Franklin Arts Academy unveiled

A few years ago, during one of our budget discussions, Remington Middle School art teacher Roseanne Walsh appeared before the School Committee and recommended that we read and absorb the ideas contained in Daniel Pink’s book entitled A Whole New Mind. In the book, Pink argues that business and everyday life will soon be dominated by right-brain thinkers and he identified the roots and implications of transitioning from a society dominated by left-brain thinkers into something entirely different. With Pink’s book in hand, Ms. Walsh spoke eloquently about the importance of maintaining arts in education to cultivate this right brain thinking. I like to think that we listened.

Through the years, we have attempted to strengthen our arts programs in the school system, recognizing their importance in the learning environment. Indeed, that connection was highlighted again recently by a Boston Globe article which reported on work being done by Boston surgeon to study the effects of music in the operating room. As noted in the article, surgeons have long listened to music while they work – everything from classical to Celtic to rock. They say it helps them relax and concentrate. You can read the full article by clicking here.

This recognition and commitment to the arts in Franklin received a recent boost with the announcement of plans to establish a Franklin Arts Academy at Franklin High School. As noted in the mission statement, the “Franklin Arts Academy will inspire students to learn through the Arts. As a nurturing community, the Academy will be a space where students can flourish within an academic and cultural climate that promotes creation, individuality, and critical thinking through an integrated, project-based curriculum.” The project has several goals:

• To create a small learning community that provides students with the skills and opportunities that will foster artistic growth through active participation, engaging them in their own learning.
• To connect with and provide culture for the community-at-large.
• To teach the students 21st century skills for our ever-changing and interdependent world.
• To provide a learning environment that is heterogeneous, where students can demonstrate their abilities and growth through assessments that meet the levels of proficiency for college entrance.
• To introduce work experience through the exploration of employment, internships, and graduate educational opportunities.
• To create a thriving art scene.

It is a teacher driven initiative and received kudos from the New England Association of schools and colleges in its November 24, 2009 letter continuing Franklin High’s accreditation. The FAA committee — which is led by teachers Michael Caple and Marushka Waters — produced a short video which describes the Academy and vision for the project. You can view it by clicking on the image below, or clicking here.

This is certainly one of the more exciting projects to emerge from Franklin school system, and I urge you to learn more about the program. You can begin by looking at the Academy website by clicking here.

FHS building project moving to design phase

The Franklin High School renovation project is advancing and the project’s scope is expected to be presented to the community in 12 to 18 months. School Committee member Ed Cafasso, a member of the FHS building committee, provides this update:

Last week, following approval by the Finance Committee, the Town Council voted unanimously to authorize a $1 million bond for the next phase of the FHS renovation. This funding allows Franklin to hire an Owners Project Manager (OPM) and an Architect to bring the project to the schematic design phase. Under the rules of Massachusetts School Building Authority (SBA), if the Town commits to financing the full cost of this phase, the SBA will refund an estimated 30 – 45%.

The Milford Daily News covered the issue when it came before the Finance Committee (http://tinyurl.com/yz28vqq) and Town Council (http://tinyurl.com/ykboc39). The newspaper stories said the funding would go to “a study.”

That description is off the mark. The bonding authorized this week will result in actual schematic diagrams of the likely renovations, showing the components of the project and its scale. These diagrams will be prepared by a professional architect in close collaboration with an experienced project manager and with members of the Building Committee.

This phase of the project is NOT the same as the study completed in October 2006 by the firm Kaestle Boos, which looked at FHS at the request of the School Committee. It provided a general look of the building’s condition and a “blue sky” assessment of what might be done, ranging from minimal fixes to the construction of a completely new building. You can view the 2006 report by clicking here, and additional information, including the video of the presentation to the School Committee, by clicking here.

The funding authorized this past week allows Franklin to move forward to hire the professional project manager and architect  who will produce the formal schematic designs for renovation work. Every step occurs under the formal supervision of the SBA and the local Building Committee. The design options will be based on the specific renovation ideas that were part of the Town’s application for SBA funding. Those renovation ideas arose from a tour of the FHS building in December 2008 by professional SBA inspection team and subsequent discussions between members of the Building Committee and SBA officials.

The hiring of an Owner’s Project Manager is required by the SBA and by state law. The OPM should be in place by December or January and the Architect should be on board by March or April. Once schematic design is complete, and there is an agreement with all parties involved, including the SBA, a debt exclusion will be required to move toward construction.

Approximately 12 to 18 months from now, Franklin voters will have a very clear picture of the renovation project – the precise work involved, the cost and the timing – and will be asked to vote on whether the town should borrow the amount needed to pay for it over time. If voters approve the debt exclusion, a substantial portion of the total cost (a minimum of 31 percent) will be reimbursed by the state.

