[{"_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",6057614,"mediaKeyId","3302688-7be0ac13473fb5c0b7ae84cd539b99ba","parentId",3302688,"title","Board hears plan for third-grade placements after Fordham Early Learning program; work session requested","audioSeconds",557,"startMs",4695000,"endMs",5252000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3302688-7be0ac13473fb5c0b7ae84cd539b99ba&start=4695&end=5252","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3302688-7be0ac13473fb5c0b7ae84cd539b99ba/thumbnail_4695000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6057614/Florida/Board-hears-plan-for-third-grade-placements-after-Fordham-Early-Learning-program-work-session-requested","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6057614-c2278b7e3c3cd06386d5cc4df658d821/orig.mp4?Expires=1775118676&Signature=Zo7oWUllFhzSdv8DQnRcX8BnTJci9cf5Zvm8zil-diXsRFeXpEMC3kRNhpgIU0I7nlDj8HKZF~URv-1ncrQ~AS~QMhNiEIZ70pGTXedxkbMYUiyPf8282NKCUhcVLcGURq1bttWA~WnX3NM4EjOgflugU81SDJz3UpmM7fp-O5K958n6fdjulbb9ydftLWgGQ8tPEJtnOWy6sOp-JjDSVZzRRNduZOCO8Crndw8DEMiRlzEl94rnisCOBmiNI12K9Dbe7a~1WNy6JRsB03BzwgKK~11P7bGH7d4c3NkxIvVE1Cb~PNha0HZXyV8XmLPbzLavWP4NjZywv6y~nH6kag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Marion County School District","date","2025-05-14T11:52:41Z","article","Marion County School Board members on May 13 reviewed district options for third-grade placements for students currently enrolled at Fordham Early Learning and asked staff to schedule a fall work session on a long-term solution.

District presenter Ms. Bridal said of 17 Fordham students moving to third grade, 15 have accepted placements: eight to Dr. N.H. Jones, two to Eighth Street, two to Ocala Springs, one to Spar Elementary and two to private schools. Two families have been offered seats at South Ocala and Anthony Elementary and staff are awaiting parental acceptance.

Looking ahead to the 2026-27 school year, Bridal described a proposed timeline that gives Fordham families earlier controlled open enrollment access. \"The Beyond Fordham opportunity placement window would open March 23 for controlled open enrollment and that would be ahead of the normal controlled open enrollment window for all of the other students,\" she said. Under the proposal, Fordham families could select schools that are at 95% capacity or below and be notified before the regular controlled open enrollment window opens.

Board members debated whether the plan provides enough priority for Fordham students. Dr. Diane Gullett and Board member Dr. Sarah James pushed for additional protections: \"I still think it's imperative that we prioritize these Fordham students almost as if they're sibling placements,\" Dr. James said, noting the program was designed specifically for early learning.

Board members also noted sibling wait lists complicate options because seats are sometimes already held for siblings through existing policies. Several members asked for a dedicated work session in the fall to craft policy for Fordham cohorts and to set expectations before the magnet and controlled-open-enrollment windows open in November.

Ending: Staff said they will continue outreach to the two remaining families and will schedule a fall work session to develop a policy that clarifies priority access for future Fordham cohorts and addresses sibling-wait-list interactions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Marion County School Board Meeting, May 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","District staff told the board that 15 of 17 Fordham Early Learning first-grade students already have placements for third grade; the board discussed a March controlled-open-enrollment window option and asked for a fall work session to finalize policy for future cohorts and siblings' placement concerns.","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},6057619,"Board approves $5.5M construction package to remediate Osceola Middle School moisture issues; board asks for contingency planning",484,4231000,4715000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3302688-7be0ac13473fb5c0b7ae84cd539b99ba&start=4231&end=4715","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3302688-7be0ac13473fb5c0b7ae84cd539b99ba/thumbnail_4231000.jpg","/articles/6057619/Florida/Board-approves-55M-construction-package-to-remediate-Osceola-Middle-School-moisture-issues-board-asks-for-contingency-planning","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6057619-265c9f5b10db76a47e81895459864598/orig.mp4?Expires=1775118676&Signature=QJCwXo19ot2WJ1Gt3ZU7g6WHszUW0An587pwUQ4foqtthSqsg53aK6Kl-Dv4hNp8FJ-iFR1IfG5M~NNd92BfXdgaSw0ev-ULT3LQNJ1AISV9En~DqU05QDH1yU1O0qfxeLVDIRiR4IR9-FYoDO7agdjbvJpFdAmal8Q5ucgPOzn3i25BFnqhjN21qN6p7LwTutWGdj0mejHrdNik4zjcpgx8doKG~pyYWN56Utbh-TqVC-Ms-nKNp1VXxj9sezySvQ0oG6wpRcx9Uot~C0L3ynwqyTr96KQEVob99ktcRwBPxKQe8yOTVCXv4NekgI9cxfkqgJ4CJlwYWWelQ6pukg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Marion County School Board on May 13 approved preconstruction early-release work and a guaranteed maximum price for Osceola Middle School building improvements after district officials reported significant moisture intrusion requiring immediate remediation.

\"We received a study on April 4 and right away we knew something had to be done,\" said Ms. Usher, district facilities staff, explaining the early-release package of roughly $500,000 to allow crews to begin remediation as soon as school dismisses for the summer. The full guaranteed maximum price (GMP) contract with Osely Construction is approximately $5,500,000, Ms. Usher said.

The board pulled the item from consent to allow discussion and asked for contingency planning. Board member Dr. Diane Gullett (superintendent) and Dr. Sarah James emphasized the need for a plan in case work spills into August. \"I would like for us to go into this project with the principal with a contingency plan for August ... so that if it's not done, we're not trying to do a Vail Mary in late July,\" said Dr. James.

