[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6264096,"mediaKeyId","3099038-8a8d5d578efbd731ab4f027d9015c3a2","parentId",3099038,"title","Board members debate site-based budgeting and preservation of historic North End schools","audioSeconds",1183,"startMs",5893000,"endMs",7076000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3099038-8a8d5d578efbd731ab4f027d9015c3a2&start=5893&end=7076","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3099038-8a8d5d578efbd731ab4f027d9015c3a2/thumbnail_5893000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6264096/Florida/Board-members-debate-site-based-budgeting-and-preservation-of-historic-North-End-schools","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6264096-a794348ca9b6e6072cbeae9e5055a589/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173919&Signature=AKkq8VgFhSjuLxRpFKQ2Jc2~A5FyVyQeU1S~nizMgQmjEJNbw7jYF94ZlWxXLb62ei-0R7Id1tY-TDJSFvxvse~Q24TrLfRj2y2QLDYHhpI~tLSO7Xb83Mmox0t3P9ExYtS9VgwHyFYrmvbARU7V4NLT9~eQOxCqsRc~H6o9CovKgngnzUDUPYVHDQz0IKjsD4d8lfx1iMHKwQp4etOekYu0EgBZ2GQAz-CCDxMzGIIVrDX0BkvD5P2Q6LNgSBj9lxMiuN42xQCrHA1F2GZq518in7Bk8orRBPFJno0vm2KKoq8tpyY86ut7bhBb5vhCUgbBCyUaEN2m6k5rcATSRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Marion County School District","date","2025-04-23T12:20:48Z","article","During board comments on April 22, several members raised substantive concerns about site-based budgeting and the future of smaller and historic schools on the district’s north end, including Eighth Street, Osceola and Fessenden.

Board member Dr. Sarah James and others urged the board to plan proactively for site-based budgeting scenarios that could underfund small schools. She noted several schools would face shortfalls under site-based budgeting thresholds and asked staff for a clear plan to avoid sudden staffing or program cuts. \"If those schools are expected to live within the site-based budget that they are going to get, there will have to be cuts from their staff,\" she said.

Dr. James and other members discussed historic preservation and community value: Eighth Street and Osceola are part of a recognized historic district downtown, and Pheasanton (Pheasant?) was described as its own historic district covering roughly 150 acres. Board members said past grants and district funding were essential to prior renovations and that saving the schools has required matching funds.

Board members asked for more than community advocacy: they requested detailed cost information, the history of prior grants and matching funds, and an analysis of what each school would need to operate under site-based budgeting. One member suggested delaying decisions about north-side program changes until near-term development (the Buc-ee’s interchange) clarified growth patterns.

No formal action was taken; the discussion concluded with requests for staff follow-up and a work session to examine site-based budgeting implications, enrollment thresholds and preservation options for historic schools.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Marion County School Board Meeting, April 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Board members discussed concerns about site-based budgeting impacts on small and historic schools (Eighth Street, Osceola, Fessenden and Reddick) and requested more data and planning before major changes.","taxTitle","Marion, School Districts, Florida","taxId",15365,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6264101,"Board OKs $1M purchase of bus camera systems to expand student safety monitoring",235,3791000,4026000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3099038-8a8d5d578efbd731ab4f027d9015c3a2&start=3791&end=4026","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3099038-8a8d5d578efbd731ab4f027d9015c3a2/thumbnail_3791000.jpg","/articles/6264101/Florida/Board-OKs-1M-purchase-of-bus-camera-systems-to-expand-student-safety-monitoring","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6264101-05297befcc96f74b9bfacfcfabac1df0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173919&Signature=AAkSDXHN4hBcdTWeiV6MsVAp9bM-dM17qJAETCwVM8j3nAxvm6OLdjIygL2I2rEWGSMAxQAre~rm93DG6W5a9ozJRabIDrPSikr29pRa~nKvVCeIHRzqS14~89u88K976KfwqEcwLZrT9BvHYMK9qtMaOX3ZJSjXDuBZz4-JYpQ9uXa3JbejqcZU2HJWDmREK1RWZSeD8XhGNO7Uq7IfmnEot2rNTUmLfiGLWQCWOLsskLpgs7ZBdftyJx7ak~LQg1XdgnetzGtcqPciwI-OKDQiaYqDMpXuAAvFaMLYSb2l7KkS4~ja~H--o4OeuAoi8rk-EIek-la1qJzlTZYMcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Marion County School Board voted April 22 to piggyback on an interlocal purchasing contract and buy Gatekeeper camera systems for district buses, a purchase estimated at $1,000,000.

