[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6070934,"mediaKeyId","3048909-84105824bf487bb10e3399e8d6041366","parentId",3048909,"title","Franklin outlines bus routing, projected ridership increases and new online registration for 2025","audioSeconds",883,"startMs",3053000,"endMs",3936000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3048909-84105824bf487bb10e3399e8d6041366&start=3053&end=3936","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3048909-84105824bf487bb10e3399e8d6041366/thumbnail_3053000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6070934/Massachusetts/Franklin-outlines-bus-routing-projected-ridership-increases-and-new-online-registration-for-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6070934-9c7fcb115546eabcabed7ccf2a28e460/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146545&Signature=d8aLXN3q~KZ-gp26jP2bvGVlyygqhXUoi6u03iAZkJAFIbDpe7MFKdesvYf8pyCVhJ5lAjnHDceDWv2MxTHIixN3GbpMevQfVnhiekq2sSAlkRCDl~X6bMuoQFaPoJTCZxVOz0-TzqJ4GbAwfaEgkSHq623ffUwI8Sj0Fmbd3S16uqoww-gH9vuSs3~I0ip8dXp0yVElNQfpqWzLhGREHKn028lWIPus9HiIIxAe7Mwt-1u8G8maJGGbw2uq3tUKyl7oxcS0mqN9baRHT7msKAfhhAGruQd4NF-A6uhDeHosE6WWB-vdfFqCyL4Fk41VoDw7-sIkakb0Xtq9FvcdVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Franklin Public Schools, MA","date","2025-03-12T00:00:00Z","article","Colin Guavera, Franklin Public Schools' director of operations, reported to the School Committee on March 11 that the district ran route‑modeling exercises for the reorganization and expects higher ridership next year while maintaining similar average ride times.

Guavera said the district currently transports 2,466 students on 28 buses across 56 routes with 838 morning stops. \"For the school year 2024–25 we transport 2,466 students on 28 buses going 56 routes, stopping at 838 bus stops,\" he said.

Using projected percentages of riders by level (district projections presented as 60% elementary, 69% middle and 38% high school), the operations team ran exercises in its routing software to estimate how consolidation of attendance areas would affect bus counts and ride times. In the scenario Guavera presented, the district could accommodate an increase of about 275 riders while reducing the number of buses in active service by two and keeping average district ride time roughly comparable to the current year. Guavera said modeling could cut some maximum elementary ride times (one current bus had a max ride time of 46 minutes under the existing configuration).

A change in routing assumptions was central to the projected efficiency. Guavera explained that consolidating elementary attendance zones into two larger complexes gives planners more flexibility to route students to a single destination instead of multiple small schools, reducing duplicate local runs. Committee members repeatedly asked whether the modeling assumed every eligible rider was entered into the system; Guavera replied that the scenario used the actual student data and pushed routing \"as far out as possible in the town\" to test capacity.

Registration and payments: the district will move bus registration and payment to LinkConnect, the same platform used for cafeteria accounts. Guavera said the district has used LinkConnect since 2019 and there is no additional software cost. The portal will enable families to register, view payment history, set reminders and submit required free/reduced lunch sharing forms that determine eligibility. The transportation registration portal will open in April; Guavera said the registration deadline will be the last day of school in June, routes will be developed in July and published in August before school starts.

Caveats and expectations: staff warned of an adjustment period at the start of the year. \"Traffic congestion currently exists in all schools during peak arrival and dismissal. This is likely going to continue,\" Guavera said. He added that start‑of‑school arrival and dismissal typically take longer and families should expect an adjustment period. The administration also said the beta traffic study will recommend future capital improvements that could change circulation on school sites, but no traffic‑related construction will occur in summer 2025.

Community asks and next steps: the administration asked families to register on time to give planners accurate counts; late signups complicate route building. Committee members requested follow‑up on payment plan options and how families would be reached if they miss the deadline; staff said LinkConnect can accommodate payment schedules and that the district will use email, the mobile app and text messages to prompt families.

