FRANKLIN—High on the agenda when the Franklin City Council and the School Board meet next week is discussion of the budget.

According to the agenda for the joint work session, the two bodies will talk about the schools’ staff reduction and the effect on instruction as well as forecasted needs for building improvements.

Dr. Michelle Belle, superintendent of Franklin City Schools, has said the district hopes City Council will contribute $4.8 million to the schools for fiscal year 2011, the same amount as this year.

But the budget isn’t the only thing the two bodies will discuss. The School Board will have good news to report on the academic front—the district’s graduation rate increased and all three city schools are now fully accredited by the Virginia Department of Education.

Also on the agenda are discussion of long-range plans for the school district, the potential for sharing services, an update on the JROTC program and an update on the alternative education program.

Since it’s a work session, no official action will be taken at the meeting.

City Manager June Fleming said the two bodies have generally tried to hold a joint meeting every year, but sometimes scheduling conflicts have prevented a meeting.

“It really is like a workshop session to talk and bring each other up to date,” she said. “It’s just a discussion between the two bodies.”

The joint work session is set for 5 p.m. Monday, April 12, at City Hall and is open to the public.