[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_25":26},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5},"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","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_27":28,"_29":30},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[31,75,87,99,111],{"_32":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":73},"mediaId",6466000,"mediaKeyId","5826124-793719de52d2a2fa0d2751388074bcd6","parentId",5826124,"title","Marion County Schools credit HR team for rapid implementation of new fingerprinting clearinghouse process","audioSeconds",137,"startMs",1271000,"endMs",1408000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5826124-793719de52d2a2fa0d2751388074bcd6&start=1271&end=1408","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5826124-793719de52d2a2fa0d2751388074bcd6/thumbnail_1271000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6466000/Florida/Marion-County-Schools-credit-HR-team-for-rapid-implementation-of-new-fingerprinting-clearinghouse-process","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466000-3823f282694db763e747d1fdb25879ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1769931184&Signature=P-1R1sPzoHw9a05fmmlu10QYRXD28yGbCOciTZr6ZaxBaj0deYb7FZ74S1QZ4X7W2C9brR9i2fxKsL5qEwhrcqJOkkPKPrTQz1nHzS-DMk1jnb~T2hrTdvWIfT~o39vpuU1vkYuh24zqxtcFSVGsiftqhOUdSNP54bUn88g38j2kvk9yVhsNZwucdbFM-d5E0GQUhEXjgInYE0UeiE5yFqkgd4jwXe-26ZWeNpTAbdgfpv1Vr6KlHKaoXRkE-sa9Vm7OjizABMeRtt5UA2~MQUqMfbo16EI5KSdNCGRYvSlZasMbnekDxaM7DXCYbD0mcniCqEfgt88djSuLtWa5Gg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Marion County School Board","date","2025-09-24T17:18:46.217Z","article","The Marion County School Board on Sept. 23 recognized the district's human resources team for an expedited re-fingerprinting effort after a statutory change moved background-eligibility determinations to a statewide clearinghouse.

Miss Wontanesha Morant, executive director of human resources, described the work required after a 2023 amendment to Florida Statutes 1012.315 shifted responsibility for eligibility reviews to the Agency for Health Care Administration clearinghouse. HR staff said the transition required rapid re-fingerprinting of employees with approaching expiration dates.

Staff presenters said they re-fingerprinted more than 1,400 current employees in less than two months and that roughly 5,000 remaining employees are scheduled to be re-fingerprinted by the end of the fiscal year. To reduce workplace disruption, staff traveled to school sites to complete the process. Board members came forward to personally thank the HR team for the extra work.

Staff named several members of the professional practices and employment services teams who led the rollout, including Brent Carson, director of professional practices, and Chris Carlisle, supervisor of employment services, and a list of clerical and investigation staff. The board acknowledged the scale and speed of the effort and invited staff forward for recognition.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Marion County School Board Meeting, September 23, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","District human resources staff were recognized for re-fingerprinting more than 1,400 employees in under two months after a 2023 statutory change shifted eligibility determination to a statewide clearinghouse; the district plans to re-fingerprint roughly 5,000 remaining employees by the end of the fiscal year.","taxTitle","Marion, School Districts, Florida","taxId",15365,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_32":76,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":77,"_40":78,"_42":79,"_44":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6466005,"Board approves mentoring contracts with Girls on the Rise and Cut Different; appear to be funded through Title I and improvement grants",163,3771000,3934000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5826124-793719de52d2a2fa0d2751388074bcd6&start=3771&end=3934","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5826124-793719de52d2a2fa0d2751388074bcd6/thumbnail_3771000.jpg","/articles/6466005/Florida/Board-approves-mentoring-contracts-with-Girls-on-the-Rise-and-Cut-Different-appear-to-be-funded-through-Title-I-and-improvement-grants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466005-ca8c8768b71197643b606e33a2526d69/orig.mp4?Expires=1769931184&Signature=GrQAUeJuOuk7nIXiHHR6Au-voVZR-Ukj406aM1TGwuqaZs7R3u0S1yMQ3T7pMwxpb~ixKWd4rj~IttDjTyGrBDdiOJ19qYJUqZe87OS6X5x0GQk2wJ4nR9DR84XzmR-mKkvWqDPZx6~KjcguaxixQIeGmFfNy59rHAqgVPcd-z4CR5YlsTDwkDgqx01XpFfhGTJLeiOsldmRQJlhBw43Fn7faF7Zl2Pifo9qhBqZXtCaJ1Y33MjK-UdV4~DGQwOrKqvGt5ZOUPZAGeMnq3J9MJ9o2ecOdiBAnzysG~cMwcJ5S6U5-96eJX7pLoebtKdsVqfLDMSNkLHsICNfMCPK-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Marion County School Board on Sept. 23 approved standard agreements with two outside mentoring organizations: Girls on the Rise LLC and Cut Different Inc. Both agreements were presented to the board with site lists, expected student counts and stated metrics for tracking attendance, behavior and academic growth.

