Time to Review the Charter
School Bus Shortage Part Deux | What I'm Reading | The Civic Week Ahead
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Time to Review the Charter
Believe it or not, it has been six years since Framingham voters said yes to becoming a city. The Home Rule Charter states that in May of every year ending in a 3, a Charter Review Committee be appointed.
What is the point of a review? The Charter Review Committee goes through the Home Rule Charter, takes public comment and submits a report by May 1, 2024 to the Council with any recommendations. The voters will then vote on the changes.
Who is on the Charter Review?: There are 11 members of the committee, made up of appointees from the Mayor, Council and School Committee. The members are:
Council Appointments:
Adam Blumer, Chair
Susan Craighead, Vice Chair
Mary Zarrilli Connaughton
Mayoral Appointments:
Former Senator David Magnani
David Miles, Clerk
Antonio Gutierrez
Steve Schneider
Laura Grome
School Committee Appointments:
Christopher Brown
Andy Limeri
Vacant
Due to a conflict, the third School Committee appointee resigned their position. The School Committee discusses filling this seat at their meeting on Wednesday, August 16.
The Committee meets the second and fourth Thursdays of each month. At their last meeting on August 10, the Chair outlined a draft of their work schedule.
As you can see, public comment is critically important to this process. As someone who closely watched the Charter Commission in 2016, public participation was an important part of shaping our Home Rule Charter. While I do believe we have a very solid Charter, there is always room for tweaks to make it better.
Since becoming a city, every area of the community has had a voice in our government. Our elected officials and volunteers are more diverse. Many new individuals, like yours truly, are now involved. School Committee represents the entire city, not just north Framingham where a majority of our students come from south of Route 9.
I will have more to say about the Charter Review soon.
But I have two initial thoughts: 1.) It is my hope the Committee hears from a wide range of voices, about what is good and ideas for making it better. This is on us. 2.) All of the progressive ideas around representation, diversity and transparency remain. There was a lot of quoting Justice Brandeis (“Sunshine is the best disinfectant”) back in 2016. May those advocating for changes never forget this core value of the Charter process six years ago.
Stay tuned.
School Bus Driver Shortage Part Deux
With the first day of school only weeks away, Framingham is headed for another bus driver shortage.
FPS is supposed to have 77 drivers, but they will only have 57 drivers as of August 30.
NRT is contracted to provide 77 drivers for 77 bus routes. They did not fulfill their contract last school year.
How will this affect students: According to FPS, students who requested transportation but are considered ineligible per School Committee Policy and Massachusetts General Laws - those in Grades K-6 living less than 2 miles from their assigned school and all students in Grades 7-12 - may not be provided a ride to and from school.
Near strike: This is after the near driver strike back in the spring. If you recall, the drivers were going to strike due to pay issues with NRT, the company who has a contract with FPS. FPS re-negotiated their contract with NRT, increasing the pay. According to School Committee Chair Priscila Sousa in an interview with NBC10, the pay increase has helped retain drivers, but not attract new ones.
In the same interview James Marks of Teamsters Union Local 170, which represents the drivers, said while they got a better contract from NRT which increased pay from $29 an hour to $31, it is not enough.
So now what? FPS says they are looking at all avenues, including calling other bus companies. The School Committee meets on Wednesday. August 16 and they will discuss what can be done.
Something to ponder: Would it be easier for Framingham if it never privatized its school buses? Should Framingham resume operating school buses and not contract it out?
What I am Reading
Refugees in Framingham, Marlborough face long road towards employment.
Former Framingham mayor named executive director of Cambridge nonprofit
The Civic Week Ahead
Wednesday, August 16
7:00 PM: School Committee Agenda
Highlights: Interviews with Applicants for the District 1 School Committee Vacancy. Upon Beverly Hugo’s resignation in June, the seat is open; Vote on the Superintendent’s Proposed 2023-24 School Year Goals; Presentation on the Start Time Study Report With Transpar
7:00 PM: Conservation Commission Agenda
Thursday, August 17
2:00 PM: Traffic Commission - Traffic Regulation Subcommittee Agenda
7:00 PM: Planning Board Agenda
Highlights: A number of big projects are being discussed at this meeting, including the new apartment plans on the site of Daniel’s Table, TJ’s Market on Waverly Street, and at the corner of Waverly and Beaver Street.
As I am nearing the one year anniversary of The Ham’er, one of the best things you can do to help me is share my newsletter with people you think would be interested in reading about Framingham. There is a lot going on in this city, and it is only going to pick up steam in the fall, and I will do my best to write about what’s important and my take on what it means. But sharing the newsletter and sharing your thoughts with me means the world to me.
See you next week,
Mary Kate