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Board adopts FY2027 appropriation with quarterly school allotments; hires consultant to bridge finance gap
Summary
To guard against continuing school budget shortfalls the Board adopted the FY2027 appropriation and a quarterly school appropriation process. The Board also approved a single-term consulting contract (Owens & Associates) to assist Franklin County Public Schools; votes on both measures were recorded.
Franklin County’s Board of Supervisors passed a set of financial measures June 16 designed to tighten school budget oversight and provide short-term financial support while the School Division recruits an in-house Chief Financial Officer.
Key actions: The Board adopted the FY2027 appropriation ordinance and included a provision that the School Board receive appropriations quarterly and by major expenditure category (instruction; administration, attendance & health; pupil transportation; operations & maintenance; food services; canneries; facilities; debt; and technology). County staff said the quarterly appropriation approach was intended to increase fiscal oversight following FY2025 and FY2026 deficit spending in the School Fund. The appropriation vote carried 6–1.
Interim financial assistance: With the School Division still recruiting a CFO (new hire not available until October), the Board approved a single-term contract for Owens & Associates (Rebecca Owens) to provide interim school finance consulting services, not to exceed $80,000 for a 12‑month period; the cost will be split between the County and FCPS. The consultant will advise on monthly reporting, internal controls, audit readiness and grant/fund accounting while reporting to the Deputy County Administrator/CFO. That contract passed on a 6–1 recorded vote.
Public reaction and context: The fiscal discussion drew sustained public comment. Local resident Keith Johnson urged a criminal inquiry into school finances saying, “The reason you can't get a handle on school expenses is the Superintendent is playing a shell game.” The Board also debated whether to fund one-time bonuses for county and school employees; a motion to provide no bonuses passed 5–2.
Why it matters: The new quarterly appropriation structure and interim consultant are immediate governance responses to multi-year school deficits. The measures aim to make monthly/quarterly reporting more robust and provide capacity-building support while the new CFO is hired.
Next steps: County and school staff will implement the quarterly reporting schedule, consultant onboarding and tighter category-level monitoring. The School Board must submit quarterly financial packages and corrective action plans if projected deficits appear.
