Board adopts near-term master improvement plan to renovate three elementary schools, 4–2

The Franklin County Community School Corporation board voted April 13 to adopt a near-term Master Improvement Plan focused on renovating and upgrading the district’s three elementary school buildings "according to need" to make them structurally sound, secure and future ready.

Superintendent Dustin Garring presented the plan as the district’s near-term course of action to guide bond planning and project sequencing. He said the plan draws from prior viability assessments and will prioritize campus improvements, building envelope work and HVAC, plumbing and electrical upgrades, along with some classroom-based improvements.

"Our near future focus for the master improvement plan will be renovating and upgrading all 3 of our existing elementary school buildings according to need to ensure that they are structurally sound, safe, secure, modern, and future ready," Garring said. He described the action as a way to set a clear course for 2026-and-beyond bond planning and to allow staff to move projects forward efficiently.

Board discussion noted a multi-step approach: use existing bond proceeds from the district’s 2025 bond to begin projects this summer and fall, then bring further bond-specific proposals to the board for approval. One board member framed the measure as "step 1" in a longer planning process and said community priorities such as a field house could be considered later.

The motion to approve the recommended plan passed with four votes in favor and two opposed. Board members said the plan reflects results from building assessments and is intended to protect long-term facility viability while keeping classroom disruptions minimal.

Next steps: administration will begin planning and sequencing projects tied to 2025 bond funds and prepare bond proposals for board consideration in the coming months.