‘One Less Move’ Transition Committee Holds First Meeting

Board of Education President Ed Potosnak speaks at the “One Less Move” Steering Committee meting Jan. 14. Photo: Mary Clark.

Submitted by Mary Clark, School District Spokeswoman.

About 30 members of the Franklin Township Referendum Steering Committee were “On the Move” Jan. 14 in the Franklin Middle School Library. This group of district and school administrators, parents, teachers, Board of Education Members, and township leaders met to discuss how best to communicate information about the implementation of the district’s One Less Move Referendum.

The meeting, led by schools Superintendent John A. Ravally and William Grippo, Referendum Transition Coordinator, was a first step in establishing two-way communication between the school district and the larger community with regard to: the construction of the new elementary building on Claremont Road, construction projects at several other school, grade re-configuration which will affect the school attendance boundaries and allow 5th grade students to remain in their elementary school setting, and the creation of one middle school for grades 6-8 on two campuses – at the current site of Franklin Middle School and at Sampson G. Smith School.

Those present were asked to join subcommittees which would cover topics such as the Middle School Program, the Arts Program, or Transportation Re-Zoning.

“This is a long term commitment,” said Grippo, “our work will not be complete until the new school opens in September of 2018.”

That commitment will involve leading the subcommittees to provide a vehicle for parents, and those outside of the school community, to ask questions and express concerns.

“We want to stop rumors that come up during these times of transition,” Grippo said. The committee members will then bring these concerns back to the district and share the district’s response with the larger community.

Ravally thanked those in attendance and stressed the importance of working together to bring a clear message to the community. School Board President Edward Potosnak thanked Ravally and Grippo for organizing the group and Mayor Phillip Kramer spoke briefly about the importance of the schools in Franklin Township.

Over the next few months, the Steering Committee will be recruiting others to serve on the subcommittees.

For more information about the One Less Move Referendum visit www.franklinboe.org.

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