District staff said the Gatekeeper system provides continuous digital video recording of bus interiors and some exterior views. Officials said footage will be used to improve student and staff safety, assist in traffic-accident investigations and respond to liability claims and discipline incidents. The item piggybacks on The Interlocal Purchasing System (TIPS) contract number 230202.

Mr. McFadden of the Safe Schools department presented the request and described the estimated scope and contract term. Board members acknowledged the cost but framed the purchase as a necessary safety measure. Board member Nancy Thrower noted the expense and thanked the community for support of funding referendums that have enabled large purchases; she called it “sad” that the district has reached a point where such measures are necessary but said she would vote yes.

The motion to approve was seconded and carried 5-0. The district said the TIPS contract is effective through May 31, 2026, with annual renewal options, and staff will coordinate installation schedules and invoices with the vendor.","Marion County School Board approved a piggyback agreement to buy Gatekeeper camera systems for buses, estimated at $1,000,000, to provide interior and exterior video coverage for safety, investigations and liability claims.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6264105,"Board keeps three-tier bell schedule after debate on Osceola and Eighth Street",133,4216000,4349000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3099038-8a8d5d578efbd731ab4f027d9015c3a2&start=4216&end=4349","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3099038-8a8d5d578efbd731ab4f027d9015c3a2/thumbnail_4216000.jpg","/articles/6264105/Florida/Board-keeps-three-tier-bell-schedule-after-debate-on-Osceola-and-Eighth-Street","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6264105-2459e513ee5076079bbd68db574b0666/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173919&Signature=LQQzlc9g3QCyIqjEW16U~a6t53UoSBlt~WKyYPPFclmNkvZmhnZlJVziBgY71RkPKTwtrSIdv5G0LiOqPaKCTSFK14cG3tvIIpjmkmG6PIKBxWLwyzhtxKuMkXthoNCZEnJ110t4jDuhUCFIPJ--ElKwsndzMkrXEbu4sUtvQpoQg-How6Ci-8yaAQrny7HWYkLv3Q8P8kR1i7XA1SjSHQzQAp5w2TkN8WE3nyHDZbg2wyID2QRCI4KL7uuOewEAYUms5CJ~TleZbCAa7K386ON7JadOgxkLJwYflSQxyDCAn1MgeYEGDX-FxrcctDl3p5yIZyubbc0eGz3OLosZTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Marion County School Board voted 4-1 on April 22 to adopt the recommended three-tier start and stop bell schedule for the 2025–26 school year after transportation staff warned that changing tiers would add routes and operational cost.

The board’s scheduling committee reviewed on-time arrival data and bus discipline referral information before recommending continuation of the three-tier system. Board member Dr. Sarah James moved the motion; Reverend Eric Cummings seconded it. Dr. Lisonbee Campbell cast the lone no vote, saying constituents in her district had asked for later start times at some schools.

Transportation supervisor Mr. Ostanik told the board that moving Osceola Middle School into the second tier would add “about 8 to 10 runs” to the second tier and complicate route pairings, increasing the district’s need for buses and drivers. \"Whenever you move those to another tier, it's gonna have to pick up somewhere, so you're gonna have to add extra,\" he said.

Board members discussed the operational trade-offs. Dr. Campbell reiterated community requests for later start times at Eighth Street and Osceola; other members acknowledged the limits imposed by current bus routes and driver availability. One member suggested community solutions such as expanded walking or bike programs in tightly knit neighborhoods.

The board directed transportation to proceed with implementation and to report on on-time arrival metrics after the first quarter of the school year.","The Marion County School Board voted 4-1 to keep the district’s three-tier start/stop bell schedule for 2025–26; transportation staff said moving Osceola Middle School would require 8–10 additional runs.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6264111,"School board approves rezoning, construction contracts, expulsions and multiple vendor agreements",91,2592000,2683000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3099038-8a8d5d578efbd731ab4f027d9015c3a2&start=2592&end=2683","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3099038-8a8d5d578efbd731ab4f027d9015c3a2/thumbnail_2592000.jpg","/articles/6264111/Florida/School-board-approves-rezoning-construction-contracts-expulsions-and-multiple-vendor-agreements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6264111-0ea3284378c18aff874d37899df76905/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173919&Signature=i99fwBSflwCxHrWiq-OvgjlbZx050oikdKKjngyePseEr~3FNuYBS~f-t9iHi1YXXvkf2bVRTYqalyC~gT6LeJaBtfoyWlc2cl2-bniwVIbg4Kj6P5yjevfFpNF3tWm5H5pp3yH8azn-lJYdaf314181L5HH8Zp1-TCAdm7TvWlGIl-KEyPyhJTwFOuV0uYQc3HN7WtfDFpG8SIcxCSRAkTdyJcW0v8WP0hA89wsdP6KL7uXGv3xOInYowFeqQIITGZTN8rChjH1Udtu9cfSM2YZKsxczOUsCd7P6rvtp3DEjVj2O5~1AOEL8qHb~VBDoj~nPm2KyWJnjX9w-tKaAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Marion County School Board on April 22 approved a slate of actions covering school facility projects, vendor contracts, student discipline and other routine business.

