The Marion County School Board held a work session on August 21, 2025, focusing on student behavior and disciplinary referrals across the district. The meeting highlighted significant improvements in student conduct, with a detailed analysis of referral data presented.

The discussion began with a review of referral statistics, revealing that 40 out of 50 schools reported that 80% or more of their students received one or zero referrals. This statistic indicates a positive trend in student behavior, as it suggests that a majority of students are not facing disciplinary actions. Further breakdown of the data showed that 13 of these schools had 85% or more of their students receiving one or fewer referrals, while 17 schools achieved a remarkable 90% or more in the same category.

Overall, the district's average indicated that 84% of students received one or fewer referrals, marking a significant achievement in maintaining a positive school environment. The board emphasized the importance of these figures, suggesting that they reflect effective behavioral management strategies within the schools.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the need to continue monitoring these trends and to explore further initiatives that could enhance student behavior and reduce referrals even more. The board plans to revisit this data in future meetings to assess ongoing progress and implement necessary adjustments to their strategies.