The Marion County School Board voted unanimously Nov. 11 to create an Attendance Boundary Advisory Committee to review school attendance boundaries and facility utilization across elementary, middle and high schools.

The board approved Resolution 25-15 after staff said the committee will focus initially on North End schools and is scheduled for three public meetings: Nov. 21, Dec. 9 and Dec. 16 at 4 p.m. in the Building 1 Conference Room, with the meetings to be advertised in the Ocala Gazette. "With approval, we will start our first meeting next Friday, November 21," facilities staff told trustees.

The committee’s stated goal for the first three meetings is to develop recommendations about boundary adjustments and facility use that the superintendent can consider. Interim Superintendent Danielle Brewer and facilities staff emphasized the meetings are open to the public and will be posted in accordance with statutory publication requirements.

Board members and the district attorney discussed the legal timing for public notice after staff outlined publication deadlines in the Gazette. Board attorney Jeremy Powers confirmed that the district must meet the seven-day notice requirement under applicable public-notice procedures before holding a meeting open to the public. Following that clarification, the board directed staff to submit the advertisement and confirmed the three dates.

The resolution passed 5–0. Chair Dr. Sarah James noted the committee will include representation identified in the resolution and that calendar invites will be sent to committee members to ensure attendance. The board did not take further action on boundary changes at the meeting; ABAC is expected to report recommendations after its initial meetings.