Keep in mind that the exact timing of every step in this process is controlled largely by the SBA, which holds tight supervision over all projects they are likely are to subsidize. Information on the general SBA process is available by clicking here.

You can learn more about the FHS project on this Tuesday night (Oct. 13) when Tom Mercer, chairman of the School Building Committee, discusses this phase of work the School Committee at a meeting that begins at 7 pm the Municipal Building. Middle school parents may wish to tune in or attend.

FHS advances to feasibility stage with MSBA

The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Board of Directors voted on Wednesday, June 3, 2009 to invite Franklin to collaborate with the MSBA in conducting a Feasibility Study on the Franklin High School. This invitation for a Feasibility Study is the culmination of the MSBA’s extensive due diligence and analysis to determine which school facilities across the Commonwealth are in most need of capital investment.

The MSBA visited Franklin in December, and based on the senior study performed then, the MSBA staff recommended that Franklin’s Statement of Interest (SOI) be moved to the Feasibility Study category to further study the appropriate solution to the identified problems.

During the Feasibility Study phase, the school district and the MSBA will collaborate to find the most fiscally responsible and educationally appropriate solution to the facility’s problems. The Feasibility Study, which will be conducted pursuant to the MSBA’s regulations, will involve the MSBA collaborating with the District to begin to explore potential solutions to the problems identified in the Statement of Interest.

This invitation to collaborate on a Feasibility Study is not approval of a project, but is strictly an invitation to the Franklin school district to work with the MSBA to explore potential solutions to the problems that have been identified. Moving forward in the MSBA’s process requires collaboration with the MSBA, and communities that “get ahead” of the MSBA without MSBA approval will not be eligible for grant funding. To qualify for any funding from the MSBA, local communities must follow the MSBA’s statute and regulations, which require MSBA collaboration and approval at each step of the process.

Before the Feasibility Study can begin, there are a number of things that must happen, including:

(1) The District must execute an Initial Compliance Certificate;

(2) The MSBA must approve the composition of the District’s School Building Committee;

(3) The District must execute a Feasibility Study Agreement with the MSBA, detailing the scope, schedule, milestones and cost sharing parameters of the Feasibility Study;

(4) The MSBA must approve an Owner’s Project Manager, which approval will include a review by the MSBA’s Owner’s Project Manager Review Panel; and

(5) The District must select a Feasibility Study Designer through MSBA’s Designer Selection Panel.

For the Milford Daily News report on the feasibility invitation, click here. You can get see additional blog posts on the FHS project by clicking here, and additional background information on the project by clicking here.

Franklin High and accreditation

I received an inquiry recently from a parent concerning Franklin High School. I thought the e-mail and my response were worth sharing:

The question: I was hoping you could direct me to a website that might inform me about the possible accreditation issues with FHS. I am hearing many different stories and would like to be informed of the true facts. I have two children at FHS and and a middle school student. My main question is: Is FHS at risk of losing their accreditation?

My response: Thank you for your note. I have attached a copy of the standards that are used in accrediting high schools (you can view the standards by clicking here).

With regard to websites, you can start with this one: http://www.neasc.org/. From there you can go to the public secondary schools site which will get you to more detailed information about high schools in particular. That site is at: http://cpss.neasc.org/. There you will find a list of the Massachusetts schools that are on probation. The list is as follows:

MASSACHUSETTS

Beverly High School, Beverly, MA — May 2003 for Curriculum, Instruction, and Community Resources for Learning

David Prouty High School, Spencer, MA — June 2008 for Assessment for Student Learning, School Resources for Learning and Community Resources for Learning

Haverhill High School, Haverhill, MA — September 1999 for Curriculum, Instruction, and Community Resources for Learning

Holbrook Junior-Senior High School, Holbrook, Ma — January 2006 for Curriculum, School Resources for Learning, and Community Resources for Learning

Maynard High School, Maynard, MA — March 2006 for Curriculum, School Resources for Learning, and Community Resources for Learning

Randolph High School, Randolph, MA — January 2008 for Mission and Expectations for Student Learning, Curriculum, Instruction, and School Resources for Learning

Rockland High School, Rockland, MA — October 2007 for Curriculum and Community Resources for Learning

Southbridge High School, Southbridge, MA — May 2005 for Curriculum and Community Resources for Learning

Uxbridge High School, Uxbridge, MA — May 2004 for Curriculum and Community Resources for Learning

You will note that Franklin High is not on that list. In fact, Franklin received a letter on October 24, 2005 continuing its accreditation. However, you have probably heard through the grapevine that Franklin was placed on warning status. That is true. On January 31, 2008, we received a letter indicating that NEASC placed FHS on warning for concerns regarding its adherence to the Commission’s Standard for Accreditation on Community Resources for Learning. That letter was prompted by facility issues which resulted in the appointment of a building committee whose purpose is to consider renovation or replacement of the building. The facility issues included lack of handicapped access, emergency showers in science labs, rusted storage shelves in lab areas, and reductions in custodial staffing. The rusted storage shelves in lab areas have been taken care of already. The School Committee has submitted a Statement of interest to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts seeking financial assistance with renovations of the building. You can find more information on the FHS project by clicking here.

