Marion County board approves construction change orders, staffing additions and audiovisual contract

The Marion County School Board on March 10 approved a consent agenda that included several construction change orders returning unused contract dollars, an amendment to the central office staffing plan to add four bus aides, and authorization to use an Omnia Partners contract for audiovisual equipment and services.

Superintendent Dr. Brewer reported that, under the district's construction management with guaranteed maximum price (GMP) delivery model, unspent funds are returned to the owner through deductive change orders. The board summary listed major deductive changes including a $15,675,000 owner direct‑purchase deduction for the Lakewear Middle School project (project 24‑130) with an estimated sales‑tax savings of roughly $940,500; a $1,500,000 deductive change for the new South Marion High School (project 24‑105) saving about $85,259 in sales tax; and a $593,675 deductive change for interior wall work at East Marion Elementary (estimated tax savings $33,675). Smaller deductive change orders for security fencing and related items at several schools were also reported.

The consent agenda — which incorporated those change orders as informational items — passed on a single voice vote, recorded 5‑0.

On staffing, the board approved an amendment adding four bus aide positions to the transportation department for the 2025‑26 school year. "These positions are needed to meet the needs of the department and the district," said Wantisha Morant, executive director of human resources, who told the board the positions will be funded with district dollars.

The board also authorized continued use of Omnia Partners contract R2250402 for audiovisual solutions. Ben Venudi, director of technology, told the board the contract runs Oct. 1, 2025, through Sept. 30, 2028, and that the district estimates roughly $500,000 per year in purchases under the agreement. "This contract provides access to audiovisual equipment solutions and related services as needed throughout the district," Venudi said.

Several routine minutes and procedural items were approved earlier in the meeting, and multiple student expulsions were approved separately (see "Votes at a glance" below). No board member dissented on the business items recorded in the consent agenda.

Votes at a glance

• Consent agenda (including construction change orders reported for projects 24‑130, 24‑105 and 25‑114): approved 5‑0. • Central office staffing amendment (add four bus aides): approved 5‑0 (motion by Nancy Thrower; second by Lorie Conrad noted in the record). • Omnia Partners audiovisual contract (R2250402): approved 5‑0 (Director of Technology Ben Venudi presented terms and cost estimate). • Resolution No. 26‑04 (ad valorem tax language): approved 5‑0; attorney noted the language will move to the Marion County Board of County Commissioners for next steps.

What it means

The change orders reduce project contract amounts and return unused funds to the district; reported savings are primarily realized in reduced sales‑tax exposure as materials are purchased under an owner direct‑purchase process. The staffing additions address immediate transportation needs, while the Omnia Partners contract is intended to streamline district purchases of audiovisual equipment and services across schools.

Next steps

Per board procedure, reported change orders will be entered into the official minutes and the Omnia contract will be used as needed through its term. Several community meetings and planning workshops were also announced; the board is scheduled to receive a draft strategic plan on April 2.

Sources: superintendent's report to the board; remarks by Wantisha Morant and Ben Venudi; board roll‑call votes recorded at the March 10 meeting.