FRANKLIN—Parents complained to the city school board Thursday night about a “mass exodus” of teachers out of Franklin City Public Schools.

Dawn Yurkas, a resident of Pace Street, said she is concerned about the number of teachers who have decided not to return or are looking for other work due to problems with the school division’s administration.

“Over the past few weeks I have found out that a number of teachers are leaving,” she said. “Many are not leaving for better jobs.”

Yurkas said she knows of at least 22 vacancies at J.P. King Middle School and Franklin High School.

“There seems to be no accountability for the administration when teachers are leaving in a mass exodus,” Yurkas said.

Schools Superintendent Dr. Michelle Belle said she didn’t have the numbers in front of her after the board meeting Thursday night, but she said the number of departing teachers fluctuates. Last month, she reported 15 vacancies in the division. She said she had no evidence from exit interviews or anything else to suggest that teachers are leaving because of morale.

She said some of the teachers are leaving for better-paying jobs.

Yurkas told the school board she didn’t believe the system could hire enough qualified teachers to fill the gaps and called a recently approved 1.5 percent across-the-board bonus “nothing more than a bribe.”

“It was by no means a bribe,” Belle said. “We knew teachers hadn’t had a raise in four years and if we could give the bonuses we should.”

Parent Scott Seddon said he too was aware of teachers taking jobs for less money and said he was concerned as a parent.

“We have great teachers in Franklin and we have great administrators in Franklin and they are all working toward the same goal, but I don’t think we’re on the same page,” Seddon said.

Patricia Rabil, a teacher with the system for 31 years and a resident of Franklin, commended the work of the school board and staff. She gave credit to the schools for both of her kids’ academic and professional success.

She praised the board for working to fund “top-notch programs” for the division.

“There are many citizens who applaud your efforts,” Rabil said.