Marion County presents mid‑year referendum spending: $4.2 million received, $15.7 million spent through Dec. 31

District staff told the Independent Citizens Referendum Oversight Committee on Jan. 23 that referendum proceeds for the current fiscal year are budgeted at $37.3 million, with expenditures budgeted at $43.1 million; as of Dec. 31 the district had received about $4.2 million in referendum revenue and spent approximately $15.7 million, or about 36% of the budgeted expenditures.

The 1‑mill ad valorem referendum — the committee reviewed reporting covering the period July 1 through Dec. 31, 2024 — supports reading, physical education, art, music, library/media, vocational programs, class‑size reduction, retention of state‑certified teachers and paraprofessionals, and school safety. The district reported a beginning fund balance of $11.7 million and projects an ending fund balance for 2024–25 of about $5.9 million.

Presenters outlined program budgets and mid‑year expenditures:

- Class size reduction (kindergarten paraprofessionals): Budgeted $6.0 million; 177 paraprofessional positions budgeted, 169 filled and 8 vacant as of Dec. 31; about 45% of the category budget spent to date.

- Physical education: Budgeted $9.5 million; 106 PE teachers (3 vacancies) and 25 PE technicians (2 vacancies); roughly 40% spent. Staff highlighted a November elementary soccer jamboree with 288 student participants and nearly 300 parents in attendance, supported by community partners.

- Vocational/CTE: Budgeted $2.4 million; referendum funds support…