[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6244081,"mediaKeyId","3234491-097031f96cee638ed01e489ceb44a97b","parentId",3234491,"title","Board hears state cell-phone policy update; change could bar phones in elementary and middle schools","audioSeconds",38,"startMs",2318000,"endMs",2356000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3234491-097031f96cee638ed01e489ceb44a97b&start=2318&end=2356","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3234491-097031f96cee638ed01e489ceb44a97b/thumbnail_2318000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6244081/Florida/Board-hears-state-cell-phone-policy-update-change-could-bar-phones-in-elementary-and-middle-schools","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244081-951b5dc022cdde079c634eac5824d30c/orig.mp4?Expires=1774935788&Signature=U~PL6GhOaKb43idU17rC2kqQ0MNnZyhKnDK8c9JtqVZTFv3hgZKxMYNDqk5qUVRRO5v5i7fnMlBfH-YSCSlJFvOvXcxqUOGwp31~e0BLQ7T0XJrtggmbSjqJNwI74N1BANHedUti3eQz7n4jHEFRd1eQ0v2rDnN6~GfC0csFVYF1Mf9jrkKK-sGAJVJx3wkK9s3a3QO1U5263l0Av9Adghvatpjbhr3qxhbu2ePDzIb7E8crFeteRkeE9lLLKMjXlXLXghYRuox~clI-gojrUYew2WxChWCnX2bioL5VnuhlN~8KOT1jNCSfZGjiehbSjF3oGfBJKG1QkCWZPAQgyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Marion County School District","date","2025-05-08T11:50:25Z","article","During board comments on May 8, Dr. Campbell warned colleagues that a recently approved bill in the state legislature — pending the governor’s signature — would restrict student cell-phone use in public schools and could require local policy changes.

Why it matters: If signed, the law would affect daily operations and discipline policies across Marion County elementary and middle schools and could require district implementation plans and communications to families.

Dr. Campbell summarized the bill’s prospective effect: “if in fact the governor does sign it, what it will mean is every student in every public school, will not be able to use a cell phone elementary and middle school.” She added the Legislature had approved the measure in both chambers and the district had previously piloted a cell-phone policy at Osceola, where she said data suggested improvement; the board will watch for the governor’s action and await official language before altering district policy.

Board members did not take action; they noted the district already runs local pilots and said staff should be prepared to adapt policies if the bill becomes law.

What’s next: District staff will monitor the bill’s final status and prepare implementation guidance if the governor signs it, including clarifying scope for elementary, middle and the proposed high-school pilot.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Marion County School Board Work Session, May 8th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A board member reported a state bill passed by the legislature and awaiting the governor's signature that would ban cell-phone use for elementary and middle school students and create a high-school pilot; the board flagged the item as one to monitor for policy implications.","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},6244086,"Board discusses placement options for Fordham Early Learning Academy students left on wait lists",693,2349000,3042000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3234491-097031f96cee638ed01e489ceb44a97b&start=2349&end=3042","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3234491-097031f96cee638ed01e489ceb44a97b/thumbnail_2349000.jpg","/articles/6244086/Florida/Board-discusses-placement-options-for-Fordham-Early-Learning-Academy-students-left-on-wait-lists","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244086-d19425a5e6f83295dfef285ed51ce1b1/orig.mp4?Expires=1774935788&Signature=PD~aNZcGC4kGnLRKTy9ghREF8GoXQmRvxV~TM3Dm1vh2c3t20I6-u4Sy4L1uZoxtClkVOgz7-2O2h1B-zIyEIrhCuEuA-9jmzZx0xfFiLc3iHtKFCko9nFybWCUcwtyOUNoXhxGoq5IdLic44YEKRV9eDP5IZg7RZQvX0ypsL51H-vrf0Fn-QSTJb0BubwX~Fl-93w1BhT3Y-j98Nx4LAI~ubo54K8Rku9wVH1doNFZz7WixVez4bj7IEXD86kRT2I2sXFeFQf1HP6dP3nKPhpsyVa44O6XxcMN4y1X6GXAlB07NSnWIROeCsQNEF3kHzxDpM3RcFyB6yQktDVy7fQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Marion County School Board members on May 8 discussed how to place a small group of Fordham Early Learning Academy students who remain on magnet-school wait lists and whether to change capacity or policy to accommodate more students in future years. Board members agreed to pursue options for the four students currently waiting and asked staff to prepare a fuller work session on magnet capacity and policy.

Why it matters: Board members described Fordham as a highly regarded early learning magnet and said the district should avoid losing students to private schools when public options are constrained. Several members said they want a short-term solution for the four currently on wait lists and a longer-term plan before the next choice window.

Board members and staff described current constraints and potential remedies. Dr. Campbell and others noted the district’s existing sibling priority and lottery rules; one board member said Madison’s zoning pattern and capacity limits make placement there infeasible for some families. Board member Thrower reported that as of April 22, there were 23 students on the Madison lottery wait list, highlighting the scale of demand at that school.