Girls on the Rise: The agreement will serve 45 female students in grades 3 through 12 at Pheasant Elementary, Legacy Elementary and Bridgeway Academy. Board discussion and presentation said the program will focus on academic performance, attendance and social-emotional skills. Funding for the Girls on the Rise sites will come from district sources identified in the presentation. The motion to approve passed 4-1.

Cut Different: The agreement will provide school-based empowerment services to 75 male students in grades 3 through 8 at Pheasant Elementary, Legacy Elementary, Lakewood Middle School and Oakcrest Elementary during the 2025-26 school year. District staff said one school will use Title I funding to pay for the agreement and that Unified School Improvement Grant funds will support the other sites. The board recorded a 4-1 vote to approve the Cut Different agreement.

Board members praised both organizations' community work and asked about data integration. Area superintendent remarks said both groups will use their own tracking mechanisms and that each site will have monitoring through the district data dashboard that includes grades, attendance, behavior and test results. Several board members noted the importance of mentoring but also asked for academic outcome data; one board member recorded a public explanation of a \"nay\" vote based on academic outcome data he said was below expectations for a previously paid mentorship program.

Clarifying details given at the meeting included the stated student counts (45 for Girls on the Rise; 75 for Cut Different), grade ranges and funding sources (Title I for one school and Unified School Improvement Grant for others).","The board approved two standard agreements with community mentoring organizations: Girls on the Rise (serving 45 female students at three sites) and Cut Different (serving 75 male students at four sites). The Girls on the Rise vote was 4-1; Cut Different also passed 4-1.",{"_32":88,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":89,"_40":90,"_42":91,"_44":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6466010,"Marion County Hospital District awards $561,000 to Marion County Schools for FANS fitness and nutrition program",191,3363000,3554000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5826124-793719de52d2a2fa0d2751388074bcd6&start=3363&end=3554","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5826124-793719de52d2a2fa0d2751388074bcd6/thumbnail_3363000.jpg","/articles/6466010/Florida/Marion-County-Hospital-District-awards-561000-to-Marion-County-Schools-for-FANS-fitness-and-nutrition-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466010-8c6dc57986c40a346d13760aa2a2e2b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1769931184&Signature=SjPXN2JU5U6~qLZvuLp5rDu8WQ7oZS~fsIz~H2FkKhev6lsONmlkXfq9w5oYYR72bC7uxNs-9oFA~YSbZlqw4mA6amTKOPof2JHqM-GmVnjfJpoidPw9K1~fmPCTX-OL1B0TyPcUwJ5xZGj6ADtyelI2T4hgqZsubQWMSJvbc3ZnfMV5snq9fPmCQfIxjMiOOc3zvzwV0nIkjAJxee5lYJPsFCXXY~D13iMEgRluE-Lkk-JOShEYqVchB2yeBdyDsU4LWKuFXxVd3lYiPYaCrNqDgZGcANAcLzj8BV20zfFscSnIRz8PGQerOHQvcksi9FsKmm3Ji8zS0scmzWw-dg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Marion County School Board on Sept. 23 unanimously approved a $561,000 grant award from the Marion County Hospital District to expand the district's Fitness and Nutrition in Schools program, known as FANS.

