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By Janet Evans
Wednesday, Sep 3 2008, 10:08 PM
By Janet Evans
Friday, Aug 29 2008, 12:37 AM
I attended the Annual Meeting of the Electors, immediately after I attended the regular Board of Education meeting Wednesday night.
As far as the Regular Board of Education meeting, it was basically uneventful and seemed to be in fast forward…I suppose in anticipation of the Annual Meeting. The only item to report is the student enrollment. The current District Total is 4080. You can see the breakdown in .pdf format 2008-2009 FPS Enrollment.pdf.
The annual meeting was a real turn-off for me. First, School Board President Dave Szychlinski, after the preliminary introductions and motions got underway, spoke to the audience (the electors) as if we were a group of children, talking down to us, then the “plants” in the audience rattled off the motions and seconds so quickly in the beginning of the meeting that you couldn’t even think.
As far as John Neville’s assessment that the vote was unanimous? Well, officially it was, but just because there were Aye’s and no No’s or Abstentions, that doesn’t mean there were some of us in the audience who were fed up and were not about to participate in the fraud called the Annual Meeting of the Electors.
This, the meeting that Dave Szychlinski termed Grassroots Democracy In Action (pod cast).
If the Board wouldn’t be so worried that the levy wouldn’t pass and would forego the plants, and really let the electors run the meeting, maybe then, and only then, could the community believe that the Board of Education, who was elected by us, is doing the job they were elected to do.
"Can you take care of my plants?" (pod cast)
Mr. Jim Milzer, Director of Business Services and Assistant Superintendent gave the budget presentation (.pdf) to the electors which was followed by a re-education (pod cast) to the electors by the Board President as to what "cautionary" means after Jim Milzer has just gone over the items.
And here is one intelligent comment (pod cast) from a citizen concerned about the bussing issue in Franklin. Why is bussing given to all students, even those who live, as an example, 11 houses away from school? Mr. Milzer, who is a “soft talker,” really needs to break the bank on his huge salary increase and get himself a Mr. Microphone to hold when he speaks, has the answer - which our city really needs to address.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tanya Ruder did film the meetings, and the website has had this blurb up for the past month:
Franklin Public Schools Cable Channel 96 offers a variety of viewing opportunities. It is currently in the stages of being rebuilt to offer the best available information possible. There is currently some information available, but the newest information is scheduled to begin running in September, coinciding with the start of the school year.
For those of you who have had any issues with the cable channel not coming in, having squiggly lines or receiving only "fuzz" when it is on, please contact Time Warner Cable (TWC) for a service call at 1-800-627-2288. You can also send your name, address, phone number and issues to Tanya Ruder at rudert@franklin.k12.wi.us and she will work with the district's TWC representative for you. They will come and check on cables that may be loose in the area and trouble shoot the problem for you.
Welcome to another school year : )
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By Janet Evans
Tuesday, Aug 26 2008, 06:56 AM
"Future Shock," a great book I read back in high school. We may have a little of our own future shock to deal with monetarily regarding maintenance and improvements in our school district:
What’s that dollar amount?
That’s the Grand Total of the Future Long Range Maintenance and Remodeling Plan for Franklin Public Schools dated 5/15/08 (revised). I received a copy of the Status of Ongoing Buildings and Grounds Projects (2007/08) and 2008/09 Buildings and Grounds Projects back at a Building and Grounds Committee meeting on May 21st. I was pretty impressed by how most of the projects over the years had been allocated funds and then came in under budget. The last two pages of the large packet were Future Long Range plans.
That doesn’t mean everything on the “wish list” will be implemented. The district has running lists for each school and they are still working on projects from prior school years.
