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Board trims 2026–27 preliminary shortfall to about $33,000; discusses salary, benefits and open enrollment
Summary
The board reviewed a first reading of the 2026–27 preliminary budget, reporting health insurance at 10.2%, proposed professional educator increases averaging 3.56%, an estimated open‑enrollment gain of about 114 FTE and a narrowed shortfall of roughly $33,000 from an earlier larger deficit.
At the Franklin Public Schools Board of Education meeting on May 27, district staff presented the first reading of the 2026–27 preliminary budget and described a set of assumptions that reduced a much larger projected deficit to roughly $33,000.
District administrator updates led into the budget overview. The presenter, Mr. Crony, told the board the district had narrowed its gap from a previously stated deficit of approximately $1,150,000 to about $33,000 through enrollment assumptions and adjustments to salary and benefits projections. Health‑insurance costs are budgeted at 10.2 percent for 2026–27.
On compensation, the district proposed professional educators’ increases averaging 3.56 percent, with a minimum CPI‑based step of 2.63 percent. Educational assistant staff were budgeted at 3.57 percent to raise starting wages and preserve the gap between new hires and existing employees; administrators were shown at 2.63 percent. The presentation noted median adjustments, master’s‑degree updates where applicable and targeted adjustments so that minimum increases meet CPI requirements.
Open enrollment remains a major revenue driver in the projections: staff said the district anticipates an increase equivalent to about 114 full‑time equivalent (FTE) students, noting that 4K students are counted at a different FTE weight. The presenter emphasized that many open‑enrolled students occupy seats already established in buildings, meaning the district expects to fill existing capacity.
Officials described voucher payments as pass‑through items that affect property‑tax reporting but not net district revenue or expense. Staff also said they conduct a benefits reconciliation for all employees twice annually to ensure projected costs reflect actual enrollments and changes (marriage, dependents, coverage elections).
Board members asked how the salary matrix compares to regional medians and how errors in years‑of‑service records would be corrected. Staff said the district uses a median dataset and will investigate individual years‑of‑service discrepancies on request and, when verified, adjust pay records accordingly.
Officials signaled conservative planning for long‑term capital needs — fields, roofs, boilers and air handlers — and flagged a forthcoming large math curriculum purchase and technology server replacements as multi‑year priorities. The preliminary budget will return to the board for action at a later meeting.