The funding will support FANS activities already operating across the district, including 18 hydroponic greenhouses at secondary schools, raised beds for elementary schools and classroom supports for physical education and nutrition education. \"This program is teaching students the importance of caring for their bodies,\" said Nicole Connor, executive director of K-12 academics, while presenting the grant recommendation.

Nut graf: Board members said the program ties directly to student health and classroom instruction and highlighted measurable outputs shared by staff. Connor told the board that every secondary school contributed to last year's harvest, producing more than 9,000 pounds of produce, with more than 4,000 pounds served in cafeterias. She also said raised beds would be in use at all 33 elementary schools by the end of the week and that the Mayor's Fitness Challenge engaged 27,970 students districtwide.

Board discussion was brief and supportive. Board member Allison Campbell said she was glad the item was moved from the consent agenda to receive individual consideration and thanked the hospital district and staff. Several other members echoed appreciation for community partnerships; no members opposed the motion. The vote was 5-0 in favor.

Support and reporting: Connor said FANS works with food services and agriculture teachers to place produce directly into school cafeterias and that the program uses heart-rate monitors and other tools to strengthen PE instruction. Jessica Cole, vice president of community health programs for the Marion County Hospital District, attended the meeting and will join district staff for a work session on Nov. 6 to report on outcomes and future plans.

Clarifying details provided at the meeting included the $561,000 award amount, the number of hydroponic greenhouses (18), the districtwide produce harvest (more than 9,000 pounds), produce served in cafeterias (more than 4,000 pounds), and the number of elementary schools where raised beds will be operational (33). Connor also reported increased participation in substance-prevention curricula and student wellness clubs.","The Marion County School Board unanimously approved a $561,000 grant from the Marion County Hospital District to expand the Fitness and Nutrition in Schools (FANS) program, funding hydroponic greenhouses, school gardens, PE supports and health education.",{"_32":100,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":101,"_40":102,"_42":103,"_44":104,"_46":105,"_48":106,"_50":107,"_52":108,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":109,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":110,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6465989,"Votes at a glance: key actions from Marion County School Board, Sept. 23, 2025",1825,2535000,4360000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5826124-793719de52d2a2fa0d2751388074bcd6&start=2535&end=4360","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5826124-793719de52d2a2fa0d2751388074bcd6/thumbnail_2535000.jpg","/articles/6465989/Florida/Votes-at-a-glance-key-actions-from-Marion-County-School-Board-Sept-23-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6465989-c849c7a5d23d56676a0753aa8b4b04ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1769931184&Signature=DcMCYtrbV9Waf8TUQH6jVR6FAR1Z81sZpnt3Lmi5bqcRO2hGaigKE6eAKMrBW7IlHY7RXULWu1TOh8OcnrG4hMEPmdqxtdCM6JvvKVKGY3vL0IRKSAFfLx4DtLs9J8ynQKH-P~mUS3qy7Lq2uyDXOWMVXBKiOL0sp3~P7FdtN059-W2K-YmQ5w5iltFlua4OreRmSm5-HdCM6jD0KN5jCIycyVOcmy6yno0HaEP8demhAOAu6Iu-J8UAbLfCW--BxIVY5mCXADpkh5ii514DHf68hL0K1xv9eyagYh51COb5rOCGqcscv6Ddl7RO977Zb1znFoDYq3Oi2tsx2hLB3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Marion County School Board recorded the following formal actions and vote tallies at its Sept. 23 meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Approve meeting agenda: Motion passed 5-0.
- Approve minutes (Aug. 12, Aug. 14, Aug. 21 meetings): All motions passed 5-0.
- Adopt 2025-26 Student Progression Plan revisions (public hearing): Adopted 5-0. Staff said revisions align with Florida Statutes 1008.25 and district policy.
- Expulsion JD26-004E for remainder of 2025-26 school year and for the 2027 school year: Approved 5-0.
- Expulsion JD26-006E with off-campus virtual learning for remainder of 2025-26 and the 2027 school year: Approved 5-0.
- Approve grant award from Marion County Hospital District for FANS ($561,000): Approved 5-0.
- Approve standard agreement with Girls on the Rise LLC (mentoring): Approved 4-1.
- Approve standard agreement with Cut Different, Inc. (mentoring): Approved 4-1.
- Approve MCPS Facilities Master Plan, FY 2026-2030: Approved 5-0.
- Consent agenda C12.1 through C24.1 (minus pulled items listed by staff): Approved 5-0.

