Finance report shows rainy‑day balance rise; board approves 4% classified wage increase

At the Franklin County Community School Corporation board meeting on June 9, finance staff reported the district’s fund balances and trustees approved a staged plan of wage increases that begins with a 4% raise for classified staff.

Finance presentation: the district’s reported balances as of May 31, 2025 included an education fund balance of $6,803,524.69, an operations fund balance of $2,793,816.93 and a rainy-day fund balance of $4,164,641.37. The finance presenter explained that a prior-year reclassification moved approximately $3.5 million between operations and rainy-day accounts compared with the previous year; she also explained that the May property-tax installment and timing of interest postings affected month-to-month figures. "The education fund balance as of 05/31/2025 was $6,803,524.69," the finance report said. (start: SEG 657, end: SEG 716)

Board questions and clarification: trustees pressed for context about the lump sum reflected in last year’s operations balance; finance staff reiterated that the item had been moved into the rainy-day fund and that debt-service receipts are tracked separately in the debt-service fund. Board members also asked about outstanding checks and collection practices for cafeteria and Chromebook fees; finance staff said the district has largely moved away from collection agencies for small balances and that building secretaries often resolve remaining items directly with families.

Wage decision: Superintendent Dustin Gehring described a three-wave wage-increase plan. The first wave applies to classified employees and was presented at 4% as what the district can afford; the central-office adjustments will come after negotiations and administrative-group increases will follow teacher negotiations. The board moved and approved the first wave. Meeting minutes show the vote in favor as recorded in the transcript. (start: SEG 1077, end: SEG 1111)

Why it matters: the wage increase affects classified staff payroll and will be implemented ahead of the fall term; fund balances and the timing of tax receipts are material to the district budget that will be finalized with the upcoming budget cycle in August/September.

Follow-up: board members asked staff to provide further budget detail when the formal budget is prepared and to confirm the fiscal implementation steps for the 4% classified increase with payroll and human resources.