To properly fund our schools, public safety, etc., Framingham needs responsible growth and the tax revenue that comes with it.   Framingham’s current leadership talks a good game but the votes and policies of the town have driven long time businesses out of town and prevented new businesses from investing in our town.   Neighboring communities have departments and staff that welcome, attract, recruit, and work diligently to retain companies, while here companies leave town due to overburdening regulations.   There are 2 seats in the April 9th election, where we have an opportunity to elect …

The teachers of the Framingham Public Schools have been without a contract for over 190 days. As the School Committee continues to delay the settlement of a fair contract, the morale of the teachers continues to dwindle. However, we know that the parents and greater community have incredible respect for the work we do. As dedicated professionals, who work passionately to guide the learning of your children, we need your support in reaching a fair contract with the School Committee.We are committed to the academic and social success of our students. We work every day both inside and outside of…

This community’s response to the outing of Mr. Miskin’s message and survey, sent to more than 1,000 FTA members, was completely proportionate to the threats he poses. There is absolutely no misunderstanding, unless it’s his.  The fact that he has not retracted his letter and his survey has not been taken down, only modified, removing the request for School Committee member’s place of worship, and their children’s names and schools, continues to infuriate anyone with the sensibilities to recognize these kinds of tactics. (And in fact, the survey may have been modified only because a number of …

The recent communication that has become controversial has been blown out of proportion – our focus has been on making connections. For any misunderstanding about the intent, I apologize. We are teachers – we put kids first every single day in our classrooms and schools. We are not out to hurt anyone – and we are certainly not going to involve children. EVER. Period. We have been in lengthy negotiations for a contract and we are looking for ways to ensure the committee, as elected officials, is as invested in and feeling the same levels of urgency that our membership has felt. We asked about …

I am a parent of former Framingham students and I am appalled at the way in which the teachers are being treated! I still live in Framingham and pay taxes here and still very much care about our schools. In fact, we have a real estate business in Framingham, so are directly impacted by this. When my son was in first grade at Brophy, 24 years ago, there were four first grade classes. We were constantly getting letters telling us that our children, as classes, were exhibiting immature behavior and several children were not meshing well together. What did they do? They made three second grades, …

We, the 1,000 teachers and education professionals of the Framingham Teachers Association, recently began picketing outside of our schools. We have taken this step to call attention to our current contract struggle. We view these negotiations as an opportunity to work jointly to make improvements to our schools – including reducing class sizes – that will truly benefit our students. While we maintain hope that the superintendent and Framingham School Committee will join with us in this important endeavor, we are losing faith. While the administration wants the public to believe that class …

The Hemenway PTO urges all Framingham residents to contact the Framingham School Committee and the Framingham Teacher’s Association for an immediate increase in frequency of mediation sessions regarding Framingham teacher contracts. Currently, the parties are scheduled to meet twice a month, if schedules allow. At this point in the negotiations, with tensions rising, meeting twice a month is unacceptable. We strongly urge both parties to come together on a more frequent basis until a successful resolution is achieved. Parents, property owners, taxpayers, indeed our entire community has a …

In a recent letter to parents, Framingham Superintendent of Schools made inaccurate statements about how teacher compensation occurs in the Framingham Public Schools and its impact on the school budget. We view our current contract negotiations as an opportunity to work jointly to make improvements to our schools – including reducing class sizes – that will benefit our students. In our negotiations, we have been discussing many items along with salaries.The Framingham Teachers Association finds it unfortunate that the Superintendent is focused almost solely with the financial aspects of …

As a proud member of the Framingham Public Schools community, I urge the School Committee to reach a fair contract settlement. Every day in classrooms all over the town, my colleagues and I work hard to give our students the knowledge and skills they need to succeed. In return, we are asking for a contract that focuses on three key ideas. We are seeking limits on class sizes, proven in study after study to help to close achievement gaps that harm too many of our students. We are seeking a clearly defined work day, meaning contractual language that clearly states the time periods when we are …

In a recent survey of middle school teachers in the Framingham Public School system, during the first trimester there were 45 classrooms that violated the school committee policy on maximum class size. I have good reason to believe that these violations are continuing into the second trimester. This policy, stating that a core content and world language classroom should have a maximum of 25 students, can be found in the online policy Manual located at http://framingham.k12.ma.us/sc.cfm in Section I, File IIB. The number of students in a class directly impacts the time that a teacher can …

Shooting BB guns was a right of passage for a 12 year boy. I couldn't wait to get one, and I remember that Christmas morning when I saw the long, bow-wrapped package standing up against the wall. I eagerly ripped open the package to find the most beautiful wood-grained Daisy BB rifle gun I'd ever seen. My friends and I would set up targets in the yard, which could have been anything from cans, to bottles, to bulls-eyed sheets. My friend's dad (Barry) was an avid gun sportsman. Barry was a hunter who belonged to a gun club where I was introduced to skeet shooting. But, before I even held one …