Some of the larger items on the packed two page list include the following:
| Ben Franklin |
|
Grounds |
Create drive for loop by receiving area and dumpster enclosure |
|
$100,000 |
|
|
Grounds |
Additional athletic field |
|
$250,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Country Dale |
|
School Bldg |
Replace Classroom Doors |
|
$70,000 |
|
|
School Bldg |
Replace coat strips with lockers |
|
$50,000 |
|
|
School Bldg |
Remodel Center restrooms |
|
$15,000 |
|
|
School Bldg |
Remodel East restrooms |
|
$30,000 |
|
|
School Bldg |
Remodel West restrooms |
|
$30,000 |
|
|
NW Exit |
Replace one door w/two |
|
$25,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Forest Park |
|
FACE |
Divide FACE into two rooms, not three |
|
$120,000 |
|
|
School Bldg |
Replace all lockers @12" to achieve 850 total |
|
$107,000 |
|
|
School bldg |
Replace lockers in girls locker rooom |
|
$225,000 |
|
|
Interior |
Retrofit lighting system to T8 |
|
$150,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| High School |
|
Parking area |
Add drop off loop and widen access |
|
$180,000 |
|
|
Parking lot |
expand student parking areas to the west and add visitor stalls |
|
$250,000 |
|
|
Pool locker rooms |
Replace lockers |
|
$60,000 |
|
|
Grounds |
Renovate stadium w/8 lane track |
|
$2,750,000 |
|
|
Grounds |
Add roads and develop practice fields |
|
$300,000 |
|
|
Grounds |
Add tennis courts |
|
200,000 |
|
|
Back hall classrooms |
Replace tile and base |
|
$50,000 |
|
|
Pool |
Renovate and allow for use of starting blocks/replace deck coating |
|
$200,000 |
|
|
Gym |
Replace air handling units and add A/C |
|
$250,000 |
|
|
Science rooms |
Upgrade and add sinks and safety equpiment |
|
$500,000 |
|
|
Near Cafeteria |
Add a Senior commons area |
|
$25,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Pleasant View |
|
Grass Playground |
improve drainage to expand play area |
|
$180,000 |
|
|
Playground |
Resurface and extend play area to playstructures |
|
$205,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Robinwood |
|
Playground |
Renovate pavement & improve drainage |
|
$159,000 |
|
|
Interior |
Renovate lighting system to T8 |
|
$110,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| SW Glen |
|
Boiler Room |
Replace Boilers |
|
$100,000 |
|
|
School bldg |
Carpet multi-year replace all |
|
$200,000 |
|
|
Exterior |
Replace asphalt, address drainage & expand playground |
|
$250,000 |
Long Range Maintenance & Remodeling Plan - Page One.pdf
Long range Maintenance & Remodeling Plan - Page Two.pdf
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2008-09 Project Status
| Country Dale |
|
School Bldg |
Run New TV cable to all classrooms |
|
7,000 |
|
| High School |
|
Roof section 4 |
Replace |
|
$55,250 |
|
| High School |
|
Parking Area |
Widen egress lanes |
|
$26,000 |
|
| Pleasant View |
|
Section B |
Replace HVAC systen (1st flr remaining north half classrooms) |
|
$199,000 |
|
| Robinwood |
|
Pod H |
replace hall floor tile |
|
$20,800 |
|
| Robinwood |
|
C-pod |
Abandon and replace underground ductwork to overhead |
|
$30,000 |
|
| SW Glenn |
|
Interior |
Retrofit lighting system to T8 |
|
$85,100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sub-total |
|
423,150 |
$0 |
|
|
|
Contingency |
|
$76,850 |
$76,850 |
|
|
|
Total |
|
500,000 |
|
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By Janet Evans
Monday, Jul 28 2008, 09:09 PM
I attended the Franklin School Board meeting last Wednesday, 7/23/08. I have already mentioned that during citizen comment period I brought forth the fact that New Berlin School Board meetings are being webcast and that it would be nice for our district to look into something like this. I also commented on the following Board Goal:
Revisit Budget Process
Franklin residents expect that the school district will provide a quality education for all of its students. They also expect that the board and the district will be good stewards of the tax dollar. Many residents are concerned about the rising tax rate and expect the district to address their concerns. The board wants to take a new approach towards budgeting. It expects the administration to explore strategic abandonment of programs and budgeted items that are no longer needed. The district must look for cost savings in all areas, but place student achievement as the number one priority for new expenditures. The board wants to have more discussions of the budget and seek community input on what non-mandated elements of the budget it will support. Budget documents must be user-friendly and presentations must be understandable to the taxpayer.
At the last Board Meeting, Linda Witkowski had been trying to bring forth some suggestions to improve budget documents for citizens, and she was repeatedly shot down. The last line of the Goal is exactly what Linda Witkowski was attempting to do. Also, nowhere in the Budget Draft does it clearly state that the proposed Tax Levy is 3.9%. The last page of the draft has it broken down over a three year period. But it is not clearly stated for the citizens what the proposed property tax levy will be…which is the main issue the taxpayers want to know. They shouldn’t have to calculate it…just state it.
