The Franklin City Arts Commission voted to approve a 30-banner program proposed by Franklin Schools for placement along King Street, with final designs to be approved by email and the full package routed to the Board of Works for formal sign-off.

Robin Betts, communications director for Franklin Schools, and Dr. David Clendening, superintendent of Franklin Schools, presented sample banner concepts and photos showing school partnerships including school resource officers, a preschool groundbreaking, choir and athletics recognition, therapy dogs and a study-abroad program.

Commissioners focused their feedback on readability for passing motorists, recommending larger single-subject photos, single-word or concise taglines, and consistent font sizing so the banners can be read while traveling at speed. Commissioner Dave Windisch and others said the King Street corridor is fast-moving and the images and wording should be “clicked and going” rather than multi-line text.

Graphic designer Danny (last name not specified) provided early design notes; the commission suggested using close-up images that clearly show the activity being celebrated (for example, a tennis player with a racket rather than a group holding a ribbon). The presenters said they are flexible on timing and would consider keeping banners up through December 2025 if no other programs require the space.

Commissioner Windisch moved to approve the banner program pending final design approval by email; the motion was seconded by Josh (last name not specified). The chair called for the vote and members responded “Aye.” The commission also directed staff to place the item on the next Board of Works agenda (Monday night) so the project does not wait for the next regular meeting.

The presenters said turnaround for produced banners is approximately 10 days once final art is approved. They also noted that the set proposed for King Street would be repeated in a 30-banner series and could be moved later to other locations such as near the middle school construction area.

Supporters highlighted examples the district wanted to showcase: the district’s four SROs (two of whom are city officers placed in schools), Johnson Memorial Health’s role in supplying school nurses, the mayor’s youth council projects, recent state choir championships, athletic accomplishments, and partnership-supported study-abroad trips. The commission asked staff to work with the district and its graphic designers to produce final, single-word/tagline options and clearer photography for email approval.

The motion passed with all members present voting in favor; exact roll-call counts were not recorded in the meeting transcript. Staff and the district will proceed with final edits and administrative routing to the Board of Works for final authorization.