Marion City Schools board approves $1 million transfer, adopts new biology curriculum and amends transportation contract

The Marion City Schools Board of Education on Jan. 21 approved a $1,000,000 transfer from the district general fund into the district's permanent improvement fund, adopted a new high‑school biology curriculum and approved an amended transportation contract, the board said during its regular meeting.

The board voted unanimously to move $1,000,000 from the district's general fund to the permanent improvement fund, recorded during the board's roll call vote on the December financial items.

Why it matters: The transfer shifts operating reserves into a fund used for capital improvements and is one of the largest single in‑meeting budget moves the board approved this school year.

The board also approved adoption of the Miller Levine biology curriculum for high school grades after a selection process the district began in summer 2024. Superintendent Murphy said the vendor is an Ohio Department of Education–approved publisher, offers scaffolded lab supports, multi‑language translations and an integrated digital teacher resource bank, and that the district selected a six‑year license.

The board approved the Marion City Schools gifted service plan required by the state. The updated plan, the superintendent…