[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6073671,"mediaKeyId","2990890-160220cc5b9a0b019838795bf92926ae","parentId",2990890,"title","Committee approves robotics world trip, Walsh gym refinishing gift and liaison appointments; minutes accepted","audioSeconds",193,"startMs",5177000,"endMs",5370000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2990890-160220cc5b9a0b019838795bf92926ae&start=5177&end=5370","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2990890-160220cc5b9a0b019838795bf92926ae/thumbnail_5177000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6073671/Massachusetts/Committee-approves-robotics-world-trip-Walsh-gym-refinishing-gift-and-liaison-appointments-minutes-accepted","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6073671-1acc812ca0f988c0dfd603cadbd7439d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770990893&Signature=jSekEr~317Zgem7irX7VGf1jkEcYlixeMAEnW12INPSFU0-e3NbXFqNP1kBKvAQYOfCI4pXN4loBU2Zk7gxjvKLw2zvgWwJOPfNcSOMxqhlX2WsWwPFOTsgHEu-8tnwE2OBrWH~IOhFxJLXtsRXZSmRMNyc4pd8ESud2aJvDGu-eVq70kViPci~58kYgkpchPWBQkjCBdZyn6bmGPoqYdIP8SexzXtlqIVF7tFPBCBpHHNa3XOQQCKaJwgYzJrcfSNg4QOC~eWW0SNmQ6xp0fTRX6PljQcd01-EqkJXEeeoUrta0HO9T3SiAiZqICuGEZFL~ur5W2URGz8b6eAUIrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Framingham Public Schools, MA","date","2025-04-02T00:00:00Z","article","The Framingham School Committee approved a set of routine items Wednesday, including a student field trip, gifts tied to facility work, liaison appointments and meeting minutes.

Field trip and gifts
The committee approved sending the Framingham High School Robotics Club to the VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas, Texas. Tiffany Maskell moved the motion; Rich Robles seconded; the motion passed on a unanimous roll-call vote.

The committee also accepted gifts to support work at Walsh and Framingham High School, including a proposal to refinish the smaller Walsh gym floor with donor support from the Boston Celtics and Boston Scientific. Administration said the donation is not intended as a revenue-generating advertising contract; the donors requested placement of logos on the floor and the administration indicated the logos would remain until the floor is refinished again. Several members urged the district to adopt clearer internal procedures on gifts and donor recognition to ensure equity and compliance.

Liaisons and minutes
The committee reappointed Dr. Tremblay as the district liaison to the ACCEPT collaborative and Judy Steyer as the liaison to the Education Cooperative (TEC). The committee also approved the open-session minutes of Feb. 26, 2025, and accepted warrants totaling $1,382,937.54 plus a payroll total of $5,209,414.05.

All motions on these items passed by roll-call votes and were recorded as unanimous.

Votes at a glance
- Field trip: FHS Robotics Club to VEX World Championship (Dallas, TX) — approved unanimously.
- Accept gift to refinish Walsh gym floor with donors’ logos (Celtics and Boston Scientific) — approved unanimously; committee asked staff to develop a formal process for donor recognition.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Framingham School Committee Open Session (April 2nd @ 7:00 p.m.)","oneSentenceSummary","The School Committee approved a field trip for the Framingham High robotics team to the VEX World Championship, accepted donated refinishing of Walsh gym floor (with proposed Celtics and Boston Scientific logos), appointed liaisons to TEC and ACCEPT collaboratives, and approved minutes and warrants.","taxTitle","Framingham Public Schools, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",64399,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6073677,"Committee approves moving meetings to Farley Building auditorium and switching livestreams to YouTube",628,4238000,4866000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2990890-160220cc5b9a0b019838795bf92926ae&start=4238&end=4866","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2990890-160220cc5b9a0b019838795bf92926ae/thumbnail_4238000.jpg","/articles/6073677/Massachusetts/Committee-approves-moving-meetings-to-Farley-Building-auditorium-and-switching-livestreams-to-YouTube","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6073677-018c4c58007a58dbf8bf1d6376e04bd1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770990893&Signature=cDCm2qiaMfrabhhEpsWoMFQWQBVpDCv3-jbbf7tIKOT-l80bRlzOnpEX8q08~Njb39I4GCF8I79Y2pndIN2gjuyzPOh2B7pDOFnNlHCdAZyB4WJaeKcRxBXEeAFSfqyS3AiSNrJ0U-dXVnbWDLIhmr5YBOzlh6zK7d-zLiBvgqUBtrt11HGtImS1lwKsD2blUErHlGDOt-lon6T2T1ejLLgtC8Tl6p4TmqgrWUNzwQng-ImyTGsH7oBYdSGdB7QbVHtAxsgl3tMeNCcwu2N3XamB1lRRIRZAvS7yfMtso2diTFTQ9Nuclw2STd0zFv7~JFiSnQbj3Pd13gVGK8RWEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Framingham School Committee voted unanimously Wednesday to move full School Committee meetings from their current room to the Farley Building auditorium by the end of the school year and to shift livestreaming from Facebook to YouTube.

