school I have concerns about its growth scores. Highlighted some.

Michael Canon - TMM9 -- rise to reluctantly support this line item

People love their teachers - town meeting members teaching during the day and Town Meeting members at night

constant theme -- great group of people -- lot of waste in our administration

• Today I received an email sent on behalf of the superintendent of schools signed by one person in his office and sent by a third. It is a waste in our administration - three individuals - well qualified and well compensated to send one email.
  

What can you live with out in the administration?

Not asking about the classroom - you will get a blank check for me for the classroom

SCOTT speaking -- administrative changes have been realigned.

very careful to be spend thrift

Put us in the elitist of school district

You will see the real value in year 5 and year 7 of my administration.

Important for you to know -- all the key things we are doing has been aligning of resources we have.

Grant office

academic support

I spend my time in negotiations, raising funds for the school, making sure we are closing all of our contracts next year.

I know we can give our teachers more.

Cannon - folo up question 3 people touched an email to say I am sorry.

The numbers can not continue

SCOTT -- office runs a $100 million operation. If I ask my staff to help me with something. Make sure spelled right and clean and clear. Make sure we can deliver to you the message that is appropriate.

8;34 p.m.

Ann Jeffries - TMM5 - proud to be a retired Framingham teacher.

I support the $116 million budget

Steven Friedman --TMM speaking - Juniper Hill should be an elementary school

Schools are using trailers for classrooms

SCOTT speaking -- Juniper Hill is too small to be an elementary school. Focuses best as a Pre-K program.

There are trailers at some schools

trailers have a 10 year lifespan

overtime move the trailers out of service

Gloria Gellar TMM speaking -- if we want to keep the schools the way they are. I ant to thank all the teachers who work so diligently in our schools.

I support the budget.

Town Manager Bob Halpin speaking -- savings shared with taxpayers to limit the property tax limit.

It is the fuel for 7% school budget last year and 5.7% school budget increase this year.

20% of share of a major school project to come in a few years

Net increase in education aid was not 1.5 or 1.6 million.

net increase of $800,000

reason took so long to reach a compromise -- after Town Meeting - net education aid as reduced below the estimate. We did not reduce the school budget after that.

Compromised at the $115.7 million school budget

8:44 p.m.

Motion to move the question

NOT moved by hand vote

Ned Price - TMM17 -- speaking -- asked for numbers in enrollment

I know it is a fluctuating enrollment

8607 - May 1.

8377 - on page 2 of today’s handout

official DOE 8153 on October 1 website

Like to know on what number does the state reimburse?

Deb Butler - TMM7 -- make resolution for abandon tennis court at Berbieri for a skateboard park.

Herb Chasan - TMM4 speaking - rise to support the compromise agreement of $115.7

Important to send a message we are getting our schools strong

slashing the budget is not the way to go.

seen very bright kids - they are a challenge

kids with limited English - a challenge

support the compromise budget

Nancy Cooper - TMM2 - why a magnet of non speaking students coming to our town?

SCOTT - migration patterns follow relationship patterns

40-60 new students came from Brazil

Students from Central America, Russia, etc...

Challenge - the state is trying to reform its chapter 70 formula.

reevaluate what it gives students at risk communities

WE are a large urban district with homeless issues.

8:52 p.m.

Folo up question Cooper -- how are they learning English? I work in the cafeteria. I don’t see them speaking English. I substitute.

Scott -- we advocate - we also want them to bilingual.

Data we created in my first year -- when students with us for 2-3 years -- move up to level 3 out of the 5 levels of language acquisition. hen students with us for 3 years or more they have significant English skills.

Cooper TMM question -- Are they being taught in their own language or English?

SCOTT - we have a combo of strategies. If a student comes into a district with no english - they learn and communicate in their own language. Then transfer them into an immersion experience.

Then have the 2-ay bilingual program

8:56 p.m.

Susan Ardnt speaking - chair of the FSEPAC speaking as a member of the public

resources are not an option but a necessity

It is the law - when town meeting members are looking at the budget - having the resources are as important as much as having glasses.

Kevin Crotty - TMM7 speaking -- been a town meeting member for 31 years

The town side sometimes did not get pay raises or just 1%

at a capital budget committee meeting, Supt said he wants to eliminate textbooks and doing everything via chrome books. Textbook is the bedrock of education.

State legislators need to do more for Framingham

need to have a line item for the school committee

9 p.m. Patrick Dunne - TMM9 - rise in support of the compromise

served in SC for 1990 for 12 years

make sure the compromise dollars hit the right targets and go to our level 3 schools and protect Framingham High - which is the flagship of the town.

McCarthy - need support and is a level 3 school and they did not get the positions

Want some assurance supt and SC on the same page with priorities

Need update on progress.

