Florida / School Districts / Marion
After a three-hour work session Feb. 5, Marion County School Board signaled agreement on a two‑year initial contract for Dr. Brewer with a $205,000 base salary, performance incentives tied to an A district rating and graduation rates, and several benefit provisions; attorneys will finish redlines and send them to the superintendent's counsel for review.
Florida / School Districts / Marion
After debate about relationships, representation and timing, Marion County School Board agreed in principle to remove per‑school assignments from the district website and instead list contact info for all board members with a note that all members represent all schools; the change is planned to take effect at the start of the next school year.
Florida / School Districts / Marion
At its Jan. 27 meeting the Marion County School Board approved routine and substantive items including adoption hearings for K–12 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.