On August 6th there will be a Committee of the Whole meeting where a review of Board Goals will take place. It was mentioned that proposed new Goals may be discussed. Have the current Goals really been met? Perhaps you will want to review the Goals and decide for yourself. I believe there sure have been improvements. But I think there is still work to be done. And if new Goals are going to be added…I wouldn’t add more than one until the other Goals are better achieved.
I have two highlights of the meeting for you in Podcasts. The first is the announcement and discussion of the 2008 Annual Meeting of the Electors. You will hear discussion from Dr. Patz, Mary Karolewicz, Dave Szychlinski , Linda Witkowski, Jim Milzer, and David Works. Please note that the burst of laughter you hear before Jim Milzer speaks is because as Linda Witkowski asks a question, Jim Milzer just left the area to go into a room to fix a microphone, and the question she asked was directed toward him.
The second recording is a discussion regarding the awarding of a grant for our Alternative Education Program. Paulette Kroll, Director of Pupil Services will speak about this, and you will also hear Dr. Patz. David Works, Linda Witkowski. Congratulations on applying and obtaining this Grant.
Listen to the Podcasts HERE
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By Janet Evans
Saturday, Jul 26 2008, 06:30 PM
I mentioned that at our last School Board meeting I commented about the fact that New Berlin webcasts their School Board meetings. I wanted our Board to be aware of this and to think about the possibility of doing this in our district.
I have also started doing Podcasts of Common Council meetings, and will be doing them with School Board meetings, too. I will post another one following this post from the last Common Council meeting in just a few minutes.
I would also like our Common Council to consider webcasts of their meetings. If not, what about Podcasts? Talk radio does them. If I can do select ones, why can't one be done of the entire meeting by the City?
Here's what's going to be happening. When I started blogging, I began posting notes from meetings. Then I started bring my laptop and my notes were expanded. Next, I got a digital recorder and started transcribing. Now I'm doing Podcasts. The thing with the Podcasts is, I'm going to select what I want to present to you. What I feel is important. The Common Council meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. and have been lasting over three hours. There is so much bloviating going on, it's ridiculous. You have an Alderman selected to have a seat on each Board or Commission. Shouldn't they be trusted by the other Aldermen to present an opinion at the Common Council meeting, or at least at a Committee of the Whole, that could be listened to objectively by the other Aldermen so a shorter discussion can take place before a vote?
In the last 20 years I have held several positions of office in PTOs and boys and girls clubs, I was a Director of a youth sports club, a manager of a high school sport, an officer of a parent’s support group, I’ve been on multiple committees, run many meetings, I’ve re-written By-laws, and been on an original Strategic Plan Committee. I believe I have some idea as to efficient ways to run meetings. So, I'll be posting these raves and rants...but in my opinion, it would be better to have everything presented in a webcast where the public can get what you really want to portray. If New Berlin School District can do it, the City of Franklin and Franklin Public Schools can do it.
Just what is the real reason for not wanting the public to view City Meetings and School Board Meetings on public access T.V. or through webcasts?
Please don't tell me it is a $$$ issue...
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By Janet Evans
Friday, Jun 27 2008, 06:36 PM
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Update 2
It looks like pressure from the Bloggers, the Civic Celebration committee, the community and students have done the job. School Board member David Works just told me that he spoke to Dr. Patz and he is working on releasing the instruments to the Drum Major so any students who would like to participate in the parade will be allowed to do so. Let's hope everything works out and that there are enough students around to have a good enough showing.
Also, Greg Kowalski informed me that Mr. Cady called Jeanine Olson from the Civic Celebrations Committee and told her the Band Director Scott Julius agreed to help coordinate the parade. I also received an email from Mr. Cady verifying this, I asked if Mr. Julius is being compensated for his leadership of the Band, and was told he was. Mr. Cady also had this to say:
I do want to say that our school does really value our community and we do understand
and respect that our community has an expectation that the school gives
back. The band has performed for community events on numerous occasions
such as performing at fund raisers for the cultural center, providing
entertainment for hundreds of our seniors each spring when we host a
dinner and first viewing of our musical and our students complete
hundreds of hours of community service every year. It is important that
we do these things, we know that and will continue to strive to improve
our efforts in this area.
An interesting turn of events.
