FRANKLIN—The City of Franklin is looking into two potential dates for a public forum on the Franklin City Public Schools.

The dates and times are depending on the availability of an attorney. Wednesday, Oct. 16 and Monday, Oct. 21 are being considered.

A joint meeting between the city and the schools is planned for Wednesday, Oct. 23.

Mayor Raystine Johnson-Ashburn said she had heard that the public did not think she was concerned about the situation with the schools, but she said she is.

“The state of our school system is troubling. I am very concerned,” she said.

“I just want to do it right. We need to make sure what is in the council’s authority, and that we are in order.

“The children are our future.”

The public forum meeting is to first give council an opportunity to meet with an attorney and have questions answered on what they can and cannot do, and then to give citizens a chance to speak.

“We will come out and give a public overview on our limitations and restrictions as it relates to school,” said Johnson-Ashburn. “Then we will open it up for public comment.

“It also gives the people a place to put their grievances to council,” she continued. “We will take ideas and questions with us to the 23rd meeting and, hopefully, gain answers from the school.”

The meeting on Oct. 23 will involve first getting an update on the school budget and then discussing the academic review so that council can understand it.

“It will help us understand where the schools are,” she said.

Following that, the council will share with the school board concerns brought up during the Oct. 16 or 21 meeting.