Board members voted on more than a dozen formal items in a meeting that also included recognitions, donation announcements and extended discussion of start times and transportation logistics.

Among the actions the board approved by roll call:

• Liberty Howard rezoning — approved unanimously (5-0). The board chair declared a public hearing and, with no speakers present, the motion passed. (Transcript start: 2592.39; finish: 2623.21.)

• Pre-qualification list for general construction services for the 2025–26 school year — approved unanimously (5-0). Staff said the item complies with Board Policy 06/1934 and Florida Statute 1013.46(2). (Transcript start: 2638.36; finish: 2683.82.)

• Certification of facilities data (FISH records) required by Florida statutes and State Requirements for Educational Facilities — informational item concluded with board acknowledgement. (Transcript start: 2683.82; finish: 2722.31.)

• Consent agenda (C11.1 through C21.4, excluding pulled items) — approved unanimously (5-0). (Transcript start: 2746.25; finish: 2756.99.)

• Multiple student expulsions — the board approved expulsions for several students; motions were made and seconded and each passed 5-0. The expulsions covered the remainder of 2024–25 and portions or all of 2025–26 as noted in each motion. Student identifiers were read into the record (examples: JD25-175E; JD25-3230E; JD25-245; JD25-244; JD25-247; JD25-250; JD25-251E). (Transcript start: 2797.45; finish: 2867.56.)

• Special data-share agreement with Hanover Research — approved unanimously (5-0). The district described a $522,706 membership for research, custom projects and advisory services; district staff outlined prior work Hanover has done for the district. (Transcript start: 2884.58; finish: 3073.01.)

• Fourth amendment with PowerSchool Group LLC — approved unanimously (5-0). The superintendent described this item as a $437,819 expenditure to support attendance tracking and family communication tools. (Transcript start: 3073.95; finish: 3367.84.)

• Naming of two new elementary schools — Ross Prairie Elementary (School W) and Winding Oaks Elementary (School X) — each approved unanimously (5-0). School naming committees and community surveys were described; business partners for each new school were announced. (Transcript start: 3367.84; finish: 3767.12.)

• Piggyback agreement to purchase Gatekeeper bus camera systems — approved unanimously (5-0). Staff described a purchase estimated at $1,000,000 to install interior and exterior video systems on district buses for safety and investigation purposes. (Transcript start: 3791.43; finish: 3976.65.)

• Start/stop bell times for 2025–26 school year — approved by roll call 4-1. The board voted to continue the three-tier scheduling system; one member said she would vote no because constituents had asked for later start times at specific schools. Transportation staff explained that moving Osceola Middle School into a different tier would add 8–10 bus runs and require additional routes. (Transcript start: 4216.60; finish: 4651.28.)

• Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) change order for Osceola Bridal School new gymnasium — approved with one recusal (vote recorded as 4-0 with one recusal). (Transcript start: 4671.75; finish: 4698.75.)

• Contract between owner and construction manager for new middle school DD (project 204-130) — approved unanimously (5-0). Board discussion called out the $2,000,000 construction manager fee and practice of reviewing large-dollar items. (Transcript start: 4709.82; finish: 4804.71.)

Why it matters: the actions approved involve capital spending, vendor engagements for research and technology, discipline decisions that alter student placement, and safety investments for transportation. Several items reference Florida statutes and board policy as part of staff compliance confirmations.

Board members and staff spoke briefly while moving through the consent and action items. Superintendent Diane Gullett and staff provided the cost and scope for vendor agreements, and transportation staff outlined operational constraints that shaped the start-times decision. The meeting also included donations and recognition of business partners that support schools across the district.

The board scheduled several special meetings in the coming weeks and closed the public portion of the meeting before moving to an off-air session.","At its April 22 meeting the Marion County School Board approved a series of items including a rezoning, construction pre-qualifications, expulsions, several vendor contracts, school namings, and a $1 million bus camera purchase. Most measures passed unanimously; the start-times change passed 4-1.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board members debate site-based budgeting and preservation of historic North End schools

Board OKs $1M purchase of bus camera systems to expand student safety monitoring

Board keeps three-tier bell schedule after debate on Osceola and Eighth Street

School board approves rezoning, construction contracts, expulsions and multiple vendor agreements