At the June 11 meeting, the Franklin County School Board approved a revised budget in response to the county Finance Committee’s directive to make cuts. The revised budget reduced the draw on the fund balance reserve by $384,000, but the request for new money from the county only decreased by $64,000.

The revised budget reflects a reduction in certified substitute teacher pay, eliminating one school social worker, not implementing the Raptor visitor background check program at several schools, a reduction in funds allocated for upgrading the sound system at Franklin County High School (FCHS), and a reduction in allocations for the transportation garage, Huntland School roof, and other capital outlays.

The request for new money ($829,388) still included funding a 2 percent raise for certified and noncertified employees, and a 1.5 percent raise for contract bus drivers. The request for projected increases in health insurance costs was decreased slightly, as was funding for Pre-K to account for a loss in state revenues.

Board member Gary Hanger expressed concern about the small decrease in the new money request. “I’m afraid they won’t be impressed,” Hanger said.

“The 2 percent is a cost of living increase, not a raise,” board member Adam Tucker insisted.

Board Chair CleiJo Walker said that if other county employees received a 2 percent raise, “Teachers and school system employees need to be treated the same,” but Walker conceded, “there are a lot more of us.”

Director of Schools Stanley Bean noted that “nearly all the counties state-wide are asking for a 2 percent raise.”

Following the advice of county commissioner Dave Van Buskirk, Walker compiled data showing Franklin County teachers earned less than teachers in neighboring counties. “There is a lot of evidence,” Walker said.

The board will present the budget for the Finance Committee’s approval at 8:30 a.m., Thursday, June 21, at the Franklin County Annex.

In other business, the board approved a quick claim deed transferring ownership of the Townsend School property and buildings to Franklin County. The school system will retain the football field and gym. The school system has been paying for upkeep of the unused property transferred by the deed.

The board decided not to stipulate the board had “first right of refusal” to buy the property back at 50 percent of the lowest bid should the county decide to sell it.

According to Bean, two of the Finance Committee members were not interested in taking the property if the county could potentially lose money on improvements made in the event of a decision to sell.

“The mayor has a vision for use of the property,” said board member Sara Liechty. “I think deeding the property to the county is a win-win proposition.”

Responding to a parent’s concern, the board discussed foreign exchange students being denied National Honor Society and Beta Club honors.

FCHS Principal Roger Alsup said the rules of the two organizations stipulated the student must be enrolled in the high school hosting the programs. Alsup plans to “re-induct” the foreign exchange student in question immediately upon her return. If the school counted exchange students as enrolled, the school system would be falsely claiming state aid on the students, Alsup explained. Following the practice of other school, FCHS intends to deal with exchange students on a case by case basis.