Superintendent Dr. Thomas Tremblay described the Farley auditorium as an upgraded audiovisual space with dedicated lighting, microphones, monitors and a control room that would allow the district to provide real-time spoken-language interpretation for both in-person attendees and remote participants. He also said the setup will create hands-on production opportunities for students through the district’s video-production program and strengthen the district’s partnership with Access Framingham.

Dr. Tremblay said the district plans a \"test drive\" by hosting a school building committee meeting in the space first; staff will work through any technical kinks before moving all full meetings. The presentation included a comparison of Facebook and YouTube streaming and a plan to post redirect links so community members accustomed to the government channel can find school meeting video archives.

Committee members voiced support for the move. School Committee member William LaBarge said the change will reduce conflicts with other users of this current room and praised the expanded opportunity for student involvement. Rich Robles asked whether executive sessions could be held in the new location; district staff said alternative rooms are available for confidential executive sessions and hybrid arrangements if needed.

\"This would also afford that opportunity with access Framingham to bring back for those members who recall the school committee meetings at King,\" Dr. Tremblay said, noting prior successful collaborations with Access Framingham and video production students.

A motion to make the move and to change the streaming platform was made by Jen Moshe and seconded by William LaBarge; the roll-call vote was unanimous.

Votes at a glance
- Move full School Committee meetings to Farley Building auditorium and change livestreams from Facebook to YouTube — moved by Jen Moshe; seconded by William LaBarge; outcome: approved unanimously.","The School Committee voted to relocate full committee meetings to the Farley Building auditorium and to move livestreaming from Facebook to YouTube to improve audio/visual access, provide student production opportunities and restore live interpretation capabilities.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6073681,"School committee approves 2025–26 calendar after third reading; debate on religious holidays surfaces",267,1216000,1483000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2990890-160220cc5b9a0b019838795bf92926ae&start=1216&end=1483","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2990890-160220cc5b9a0b019838795bf92926ae/thumbnail_1216000.jpg","/articles/6073681/Massachusetts/School-committee-approves-202526-calendar-after-third-reading-debate-on-religious-holidays-surfaces","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6073681-d80b3f51f7b0962c60282a44c4688a95/orig.mp4?Expires=1770990893&Signature=VgGgCdCFsJUuKf~2oMOgRsNUoy5UFKADbBjpdvmejMJIjcTjlBEGx~JfWIfiAxfsdDPOAhLfjCg2Fo6eNZkmORlMSudw6ZQsEsOv6EoDRfUKSodEET47XC8br6n99iHKkmf8NKbJ7dwY0Nje5iOo6AZIgBDwTOg1qH693QoPbyTG3NL~CHHOAhrSxE~HfbjwjPZr06usbpTbUyoh910FKO8J1g2WdzeSXQm69WCj~w0zjLC7G72ALQpi0v9gg-467-rN6D1GzgS7YZcpiGiAH4R1D-Pz9vU1x5rtyza32aYN-hpGS1aAVb5a5X1FViRyQ3SGn04o3XHbGCZsBjAEpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Framingham School Committee unanimously approved the 2025–26 school-year calendar on its third reading Wednesday after administrators described the changes and committee members discussed trade-offs.

Superintendent Dr. Thomas Tremblay told the committee the calendar was the result of collaboration with the Framingham Teachers Association and other stakeholders and sought to \"balance as many full weeks of school as we can,\" consolidate parent conferences into a day and a half, and allow for virtual professional development to protect buildings on election days at the city clerk’s request.

Dr. Tremblay also noted that the contract negotiation schedule builds a year of input into the calendar process, and that while the committee is being asked to approve this draft, the district will continue to gather feedback from families and the teachers’ association for subsequent years.

School Committee member Jen Moshe spoke up in opposition to adding another holiday to the calendar. \"I would prefer to get rid of all holidays, to be honest,\" Moshe said, arguing that adding holidays can lead to requests for additional observances in subsequent years and that multiple religious observances create staffing and substitute-teacher challenges.