Tuesday night there was a tax rate hearing at the Selectmen’s meeting. I made a presentation requesting that the split between the commercial and the residential property taxes remain at 1.75 where it has been since 2008.  If this was done, it would have meant a $13 decrease in residential property taxes. I told the Selectmen that the commercial sector in town has been doing very well going back to 2005 (backed up by graphs and data)  The vacancy rates have been very low and the commercial rents have been very good and very steady since 2005 (all backed up by graphs and data). I told them …

Editor's Note: The following was Eric Silverman's statement to the Framingham School Committee Tuesday night. I am Eric Silverman, a Town Meeting member, a parent of Cameron Middle and High School students, a professor at Wheelock College, and, most recently, a candidate for the seat on School Committee soon to be vacated by Adam Blumer. And I want to say that Adam has served our schools and community with great dedication and distinction.  Thank you.  Contract negotiations are, by their very nature, often tense, sometimes unfriendly endeavors. It is a process of emotion and not just detail. …

Our teachers are currently working without a contract and they are asking for your support to see this resolved. The Framingham Teacher’s Association (FTA) has made public information about the teacher's contract requests at: http://framingham.massteacher.org/file/FTA%20Flyer%20for%20Dec%204%20Action[1].pdf To show your support for Framingham teachers you can do so in person or via e-mail.In Person: Hemenway teachers have asked that you show your support for Framingham teachers by gathering prior to the start of the School Committee Meeting, tonight, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. at the King Building, 454…

I attended the Framingham School Committee meeting and looked very carefully at the agenda for an announcement that the teachers' contract had been settled, but alas it was not there. So I asked the School Committee to please get it done.  Please settle this contract.  It needs to be addressed. I feel that it is not fair to the kids, or to the parents or to the Superintendent Dr. Scott. He has so much on his plate without this hot potato which was tossed to him when he arrived here just a few months ago.   Obviously, we are counting on the teachers to do an excellent job. Today, it’s a …

Submitted by the Committee to Elect Jon Fetherston: Team Fetherston has a rolling truck tour planned for Thursday Nov. 1 andFriday Nov. 2. The tour is planned for both days from noon to 9 p.m. The two “famous” Jon Fetherston election trucks will be visiting local small business owners and dining establishments throughout Ashland and Framingham (7th Middlesex district). With days just left before the election Team Fetherston is reaching out to the small business owners and their customers to show Fetherston’s commitment to small business owners. “Small business is the backbone of Ashland and …

In the spirit of practicality, I suggest the Town of Framingham "move Halloween" to Saturday Nov. 3 (which has a very promising weather forecast) to avoid the bad weather and possible "Sandy clean-up." The town can keep the kids safe and out of the rain, reduce the stress of those dealing with post Sandy issues and allow for our children to arrive back at school on Monday more rested.  How can we make this happen?  Who is empowered to make a decision like this? The Town Manager? The Board of Selectmen?Eric Glazer Town Meeting member, Precinct 6

The Framingham Taxpayers’ Association (“FTPA”) has endorsed Jon A. Fetherston in his election bid for state representative from the 7th Middlesex District. The district is comprised of Ashland and parts of Framingham.The FTPA is a non-partisan group of Framingham taxpayers dedicated to cost-effective fiscally responsible government.Enzo Rotatori, chairman of the FTPA, said the group endorsed Fetherston, because of his success in holding the line on increased taxes while serving on the Ashland Board of Selectmen and his availability to the people of Framingham and Ashland. “Taxpayers need …

Town Meeting will be discussing Article 14 (budget adjustment) tonight, Oct. 23. Please attend this very important Town Meeting.   The State of Massachusetts short changed Framingham $10 million over the past 5 years resulting in over 100 staff layoffs   After the State budget closed in July 2012, Framingham was given an additional $1.7 million in Education Chapter 70 funds. The message was let’s start more rebuilding and restore more of the cuts that were made over the past 5 years. Our new school superintendent has made a list for rebuilding for $2.2 million, especially needed because …

Submitted by the Committee to Elect Jon Fetherston: Jon A. Fetherston has won the endorsement of Citizens For Limited Taxation’s 2½ Political Action Committee, in his election bid for state representative from the 7th Middlesex District. Editor's Note: The district represents Ashland and 6 of Framingham's 18 precincts. CLT’S 2 ½ PAC, the political arm of Citizens for Limited Taxation, was originallycreated to support candidates who would defend Proposition 2 ½ in the State Legislature. It now endorses candidates who support taxpayers on a variety of issues, and uses the CLT Legislative rating…