Marion board appoints school psychologist, approves contracts and discusses UPK enrollment policy

The MARION CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT board voted to appoint Rachel Rosser as the district’s elementary-school psychologist and approved several administrative items at its regular meeting.

Superintendent Dr. Lloyd introduced Rachel Rosser as the candidate for the elementary psychologist post; a motion to appoint Rosser passed after a second, with one abstention noted by the clerk. Rosser was invited to the table and welcomed by board members.

The board also approved a memorandum of agreement with CSEA that allows CSEA members to elect either 21 or 26 pays across the school year, an option previously offered only to the teachers’ unit, the superintendent said. The MOA passed by motion.

On facilities and finance, the board approved an updated capital-project management contract with Watchdog Building Partners at approximately 4.5% of project cost to support the district’s planned capital submission to the State Education Department. Separately, the board authorized administrative changes to Relion bank and credit-card signatories to remove a former signatory (Rich Walker) and add current administrators; minutes approved by the board will be provided to banks to effect the change.

Superintendent Dr. Lloyd provided enrollment updates and program reports. Early childhood (UPK) registration figures were presented in slides and discussed in two statements: an initial slide reported 26 registrations, and a later statement in the meeting said current UPK enrollment was 30, including two out‑of‑district students who will return to their home districts; the superintendent said she expects two integrated UPK sections (each capped at 16 students) unless a state variance is requested. She added that from the UPK cohort the district anticipates about 27 students continuing into kindergarten and that six new kindergarten registrations currently bring the total to 33 registered kindergarten students for next year.

Board members and the superintendent discussed whether the district should formalize a recurring practice of permitting staff children to enroll in UPK when there is space (no tuition and no district transportation provided). Board members asked whether that arrangement should be codified in policy or left to administrative discretion; they agreed to draft a policy to present to the board in a subsequent meeting.

The superintendent also reported on the Girls on the Run program (coaches Jodie Phelps and Rachel Bentley), a multi‑season youth running and life‑skills program for grades 3–6 that culminates in a 5K and a community-impact project; coaches proposed a mural at the elementary school celebrating program participants.

After approving the consent agenda, the board voted to enter executive session to discuss pending due‑process litigation (case number 678509) and personnel matters.

No formal vote tallies by name were recorded in the public transcript beyond noting an abstention during the Rosser appointment; motions passed as recorded on the meeting minutes.