Retiring Franklin teacher says district is denying tier‑2 credit for years on leave during son's cancer treatment

At the start of the meeting’s public-comment period, Jacob (a Franklin graduate and former employee) described his childhood leukemia treatment and praised the district’s support. His father, Brian Poppenfuss, a math teacher at Franklin High School for 28 years who is retiring this spring, followed with a request for clarity and redress regarding retirement credit.

Poppenfuss said the district’s tier‑2 retirement calculation did not give him credit for the year he was on leave while his son received treatment even though he had a signed contract and was paid for the year. He asked whether employees who used maternity leave or who received donated sick days similarly lose seniority credit, and he said he found no clear language in the employee handbook. He reported contacting district staff the previous day and had not yet received a reply.

"I feel very unappreciated, and I did have a signed contract. I was paid the whole year, so I have no idea why I'm not valued enough to get that tier 2 retirement," Poppenfuss told the board.

The chair thanked the speakers and invited a follow-up; the district later noted that staff member Andy (human-resources and budget staff were referenced) would follow up on the personnel question. The board did not take formal action at the meeting on the retirement credit question and directed staff to respond.