Franklin County School system gets approval for budget referendum

Franklin County commissioners agreed Tuesday to allow the school district to hold a referendum in the spring so voters can decide whether to allow the school district to increase its operating budget.

The referendum is the same as one held in 2012 when the district asked voters to allow the school district to increase its operating budget by a half mill.

The move is technically a tax increase though taxpayers shouldn’t see an increase in their tax bills because the increase in the operating budget will be offset by a decrease in the school system’s building fund.

If voters approve the measure again it will allow the school district to free up construction money and put it in the operating budget where it can be used for teacher and employee pay as well as other operating expenses.

Voters first approved the issue in 2008 – but it has to be renewed every 4 years.

The current approval ends on June the 30^th.

The issue will go to the voters on March the 15^th which the school system says is important.

They need to know what the voters decide before the school system can begin its budget process for the upcoming year.

The referendum will be paid for by the school district.

http://live.oysterradio.com/