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Marion County superintendent reviews year of facility upgrades, academic gains and new student services
Summary
Superintendent Chris Brady outlined a year of facility renovations (including a 500‑ft geothermal drill at the ATC), academic recognition, new student supports and program launches such as JAG and a district food pantry.
Superintendent Chris Brady presented the district's year‑in‑review to the Marion County Board of Education, outlining facility projects, academic improvements and new student services.
Brady said the Area Technology Center is undergoing drilling for a geothermal system with wells described as roughly 500 feet deep and interior demolition underway to install new plumbing and finishes. He also highlighted a near‑complete district maintenance building (a former bus garage renovated largely in‑house), completion of a band tower with timed lighting, and renovation of the fitness center and restrooms.
"This is a project that we're really excited about," Brady said of the ATC work, and he credited maintenance staff for interior and wiring work that saved costs on other renovations.
On academics, Brady said the district ranked seventh among regional peers in KSA results and was one of 100 districts nationwide selected for a case study; he credited teachers, principals and parents for improved reading and math performance since 2022.
Brady also reviewed student supports and new programs. He said the district launched a JAG program at Marion County High School with a ribbon cutting this year and praised Mr. Allan Harmon for leading the program. A new district food pantry that began in December logged about 120 family visits through May, Brady said. He also announced the addition of Student Resource Officer Chris Juul through a partnership with the sheriff's office to serve multiple middle schools.
The superintendent provided nutrition and service statistics: during the 2025‑26 school year the district reported 251,250 breakfasts and 389,465 lunches served; the summer feeding program distributed 39,137 meals in its first two weeks. Brady said technology upgrades included fiber‑optic replacements between the high school, ATC and Leon Middle and ongoing camera and security improvements.
Brady closed by noting several staff development efforts — six staff accepted into an in‑house aspiring leaders program, renewed partnerships with a local university for teacher candidates and two high‑school teachers qualifying to teach dual‑credit classes — and invited board questions.
