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School Board Approves Attendance Boundary Advisory Committee

School Board members discussed and unanimously approved a resolution creating a new committee that will help determine school attendance boundaries. 

The Attendance Boundary Advisory Committee (ABAC) will be responsible for reviewing development, enrollment, and other data to obtain community input, draft attendance boundaries for new schools, and offer suggestions to balance enrollment at existing schools. 

Thirteen people will serve on this committee. All must reside in Marion County and represent the population. As advisors to the superintendent, committee members will each have one vote and be appointed as follows:

• Five by the School Board (one by each member of the Board, after approval by a Board vote)
• One by the superintendent
• One by the Public Education Foundation of Marion County
• One by the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership 
• One by the NAACP
• One by the Hispanic Business Council of Ocala
• One by the Exceptional Student Education director of MCPS
• One by the land development industry
• One by the Marion County Board of County Commissioners 

Following meetings held in the Sunshine, this committee will then make recommendations to the superintendent for attendance lines which could then be presented to the School Board, which has the final authority for school boundaries. 

ABAC meetings are scheduled for Nov. 21, Dec. 9 and Dec. 16, all starting at 4 p.m. in the District's Building One conference room. 

Purchase Requests Granted by Board

Various department purchases earned approval tonight from School Board members who left the purchases on the consent agenda without further clarification.

These purchases included:

• $300K - Information Technology purchasing charging carts and products
• $250K - sound system installation and repair services district-wide
• $222K - Custodial Services Grounds Department purchasing a 2026 International MV truck with installed grapple loader
• $130K - School cafeteria products for Central Warehouse
• $100K - multi-purpose paper for Central Warehouse
• $50K - Heartland Payment Solutions (keypads and other equipment) 
• $40K - Agricultural and Animal Equipment, Supplies and Services
• $34K - new vehicle purchase of a Ford Explorer 

No Support for Railroad Tie Facility in Dunnellon Area

All five Marion County School Board members signed a resolution opposing a new facility in Dunnellon tied to the railroad industry.

The operation would shred and grind up creosote-treated railroad ties. Creosote "can affect organ systems including cancer, developmental, hepatic, neurological, and respiratory effects, and is harmful not only to people, but the environment," according to the resolution language. 

The industrial site could also "create known airborne particles that may transport toxic compounds into School Board schools posing respiratory and other risks to Dunnellon's vulnerable populations" based on the resolution. 

Interim Superintendent Dr. Brewer also supported the resolution which "is appropriate in order to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the School Board's employees, students, the Dunnellon Community, and all Marion County" residents. 

You can view the entire resolution by clicking this link. 

School Board Member Dr. Allison Campbell sings the "Star Spangled Banner" at the Veterans Day School Board meeting Tuesday evening. Forest High School's Air Force JROTC cadets presented the Colors as dozens of students and parents attended for special recognition purposes.