FASTfacts - October 14, 2025 (Vol. 21, Issue 07)

New Agreement with MEA Adds Almost $5.8 Million to Annual Budget

A new negotiated agreement with the Marion Education Association (MEA) adds almost $5.9 million to the annual MCPS payroll. 

The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) was ratified by the MEA and was School Board approved this evening. The MEA is one of three bargaining units that negotiate with the School Board.

This latest agreement updates several sections of the previous agreement including:

• Notice of Arrests and Convictions
• Posting of Vacancies
• Changes in Assigned Classroom, Subject, or Grade Level
• Compensatory Time
• Pre-School-Year Preparation and Planning Time
• Performance Evaluation of Employees
• Department/Grade Level Chairpersons Selection Process
• Differentiated Pay
• Grandfathered Salary Schedule
• Performance Pay Salary Schedule
• New Employee Placement Matrix

The new agreement also eliminates sections regarding "Four-Day School Week at MTI" and "Virtual Teacher Salary Schedule." 

This agreement is retroactive to July 1, 2025, and ends on June 30, 2028.

For more information, click this link. 

Transportation Rolling Forward with New Bus Purchases

Following a 4-0 School Board vote, MCPS is ordering 18 new buses for the 2026-2027 school year.

Because of high demand and limited manufacturers, school bus orders typically take a year to fulfill. 

This round of purchases includes five new 77-passenger buses with lifts, GPS, and bus cameras pre-installed totaling $842,300; and 18 new 77-passenger buses with GPS and bus cameras pre-installed totaling $2,209,597.

Using a Florida Department of Education bid, the $3,051,897 purchase of these buses is paid with capital funding and continues the district's plan to replace 10% of its bus fleet each year if funding allows it.

Buses will be purchased from Matthews Bus Alliance, Inc.    

Various Construction Projects Earn Green Lights

School Board members unanimously supported several construction projects on tonight's agenda impacting thousands of students and employees. These projects included:

• $13.4 million - South Marion High School buildings 1-4 remaining interior finishes, buildings 6-11, and courtyards and sports field. This is the fourth phase of construction and includes acoustical ceilings, wall panels, resilient and tile flooring, various specialties, landscaping, irrigation, and a high-performance football playfield. 
• $269,472 - Replacement Lake Weir Middle School ("DD"). This cost-sharing and construction cooperation agreement with Camila Homes, LLC, means MCPS and Camila will cooperate to design, permit, and construct wastewater facilities that benefit the school property, sharing costs between the School Board and the developer and saving taxpayer dollars. 
• $193,138 - New Technology and Information Services Building. This contract is for the construction manager, Allstate Construction, Inc., and was put on hold two years ago because it went over budget. Funded this budget year, this additional $193,138 brings the totals to $550,000 for the contract fee and $93,138 for a pre-construction fee. 
• $137,405 - Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) to continue fencing schools for security purposes, including Horizon Academy at Marion Oaks. A.D. Morgan Corporation will serve as the vendor. 
• $25,000 - Baseball boosters at North Marion High School are donating this amount to pay for a Handi-House metal building to be installed at the school's baseball facility. 

Student members of the 2025 Ocala Film Derby winning team, along with mentors, video production teachers, Derby organizers, and principals, pose after being recognized for their achievements by School Board members and Interim Superintendent Dr. Danielle Brewer.