Despite that concern, the calendar received a formal motion to approve from Tiffany Maskell and a second from Rich Robles. The roll-call vote recorded unanimous approval.

Committee members emphasized the calendar remains subject to parental and union feedback in year two of the contract negotiations, at which point the district will evaluate whether the calendar model is replicable in future years.

Votes at a glance
- Approve 2025–26 school calendar (third reading) — moved by Tiffany Maskell; seconded by Rich Robles; outcome: approved unanimously.","After a third reading and brief debate, the School Committee unanimously approved the 2025–26 school-year calendar. Members discussed consolidated parent-conference timing, religious observance days and potential bargaining implications; one member said she would prefer eliminating holidays entirely.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6073684,"School committee approves benefits change, adds law firm and approves attorney rate increase",318,1529000,1847000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2990890-160220cc5b9a0b019838795bf92926ae&start=1529&end=1847","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2990890-160220cc5b9a0b019838795bf92926ae/thumbnail_1529000.jpg","/articles/6073684/Massachusetts/School-committee-approves-benefits-change-adds-law-firm-and-approves-attorney-rate-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6073684-f33131b81657783330d89de15cb04b81/orig.mp4?Expires=1770990893&Signature=RAnigAiNlf8Rgasz3uak~hN~RxrlQLbixV1Bzffkwb1b2y~92uRA4TY-ADZIFvSDJmzdM0AwMrxSTumujhr3NtloyB77Jpx7gJckS9Wcjguj1DnY8apD5R2EetuJkuUmNVXTczsB7H1iksKSEscUyPH2NEUpTUCMwvbCoYvJ2PVpqBxfm5Fn30N7spV6aD9cWFjVLGluq4zGajBBBh3jrZwoDWuxQMsCO9966MTCJnXtGTQ2PjuavIKPwSqvjbAjikU61-mEKmqQjRqwXAkE4UNceMBIj~U7SrEQKVfaiXa3Sm37yN4J0P7vQyApw1HkYr3nD65mYi8v45XXSF2Tog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Framingham School Committee voted unanimously to approve a package of finance-and-operations recommendations from its subcommittee on Wednesday.

First, the committee approved the administration’s recommendation to extend certain benefits to nonbargaining employees, including participation in a sick leave buyback program, orderly retirement plan adjustments, a supermax step and vacation accrual for 10-month staff. The committee also referred necessary changes to Policy GDD back to the policy subcommittee for drafting.

School Committee member Tiffany Maskell moved the motion; Adam Freudberg seconded. After brief discussion, members approved the motion by roll-call vote.

Second, the committee approved a request from Human Resources to add Massaviano Law to the district’s legal counsel roster. The administration said the firm will provide attorney-level immigration support — replacing Teachers Council Incorporated, a non‑attorney organization that had been assisting the district with visas — and that the change comes at no net financial increase because the new contractor will replace an existing vendor. Jen Moshe moved the motion; Rich Robles seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Third, the committee approved an hourly rate increase for attorney Phil Benjamin, who provides special-education and due-process services to the district. The committee approved raising Benjamin’s rate from $220 per hour to $250 per hour effective July 1; the administration said Benjamin had not had a rate change in seven years. Jen Moshe moved the motion; Tiffany Maskell seconded. The motion passed on a unanimous roll call.

All three measures were presented by the finance subcommittee chair as items the subcommittee had reviewed; committee members asked no substantive questions beyond clarifying scope and funding sources.

