Committee approves 2028 Greece trip, reviews enrollment data

School Committee · Meeting of October 27, 2026

FRANKLIN — The Franklin School Committee approved a 2028 Franklin High School trip to Greece and voted to add ABA tutors to the district's ESP union contract. The committee unanimously backed EF Tours' nine-day Greece itinerary, structured at $340 a month over 17 months rather than a $5,800 lump sum, after history teacher Mr. Penza said the district is for the first time offering merit-based scholarships funded by trip-earned points. Director of Operations Colin Boisvert reported enrollment at 4,290 students, down 93 from last year and 211 below the district's McKibbin demographic forecast.

Franklin TV Executive Director Liz Harkin told the committee the station operates on about $550,000 in annual franchise funding while producing nearly $1.49 million in in-kind programming value, a figure she said has eroded amid statewide declines in public-access funding. "As we all know, costs go up," one member said of the funding pressure. The committee also moved policy ECAB, on building and grounds access, to a second reading and approved a consent agenda with $500 to $2,000 donations from several families and businesses for championship signage.

In the full story:

• Student representatives, superintendent updates and a pledge of allegiance
• Franklin TV funding and the PEG station landscape
• FHS Grease Trip 2028
• Policy ECAB: Access to Buildings and Grounds
• Enrollment Report
• ABA Tutors Added to ESP Contract
• Information Matters and Consent Agenda
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 2,703 words

Source: the School Committee meeting of October 27, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.