In a letter dated February 9, 2009, NEASC continued Franklin on warning status and “expressed its serious concern given the ongoing fiscal constraints resulting from the failed override vote in June 2008 under which the high school has been forced to operate. Specifically, the Commission cited the negative impact of the loss of sixteen teaching positions on the delivery of the school’s educational programs and services and the resultant reduction in course offerings and increased class sizes.” We have to report back to them by August 1, 2009 with the outcome of the FY 10 budget discussions. For that reason, we are aggressively taking steps to avoid any further reductions to the school budget. You may have read in the papers about salary freezes and other budget measures which are being considered at this time.

The bottom line answer is that Franklin is not at risk of losing its accreditation, but it is in a warning status. That means that if we continue to erode education spending in Franklin, we may end up being put at risk of losing accreditation. At this time, we have a great Principal in place (Peter Light), and he is taking great steps to keep us on right path. We also have a very talented staff of teachers at that facility, and our students continue to gain acceptances at some of the finest colleges in the nation. To that extent, FHS will continue to offer great opportunities to your children and mine.

I hope all of this information helps. Please let me know if you need any additional information. Also, I understand that there was some talk about doing house meetings to address FHS concerns. I will check on the status of those meetings and get back to you.

FHS tour video

If you have never had an opportunity to visit Franklin High, and you want to see what folks are talking about relative to the condition of the building, then click below and spend about 9 minutes walking through the facility. This video tour takes you through the building, highlighting the science labs, lecture hall/auditorium, classrooms, computers, and other areas where the facility needs work.

Take the tour

You can view the complete written report on the recently completed feasibility study by clicking here. The Milford Daily News report on the most recent discussion of the FHS project can be viewed by clicking here. You can also view the architect’s presentation on the renovation options by clicking here.

FHS project presentation

On February 26, 2008, Michael McKeon, from the architectural firm Kaestle Boos Associates (KBA), presented the final report on the Franklin High School feasibility study to the School Committee. KBA presented three design options for renovating and adding to the building, with costs ranging from $93 to $100 million, and a fourth scenario to build a completely new school for $120 to $130 million.

The feasibility study was necessary to address concerns about the building that were raised in the NEASC accreditation report issued in 2005. With this project, the Town of Franklin is seeking to move the community’s aging high school into the 21st century. In the spring 2005, the School Committee requested that a study of the facility needs at Franklin High School be conducted. The needs study looked at what physical aspects of the Franklin High School facility must be addressed to bring the 35 year old facility up to date.

On the renovation side, KBA presented three design options for renovating and adding to the building, with costs ranging from $93 to $100 million. It was noted that the facilities must be updated — for example, disabled students should be provided full access to the building — and cosmetic repairs should also be made, such as replacing tiles and ceilings. The school desperately needs new science labs and an auditorium. One architect who visited the building said the labs were so outdated they looked like ”Frankenstein came out of there.” Theater and band performances now take place in a lecture hall with decades-old seats.

A fourth scenario presented provided a plan for building a completely new school at a price between $120 and $130 million. The new school could be built on the other side of the field house on some of the existing fields, which could be rebuilt where the existing facility is currently located. The site plan shows keeping the existing parking off Oak Street (to serve the new fields) and extends the parking at Horace Mann up to the current exit road just east of the wetlands/woods for teachers and students. Traffic can then be routed straight through the site from Oak to Panther way with a bus drop off loop in the rear corner and parent drop off in the front, off Oak. The existing ring road (around the high school) provides access to the terraced athletic fields.

The complete presentation (in four parts) can be viewed by clicking on the images below. You can view the complete written report on the study by clicking here. The Milford Daily News report on the meeting can be viewed by clicking here.

Part I: Renovation Options

Part II: Entirely New Facility

Part III: Questions and Answers

Part IV: Questions and Answers (cont.)

Aging science labs are targeted

An interesting article on aging science labs appeared recently in the Boston Globe. It is a timely piece for citizens in Franklin who are looking at an aging high school with similar issues. Here is an excerpt from the article:

Thousands of Bay State high school students conduct experiments in decades-old science labs, some without computers or functioning gas lines, at a time when science has leapt forward to embrace robotics, forensics, and nanotechnology.

