NOVEMBER 12, 2025 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kevin Christian, APR, CPRC, Director of Public Relations

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JAMES AND CONRAD ELECTED TO LEAD MARION COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD

2025-2026 School Board Chair Dr. Sarah James, Vice-Chair Lori Conrad, and Board Members Dr. Allison Campbell, Rev. Eric Cummings, and Nancy Thrower

MARION COUNTY – The School Board of Marion County has new leaders following an annual reorganizational meeting Tuesday evening.

Dr. Sarah James is the new chair, elected with unanimous support from her Board colleagues. This is her first time in the position since she joined the Board in 2022 when Marion County voters elected her. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Florida and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Central Florida. Her doctorate in Educational Leadership comes from National Louis University.

As chair, James will lead twice-monthly School Board meetings and year-round work sessions.  She will also serve on various leadership boards throughout the community.

Lori Conrad is the new vice-chair, a position she previously held two years ago. Conrad also received unanimous support from her Board colleagues on her election. An elementary teacher by training, Conrad joined the Board in 2022 to fill a partial term. Marion County voters re-elected her to a full four-year term in 2024.

Conrad will also serve various School Board appointments and will step in as needed should James be absent.

  School Board members also supported their traditional meeting days of the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, along with their 5:30 p.m. start time for the next year. As well, they kept the same meeting location inside the Cole Auditorium at 1614 E. Fort King St. in Ocala.

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