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Franklin Public Schools wins $15,000 DESE planning grant; Lifelong Learning reports enrollment and summer offerings
Summary
Superintendent Jager announced a $15,000 planning grant from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to design career pathways at Franklin High. Separately, Patty Gay, director of Lifelong Learning, outlined the unit's self‑sustaining programs, summer offerings and plans to expand Solutions capacity amid redistricting.
Superintendent Jager told the School Committee that Franklin Public Schools received a $15,000 planning grant from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to help design innovative career pathways at Franklin High School. The district will use the funds to stipend teachers, map curricula, design internships and prepare applications for possible larger follow‑on grants.
"This award from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Ed was certainly appreciated," Jager said, describing the grant as a planning stage intended to seed district work and position the high school for later, larger funding.
Committee members pressed for cost context and public clarity. Jager and Dr. Rogers said the grant is a planning award only; any program expansions requiring ongoing funding would be proposed during normal budget processes and could be supported by future competitive grants.
Earlier in the meeting, Patty Gay, director of Lifelong Learning, presented an annual report on the district's Lifelong Learning unit, which operates the Solutions before/after‑school program, Community Learning (adult and kids classes), the Music Academy and summer programming. Gay said the unit is self‑sustaining, contributes funds back to the district for facility usage, and offers scholarships and payment plans to improve accessibility.
Gay said summer 2025 will mirror prior offerings — Solutions Summer Adventure, STAR, Ready Set Kindergarten, Summer STEAM and music programs — and that staff are planning to release program details by mid‑January. Committee members asked about redistricting impacts to Solutions capacity; Gay said staff are coordinating with central office and exploring modest expansion steps while preserving program quality.
The district emphasized the 'no homework' policy for December break will remain in effect but encouraged reading and optional enrichment; committee members suggested additional optional incentives for students who want structured learning over the break.
The committee said it will request grant tracking and budget details during the budget process and expects further updates on career pathways and the Lifelong Learning program in January.