Ending: district staff committed to post the presentation and to return with finalized routes in July/August once actual registrations are complete. The administration emphasized that the modeling is preliminary and reliant on families registering by the stated deadlines.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Committee 3/11/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Colin Guavera, Franklin Public Schools' director of operations, reported to the School Committee on March 11 that the district ran route‑modeling exercises for the reorganization and expects higher ridership next year while maintaining similar average ride times.","taxTitle","Franklin Public Schools, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",68158,"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},6070930,"School committee approves temporary competency‑determination language; broader debate continues on athletic and transportation fees tied to override",246,5786000,6032000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3048909-84105824bf487bb10e3399e8d6041366&start=5786&end=6032","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3048909-84105824bf487bb10e3399e8d6041366/thumbnail_5786000.jpg","/articles/6070930/Massachusetts/School-committee-approves-temporary-competencydetermination-language-broader-debate-continues-on-athletic-and-transportation-fees-tied-to-override","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6070930-90a81c08c9804fa4d3ff1685044c96ad/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146545&Signature=OylhOs6Lk6~v07mnB6VlavDzadfrENWom-CHMexSUBHrOCx1MVgE9nppLarAic3s6CdYkgqKMBpKX4Xdyte~Zp2kIcbZeaiJWQystHLIE1Rrom9DgPL-O6btCRd8kU5LhdNwSlz7DFiaGCssWmvTTRwfA8iX-tsrKgE3LqJUN67QaGD-2f78tM0ZsaFoBO5GDjdZSH6aiuiAQ0p1nkxlBIKxkL4cldSAWhbYNQcR9vKZrl~UNCiY7LFj8cUrJLh2aLHiNLNKsgjwNkwib-GW8fSiHfvzOj~2srOk8Zr1QRmkn4w8cxOHHrLL6n2Lb1l9Vj8Q5TBSQiSjZeMtnayNJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Franklin School Committee approved suggested changes to the competency‑determination language in the Franklin High School program of studies during its March 11 meeting, passing the motion on a roll‑call vote.

Doctor Rogers told the committee the draft language was designed to \"hold us accountable to Massachusetts General Law as outlined in MGL 69\" while giving the district flexibility to adopt detailed procedures once the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education issues formal guidance after public forums. The committee moved and seconded the suggested language and then voted; the roll call recorded unanimous support.

Why it matters: Massachusetts voters changed state graduation rules in a recent ballot question by removing MCAS as an automatic competency determination. Districts must now adopt procedures to determine competency for graduation; the committee adopted language that preserves compliance with state law while allowing the administration time to develop district procedures pending state guidance.

Votes at a glance

- Motion: \"Move to approve the suggested changes in the competency determination language in the FHS program of studies as detailed.\" Mover/Second: not stated on record. Roll call: Charles — Yes; Gallagher — Yes; McNeil — Yes; O'Sullivan — Yes; Zombal — Yes; Callahan — Yes. Outcome: approved.

- Consent agenda motion: \"Move to approve the consent agenda as detailed\" (approval of 02/04/2025 and 02/11/2025 minutes; acceptance of $2,050 to JFK PCC for field trips; acceptance of $2,550 in FHS donations). Roll call recorded: Charles — Yes; Gallagher — Yes; McNeil — Yes; O'Sullivan — Yes; Tom Polley — Yes; Callahan — Yes. Outcome: approved.

Related budget and fee discussion

The committee also held a lengthy discussion of FY26 user fees for athletics and transportation. Administration materials presented four athletic fee tiers (with hockey split into its own tier) and two transportation fee scenarios tied to whether a town override to increase revenue passes.

The administration outlined a proposed, override‑contingent fee schedule that would reduce many sport fees from current FY25 levels (example: hockey to $600 from $1,000; football and gymnastics to $500 from $1,000; other tier adjustments noted in the packet). For transportation the district presented two possibilities: continuing a $500 flat fee this year versus a proposed $387 fee for FY26 if the override passes (and reinstating a family cap of three riders, $1,161 family cap). Staff said the FY26 budget the committee already approved assumes using operating funds to offset lower fees (for athletics, $580,000 from operating was included in the FY26 budget; for transportation the plan reduces revolving‑fund reliance and includes an additional $100,000 from operating compared with the current year).

No fee vote was taken March 11. Administration described the figures as \"considerations\" and said any final fee schedule will return to policy subcommittee and school committee after further analysis and in light of the joint budget subcommittee and town council decisions on the override.