Several members said they support making exceptions if staff can identify placements without degrading program quality. Dr. Campbell said she hoped the district “can find a home for all of these students.” Members suggested staff present options at a future work session — including adding classroom units at magnet schools, temporary placements at underused campuses, or a policy to prioritize Fordham students — and requested transportation and capacity analyses.

The board did not take a formal vote. Chair Conrad asked staff to work with families and report back; some members said they would support an immediate accommodation for the four children while planning a comprehensive strategy for future cohorts.

What’s next: Staff were asked to return to the board with concrete options, capacity data and any required policy changes; board members proposed a dedicated work session before the next school-choice window so the board can decide whether to add units or revise priorities for Fordham students.","Board members sought short-term placements for four Fordham Early Learning Academy students on school-choice wait lists and proposed a work session to address longer-term magnet capacity and policy options.",{"_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},6244091,"Marion County board discusses superintendent search process, schedules consultant briefing",1418,287000,1705000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3234491-097031f96cee638ed01e489ceb44a97b&start=287&end=1705","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3234491-097031f96cee638ed01e489ceb44a97b/thumbnail_287000.jpg","/articles/6244091/Florida/Marion-County-board-discusses-superintendent-search-process-schedules-consultant-briefing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244091-b3392ebc98895eef17721e32a040f2cd/orig.mp4?Expires=1774935788&Signature=lY3RMNcR1TBHPeTikhotjw75vaXKef4suJmD6ccrlXwth2Yhe4zLQmrsbJZTUHpsPpyIGkYcrzdDdAQk7CLC5p0tMeu5LQ36DthzY2jRQ3AqJlK-PIgDJbira6mkTa4fvBQZ8d-ObrLXSuWL4luI8q41Pwfei4fjlYPcIR4xOkKT3V3TrUxRt~v2E32kfWHsOUMHXQLJLIkQDZrKvA~Vt~WJAbGh0b2Ly-YuGjhrWNhP~RaGSTAEpSeXWKDrUlVQqcL-HVOYcMHKUzIGTw3wgy1kcyqM4VWumugVCJTm5Iqdk3ZVuxOzI0KkcbEwryZn-7ydgv-WxcCNSL0BEDX1wA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Marion County School Board on May 8 debated how to conduct a search for a new superintendent, weighing the cost and structure of a national search firm against district-led surveys and multiple local town halls. Chair Conrad said consultant Rick Collins is available to present on May 22 and proposed inviting him to describe “the ups and the downs” of the search process.

Board members said they want broad community input before deciding whether to hire a firm. The board discussed running an electronic survey, scheduling multiple town halls (one suggestion was three), and holding district-level town halls so each board member could gather input from their constituents. Dr. Campbell said the district could do some of the outreach itself to reduce cost but emphasized the need for wide participation: “but I think it's imperative that if we are moving in the direction to not only have some kind of electronic survey, but also to have at least 3 different town halls.”

Why it matters: The board is deciding how to balance cost, participation and impartiality while replacing the district’s chief executive. Several members said a third-party firm can ensure neutral administration and professional tabulation of qualitative feedback; others urged quicker, locally organized engagement while the issue is current.

Most members favored hearing from an experienced consultant before finalizing a process. Dr. James framed the choice as one the community should influence: “Do they want us to hire local? Do they want us to do a national search? Do they want us to sit steady and see how it goes?” Several members recommended the board assemble specific survey questions that could be used by the district or a hired firm, emphasizing the difference between a preliminary “do you want a national search” question and a later, in-depth candidate-characteristics survey.

Board members discussed timing and logistics: several said summer would lower participation, while others argued acting sooner would capture current interest. Concerns included avoiding overlap with school events when scheduling evening town halls and allowing sufficient public notice before meetings. Attorney Powers reminded the board that an outside firm may prescribe its own engagement schedule and methods, which could conflict with a board-designed approach.

Financial clarifications were limited but repeated: members referenced prior searches costing in the low five-figure range. Chair Conrad said, referencing prior work, that “5 years ago, the cost of a national search was 40,000, 40 5 thousand and 30 4 thousand,” offered as a ballpark for planning.

The board did not take a formal vote but the chair said Mr. Collins is available on May 22 and proposed inviting him; members expressed general agreement. Staff were asked to upload Collins’s materials and prior search documents for the May 13 special meeting and to prepare an RFP discussion item if the board wishes to pursue procurement after the consultant briefing.

The discussion also covered revising the superintendent job description later in the process, with members noting that job descriptions sometimes include physical/OSHA-related language and that any statutory references in the current description should be preserved. The chair said she will follow up with Collins and with staff to upload prior search documentation and any presentation materials for the community to review before the consultation.

What’s next: The board will hear Rick Collins on May 22; members asked staff to upload prior search materials and to draft a possible RFP item for future meetings. No formal procurement decision was made at the May 8 session.","Marion County School Board members discussed whether to hire a search firm or run district-led surveys and town halls to guide the next steps in a superintendent search, and agreed to invite consultant Rick Collins for a May 22 briefing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board hears state cell-phone policy update; change could bar phones in elementary and middle schools

Board discusses placement options for Fordham Early Learning Academy students left on wait lists

Marion County board discusses superintendent search process, schedules consultant briefing