We'll remember this quote from Dave Szychlinski for next year:
“I spoke with Dr. Patz this morning and he
promised me that no matter happens this year, we will handle this
differently in the future so this never happens again.”
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Update 1
This has nothing to do with a referendum.
I talked to the United Music Parent's President (UMPS), Rhonda Gross, this morning.
Last year the parade was run by the student Drum Major. She said there may not even be enough students available right now. This happened a month ago. The volunteers were in charge in the past.
Contracts are still in negotiations for some of the teachers right now. You can bet it will be discussed for a band teacher to participate in the parade. The School District does care about the Community. They've gotten off easy all these years because they have had a strong parent group like UMPS. Also, being that it's late...kids make plans when it gets late. They don't wait around. There aren't 300 kids sitting home waiting to march knowing that they don't have a leader. You would think the new Band Director could have stepped up, but no, he didn't have a contract. Obviously he wanted to get paid. He could be out of town too. Who knows. The UMPS President says he's good with the students.
Not everything revolves around a referendum.
It has been said to our faces at the meetings it will be a while before there is a referendum.
Do we have a date yet?
No.
They need to get land first.
The band isn't playing because many people screwed up.
Period.
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Don’t see anything but an empty space?
That’s because as of this posting there will be no Franklin High School Marching Band in the parade.
And don’t hold your breath for one either.
Franklin blogger, Greg Kowalski brought up this issue last night on his Metro Milwaukee Today blog.
I looked into it a little further today to clarify the issue.
Tanya Ruder, District Communications Specialist reports that:
“We have had some very generous parents and students who have dedicated
their time in the past to organize the band for the parade. This has
never been a school or district organized event. This year there was no
outside person or group that worked on organizing the band. The Civic
Celebration Planning Committee was notified that the band would not be
participating approximately a month ago.
While the district is well aware that the community supports the band
and would like to have them participating, the time frame for this year
is now too short to prepare them for the event. We are going to work on
having the appropriate staff for the parade next year that can work with
available students to perform in the parade. This not only ensures that
the band will be present, but they will also be well rehearsed.
We appreciate all of the support that our community shows for the
Franklin High School Band and we look forward to participating in the
parade next year.”
Dave Szychlinski, School Board President says:
“I spoke with Dr. Patz this morning and he
promised me that no matter happens this year, we will handle this
differently in the future so this never happens again.”
I find the Civic Celebration Planning Committee at fault also. If they knew about this a month ago, as stated, they could have tried to find a band from another area to participate. Hales Corners has their parade late in the afternoon. Perhaps Whitnall's band might have played in our parade. It’s just a thought…you never know. It’s just that, a parade needs at least one band.
My main gripe is that, if this was made public perhaps a community volunteer with music experience, and I know there are some of you out there, might have stepped forward and volunteered a few hours with these students to practice a couple songs for the parade and marched with them on July 4th….for free! Does money always have to be an issue here? Does a contract for a teacher have to come into play? Can a teacher volunteer their services for a few hours in the summer?
Go ahead....criticize me for bringing that up. But I sit at School Board meetings for hours and I don’t have children in school. I can battle anyone about volunteering if you want….I have many, many years of it behind me.So, Franklin citizens…enjoy the parade…
Perhaps we will have to resort to this...
"Ingenuity at its best is seen with the creation of Willimantic’s Boom Box Parade. In 1986, no marching band could be found for Memorial Day. Five weeks later, the “Boom Box Parade” concept was born, where the local radio station, WILI, plays the marching band music on the air, and thousands of parade goers loudly play their radios (boom boxes). Anyone can march in this one-of-a-kind people’s parade. The only requirements are to wear some red, white and blue and bring a radio tuned to WILI (1400AM). American flags are optional but encouraged. There is no “official” theme for the parade. Past parade marchers have included the “Traveling Fish Head Club of Northeastern Connecticut”, which in 2003 had a “herring town” entry and in 2001 had a tribute to the Frog Bridge. Grand Marshal Wayne Norman, a WILI personality, always leads the parade."
The Boom Box Parade - July 4th Celebration
But we can call it the Boomgaard Box Parade...
That's the way things in Franklin are going lately....
Happy 4th of July
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By Janet Evans
Thursday, Jun 26 2008, 07:14 AM
Residents of Franklin, I don’t know where to begin…
Last night I attended the June 25th regular School Board meeting. I only have three things to cover. Two of them will be quick.
