Marion County board weighs North‑end school consolidation options; staff recommends two‑step plan

The Marion County School Board on Oct. 16 received a multi‑option plan to address low utilization and aging facilities on the county’s North End. Staff presented four concepts, related costs and a staff recommendation: implement Concept 1 (relocate Fordham Early Learning Academy students to Reddick Collier Elementary with hub transportation options) and Concept 3 (combine SPAR and Anthony Elementary into a single new campus or expand SPAR) as a coordinated two‑phase strategy.

Background: The review was requested by the board earlier in the summer to examine four North End elementary schools (Anthony, Fessenden, Reddick/Collier and Spar) and options for the district’s Bridgeway alternative program, which is exceeding capacity. Staff also framed the discussion with a new state rule allowing the co‑location of “Schools of Hope” on underused public school property, creating urgency to reduce underutilized spaces.

Key data and options presented: - Current utilization: Reddick/Collier was reported at about 46% utilization (enrollment ~320; FISH capacity about 686 before any adjustments); Anthony and other…