Florida / School Districts / Marion
At its Jan. 27 meeting the Marion County School Board approved routine and substantive items including adoption hearings for Kâ12 ELA materials, a $3.7 million GMP for East Marion Elementary (one recusal), ratification of an IUPAT contract (~$1M), multiple expulsions with services, and the consent agenda; a bid for ready-mix concrete was rejected.
Florida / School Districts / Marion
The Marion County School Board approved a roughly $400,000 purchase of 19 Open Gate weapons-detection systems for high schools and event use; district staff said units will be tuned to limit false alarms and will be rolled out with training for staff and students.
Florida / School Districts / Marion
Student Colton Hughes urged Marion County trustees to fund a student-led mental-health awareness program, saying "Mental health kills students." Board members acknowledged the concern and highlighted counselors and student-driven initiatives but did not take immediate formal action.
Florida / School Districts / Marion
The Independent Citizens Referendum Oversight Committee received a quarterly report showing $262 million in total referendum collections to date and a $42 million annual budget; members approved prior minutes, elected officers and approved the committee's annual report.
Florida / School Districts / Marion
The committee reviewed Safe Schools expenditures: quarterly SRO payments to local agencies, purchases to support emergency communications and a crisis-response coordinator hire; staff emphasized ongoing monitoring of rising SRO contract costs.
Florida / School Districts / Marion
Staff outlined an estimated $350,000 for athletic uniforms and equipment and said instruments and other course materials will be purchased with referendum funds from the roll-forward balance; the committee expressed support for one-time use and asked staff to ensure purchases do not create recurring obligations.
Florida / School Districts / Marion
At the Jan. 13 Marion County School Board meeting, a Republican committee representative urged the board to conduct a national superintendent search rather than immediately appoint the interim superintendent, while the Dunnellon Chamber requested permission to host July 4 fireworks at Dunnellon High, citing insurance and safety plans.
Florida / School Districts / Marion
The board ratified a three-year agreement with Marion Education Support Professionals (MESP), with district staff estimating the total cost at about $1,100,000; the bargaining unit ratified the tentative agreement prior to the board vote.
Florida / School Districts / Marion
The board adopted 2026â2028 instructional calendars, approved a $104,490 Perkins CTE grant for automotive program equipment, and accepted $25,745.07 in community donations to several schools during the Jan. 13 meeting.
Florida / School Districts / Marion
District staff reported $4,433,197.73 in unused funds from several GMP construction projects; roughly $4.1 million will be directed to the South Marion High School project. The board also approved emergency chiller replacement at Westport High and amendments for several capital projects.