First, important…but it was breezed over. The Budget Draft, in its current form, was approved. Jeff Traylor, Finance Committee Chairperson, was not present, and there was no report.
Next, I’m jumping ahead to the July 4th parade….
The Board will be participating in the parade and handing out ice cream afterwords. They will also be having an “Are you smarter than a 5th grader? contest on July 4th from 2-4 p.m. in a tent at the celebration.
I applaud the Board for their effort in participating in the Civic Celebration.
Now this….
I have to say I was stunned…just stunned at what transpired at the Board meeting.
First I’ll fill you in and then you can read my transcript (which will be missing a few words do to crosstalk).
Dr. Patz offered the Board information that he received a phone call from a “Developer.” The name of the Developer is never stated. Although, I believe it was mentioned once late in the conversation by one Board member, but it was during crosstalk, so it can’t be verified.
The Developer is assumed (by me as I attend Common Council meetings) to either be Greg Devorkin or David Hintzman. Both have had their hands in the Sendik’s on Rawson.
More from me after you read the transcript:
Dr. Patz:
I received a phone call about a week ago from a Developer in the area. He’s got some affiliation, I believe at the current time with part of the development of the Sendik’s on Rawson, and his request was to have the School District write a letter to the City in terms of promoting and endorsing Economic Development. He had apparently had some involvement with the City in his project and it went one direction, and another direction, and so on. But I would seek the Boards direction to ask if you wanted to be involved. It wouldn’t be on behalf of the Developer, per se. It would be a general letter supporting Economic Development.
David Works:
I think it’s a good idea. I think we should do it.
Mary Karolewicz:
Well it would be located obviously in our District. As you know the city’s 70/30 goal of Economic Development and in relation to Residential Development hasn’t been completed yet or reached. It is a while before that will occur because obviously the city is still growing. But it is within our School District’s boundaries; it would help to alleviate some of the tax burden on our residents by sharing it a little bit so I guess I would go along with what Dave said.
Dr. Ward:
It wasn’t clear, was this Business Development?
Dr. Patz: Yes, yes.
Dave Szychlinski:
So are you asking the Board to give the authority to write a letter, not in support of a specific project but in support of Economic Development?
Dr. Patz:
Right that was the request, from this Developer, not particularly on his behalf, but on behalf of Economic Development.
Dave Szychlinski:
I think it’s harmless to send such a letter, and I think the City Council and the Mayor certainly know that we support anything that can be done to even out the tax base but I would be resistant of trying to support any specific project because we don’t have any knowledge or the details of that project but if you feel it is important to send a letter accordingly, then I think you have the consensus of this group to go forward with that.
Dr. Ward:
I guess my only comment would be to make sure the Developer talks about the development in our district because there’s a lot of development in Franklin that’s not in our district. So we would certainly not want to support something that would […] our tax.
Dave Szychlinski:
But having said that. All development in Franklin is good. Yes, we would prefer for it to be in Franklin’s School District […].
Dr. Patz:
I believe it was his opinion that because he was denied some of the things he was putting forward that I believe he felt that he was getting the signal that weren’t concerned with Economic Development for School Projects […] His perception is that Franklin doesn’t want a certain amount of developments to occur in Franklin […]
Dave Szychlinski:
Very interesting question…I’m not sure how his project didn’t get approved. [...]
Mary Karolewicz:
I think a lot of development has gone on along the fringes of Franklin and there have been some consummated general I think overall the city is working at their master plan and the plan commission is looking very hard to generate the right type of development , but it stalls sometimes.
Dave Szychlinski:
Well, having served for a year on the Plan Commission with Mr. Ritter, here’s my observation and the City welcomes development and the City doesn’t channel people into the School District or not into the District, people want to develop where they want to develop. And if parcels of land are…they don’t pay much attention to where the School District boundaries are drawn.
Mary Karolewicz:
And I’m not saying that.
Linda Witkowski:
Do we have meetings with the City?
Dave Szychlinski:
Well, we have that, we have that. I’ve talked to the Mayor about it. I’ve met with him. That’s why it’s an interesting request because the City’s aware of the fact that the School District would like to see more development. […] So I’m not sure this letter is really going to help anything, but if you feel the need to want to do it.
