This session shares my conversation with School Committee Vice-Chair Dave McNeill. This is a new episode of our continuing “Chalkboard Chat” series. We had our discussion via the Zoom conference bridge on Thursday, November 7, 2024. We recapped the Joint Budget Subcommittee meeting of Oct 23, 2024.

We cover

• The budget work continues with Joint Budget revelation of $3.7M shortfall
• Reorganization provides minimal savings, mostly in Facilities on Town side
• Level service means no additions to current budget which was significantly cut and added fees due to the failed override
• Ultimately the Subcommittee came together that there is a significant hole for FY 2026
• Town to add their wish list to go along with the Tier 2, 3, & 4 cuts as presented in June
• School to bring updated figures forward months earlier than normal
• Subcommittee to work through the wish list to get to the needs, review priorities
• Town Council committed to discuss an override question (yes or no) at a February 2025 meeting; assuming yes, then also to set date, and choose an amount
• No reason not to begin discussions with community around the minimum shortfall and how to handle it

The recording runs about 27 minutes, so let’s listen in.

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Contact info for Dave McNeill -> mcneilld@franklinps.net

Joint Budget Subcommittee Meeting

• Agenda for Oct 23, 2024 session -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/jbsc_agenda_revised_oct_23_2024.pdf
• Franklin TV video of session -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWmbJdKWrAY
• wfpr.fm audio of the session -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/10/joint-budget-subcmte-meeting-oct-23-24.html

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The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their...