Board weighs merging Fessenden and Reddick Collier; finance analysis shows potential savings, residents urge preserving Fessenden

Marion County School District staff presented a detailed financial and operational analysis Feb. 24 for a proposal that would stop district-operated K–5 instruction at Fessenden (sometimes referenced in the meeting as Pheasanton/Fessenden) and consolidate those students at Reddick Collier Elementary.

Finance staff told the board that, using 10-year projections, Fessenden’s fixed and maintenance costs were estimated at approximately $30,000,000 and Reddick Collier’s at about $37,512,000. Staff said a merged, single-site operation serving both current enrollments at Reddick Collier’s campus — modeled using a comparable school (Saddlewood) as a prototype — would cost roughly $41,000,000 over 10 years, producing an estimated savings of about $26,400,000 compared with running the two sites separately.

Operational and facilities analysis: Staff explained capacity and facility considerations for both campuses. Reddick Collier’s reported FISH capacity was 686 seats and its 80-day count was 345 students, leaving a large number of available seats. By contrast, Fessenden’s zone included 590 students; 395 currently attend Fessenden and about 95 zone students attend other schools. Facilities staff said major needs at both campuses over the next 10 years include HVAC work and other maintenance; staff also listed potential portable needs under some scenarios.

Staffing and noninstructional placements: Human-resources staff said instructional positions could likely be absorbed by the district, but noninstructional roles (paraprofessionals, clerks, HCAs) might require additional placement work and careful management of vacancies and transfers. Board members and staffing staff discussed existing district-wide vacancies and attrition, with one board member noting many open noninstructional job listings on the district job board.

Transportation and travel-time effects: Transportation staff said the route change from Fessenden to Reddick would add an estimated 5–10 minutes to affected students’ rides, a difference the board discussed in the context of student well-being. Staff reported the trip is approximately 6.2 miles.

Public comment: Dozens of residents and local leaders attended and several spoke during the public-comment portion of the item. Speakers emphasized Fessenden’s long history and its place in the community — including several who noted Fessenden’s founding and historic role in local Black education — and urged the board to preserve the campus. Johnny Grimes, president of the (Pheasanton) School Alumni Association, said the school’s history and community significance warranted alternatives to closure. Loretta Pompey Jenkins and other residents also urged the board to prioritize the neighborhood school and to seek community-driven reuse options rather than closure.

Board guidance and next steps: Board members expressed differing views. Some cited the financial numbers and said consolidation could reduce operating overhead and free funds for other priorities; others cautioned about community impact and historical preservation, and urged robust local engagement before any decision. The board instructed staff to schedule community meetings and to provide additional detail on finances, timeline and site-reuse options; several board members said any significant change should not be rushed while academic testing and ongoing work at the schools continue.

Ending: No formal action or vote occurred at the Feb. 24 work session. The board asked staff for additional analysis and community sessions to be scheduled as part of the next steps.