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Marion County School Board approves separate director roles for student discipline and K–12 academics
Summary
At a special meeting June 16, the Marion County School Board approved new job descriptions creating a standalone director of student discipline and an executive director of K–12 academics to split discipline and academic oversight previously combined in other positions.
The Marion County School Board approved new job descriptions for a director of student discipline and an executive director of K–12 academics at a special meeting on June 16, 2025. The motions to approve each job description passed unanimously, 4-0.
The change separates discipline work from academic leadership so the district can expand ‘‘tier 1’’ prevention supports at school sites, administrators said. Mr. Whitehouse, a district staff member who addressed the board, described the shift: "The role of discipline support did fall under the senior executive director for secondary education. We no longer have a senior executive director of secondary education, and we also eliminated the director of secondary education from the 25–26 staffing plan due to budget challenges." He added the standalone director would help with alternate placements and expulsions and "get out to schools and work with our staff...to make sure that we are providing good tier 1 support at our school level, to prevent some of those from happening."
Dr. Danielle Brewer, superintendent, and other board members framed the move as part of the district strategic plan for 2026. "Part of our strategic plan for 2026 is goal 2, which is really making sure that we are providing safe and effective learning and work locations for all of our students and staff," Whitehouse said when explaining why separate roles were needed. Board member Thorpe (identified in the record as a member who spoke in support) described tier 1 as prevention and said separating responsibilities should reduce cases that reach the board for disciplinary votes.
The board approved the director of student discipline and the executive director of K–12 academics by roll-call votes recorded as 4-0. The record shows the motions to approve were made and seconded during the business portion of the special meeting and that no board members voted against the items. The items were discussed during the agenda rather than during public comment.
Board members and staff repeatedly emphasized the staffing changes were intended to improve preventative supports at school sites; no specific hires, salaries, or implementation dates were provided during the meeting.
