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Franklin City Public Schools is close to being fully staffed as the start of school nears for the 2023-24 academic year.

FCPS Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction and Human Resources Dr. Dwana P. White shared this positive report during the Franklin City School Board’s regular meeting Thursday, Aug. 17.

“Tonight I come before you with great news, excellent news,” she said, first noting that all 37 teacher positions at Samuel P. Morton Elementary School have been filled.

At Joseph P. King Jr. Middle School, 15 of the 16 teacher positions have been filled.

“We’re looking to hire a history teacher,” White said, referencing a position in the sixth grade that was still open.

At Franklin High School, 34 of 35 teacher positions have been filled, with the lone vacancy being an eighth-grade science teacher role.

“We’re pretty confident that we will be able to fill those positions before the opening of school,” White told school board members. “We did have interviews yesterday. Haven’t heard back from the candidates, but we are still recruiting. We’re going to reach out to the candidates this weekend, and so we’re pretty confident that we will have those two positions filled.”

Then she broadened her presentation to reference staff positions.

“Tonight I’m just reporting on instructional vacancies, but as far as the entire division is concerned, I think we have two (teacher’s assistant positions) which we’re very confident we can get filled,” she said. “There’s not a shortage of TAs. One car driver and I believe one child (nutritionist), and we will be fully staffed in the division.”

This report prompted applause from school board members.

“That’s phenomenal,” Ward 1 Board Member and Board Chair Robert Holt said. “Thank you.”

“That really is,” At-Large Board Member Carrie Johnson added.

The first day of school for FCPS is Tuesday, Sept. 5.