-information courtesy of Franklin County Public Information Officer James F. Hicks III
The Franklin County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution to support creation of a Capital Committee in response to the Franklin County Schools Report, published in September 2023.
“The Board wholeheartedly supports establishing a Capital Committee to address the school capital needs for Franklin County Schools,” said Chairman Harry Foy, who added that the commissioners also would support visiting school facilities and working with the school board and county staff to address capital needs.
In addition to visiting facilities, the committee also will “plan, prioritize, and consult data, other experts and resources as needed to recommend mutually agreeable and cost-efficient capital projects.”
Part of Franklin County’s mission states that the county strives to “create a bright future for our county’s students and residents by keeping educational goals and facilities current and relevant to the economic demands of the County.”
Commissioners directed county representatives on the committee to prioritize projects to ensure compliance with N.C. General Statutes and other legal requirements, with an eye on maintaining cost-effective priorities that recognize the impact on taxpayers and support improvements of the educational environment through compliance with goals and a commitment to safe schools.
“The Board of Commissioners and the Board of Education are in agreement that capital needs must be addressed for Franklin County Schools,” Foy said.
The committee is comprised of two members from the board of commissioners, two members from the board of education, the county manager or designee, school superintendent or designee, chief of Auxiliary Services, assistant county manager and the finance directors from Franklin County Schools and Franklin County.