Franklin County Schools: Fund Balance, Arts, Apathy
by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer
At the Oct. 11 meeting, the Franklin County School Board approved two resolutions generated by an increase in the available fund balance. The short agenda allowed the board to share thoughts on the arts, sports, decreasing student participation in voluntary endeavors, and the need for teachers.
The resolutions provided for a $407,110 increase in the current fund balance, money held in reserve. The school system failed to spend the amount budgeted for special education in the 2020-2021 school year. The unspent sum will be returned to the fund balance. “You have to spend a dollar more each year than you did the year before,” Director of Schools Stanley Bean said explaining the maintenance-of-effort requirement governing the budgeting process. “We did not meet our maintenance of effort last year in special education.”
“It makes sense since we had abbreviated school,” Board Vice Chair Lance Williams said. “We’re looking for ways to spend money in special education,” Bean said. “We may be hiring some more aides.” Bean confirmed there was a shortage of both special education aides and teachers.
Turning attention to non-agenda items, Board Member Sara Liechty applauded hiring a second art teacher at Franklin County High School and the return of the choral program, which was thriving. She praised Bean for his support of the arts.
Bean said a former student had undertaken a film project documenting the history of sports at FCHS beginning in 1950. “We’re trying to generate some interest again,” Bean stressed. “We’re struggling to have interest.” He cited South Middle School not having enough interested players to form teams and the high school band having only 50 members.
Supporting extracurricular programs would encourage teachers to come to Franklin County, Liechty observed.
“We need to promote teaching as a profession in our schools,” Williams said referencing the “Grow Your Own” philosophy.
Board Chair CleiJo Walker said there were only four applicants last year for the county scholarship for those going into the teaching profession.
Board member Christine Hopkins suggested a campaign where teachers talked about the positive aspects of teaching to sell the idea of teaching as a profession.
“We need to take care of those we have now before bringing others on board,” insisted Board Member Linda Jones.