FASTfacts - January 13, 2026 (Vol. 21, Issue 11)

Calendars for Next Two School Years Earn Approval

Families planning vacations over the next two years should have an easier time doing so thanks to School Board members approving calendars for the next two years.

With unanimous support, these calendars will soon be posted at www.marionschools.net and shared with school leaders, employees, families, and the community.

School calendars are created with input from dozens of committee members, including parents, teachers, principals, district administrators, and others.

The process starts with 180 days of class plus 16 days of teacher work and professional development time. Add in school holidays, Thanksgiving week, Christmas/Winter Break, Spring Break, and some additional time off, and you have what is available at these links:

• Click this link for the 2026-2027 calendar.
• Click this link for the 2027-2028 calendar.

 Wednesday Early Release days are part of both calendars. Also of note is the last day of school, which is now recognized as an Early Release day.

 For the 2026-2027 calendar, the first day of class is Monday, Aug. 10, while the last day is Wednesday, May 26.

 For the 2027-2028 calendar, the first day of class is Tuesday, Aug. 10, while the last day is Thursday, May 25.

New Tech Center to Cost $10.5 Million

The District's new Technology and Information Services (TIS) Center will be constructed in Northeast Ocala, consolidating the department into one modern location. 

The Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) of $10.5 million, approved by School Board members tonight, includes a new server room, storage areas, offices, staff lounge, restrooms, delivery bay, site work, paving, and necessary utility modifications to support the new building. The price also includes emergency back-up power capabilities.

The new facility will replace the decades-old current building located close to Downtown Ocala and adjacent to the now-closed older District office on Southeast Third Street. TIS personnel are also scattered in different locations throughout that campus.

With the project managed by Allstate Construction, the timeframe for substantial completion is Dec. 1 of this year, with final completion by Jan. 1, 2027.

Board Signs MESP Agreement

School Board members eagerly approved the second of three union contracts for the current school year with unanimous support.

The contract with Marion Education Support Personnel (MESP) adds about $1.1 million to the District's annual budget moving forward and follows a recent approved agreement with the Marion Education Association (MEA). 

Highlights of the new MESP contract include: 

• Removing a four-day work week at Marion Technical Institute (now Bridgeway Academy)
• Adding language paying employees for summertime jury duty if that duty causes them to miss work
• Provides raises of 35–73 cents per hour for employees on the “C” Wage Schedule, Addendum B
• Provides raises of 34–73 cents per hour for employees on the “N” Wage Schedule, Addendum B
• Adds coaching supplements for Beach Volleyball
• Adds a supplement for Supportive Enforcement Liaison positions (subject to funding from the Marion County Hospital District).

 The only remaining collective bargaining agreement (with IUPAT) is slated for School Board approval later this month.

Cadets involved in Lake Weir High School's JROTC program present the Colors at tonight's School Board meeting.