The superintendent told the School Committee on Aug. 8 that Franklin Public Schools has hired or is in the process of hiring 27 people for the 2024–25 school year but currently has five teaching vacancies, 10 nonunion vacancies and unreported ESP vacancies. “We have hired or in the process of hiring 27 people for the next school year. We currently have 5 teaching vacancies, 10 non union vacancies,” the superintendent said.

She said that some vacancies stem from staff moves to other districts or out of state, retirements and career changes, not from newly created positions. The superintendent offered to provide a historical comparison of openings at this time in previous years at the next meeting to give committee members a clearer picture of staffing trends.

Key school-year dates provided by the superintendent included new-teacher orientation in mid‑ to late‑August, the first staff day on Aug. 25, the first day for grades 1–12 on Sept. 2, kindergarten beginning Sept. 3 and Pre‑K at ECDC starting Sept. 4–5. She said principals will send continuous communication to families about school opening and transitions.

Committee members asked for specifics, including the number of math teachers. Patricia Hughes responded that the district has 17 teachers listed in the broader department that includes business (three teachers) and 14 in the math department specifically.

The superintendent said the district is in a stronger position than three or four years ago on vacancies and expects some roles to be recommended and filled before the next meeting. No formal votes were taken on staffing at the meeting.