FSSD Budget Highlights
Franklin Special Board Commits to Improved Infrastructure
School Board Committed to Improving School Infrastructure and Refinancing Current Debt
Over the course of four budget work sessions, the FSSD Board of Education tackled very difficult issues of funding while understanding that several schools have critical infrastructure needs. Very purposeful discussion and problem solving yielded the unavoidable need to raise taxes to provide a safe and healthy learning environment for students, teachers and staff. The Board of Education passed a $45 million budget on July 20, 2015, which included a 7.66 cent tax increase. In the General Purpose budget, there was significant discussion related to the development of a budget which provided a balance of revenue and expenditures while preserving all the educational programs that are in place as we continue to focus on educating the whole child.
One focus was on providing all employees with a cost-of-living increase of 2 percent (plus incremental step increases for eligible employees). While insurance and benefit costs have risen annually, FSSD employees have gone the past year without a cost-of-living increase. A transition in health insurance will save the district significant dollars, but adds importance to the cost-of-living increase as employees may have to take on more individual responsibility.
"Teachers and all employees are being asked to take on more responsibilities and are now being held to the highest standard of accountability in the history of public education through high stakes standardized testing," said Director of Schools Dr. David Snowden. "We don’t hear FSSD teachers complain about all the changes; we see them embrace the challenges and continue to do their best to help students achieve at a high level. In my opinion, it is our responsibility as a district to provide teachers excellent support through quality professional learning opportunities and a highly competitive and consistent salary and benefit package."
The Board operates the district in a manner that is extremely mindful of fiscal responsibility, many times deferring large-scale capital projects until absolutely necessary. In doing so, some of our buildings have suffered with aging, inefficient infrastructure, especially Franklin Elementary. These needs can no longer be put off without negatively impacting students, teachers and staff. The extensive needs at Franklin Elementary are critical, as are the roof replacements at Poplar Grove and Freedom Middle.
Additionally, the Board was mindful of the need to increase revenue significantly to meet this year’s debt service payment of $6,342,220. With the current favorable bond market, the School Board was in a position to set a tax rate that will not only meet the increased bond payment for the current year but also secure the needed $12 million in revenue to address the infrastructure needs. An example that might help put this in perspective, is the effect the increase has on a family with a $200,000 home. In this example, the increase will amount to an additional $38 in annual property taxes. Some governmental entities are able to generate revenue to address infrastructure needs through a fee structure; however, the FSSD does not have that opportunity. For instance, if an entity needs to upgrade a water treatment plant or the drinking water filtration process, it can raise the rate (fee) to pay for those infrastructure needs.
The FSSD has always placed an emphasis on providing high quality teaching and learning environments for all students, employees and visitors. With these additional funds, we will be able to address some important needs which impact the schools’ environment.
The pictures below provide a general representation of some of the pressing needs that will be addressed by this year's budget and subsequent tax increase.
Critical Franklin Elementary Repairs and Renovations
Boiler and Heat Failures
Restroom Renovations
Exterior Repairs
Basement Flooding
Age Appropriate Fixtures
Inefficient Fixtures
Poplar Grove and Freedom Middle Roof Replacements
Poplar Grove Roof
Freedom Middle Damage
Interior Damage at FMS
About Us
Email: gentrys@fssd.org
Website: fssd.org
Location: 507 New Highway 96 West, Franklin, TN, United States
Phone: (615) 794-6624
Twitter: @franklinspecial