District staff said environmental assessments and samples had already been taken and that remediation and interior work would be prioritized to be completed during the summer break. \"We have remediation company Simpson environmental. We'll be working ... and we'll address the interior first to make sure everything is cleared up,\" Ms. Usher said. She added that exterior sealing is also required to prevent further intrusion.

Board members acknowledged the age of the facility and the risk that uncovering one issue could reveal others. Dr. James asked staff to develop contingency plans (classroom relocations, phased work, or other mitigations) and to provide periodic updates. Board member Reverend Eric Cummings asked that periodic updates be provided to the board so members and the public can track progress.

The motion to approve the early-release package and GMP passed 5-0. Staff said they would return with further details and a definitive construction schedule. Ending: The board authorized immediate remediation work and requested contingency planning and periodic progress reports to avoid late-summer disruptions to students and staff.","Marion County School Board authorized an early-release preconstruction package and will proceed with a $5.5 million guaranteed maximum price contract for remediation and exterior sealing at Osceola Middle School. Board members urged staff to prepare contingency plans in case repairs extend into the school year.",{"_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},6057623,"School board approves $2M projected contract renewal for outsourced buses amid parent notification concerns",384,2383000,2767000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3302688-7be0ac13473fb5c0b7ae84cd539b99ba&start=2383&end=2767","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3302688-7be0ac13473fb5c0b7ae84cd539b99ba/thumbnail_2383000.jpg","/articles/6057623/Florida/School-board-approves-2M-projected-contract-renewal-for-outsourced-buses-amid-parent-notification-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6057623-3b6bf61cd9dcb059945bf7431514b275/orig.mp4?Expires=1775118676&Signature=e1LhpZJmIYWiSOgqS2Q~0lBY2Nm9J4q98bQjfRM42Zhc8Uqlg4RWu3UawiH5XyCG2~86Troj0VrcfuxIdR9CvBWGh7kgbBxqNuYoqqaj~xFqfLUQ~bttAUgvozZ1g1H1nYpliv-eU-f4XaaYK8O77ah0BCPNOsiwN831c8U8lrwVAotyaym93qbF-ngM0MoX7Mi8KAKzoZYTC435MIgc0A0TWiJMp8Hwuvs32UqA7XawE1qCx2kqlo5C52Mq9Gdv0E095vUPnNeChX~x6WeGjy5uDUfzR2GOJlUsXXckfF4iXRNYQht3TBOVLWZBu0ojHIMubBZkuxtRd3UkGI5Q3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Marion County School Board on May 13 voted unanimously to renew a piggyback agreement with School District Services Incorporated (Polk County bid ITB49MJ-624) to continue transporting alternative-learning students, a contract district staff said could cost the district about $2 million if extended through next year.

Board members and staff said the vendor began service in December and now runs 13 routes for students assigned to Marion Technical Institute (MTI). \"Internal monitoring indicates that as of April 23, there have only been two late arrivals in the morning and one late arrival in the afternoon across all 13 routes, which reflects a 98% on-time arrival rate,\" district presenter Mr. Frazier said.

The vote followed a presentation from district staff outlining payments to date and projected costs. \"We've paid $519,685 for services rendered,\" Mr. Frazier told the board. He said the district expects to pay about $300,000 more before the end of the current school year, bringing the projected year-end total to $916,000. Summer-session costs were estimated between $385,600 and $482,000; a 15-week full-year projection beginning in August at current weekly rates would add roughly $723,000. Combined, those figures put the high-end projection near $2,000,000.

Board members pressed staff on parent communications for students on the contracted routes. Dr. Sarah James, School Board member for District 5, said parents have told her they cannot track these buses using the district's usual tracking app. \"Parents of students who are alternatively placed to MTI and rely on transportation don't necessarily know when their child's bus is arriving,\" she said. \"Is there a way to expand 'Here Comes the Bus,' or is that a limiting factor because they're not our buses?\"

Mr. Frazier responded that the contracted provider's formal tracking systems were not fully integrated yet, but that MTI staff currently notify families individually when buses are late. \"If they were notified of a delay, that would come from the school site,\" he said. Transportation staff later clarified that the district does not control those buses; communication responsibility lies with School District Services.

Board member concerns ranged from notification systems to route efficiency. Board member Doctor (Reverend) Eric Cummings urged faster county action where county-owned roads are involved, calling student safety \"the utmost importance.\" Transportation staff said routes are reviewed by district staff (Mr. Ostanek), and the district will continue monitoring operational efficiency.

The motion to renew the piggyback agreement passed 5-0. Board members agreed staff should follow up with the vendor and the district transportation office to explore options to provide parents better real-time information while the vendor continues building its systems.

Board members also discussed possible interim measures — for example, asking the vendor to adopt the district's student-tracking app or having school staff provide quicker notification — and asked staff to report back on feasibility.

Ending: The board approved the renewal to maintain transportation services for alternative-learning students while directing staff to pursue better real-time communication with families and to continue monitoring route efficiency and cost projections.","The Marion County School Board unanimously approved renewing a piggyback agreement to continue outsourcing 13 bus routes for alternative-learning students. District staff reported a 98% on-time rate but acknowledged parents lack access to the district's \"Here Comes the Bus\" app for those buses and discussed options to improve notifications.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board hears plan for third-grade placements after Fordham Early Learning program; work session requested

Board approves $5.5M construction package to remediate Osceola Middle School moisture issues; board asks for contingency planning

School board approves $2M projected contract renewal for outsourced buses amid parent notification concerns