Board approves several construction contracts, student discipline actions and a three‑year internal audit agreement; central warehouse listing agent selected

The Marion County School Board took a string of formal votes at its Jan. 14 meeting on construction and procurement items, student discipline matters and vendor contracts. Below is a concise summary of the actions the board approved on the record during the televised meeting.

Why it matters: The decisions move forward capital repairs at multiple schools, formalize a three‑year internal audit engagement the district will use to meet state requirements, resolve multiple student discipline cases with specific educational placements, and start the process to sell the district’s central warehouse property.

Votes at a glance (key items taken from the meeting record)

- Internal auditing services contract (RSM) — approved - What: Three‑year contract to provide internal audit services required by Florida law; estimated total expenditure $675,000 (FY24‑25: $245,000; FY25‑26: $215,000; FY26‑27: $215,000). Scope includes program and functional audits across the district. - Discussion: Board members praised the firm’s thoroughness and also asked staff to review consultant/attorney fee policy language; one board member raised concern about hourly consultant rates and asked for a policy review. - Outcome: Motion to utilize the piggyback contract was approved; board asked staff to return with policy options for consultant/attorney fees.

- Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) authorizations for capital projects — approved - Vanguard High School roof replacement (project 24‑127): GMP approved to replace multiple building roofs (buildings 1, 8, 14, 16, 17 and 19); work includes full removal and replacement on some roofs, mechanical work to access curbs, and…