Frankfort Independent board approves 2% staff raise for 2026'27 and adopts tentative budget

The Frankfort Independent Board of Education voted on May 27 to approve a 2% raise for all staff for the 2026'27 school year and adopted the district's tentative budget, both by voice vote.

The superintendent recommended the 2% adjustment to move into the next fiscal year; board discussion referenced recent raise history (2% in 2022'23, none in 2023'24, a 5% increase in 2024'25, and none in 2025'26) and emphasized fiscal caution because state SEEK funding remains uncertain until final projections in September. The superintendent told the board the district is operating with a roughly 15% contingency balance and that the 2% raise is included in the tentative budget that staff will upload to the Kentucky Department of Education for approval.

A motion to approve the 2% raise was made and seconded, and the board indicated approval by voice. The board then discussed the tentative budget, which restores one position that had been inadvertently omitted from earlier drafts. Trustees moved, seconded and adopted the tentative budget by voice vote. Administrators said a working budget with final SEEK numbers will be presented for final action in September.

Members also discussed a planned donation letter to tax-exempt property owners asking whether they would like to donate to the district "in lieu of" paying taxes; the Kentucky Bar Association was cited as an example of a property owner that has historically contributed. Finally, the board voted to enter closed session "pursuant to KRS 15657" for a superintendent evaluation; the motion carried and the board moved into closed session.

The meeting record shows voice approvals for multiple items but did not record individual roll-call votes or count totals in the transcript.