At least two-thirds of the 99 public high schools vying for state construction money this year cited outdated science labs among the reasons for building a new school or to renovate and expand an existing building. The New England Association of Schools and Colleges, an accreditation group, has noted aging science labs and other deficiencies in placing six Massachusetts schools on probation, a rare action that can lead to a loss of accreditation.

The condition of the labs – many of them built before Neil Armstrong walked on the moon in 1969 – is raising questions about the schools’ ability to prepare students to pass the state’s new high school science exam, a soon-to-be graduation requirement, and to recruit students into careers for the sciences. Education officials will release the first-ever batch of high school science scores tomorrow.

To view the entire article, click here.

MASC/MASS Joint Conference 2006

Four members of the Franklin School Committee, along with the Superintendent of Schools, attended the annual MASC/MASS Joint Conference which took place in Hyannis from November 8-11. The conference provided an opportunity for school committee members and superintendents from throughout Massachusetts to meet and discuss a myriad of issues which arise in public education.

The collaborative annual joint conference between MASC and MASS presented a program of nationally known speakers, current-issue panel discussions, informative exhibits, and demonstrations of successful instructional and mangement initiatives in local districts. The MASC Delegate Assembly was also held during the four-day event at which time officers were elected and the Assembly considers resolutions submitted in conformance with the MASC By-Laws. These resolutions often result in the filing of legislation by the Association, or the establishment of Association positions.

Representatives from Franklin attended workshops on school finance, improving achievement, special education, districts in transition, drugs and substance abuse, dealing with difficult people, school law, collective bargaining, and assessing operations. In addition, the group participated in a program on the media and your message which was presented by Suzanne Bates, a former anchor for the WBZ-TV news.

A number of Web resources were highlighted at the convention. Among some of those resources are the following:

Massachusetts State Performance Plan for special education reporting: The Massachusetts State Performance Plan (MA SPP) was developed in accordance with 20 U.S.C. 1416(b)(1), which states that “not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA), each State must have in place a performance plan that evaluates the State’s efforts to implement the requirements and purposes of Part B and describes how the State will improve such implementation.” The MA SPP responds directly to the 20 indicators identified by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) in Information Collection 820-0624, Part B State Performance Plan (SPP) and Annual Performance Report (APR);

Special Education Finance Policy: The attached link is an updated powerpoint presentation prepared by Dr. Sheldon Berman on Special Education Finance Policy. The document represents an analysis of the cost trends and issues with funding special education. The document also includes a Policy recommendation to address this issue.

Speak Like a CEO provides readers with the secrets, situations and strategies that every executive must face. Suzanne Bates’s unique and effective techniques have helped hundreds of leaders give better speeches, presentations, media interviews, meetings – even handle conversations and social situations. In Speak Like a CEO, you learn how to be yourself, find your own voice, so you are both powerful and authentic with any audience.

MSBA regulations which affect FHS discussed at conference

Two members of the School Committee attended a MASBO (Massachusetts Association of School Business Officials) conference on school construction projects. The conference was centered on the MSBA (Massachusetts School Building Authority) regulations which will affect the Franklin High project which is in its initial stages. It featured a keynote address by Katherine Craven, the Executive Director of the Authority. She outlined the regulations, policies and procedures which the Town will have to follow in order to get financial assistance with the renovation of Franklin High.

As you know, the School Committee and Town Council endorsed a Statement of Interest which was recently filed with the MSBA, and which identifies the problems at FHS for which the Town is seeking financial assistance from the State.

The conference highlighted the deadlines and issues that all Massachusetts school districts will face under the new program. We urge you to stay tuned as we sort through these issues and move forward with this project.

In the meantime, here are some links to web sites and manuals discussed at the conference:

MSBA (Massachusetts School Building Authority) web site.

Inspector General manual on Designing and Constructing Public Facilities.

CM at Risk as an alternative to the traditional design-bid-build method of building as embodied in Chapter 149.

Salem High School renovation project which is proceeding under the new CM at Risk process.

Masschusetts School Building Authority Regulations 963 CMR 2.00, adopted September 22, 2006.

The Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management which provides professional and comprehensive services to state agencies in the fields of public-building design, construction, maintenance and real estate.

Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts: AGC of Massachusetts is a full service chapter of the National Association. Locally, it works closely with all facets of our industry to develop fair business practices for all participants.

FHS recommendations available online

The FHS presentation and recommendations made on October 10, 2006 by Kaestle Boos Associates, Inc. (KBA) can be viewed online by clicking here.

A similar presentation will be delivered to the Town Council on October 17, 2006.