FRANKLIN—The Franklin School Board plans to name principals for its three buildings during a 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 26, meeting at City Hall.

Human Resources Director Gail Wade said the board will consider two candidates for the position at S.P. Morton Elementary, and on Monday will interview 12 candidates for the positions at J.P. King Middle and Franklin High schools. The district received 15 applicants for the middle school and 10 for FHS.

“To be as small as we are, I think that’s a great number of applicants,” Wade said.

She didn’t feel comfortable disclosing how many were local.

Board Chairwoman Edna King was impressed with the number of applicants.

“We want to bring closure to these appointments on Thursday evening,” King said.

Last month, the board voted 5-2 against promoting Assistant Principal Lisa Francis to the top spot at S.P. Morton to replace the retiring Donald Spengeman. Former board Chairman Bill Scarboro and member Will Councill voted in favor of the promotion.

Two S.P. Morton teachers and City Councilman Don Blythe showed support for Francis at Thursday’s meeting.

Nancy Hinson, a special education teacher, told the board that when she was promoted from a teaching assistant to a full-time teacher 3½ years ago, it was because she was familiar with the position. She compared that to Francis, who has been assistant principal for six years.

“I respectfully ask you to reconsider her,” Hinson said.

Hinson said Francis knows the duties and “the students adore her.”

Speaking as a private citizen, Blythe told the board he felt Francis was a good choice.

“Look at her experience in leadership,” Blythe said. “I think we need to reconsider.”

Francis said listening to her supporters was “humbling.” She added that she didn’t know if she was still a candidate, but would remain as assistant principal regardless.

The board met with Francis during a closed-session.