Marshall Public Schools board approves 2024–25 general fund amendment; curriculum proposals sent for 30-day review

The Marshall Public Schools Board of Education on Feb. 10 approved a budget amendment for the 2024–25 general fund that raises the district's projected year‑end fund balance and funds one‑time capital and program items, and received first readings of two curriculum proposals that will be available for public review for 30 days.

The board approved the amendment after a presentation by Kendra (staff member), who said the district ended the 2023–24 year with a larger fund balance than projected and carried that increase into the amendment. Kendra said the district “ended the year with 7,400,000.0 or 18% fund balance,” and that the amendment estimates ending 2024–25 with about 6,500,000.0, or roughly 14% of expenditures.

The amendment reflects a $1,600,000 increase in property tax revenue, about $265,000 in donations referenced as coming from “Ford, Court Right, and for the Walters Playground,” and reductions or adjustments in grant and federal funding lines as ESSER expenditures and certain SR revenues concluded. Kendra also said teacher step increases negotiated over the summer came in at “$3,000 plus” per eligible step. New one‑time expenditures in the amendment include funding for a culture and climate consultant, a camera server, concrete work for basketball hoops donated by Ford, and a greenhouse in the capital projects account.

The board approved the recommended amendment on a voice vote; President Amanda Lankard announced the motion was moved by Treasurer Matt Davis and supported by Trustee Gerry Onderhill. No trustees recorded a nay vote.

Separately, the board heard two curriculum proposals from staff: an elementary magnet reading proposal and an eighth‑grade novel proposal. The superintendent’s curriculum committee previously approved forwarding both items to the full board; board members were told the proposals will be posted in the district Central Office for 30 days and the board will take action at its next meeting. The district indicated teachers and staff gave presentations to the curriculum committee prior to this meeting.

The meeting also included routine business: approval of the consent agenda, which contained special meeting and business session minutes, disbursements and new hires, and the appointment of a board secretary for the meeting. The consent agenda passed by voice vote on a motion moved by Trustee Gerry Onderhill and supported by Treasurer Matt Davis. The board recognized four new hires by name: Sonia Byron (1‑to‑1 special education paraprofessional, Marshall High School), Nicole Embry (fourth‑grade teacher, Harrington Elementary), Taylor Turner (intervention specialist, Gordon Elementary) and Tierra Williams (math interventionist/building substitute, Harrington Elementary).

On the appointment, Treasurer Matt Davis was appointed acting secretary for the meeting; President Amanda Lankard stated the motion was moved by Davis and supported by Onderhill and the appointment passed by voice vote.

Public comment on agenda items produced no speakers. During general public comment later in the meeting no members of the public addressed the board. No future agenda requests requiring action were made at the session.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of agenda — mover: Matt Davis; second: Gerry Onderhill; outcome: approved (yes 6, no 0, abstain 0, absent 1).

- Appointment of acting secretary (Treasurer Matt Davis) — mover: Matt Davis; second: Gerry Onderhill; outcome: approved (yes 6, no 0, abstain 0, absent 1).

- Consent agenda (special meeting minutes, business session minutes, disbursements, new hires) — mover: Gerry Onderhill; second: Matt Davis; outcome: approved (yes 6, no 0, abstain 0, absent 1).

- 2024–25 General Fund Budget Amendment — mover: Matt Davis; second: Gerry Onderhill; outcome: approved (yes 6, no 0, abstain 0, absent 1).

The board was told this is the first budget amendment for the 2024–25 school year and that the full amendment detail is in the board packet and available through Central Office for review before the amendment took effect.