The Franklin Public School District board reviewed a preliminary 2025–26 budget that staff said currently projects an operating deficit but could move toward balance as assumptions firm up.

District staff presented the budget assumptions and updated figures at the meeting, including an assumption of 2.5% CPI for all staff and 3.45% for professional staff. Staff reported the district was about $330,000 in the red when the packet was prepared and, after rerunning numbers the day of the meeting, reduced that figure to roughly $166,000 in the red.

The district staff noted several factors that reduced the deficit, including staffing changes and different handling of certain IEP-related charges from fund 27. Staff said savings reflect conservative budgeting for benefit take-up rates (noting last year’s roughly 60% uptake for some positions) and other adjustments. The report said the district is not including any assumed new state funding in the preliminary budget but remains cautiously optimistic about potential state action that could affect the final numbers.

Board members asked where reductions would be made if the deficit remains. Staff said they would not reduce staff or building maintenance first; instead, they would review departmental budgets and consider using some fund balances (an example cited was Fund 46) to bridge a one-year gap. Staff cautioned against using a large one-time surplus entirely for permanent salary increases without multi-year planning.

Board and staff discussed the statutory timing for the budget process. Staff said state law sets a June 30 deadline for budget actions but acknowledged state budgets sometimes come later; the district will bring the preliminary budget back for formal approval in June and again at the annual meeting/budget hearing, with final approval expected in October.

The board did not take a final vote on the budget at the meeting; staff presented the document for review and questions and said formal approval steps will follow the review cycle.