Each vote was taken in public session; the meeting audio and board packet materials are part of the official record. Where the transcript recorded a named mover or seconder, that information is noted in the meeting record. For items where a board member explained a dissent, that explanation appears in the board member comments section of the meeting record.","The board approved routine minutes and agenda items, adopted student progression plan revisions, approved two expulsions, accepted a $561,000 FANS grant, approved two mentoring contracts (4-1 each) and adopted the facilities master plan.",{"_32":112,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":113,"_40":114,"_42":115,"_44":116,"_46":117,"_48":118,"_50":119,"_52":120,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":121,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":122,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6465995,"Board honors students, staff and volunteers; VPK class earns top state metric",1937,183000,2120000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5826124-793719de52d2a2fa0d2751388074bcd6&start=183&end=2120","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5826124-793719de52d2a2fa0d2751388074bcd6/thumbnail_183000.jpg","/articles/6465995/Florida/Board-honors-students-staff-and-volunteers-VPK-class-earns-top-state-metric","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6465995-4148c4986843a4c4adea2b6e8a83f4e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1769931184&Signature=CflFPsFLzoRM1rbnQnADEJr-b34Ytus2tNLEQ9pkFljVT0eAjY4f~lo5DREEGVcRKf6AvqV-ogG97jQDoyDGqwiKp8QO8a8K40Y3rUWGyXPIae9OINcxQRHba81D1lJ8XfMa4cFVYHzI~CuRP2Vv~OATz8M87HcYl-5175PArkr94~fKIAYhngY8nFmB2km1-EZ9cKAfwqn~SXv5QeSE6XS45U5G1x~E6DfqRvyGIzqQDEYmzLieS6Nfz2codx56GUka9R7Y-16O6M6j0Plmc~1Tt1pfI1dy2pQBjr9j2PrCSBDt3gb1WAIiqDsOgM8xeEhu1lQRhe2vEz6K-vQqmQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its Sept. 23 meeting the Marion County School Board recognized multiple student and staff accomplishments, ranging from national Career and Technical student placements to a classroom-level early-childhood achievement and a lifesaving response at an elementary school.

Reddick Collier VPK: Nicole Lambert, a VPK teacher at Reddick Collier Elementary, was introduced for leading a Voluntary Pre-K class that staff said earned the highest performance metric among participating public schools across Florida for the 2025 school year. Lambert and paraprofessional Terry Crawford were noted for 21 years of partnership in VPK instruction.

Career and Technical recognitions: The board acknowledged students who competed at national and international levels in FBLA, HOSA and SkillsUSA, listing placements from several high schools and middle schools and noting advisers who accompanied them.

Shady Hill Elementary heroes: The board honored Frances Lopez (first-grade teacher) and Maraca Johnson (health clinic assistant) for a September 12 incident in which staff performed the Heimlich maneuver on a student. The student's mother, Mrs. Rodriguez, read a letter to the board thanking staff for their swift action; she said her daughter is \"alive and well today\" because of the response.

Marion Technical Institute naming committee: The board recognized members of a naming committee that developed a renaming recommendation for Marion Technical Institute; members were named during the meeting.

Board members and the superintendent took turns thanking staff and students and posed for photographs with those recognized. Several board members described the recognitions as examples of the district's mission-oriented work.","Marion County School Board recognized students and staff for national competition placements, a top-performing VPK class at Reddick Collier Elementary, a naming committee for Marion Technical Institute, and staff who performed a lifesaving Heimlich maneuver at Shady Hill Elementary.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Marion County Schools credit HR team for rapid implementation of new fingerprinting clearinghouse process

Board approves mentoring contracts with Girls on the Rise and Cut Different; appear to be funded through Title I and improvement grants

Marion County Hospital District awards $561,000 to Marion County Schools for FANS fitness and nutrition program

Votes at a glance: key actions from Marion County School Board, Sept. 23, 2025

Board honors students, staff and volunteers; VPK class earns top state metric