Dr. Patz:
Not a need…I’m just bringing forth this gentleman’s request and certainly we can communicate it personally to the city in the same manner. It’s just not going to be personal to any developer
Dr. Ward:
I’m just not sure...I just don’t think we should talk about a specific project. He would have the opportunity to say to City Official’s , “See the School District approved this Development why don’t you approve it.”
Dr. Patz:
You might want to have a conversation with the Mayor and see if he thinks legal council might be helpful.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Why the anonymity? At a public meeting...speaking to the Board ...about a request from a Developer. Why is it the name of the Developer could not be said aloud? Why must a records request be done in order to get the Developer's name...even though I know it is either Hintzman or Devorkin?
What is going on with the Board? First, they don't really have a clue as to what is going on in the City in regards to Hintzman and Devorkin; or with Dairy Queen, or with the Fountains of Franklin or with Mayor Taylor and the Plan Commission ....that was evident. Only Mary Karolewicz comes to some of the Common Council meetings...and she got off topic regarding the request for the letter.
Dave Szychlinski told me at a past meeting he had no intention of having meetings jointly with the city unless there was something specific to discuss. All of a sudden he's been having meetings? What's up with that? Is that the Mayor's doing? Development meetings with the Board President all of a sudden. Are they official meetings or just coffee meetings at 5-Star? Because, if all of a sudden we are going to be having meetings...I am wondering why we can't have a public meeting...how about just one? One public meeting between the Common Council and the School Board.
A request from the "Developer?" Not from the common Council or the Mayor? If Developer [insert name here] is making this request rather than the Mayor or the Common Council, isn't that a red flag right there? Doesn't that say that Developer [insert name here] has an agenda? Doesn' t our School Board have more pressing issues at hand (a budget shortfall) than dealing with the City politics of Developer [insert name here]?
Dr. Jim Ward and Linda Witkowski at least had a panicked, quizzical look on their faces and at least attempted to question what the heck was going on.
I tell you, if the School Board wants to show the City or the Community that the are pro-Economic Development....(which we already know they are anyway...the question does not even need to be asked) there is a simple solution....
Don't make Franklin a living Tax Hell!
Because of this incident...
and a couple coconuts ....
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By Janet Evans
Wednesday, Jun 18 2008, 10:46 PM
I attended the Franklin Public School’s Finance Committee Meeting tonight at the Education and Community Center. The committee consists of Chairperson, Jeff Traylor, and members Dave Szychlinski and Linda Witkowski. All other Board members were present except for Jim Ward.
Linda Witkowski, with her finance background, had gone over the budget that was presented June 4th and had put together some questions for Mr. Milzer, Director of Business Services and Assistant Superintendent.
I want to say that what newly elected Alderman Kristen Wilhelm is to the Common Council, newly elected Board member Linda Witkowski is to the School Board. They are intelligent, refreshing, compassionate, question-asking to the point of being obviously annoying to their fellow members, but all the more making them deserving of holding the seat they were elected to by their constituents. If either of these elected officials wants answers to questions before they make a decision that impacts an important issue in our city government…ask away, as far as I’m concerned.
Linda asked some tough financial questions tonight, and made some requests for reports that may need to be adapted to be functional as far as using district resources. But she is asking for information in order to make financial and budget information available to us, the citizens of Franklin in an easy format and in a transparent way. She has an idea as to how this might be accomplished…by comparing historical data. We’ll see if she gets her request granted.
The items covered were:
Making sure that the public understands FTE and staffing cuts regarding the budget.
Projected growth for the district: currently we are not expected to have upward growth.
Mock Budget: Linda made a request for a “mock budget” to be prepared to use to make comparisons. It would be a historical budget. Mr. Milzer said because it would be old data, it would not be accurate and would not be appropriate. Linda said data could also be compared to other school districts. Some of this data is available on the DPI website…but it is 2 yrs. old. Some of this data would take much time to gather. There was much discussion on this topic as to if it is necessary, with some disagreement between Dave Szychlinski and Linda Witkowski. Linda just wants answers available to the public when they ask questions. Dave said it isn’t of value in determining the budget at hand.
Funding from the state will change after 2011 regarding the business Park/TIF. This is a huge concern.
Brief discussion regarding fees. This should be brought up again at a Personnel and Policy meeting. According to Board policy, fees should be reviewed each year. The subject of Summer School fees was brought up by Mr. Milzer. He said that DPI complained that we couldn’t charge more than $20, even when we were providing bussing.
Another discussion
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