Ending: Committee members repeatedly urged residents to attend the joint budget subcommittee listening session on March 13 and the town council vote the following week, noting that many of the fee reductions in the FY26 budget are contingent on passage of an override to address a structural deficit.","The Franklin School Committee approved suggested changes to the competency‑determination language in the Franklin High School program of studies during its March 11 meeting, passing the motion on a roll‑call vote.",{"_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},6070939,"Franklin schools publish phased facilities plan tied to reorganization; no summer construction planned",1051,2008000,3059000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3048909-84105824bf487bb10e3399e8d6041366&start=2008&end=3059","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3048909-84105824bf487bb10e3399e8d6041366/thumbnail_2008000.jpg","/articles/6070939/Massachusetts/Franklin-schools-publish-phased-facilities-plan-tied-to-reorganization-no-summer-construction-planned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6070939-436fb9e1543942509cd53e9576e5ee29/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146545&Signature=EUsC0gRuiON2XwrHeB2IygIjB0UnqX1nSc5hk7o7CMMdpJo45zOZrXOXwbV3LGeeqnH9BTEbooM59LvPAVMFHTCF50mdLw1FQkhMXULK4jSVwGgd-lL6A2mNICeAaQdQpBQasAeGRPN~kxKKWvhEHwX8-cEwV4ILSPXboWhCO5h9d-xSr3RJPzt72B4qOK9TGqI8d4ThE5Xss686zCjHdzAFdoBbgrVQzeeglu8XFE8PGCfeaSkvrk9spxm8GkNAjw12~8Z1FhzbBPdojPZUnRKp8wEY89Udcle4om9lyMOPKlKEY1NQc0svvJ2pcyIgJYnW~RLvQhss7fuh10Or2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Colin Guavera, the district's director of operations, told the Franklin School Committee on March 11 that a detailed, multi‑phase facilities and capital plan tied to school reorganization is posted to the district's reorganization website and will be available for public review.

The plan lays out a phased schedule that Guavera said will allow the district to complete the bulk of moving and room repairs before the 2025 school year begins while avoiding major construction during summer 2025. \"The moving contract is secured and dates are finalized with the vendor,\" Guavera said, summarizing the timeline. \"In July the main move will occur ... and the entire moving process will be done by August 15.\"

The packet posted to the reorganization web page groups work into three phases. Phase 1 lists projects intended to be completed before the new school year, including interior painting, wall repairs, wiring adjustments and instructional hardware changes; phase 2 covers preliminary and final designs for traffic and circulation changes; phase 3 contains later construction and larger capital projects. Guavera told the committee that the facilities team walked every room in fall 2024 and prioritized work that would directly improve learning spaces.

Why it matters: the district is redrawing school assignments and consolidating buildings. The presentation attempts to set clear expectations for families and staff about what will be finished before students return and what will be planned for later. Superintendent-level staff and committee members repeatedly praised the level of detail and said the packet should help other town boards and budget committees understand what follow‑on projects may be needed.

More detail: Guavera said phase 2 will follow the district's traffic study work and will include preliminary designs, construction documents and any required environmental permitting; he emphasized there will be no construction related to traffic flow during summer 2025. The packet attaches a single page for each school with three categories of recommended work: facilities and construction tasks, safety improvements, and teaching and learning enhancements. School committee members asked for and received a commitment to post periodic updates on progress over the summer and next school year.

Questions from the committee focused on sequencing and cost coverage. Guavera explained that some phase 1 projects will be completed by the town's own trades staff (carpentry, plumbing and electrical), which reduces the amount of external capital required. Committee members noted a previously approved capital appropriation and that additional work in phases 2 and 3 would be the subject of future capital requests.

The district also plans school‑level walk‑throughs for school committee members after the moves: \"Absolutely,\" Guavera said when asked for a committee walk‑through after Aug. 15.

Ending: The committee asked the administration to post the full packet and to keep the board and the public updated through summer and fall status reports. The packet was described in the meeting as a final draft that will be used to coordinate contractors and town trades through the transition.","Director of operations Colin Guavera presented a multi‑phase capital and facilities plan for Franklin Public Schools tied to the district's reorganization. The plan prioritizes move logistics, safety improvements and classroom updates, with most work scheduled outside the summer of 2025 and final move activity targeted by Aug. 15.","actionData","errors"]

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Franklin outlines bus routing, projected ridership increases and new online registration for 2025

School committee approves temporary competency‑determination language; broader debate continues on athletic and transportation fees tied to override

Franklin schools publish phased facilities plan tied to reorganization; no summer construction planned