Of course you’ve probably seen the on-going construction at the new high school site on 6th Street. The masonry is going up now, and work will start soon on the plumbing. Unfortunately, delays caused by supply chain issues for key structural components will push the opening of the new building back until January 2024. Renovations of the current high school will begin in August.

The new bus garage (behind the current high school) is complete and the district has scheduled a ribbon cutting on Monday, Aug. 22, at 5:30 p.m. A new bus garage may not sound very exciting, but our transportation crew is thrilled to have this modern building. The old bus garage was so small that a bus would not actually fit inside. Maintenance work had to be done outside, which was highly inconvenient on frigid days.

As you’re aware, COVID hasn’t completely disappeared; in August, the Warren County superintendents will begin meeting with the Warren County Department of Health to develop ’22-’23 COVID regulations. Even though we’ve been dealing with COVID for the last two years and we believe the worst is behind us, we want to move forward educationally and plan to be open every day because the District firmly believes that nothing beats the actual classroom instruction of a quality teacher. We’ll continue to stay flexible with students who must quarantine. Our latest COVID regulations will be on this website, www.franklincityschools.com

We have several changes and promotions among our administrative staff. Kelli Fromm will be moving from high school principal to business manager; Michael Voynovich will move into the Franklin High School principal’s job; Alicia Mailhot will move into the Franklin Junior High principal role; Kim Irgens will move into the role of assistant principal at Franklin Junior High. 

Looking ahead to November, the district will have a renewal levy on the ballot. We understand that times are difficult but this renewal levy will not raise taxes. Passage is critical to our ability to provide a quality education, as this levy generates 21% of our budget. When this levy was passed initially in 2014, the District made commitments to taxpayers for how we’d use these new funds: that we would add all-day kindergarten; that we would increase the district’s use of technology; that we would add communications avenues; that we would replace our aging bus fleet; and that we would add more dual-enrollment options for our high school students. All of those things have been accomplished. We hope you agree that they are valuable.

Educating your children would be impossible without the partnership of students, families, school personnel, and the community. Our students’ successes are built on the foundation of a strong school board, faculty, staff, and administration, and is made possible by the confidence of our district voters.

With this partnership, we’ll continue the strong programs we have in place as we watch the exciting construction of new facilities for our students.

Please contact me at msander@franklincityschools.com OR (937) 746-1699 or with questions or concerns you might have.

Michael D. Sander, Ed.D, Superintendent Franklin City Schools