Votes at a glance
- Extend benefits to nonbargaining employees and refer Policy GDD changes — moved by Tiffany Maskell; seconded by Adam Freudberg; approved unanimously.
- Add Massaviano Law to FPS legal counsel to provide immigration/visa legal services (replacing Teachers Council Incorporated) — moved by Jen Moshe; seconded by Rich Robles; approved unanimously.
- Increase hourly rate for attorney Phil Benjamin from $220 to $250 effective July 1 — moved by Jen Moshe; seconded by Tiffany Maskell; approved unanimously.","The committee unanimously approved three finance-and-operations items: extending benefits to nonbargaining employees and referring policy updates to the policy subcommittee; adding Massaviano Law as legal counsel for HR immigration matters; and increasing an existing attorney’s hourly special-education rate.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6073690,"Framingham schools vote to submit FY26 budget request to mayor despite $5 million gap",420,1770000,2190000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2990890-160220cc5b9a0b019838795bf92926ae&start=1770&end=2190","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2990890-160220cc5b9a0b019838795bf92926ae/thumbnail_1770000.jpg","/articles/6073690/Massachusetts/Framingham-schools-vote-to-submit-FY26-budget-request-to-mayor-despite-5-million-gap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6073690-c48fd4dbf8365c352344ec1d8d00b0f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770990893&Signature=Qvp7uK5lEMEbKJ5vt4lZdaIBrMEJouxEHR5lIF775KdbLIf6Au1Ly74BG9Oso8ANMOs6MWVKnrQXapESYIOBhTvbF2fR-Ur1Y5McRxUhH6exM4ynQpO4d7HFDkFhh-9BHFpCQq4uecvNvB7lqIoPIVh8yH8-Dv8TxCBXcoFXjvhYwSrHu28b1UvVQgmRyFbYdiIKdNgpXg1GWFlJ5Dg2gxwhOh3ACVHnGoIgtW8xsePgPwOMG4xmn2M4jRjUQzExkHeOG2lOcZLDMU4E0ZRSFQm2PycjTZv8k-ptxkmk8LiJU-3rGoB9WhJLPlObxqehL4Ly3oBmc~ixCb-XaD0-1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Framingham School Committee voted unanimously Wednesday to submit its Fiscal Year 2026 budget request to Mayor Charlie Sisitsky after the district reduced its initial ask by about $1.05 million since the previous meeting.

Executive Director of Finance and Operations Lincoln Lynch told the committee the revised request represents a 7.54% increase over FY25 — “just over $13,000,000” — and that the district had cut $1,050,607 in the prior week to lower the ask. Lynch said the city’s target contribution is $8,609,620 and that, if the current request is approved and the city holds to that target, the district will face roughly a $5,000,000 budget gap going into municipal negotiations.

\"We are really going to have to make some tough decisions and really look at that, in order to bring our request down,\" Lynch said, adding that further reductions would likely affect current staffing or programs. He summarized reductions adopted for the packet, including a reconfiguration of the equity department, use of revolving accounts to cover some salaries and transportation costs, scaling back of technology and safety operating funds, and other operating cuts.

Superintendent Dr. Thomas Tremblay said the calendar and some budget items are the product of negotiation and collaboration with the Framingham Teachers Association and other stakeholders. He urged the committee to consider the adjustments as part of a multi-step process and promised to continue bargaining and community input on longer-term changes.

Committee members pressed for more detail on the remaining gap and possible revenue options. School Committee member Rich Robles (District 1) asked why the gap remained $5 million after the most recent reductions; Lynch explained that an earlier city contribution projection had shifted, lowering the higher-end estimate and leaving the gap at $5 million. Robles also confirmed that several of the April 2 reductions would reduce service levels rather than reflect renegotiated vendor prices.

Mayor Charlie Sisitsky told the committee he and his staff had been meeting with district leaders and that city revenues and state aid projections are uncertain. \"We only have a fixed amount of revenue, and we have to set priorities,\" he said, noting municipal departments also face constraints and that the city might recommend a different number to the council.

Committee members repeatedly asked staff to keep exploring one-time revenue options, grants, and the city’s end-of-year balance (free cash). Lincoln Lynch said the district had already reduced requests across many line items and that further reductions would likely touch personnel or programs.

The committee then approved the motion to submit the FY26 request to the mayor by the April 9 deadline. School Committee member William LaBarge moved the motion; Jen Moshe seconded. The roll-call vote was recorded as unanimous.

Committee members and staff said the district will continue to pursue reductions where feasible, pursue grant and partnership opportunities, and prepare for potential negotiations about program and staffing implications if the city cannot close the remaining gap.

Votes at a glance
- Motion to submit the FY26 budget request to the mayor — moved by William LaBarge; seconded by Jen Moshe; outcome: approved unanimously (yes:9, no:0, abstain:0).","The Framingham School Committee voted unanimously to send a $13 million-over-base FY26 budget request to Mayor Sisitsky while officials warned the district faces a roughly $5 million shortfall and possible program or staffing cuts if additional revenue is not found.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee approves robotics world trip, Walsh gym refinishing gift and liaison appointments; minutes accepted

Committee approves moving meetings to Farley Building auditorium and switching livestreams to YouTube

School committee approves 2025–26 calendar after third reading; debate on religious holidays surfaces

School committee approves benefits change, adds law firm and approves attorney rate increase

Framingham schools vote to submit FY26 budget request to mayor despite $5 million gap