Franklin Area School Board approves 5% tax increase and 5% pay boosts for selected staff over objections

The Franklin Area School Board voted to approve the district’s final 2026–27 general fund budget and set the real-estate millage at 19.1067 mills, a 5% increase, after a lengthy debate over declining fund balances and staffing costs.

The district presented the budget as having total revenues of $41,121,188 and total expenditures of $42,562,045, to be balanced by using $1,440,857 from the available fund balance. "You're expecting us as taxpayers to suffer a 5% increase," resident Ella Hollerman told the board during public comment, urging officials to cut expenses rather than raise taxes.

Board members exchanged sharply different views during more than an hour of budget discussion. Board member Mrs. Boyer said the district had not done enough to reduce costs and announced she would vote no. "I don't understand how as a taxpayer I'm just forced to pay 5% and you continue to spend, spend, spend," she said. Other members said prior boards deferred capital maintenance and that the district now needs to "catch up" on repairs and competitive wages.

During the meeting the board also approved a slate of personnel actions tied to the budget debate. On separate motions the board approved the hiring of Rebecca Barnes as athletic director/wellness coordinator/strength advisor, Zachary Baughman as athletic trainer, John Gearing as a full-time school police officer and Alan Heller as a full-time school security guard for the 2026–27 year. The board later approved a 5% increase on base salary/hourly rate for the named non-teacher employees and for confidential and technician employees, as recommended by the personnel committee. Board members repeatedly emphasized they supported the individuals but questioned the timing and scope of raises when teacher contract negotiations are ongoing.

Business manager Kimberly Eaton explained aspects of her multi-year employment agreement during consideration of a separate motion to grant her a 5% increase and a one-time $2,500 contribution to her 403(b) account. Eaton said the contract provides for periodic raises and described the breadth of her responsibilities, saying, "I don't work less than 50 hours a week." The motion carrying the business manager's raise passed.

Vote tallies recorded on the floor: the final budget motion carried (Yes: Mr. Boland, Mrs. Hartsfield, Miss Lyda, Mr. Lowman, Mr. Stackpole; No: Mr. Baker, Mrs. Boyer; Abstain: Ms. Backer). The personnel pay-increase motion for the listed non-teacher employees also carried after roll-call.

Board members asked administration to present scenarios and options for funding prioritized repairs and to schedule a workshop to review school finance, revenue streams and cost-saving possibilities. Administrators said they can provide hypothetical scenarios showing the budget and staffing implications of different choices.

The meeting also included routine approvals: depository and investment designations, insurance renewals for dental and vision plans, several teaching hires and one retirement, and a recommended $182,067 kitchen-equipment purchase funded from federal food-service funds rather than the general fund. The board adjourned at 7:58 p.m.

What happens next: the board directed staff to provide follow-up financial scenarios and to consider a workshop on school finance; several members said they wanted more line-by-line review before future increases are approved.