Marion School District gets Transition Readiness grant; plans $42,022.50 van purchase for Special Education

Marion School District officials reported Sept. 9 that the district received a Transition Readiness Grant and that the Special Education department will use grant funds to purchase a new 2025 Chrysler Voyager for $42,022.50, delivered, titled and licensed.

Lee Ann Wiese, the district's Special Education Director, told the board the district had its first training on Aug. 26 tied to the Transition Readiness Grant and that all 12 paraprofessionals successfully completed job coach training modules from the Wisconsin Transition Improvement Grant (TIG) website. Wiese said the purchased vehicle will be dedicated exclusively to Special Education use because it is paid for from Special Education grant funds.

Nathan Papendorf reported that, after reviewing used vans, the district used a state vehicle procurement contract to secure the new van at the stated price; he also said the district completed its first surplus auction on the Wisconsin Municipal Surplus site and raised about $4,100. Administrators noted the Mustang Academy started with 53 students, fall assessments will inform grade-level goals and small-group instruction, and the district will finalize grant budgets in WISEgrants and file required annual DPI reports.

Administrators also recapped community engagement: Open House and a Tailgate Celebration served more than 400 guests, the NHS will run a blood drive (logistics being planned), and Homecoming is scheduled for the week of Sept. 23. The minutes record these informational reports; the vehicle purchase will proceed under procurement and grant-administration procedures recorded by staff.