Something important took place during Monday night’s city council meeting. Yes, the city council did as they should and took a hard stance with the school board chair regarding the mishandling of last year’s schools budget. But more importantly, all members of council stood united in their concern and criticism of a school board that has run out of control for years.

But it hasn’t always been that way.

Under previous leadership, the majority of city council not only ignored the problems taking place in the school board offices, but also went out of its way to let people know they would not intervene in what had essentially become a dumpster fire. Political cowardice trumped common sense and good leadership, and circumstances went from bad to worse.  Now, a half a million dollars has been spent but nobody knows on what.

We applaud all members of city council for taking up this issue with the sense of urgency that it deserves, and for not letting politics stand in the way of good governance. Franklin will be better for it.