Franklin County School Board approves FY26 budget, science textbook adoptions and policy on artificial intelligence

The Franklin County School Board on May 20 approved the district's proposed FY26 general purpose (GP) budget, a consolidated federal funding application covering Title programs and special education, a slate of science textbook adoptions and a policy governing the use of artificial intelligence in grades 6–12.

Board members also approved several routine and fiscal items, including consent agenda field trips, budget amendments to fund a Rock Creek roof repair and a package of service agreements for athletic ambulance service and pre-employment drug and vaccination screening.

Board members moved through the items with largely brief discussion. Finance staff described the FY26 GP budget as including a certified salary increase tied to the governor's target and step increases for other staff; the board also approved a contingency plan that will reduce planned growth funding if anticipated state growth funding does…