Franklin City Schools Issue #5 - March 19 Levy Facts
Franklin City Schools has placed an issue on the ballot in March 2024.
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Issue #5 is for new operating money. The district has not asked voters for new money since 2014. Prior to that, the district last received new money in 2005 and 1995.
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The levy is for 5 years and taxes would first be collected in 2025.
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The issue is for 6.301 mills, which will raise $3,615,000 annually.
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The cost to taxpayers will be $221 for a home whose value is appraised at $100,000.
The district will implement the following changes should the levy fail (changes are approximately $1.15 million dollars)
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Loss of neighborhood elementary buildings
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Closure of Anthony Wayne Elementary and Pennyroyal Elementary
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Redistricting will impact all elementary students as we reduce the number of campuses.
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Larger class sizes
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Certified Staff - 7 positions will be eliminated
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Administrative Staff - 1 position will be eliminated
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Classified Staff - 5 positions will be eliminated
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Pay-to-play cost increase
Bond Issue (New Buildings)
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The district passed a bond issue in November 2020 to construct new buildings.
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Construction will proceed regardless of operating expense cuts.
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Failure to pass the levy will not affect staff and students moving into the new high school or the middle school renovations.
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Bond issue funds may not be used for operating expenses.
Permanent Improvement Funds
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No operating funds were used to purchase land. These purchases were paid for with permanent improvement (PI) funds.
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“Permanent improvement” means any property, asset, or improvement with an estimated life or usefulness of five years or more.
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PI funds may not be used for operating expenses.
Ballot Language
PROPOSED TAX LEVY (ADDITIONAL) Franklin City School District A majority affirmative vote is necessary for passage Shall a levy be imposed by the Franklin City School District for the purpose of the emergency requirements of the school district in the sum of $3,615,000 and a levy of taxes to be made outside of the ten-mill limitation estimated by the county auditor to average 6.301 mills for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $221.00 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's appraised value, for a period of 5 years, commencing in 2024, first due in calendar year 2025?