State functioning on growith

hen I taught biochemistry - students says we are getting better - but I would respond you still don’t know anything.

Shouldn’t we shoot to have ever kid above average.

discussion on homeless students and transportation

SCOTT speaking -- state fund 50% of transportation to the home district. We have to pay for the rest.

Cost us $250,00 last year with homeless transportation

essentials -- McCarthy as a school that may or may not get what it needs. Much more complicated process.Theyare things that are lower on the list. We have to improve the SAGE program. Create stretch programs for the students. Improve our middle schools.

We may have found grant monies to help McCarthy.

our expenses may go up one year to the next - utilities and special education budget. - they drive our overall costs.

Dunne - TMM - we need an advocate for these homeless students

Make a motion to move question

hand vote -- 2/3rd vote needed - Passed - question is moved

there were 8-9 people wanting to speak.

9:09 p.m. Amendment by Education Committee to increase school budget to $116 million

Electronic vote

vote yes for $116 million no for different amount.

majority vote needed

41-84-7 - FAILED

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Vote on the $115.7 million compromise budget

128-9-2 PASSED

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9:14 p.m.

Point of clarification - Gloria Gellar - TMM2 -- discuss skate park later

Point of information - Betty Muto - TMM12 - article 25 -

Moderator - this has nothing to do with article 25

Resolution -- undertake measures to allow abandon tennis courts

Point of order -- I doubt the count

Moderator - I don’t see 7 people standing

9:16 p.m.

Moderator -- need to vote on the total Article 15 budget - $245 million

Hand vote -- passed

Moderator says she sees only 1 in opposition

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9:18 p.m.

Article 16 & 17

MWRA assessment

water and sewer rates

Haberman -- motion to discuss water and sewer together but vote separately

hand vote

passed

Point of order - Joel Winnet - CFO needs to read article 17 motion

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Water budget is $20.4 million

debt service decrease

MWRA assessment increase by 5%

personnel cost increase 4.8

operating cost increase of 1.2 percent

Sewer budget is $25.7 million

MWRA asessment increase by 6.5%

operating cost 1.9 % increase

Rate setting depends on the budget

current model anticipates 3% increase and 8 % sewer - combined 6%

average family $90.84

Finance committee 6-0-1 in favor

Ways & means - in favor

Haberman -- standing committee or public works-

Vote on article 16 -- hand vote -- passed

vote on article 17 -- hand vote -- passed

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9:30 p.m.

Article 18

Economic development special purpose account

Michael Gatlin - chair of the EDIC -- speaking

budget laid out in the material - level funded budget

Part of budget is marketing --

largest portion is to execute the marketing plan

newsletters, local events, events for real estate brokers, social media, web site improvements, increased press coverage.

Beautification pilot -- FY14

reimburse 50% of program up to $3,500

9:37 p.m.

Committee reports

Finance committee 6-0- in favor

Ways & means -- Gellar speaking --11-0-0

Planning & zoning chair Steven Shoal speaking --

they have become the ambassadors

as a committee we support their efforts

7-1-0

DISCUSSION

Jim Rizzoli -- TMM14 -- this kind of bothers me.

boarded up windows in downtown framingham

Kathie McCarthy - TMM10 -- rise to support the budget

the web site is not user friendly

colors - color blindness can not see those choices

I hope e can tweak the web site

TMM9 - Maureen Dunne speaking - vice chair of the EDIC -- ask you to support this article

How important this issue is to market Framingham

hundreds of small businesses here - startup - they needs support from the town.

Working on neighborhoods meetings - Nobscot and Saxonville

work towards develop neighborhood villages

MOVE question - 2/3rd vote

hand vote - passed

action -- article 18 - hand vote -- passed

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Article 19

Permission to make changes to Cedar Swamp

CFO speaking

make it a more develop lot

dispose of parcel A - auction off parcel CCA

You have a map in your book - had that for months

Committee reports

Planning Board report -- hope Town Meeting votes for this

George Lewis - TMM18 speaking -- and showing a slide presentation

amendment the motion --

Point of order -- Joel Winnett

Chris Petrini explaining the motion ...

remove references to parcel A out of the motion and then I can accept as an amendment - Moderator

why selling the parcel makes sense -- Halpin

Parcel B is being leased by Pao Brazil

Judy Grove - TMM15 speaking -

Urge you to vote yes on the question

Motion to move the question -- hand vote -- passed

Amendment read again

Electronic vote -- majority vote

69-28-5 approved

main motion -- 10:10 p.m.

electronic vote

96-5-2 in favor

MOTION to adjourn

Town Meeting - Night 10 will be Tuesday.