Franklin School System
Outside Review
Performance Review Update
7/26/08

The outside review, or performance review as the BOE officially calls it, has begun!!! For those new to TUF, for the past three years Phil Kramer has lobbied the BOE to have an outside and independent review of their operations to find inefficiencies that if corrected could lower expenses and improve education. It was also to give people more information about the budget so they could make a better decision when they voted. The idea, initially rejected out of hand by all BOE members except Mr. Kanarak eventually passed in a unanimous vote (though some were reluctant, most notably Mr. Holzheimer).

Already BOE members seem eager to get the results. Mr. Unger was in favor of the review when he campaigned and then was against it after being elected, now he is looking forward to the energy audit that is expected to be part of the review. In fairness he has wanted an energy audit since the day he started campaigning.

The contractor hired to conduct the review, MGT, began by meeting with members of the administration and members of the BOE itself. They will also be holding a "Community Open House" on Sept 8th from 6 - 9 PM at the Franklin Middle School. It is advertised as an opportunity, "to give input and identify key educational issues related to the Franklin Township Public Schools Performance Review". MGT also plans a web site to allow the community to provide input.

The open house and web site are positive moves and we hope that they will also provide a telephone hotline with all of these means of communication advertised in employee pay envelopes. TUF encourages people with knowledge of areas that can use improvement to avail themselves of these opportunities and participate in the review.

TUF's Phil Kramer has been invited to meet with MGT, likely in late August. If you have any specific information about problems or waste in the system and are reluctant to use any of the other contact methods listed above please contact us in complete confidence.

The BOE budget accounts for 62% of property taxes. For years people have complained of problems with the school system and over spending. This is the opportunity to correct those problems and improve our schools. One can not underestimate the effect a strong school system can have on building a community. Go to the open house, get on the web site, or contact Phil Kramer with any information that can help.

In closing, TUF would like to express its appreciation to all BOE members for voting for the review and for the tremendously hard work of the staff in helping to pick the best contractor.

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